On Sunday 14th November I woke up feeling 'not very well' and we called for an ambulance.
The video, if it works, will tell you briefly what happened. It was a dedication for me from our son Mark on the Jo Whiley show Radio 2 just before 8pm on Tuesday 23rd as I was being discharged from hospital.
I expect this news will be as unexpected to you as it was for me and my family.
I arrived at the Royal Stoke University Hospital at about 8am and within half an hour went into cardiac arrest. After CPR that obviously saved my life it was discovered that I'd had a pulmonary embolism to both lungs. The blood clots needed to be gone. Two choices - a: a very powerful, potent clot busting drug that I may not survive or b: leave it and see what happens. The risks of not having the drugs far outweighed those of having the treatment.
With George and our two children we discussed the options and realised there really wasn't one - option 'a' it had to be. The process took two hours. I just shut my eyes and let it all happen while my family was at my bedside.
I have been told by several professionals that not many people survive this treatment after cardiac arrest.
I am one very lucky lady - so glad to be alive.
I've been home now for nearly 3 days and my breathing is getting back to normal slowly and my strength starting to return.
What have I learnt from this?
Live the best life that you can, you never know what's around the corner.
Make sure that those who you love know that you love them.
This sort of thing can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
20 comments:
Wow, what an experience and a decision to have to make! At least you seem to have had the best of the NHS to take care of you. None of us can be sure what tomorrow will bring and there us much to be said for living today as if tomorrow will not give us a chance to what wd have out off until 'tomorrow'. Hope you get a chance for a really recovery.
Love you Carol. ♥️
Oh Carol! And George!! How terribly frightening for you all. I am shocked and relieved to read this and find you are still with us Carol. the world would be a poorer place without you for many, many of us who love you. Sending you love and Biggs big love. May your recovery be solid and long lasting.
Jaq xxx
Oh Carol! What a decision to have to make. I am so very pleased you have turned the corner and are on the mend. This sort of news makes me go cold, but I'm also very thankful you've made it, dear. Keeping everything crossed and sending big hugs. Get better very soon! xx
Mike - thank you. I really did have the best the NHS could offer at the Royal Stoke fromA&E to RESUS to Acute Medical Unit to the Respiratory Unit all the staff from consultants to cleaners were kind, helpful and a joy to be around.
Hi Sandra love you lots too and hope to see you in the not too distant future xxx
Hi Jaq, thank you for your kind thoughts. At the time it was all very surreal, one thing just lead to another. It was only a few days after that I felt the full impact of what had happened both emotionally and physically. I'm feeling stronger every day and wish the weather was a bit calmer and I could get outside for a bit of fresh air! I am strong and we'll get there together. xxx
Hi Val, thanks for your kind comments. As I've just said to Jaq above it was a few day after the event that the reality hit me, that life would be different now but we've never been one to shirk an adventure and our life has always been like that. The hardest part for me was putting my family through that phone call that they would have received telling them that I'd taken a turn for the worst and they needed to come to the hospital. How so very awful for them. But, I am so glad to be alive and I can face the future with my family's support.
Oh Carol! What a time! So glad you had the care of the NHS and love from your family helping you to come through such an experience. Pleased to hear you are home and wishing you a speedy and lasting recovery. Sending healing thoughts and love from blustery Scarborough xxx
Oh, Carol, So shocked to read this. What a terrifying experience for you and how traumatic for George and your family. What a wonderful job the hospital staff did. I do hope you can rest, recuperate and regain your health and strength. There's a lot of living to be done yet!
Our very best wishes to you and to George,
Sue and Ken (nb Cleddau)
Thanks Pip and Mick for your kind comments. Onwards and upwards for me!
Hi Sue and Ken, my sentiment entirely - I do have a lot of living to be done yet and I'm determined to do it. xx
Wow, what a shock Carol. Just goes to show it can happen to anyone. Thank goodness for the wonderful NHS. That decision must have been difficult for all the family and so glad everything turned out well in the end. Many hugs and much love to you, George and your family, and get well soon. Xxx
Irene and Ian, nb Free Spirit
Thanks you Irene and Ian.
Oh my goodness, Carol, what a traumatic experience for you all. Chris and I are so glad you made it thanks to our NHS who are there when we truly need them. Take care and I hope you are fully recovered very soon. Love Jennie and Chris xx
Thank you Jennie and Chris. My recovery is going well, getting a bit stronger each day.x
My goodness Carol, how scary is that!! SO pleased you are ok. What an awful time for you and your family.
What was also scary was the fact that I received George’s text when I was sitting in A&E, a week after booster jab, with quite severe chest and abdomen pain!! 😳. (I’m fine) 😂
Look after yourself
Kath & Neil (nb Herbie)
Hi Kath, it is certainly a scary time with covid vaccinations just now and I'm so pleased to hear that your are ok after your scare at A&E. It's my family I feel bad about, receiving that awful phone call that I'd had a turn for the worse and they needed to come to the hospital, will stay with them for many years to come. Thank goodness and the NHS for bringing me through, I am getting stronger every day and intend to stick around for a long time yet.
Regards to you and Neil, from both of us.
Wow Carol. So pleased to hear you are recovering, have only just read this blog entry.
Terrible decision to have to make.
The philosophy of doing everything whilst you can is what we have always followed and how we ended up in boats!!
Gill
Thank you Gill for your comments.
My recovery is going very well and I'm nearly back to 'norma' whatever that may be. Once the atrocious weather clears up a bit I shall be back to our daily walk, not quite as quickly as I was able to but getting there.
I have been following your blog and the trials you and your family have experienced during Geoff's illness. It does seem incredible that the medical profession still can't give him a diagnosis, but I was pleased to hear that he has regained a little bit of feeling in his fingers and that his physio is helping. They surely won't discharge him home if you have nowhere suitable for him to move to will they? Here's wishing you as Merry a Christmas as you can and hope that the situation resolves itself soon.
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