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DH just been taken to french hospital

161 replies

AirbnbhostAWOL · 20/08/2024 01:34

On holiday in France. DH woke me up at 12.30 with intense pain in his left shoulder. Couldn't get comfortable. I put some voltarol on it and we propped him up on the bed, and turned the light out. Next thing I know he's fainted/lost consciousness, and is making a terrible groaning noise and his eyes have rolled back in his head. I can't rouse him, and obviously called emergency services.
He then woke up but was very confused and sweaty. We spent a long time using a combination of my long ago a level french and the operators broken English, but they sent an ambulance.
By the time the ambulance arrived he was better, although in a lot of pain and very pale and clammy. They had an amazing interpreter on board, they took his vitals, and seems convinced it is not his heart, but have taken him to hospital anyway.
I am in the apartment with two DC who slept through almost the whole thing (DD appeared right at the end but half asleep and has gone back to bed). He seemed ok and is obviously in the right place, but now the adrenaline has left my system I feel very shaky and tearful. It was fucking terrifying when he lost consciousness, I genuinely thought he was dying.
If anyone is up to keep me company it would be appreciated

OP posts:
PoodlesRUs · 20/08/2024 01:36

No wonder you were scared! Hopefully the hospital or he will call you with an update soon

BonnieBonnieBanks · 20/08/2024 01:37

you poor soul. What a terrible ordeal. I can’t imagine the additional stress of being abroad as well. Hopefully you’ll get an update soon and can go and see him in the morning.

you did everything you could have done, and he’s in the best place. Hopefully he’ll recover quickly from whatever it is.

Taytotots · 20/08/2024 01:38

That sounds terrifying OP. Glad you were able to get an ambulance quickly and he is being well looked after now. Hope you find out the cause soon. Best wishes for his speedy recovery.

Chaoseverywhere · 20/08/2024 01:38

That must have been terrifying. I hope he’s getting the best care. You’ll need to get over this shock. I’m not surprised you’re shaken. I hope he gets better soon

WearyAuldWumman · 20/08/2024 01:39

You did really well, OP. I hope that the hospital gets to the bottom of this quickly.

BonnieBonnieBanks · 20/08/2024 01:40

You should call someone. I’d really want my friend or sister to call me if something like this happened and they needed a pal. Wouldn’t matter what time.

endofthelinefinally · 20/08/2024 01:40

You must ring your travel insurers emergency number now. They will need to know exactly what has happened and the details of the hospital etc. The hospital will want to speak to them asap.
They will help you through this.

LadyWiddiothethird · 20/08/2024 01:56

He is in the right place for now,how terrifying for you all.Hoping for a good outcome and for him to be back with you soon.

I second ringing your Insurance Company immediately.I have had to do this once in Greece and they sorted things out swiftly,it all seems worse when you are away,at least France has excellent health care.

DodgyFriend · 20/08/2024 01:57

It's amazing how one minute you can be on your holidays and the next the world turns upside-down. I can only imagine how shaken you must feel after that ordeal, you poor thing! Can't help yhat you are in a different country. Thank God you were able to get him the help he needed and hopefully they can get to the bottom of it. Try to rest and sleep if you can because tomorrow will be tough enough without being sleep deprived

AirbnbhostAWOL · 20/08/2024 02:04

On the phone to the insurers now. On hold actually.
The paramedics took him to hospital via a cash point!
260 euros

OP posts:
AirbnbhostAWOL · 20/08/2024 02:05

BonnieBonnieBanks · 20/08/2024 01:40

You should call someone. I’d really want my friend or sister to call me if something like this happened and they needed a pal. Wouldn’t matter what time.

I did remember a very good friend in USA, and she was happy to listen to me crying a bit. But I don't want to alarm the kids if they wake up

OP posts:
ForgotwhatIcameinherefor · 20/08/2024 02:06

Oh my god I didn't know that they could do that!?!

At least you're in touch with DH then.

Wishing him well and hope you are ok too x

Haggisfish3 · 20/08/2024 02:07

Oh lord op. French healthcare is one of the best. Hope you get some rest and that dh is ok.

alrightluv · 20/08/2024 02:08

That's shocking about the cashpoint.

I hope he's OK. How terrifying for you.

endofthelinefinally · 20/08/2024 02:12

AirbnbhostAWOL · 20/08/2024 02:04

On the phone to the insurers now. On hold actually.
The paramedics took him to hospital via a cash point!
260 euros

Yes this is normal for France. Health care in France is very good. They don't hang about, but the quicker your insurers get on board with the hospital the better.

Howlongdoesittake · 20/08/2024 02:13

Hope you are doing ok so much harder when you can’t be with him so don’t really know what is going on. I had similar recently and turned out to be pleurisy, pain was incredible thought I was having a heart attack and was dying. Hoping something similar for your DH.

Smeshier · 20/08/2024 02:21

Spleen issues can cause intense pain in left shoulder. May well be this. Hope he is ok OP.

AirbnbhostAWOL · 20/08/2024 02:21

ForgotwhatIcameinherefor · 20/08/2024 02:06

Oh my god I didn't know that they could do that!?!

At least you're in touch with DH then.

Wishing him well and hope you are ok too x

I was a little shocked!
But on the other hand, the ambulance arrived within 20 minutes, which I guess wouldn't have happened back home

OP posts:
CalicoPusscat · 20/08/2024 02:21

What, did he have to give them his card and pin or was he mobile enough?!

The whole thing must have been a terrible shock, hope you can get some rest for a few hours before you find out more.

Prriorayingly · 20/08/2024 02:22

i hope you have a GHIC card. I’m sure your DH will be very well cared for, the French health care is excellent! My friend’s DH had a stroke in France and made a full recovery.

AirbnbhostAWOL · 20/08/2024 02:22

CalicoPusscat · 20/08/2024 02:21

What, did he have to give them his card and pin or was he mobile enough?!

The whole thing must have been a terrible shock, hope you can get some rest for a few hours before you find out more.

He was mobile enough. The paramedics don't seem to think it's cardiac based on his vitals. This seems to be a caution thing. The trip to hospital

OP posts:
OrangeJeans · 20/08/2024 02:29

How worrying. Fingers crossed for you. Us he able to update you?

PyongyangKipperbang · 20/08/2024 02:29

DEfinitely call a friend or family member.

DD was on hols with her best friend just after Covid allowed travel abroad. Her friend had anaphylactic shock and ended up in hospital in the Canaries. I spent most the night on the phone with DD (a medical professional who actually saved her friends life but ended up with PTSD because "Its different when you know them, now I know why we are not allowed in theatre with friends and family") .

Dont be alone, your loved ones would be horrified that you did this without support. I have insomnia, you can call me if you like!

HallidayJones6779 · 20/08/2024 02:33

Here with a virtual hug. Hoping that they find out the source of the problem quickly so you can all get back to a lovely holiday together. Be kind to yourself tomorrow xxx

Pawsfourtimrstwo · 20/08/2024 02:34

Hi op. I’m so sorry this is happening to you.

Your dh is in the right place. As others have said, French health care is great and I hope they get to the cause and that your dh feels much better very soon.

I must admit in twenty years of living part time in France, I have never heard of an ambulance transporting a potential cardiac patient stopping at a cash point on the way to hospital!

Did you catch the name of the hospital btw?

If you are feeling really stuck tomorrow, you could try posting on the Living Overseas board and ask if any Mumsnetters live or are holidaying in the region. I am sure that one or two would be very happy to come and help. I know I would but I am not in France currently.

Best of luck 💐