"My Hospital journey"

I woke up recently with a pain on the side of my left hand bicep and along my neck behind my shoulder, coupled with a headache which was getting significantly more painful I took my Aspirin and GTN spray and two Paracetamol and waited to see if I would get relief.

After a short period of time there was no change to these symptoms and having had three previous silent MI I called NHS help line . Around 1 hr later and a call back it was decided to send out Ambulance and Paramedic to check me out. Two understanding Ambulance team turned up at my 1st floor flat and carried out their checks which they felt were inconclusive if I had or had not had another MI . The team contacted who ever I can’t recall. The decision was taken to get me into ARI to get checked out.

I am insulin type 1 diabetic and a bilateral amputee. recently I had laser treatment on my eyes as an outpatient and have had several admissions for Sepsis.

After admission the team confirmed that I had not had a MI, however the soft tissue Ulcer which was wet weeping infected needed IV antibiotic treatment. After several treatments I was taken off them and put on a triple oral antibiotic and that’s where my real fight began 10 days later.

I was still waiting on a MRI to confirm if my infection had gone to the bone and the realisation if this was the case I would likely have an above knee amputation. I have had so many bad cards dealt over the last 7 years with health, I had a moment of tears for the first time ever.

Some days later I was sitting in a wheelchair chatting to a nurse assistant when I felt a puddle of water on my head from nowhere I asked her to get me to bed this was very quick and from feeling good everything around was distant. Cardiology were called I was given drugs to try to improve my BP & Pulse but this did not improve. My bloods were back and my Potassium level  was 8.4 

 The crash trolley was taken to my bedside and I was told it was for monitoring but the pads were positioned for a crash and De fib was Close at my bed. I was asked what my next of kin’s number was on my mobile to call her with update my pulse at this time was 33 beats my BP 74/47 nothing I was given through the cannula was impacting on reversing this  I knew in my distant consciousness that this could be last chance saloon.

However a RGU student nurse sat at my bed for around two hours stroking my hand with reassuring words of comfort I recall looking at her and thinking you're so young I don’t know you from Adam and here you are simply holding my hand. It felt like I had my youngest daughter there  who ever you are I wish you good luck in your career from the bottom of my heart. I still have emotional breakdowns not being able to say a personal thanks.

The on duty Renal Consultant was called and very quickly confirmed that emergency kidney Dialysis was required.I was whipped away and prepared for going down to ICU for treatment. That decision at that time I believe was critical in my outcome of recovering and getting home. The skill of the team from the gent who went in through my jugular vein to the other team members  X-ray checking position of wire inserted to the brilliant nurses the next morning who had to do everything for me 

Looking back I felt as if I had been in every ward in ARI except the Matty unit . I am home now two weeks and I am struggling with emotions under the doctor on medicine and physiologist therapy.

I still feel I have unfinished business which is a big part of my current mental health issue and that’s simply I never really had a chance to say how humbled I am with the skill love and care shown to me by several wards and all the staff that had to put up with me in person.

I am at home in the ongoing care of district nurses and carers  doing my meals I have many breakdowns and I hope in writing this helps me with my low mood. 

To you all I am in your debt. Including a brilliant GP Dr Campbell who temporary took over my care  l, and the District nurses thank you from the bottom of my heart

Kind Regards