To think my husband is gravely ill at the wrong time?

[MyOtherCarIsAPorsche]

Masses of confusion.

Husband spoke to GP yesterday morning and described his chest pain. He was advised to call an ambulance. My husband refused because he didn't think he needed one - thought he had chest infection or torn muscle.

He went to A&E - was sat in a corridor from 10.30am - he had ecg, x ray and blood test. He continued to sit on a chair in the corridor all day.

He was told he was waiting for blood test results. These came back at 6pm. Then he had to wait for a CT scan - then rushed to resus.

Dissected aorta from heart level to naval level.

I was called to be allowed to sit with him because I wasn't allowed to be in A&E. Was then told he was being blue lighted to another hospital an hour away for immediate surgery. I asked is this time critical? The answer was - yes life saving.

Paramedics arrived and told me to set off to this other hospital. There were three paramedics. One said 'I'm not taking him because I can't use that bit of kit, I'll lose my job if something goes wrong'. No advanced paramedics available and no doctor available to go in the transfer.

I was 15 min into the journey and then called back to the hospital.

No surgery.

Trying all day today to get him transferred. Nothing available.

He's critically ill.

I'm out of my mind with worry.

There's a saying about not being ill on the weekend. The standard of care is not the same. The 24hr cover appears to not exist.

I feel like we're being fobbed off with poor excuses big style.

How utterly unfair to have another hugely stressful incident. I hope you get good news about him very soon.

glad to hear you are getting news from your husband anyway. When you are allowed a visit take him some fig biscuits, meanwhile remind him that water is needed.

I hope the grandson improves soon too.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche

Well - you couldn't make this up.

To conclude my 'long weekend' my grandson has just been blue lighted to hospital. He started to fit and the fit was still happening when the ambulance arrived.

Paramedics were here about 15 min in which time my daughter was contacted and got here in time to go with him in the ambulance to hospital.

I'm shattered.

Late to the thread, OP, but my goodness, what a few days you're having.

I'm so relieved your husband finally got to the hospital that can help him, and sorry to hear about all the EDS issues your daughters have been having (I have a niece with EDS, so appreciate how challenging and worrying it can be), but to have your poor little grandson rushed to hospital must have felt like the last straw. You must be so strong to have got through the last few days. I take my hat off to you!

I hope that you are getting support from friends/family, and please take time to take care of yourself, too.

I'm glad your husband is getting the help he needs!

I'm so sorry your grandson had to get blue lighted. You and your poor family have really been through the works these last few days. I can't imagine how you're feeling but please know we're all behind you, supporting you xxx

Hi OP , just checking in. Hoping you are in Hull now from what you have said. They have an excellent vascular team there.
Hopefully your husbands pain and blood pressure are much better controlled now.

I am so sorry to hear what an awful experience you have had . Please be assured that the senior doctors involved in your husbands care will have also been pulling hair out about the delay in his transfer and that this will be recorded as an adverse event. Do not be afraid to complain formally after the event. It is actually very helpful to the medical teams as it reinforces our perspective that care is suboptimal and we need more resources.

Oh you poor thing. What a nightmare few days you have had. Hope the Grandson is ok snd that your DH makes a speedy recovery. Sending hugs of support.

I say this as a surgeon who spend 4.5 hours today waiting anxiously for the green light for an ITU bed for my patient ( cancelled last week) - today at the 11th hour we were successful.

@olympicsrock

Yes - almost in Hull itself! 😉

A large dwelling where kings and queens live on high. (Cryptic clue - easy one.)

Not been able to visit for first 48 hrs, so I can go tomorrow.

My husband was saying that the consultant told him his aorta was split inside from top to bottom.

Blood pressure still on the high side.

My grandson (pictured below) had a 'fitting episode' just after 4pm today. It lasted possibly more than 10 minutes - possibly up-to 15 min. It was so long that I managed to video some of it as evidence. (Luckily my son had popped in to help with the children.) It was still happening when the paramedics arrived. He had another in hospital an hour ago and luckily the doctor witnessed it.

I'm at my daughter's house - just put her other two children to bed.

I'm .... I've no idea what I am. There's buzzing in my head.

@olympicsrock

I say this as a surgeon who spend 4.5 hours today waiting anxiously for the green light for an ITU bed for my patient ( cancelled last week) - today at the 11th hour we were successful.

That must be so frustrating - day in day out. Lurching from one calamity to another.

I'm wondering how you .... exist.

Thank you @olympicrocks for caring enough to support the OP despute the challenges you are facing saving lives everyday.

You and your colleagues across our overstretched hospitals are the backbone of the NHS. If I ever needed an Aortic surgeon I'd choose you :-)

What a horrendous time you are facing OP, may things get better for you and your family very soon x

@Legalconundrums

Here, here!

Oh my dad worked at that hospital! Not a surgeon though!

Thanks Legal:-)
OP - I exist but sometimes fuck up other things ( like my son’s passport 🤣🤣) you sounds like you are doing a phenomenal job supporting your family in very challenging circumstances.

[quote MyOtherCarIsAPorsche]@Legalconundrums

Here, here! [/quote]
Oh bless you OP, I've been following but not commented until now... I'm a patient advocate and I totally felt your helplessness and desperation.
When all has settled, a complaint is justified, please speak to PALS who will assist x

I’m so glad your DH has made it through his surgery. I step at a time you’ll get there, It’s a long road of recovery ahead, but you’ll get there. My thoughts are with you and all your family, and I really hope your DGS recovers soon and back to his usual self 😘

Fingers crossed for your DH op

The NHS will investigate - and will consider if it could have done anything better. Sometimes things are missed and can be improved but sometimes the answer comes down to we did everything we could with the resources we had. I hope OP will update when she sees the outcome of the complaint.

There are a lot of people who spend a lot of time trying to find a way around the resources issue but it wouldnt be necessary half as often if there were more staff. Treating the ones you have a bit better means you lose fewer of them. It is ridiculous that the NHS spends a fortune on locums instead of employing more doctors, something forced on it by the government.

OP you thanked your gp. When this is over if the doctor who has been struggling to arrange the transfer is not criticised write them a letter of thanks. It means a lot.

Thinking of you both. I've been praying.

I'm eternally grateful to the team effort that saved my husband's life. I've made sure that I've thanked everyone in person, by telephone and email (in writing).

I'm not complaining (officially).

Having a moan on here when you're at your wits end is different.

Our lives are now changed - hopefully for the better as it makes you appreciate the more insignificant things. There will also be the element of fear there constantly as we know this shortens life expectancy overall. I'm still feeling frightened.

My mother has dementia and is on end of life care - I'm expecting that phone call.

My grandson has now had three observed fits which the doctor has confirmed are not febrile fits as the paramedic had said. He's also still in hospital.

My life feels upside down right now. It happened so unexpectedly. So if anyone is feeling crushed by the grinding boredom of mundane life - remember to look around and try to savour the little things. I've always tried to appreciate the fact that I get about independently and have minimal contact with healthcare systems despite having quite a few health problems myself. Enjoy your health.

I'm in contact with my daughter who is with her son in hospital and in every message I remind her to thank everyone helping her (she has autism and can forget manners when she's out of routine).

We will write further thank yous shortly.

I haven't slept again. I've done the school run and my other grandson is watching pepper pig.

Hooray for children's tv - just hope I don't fall asleep.

I'm going to tidy up the chaos from this morning (I stayed at my daughter's house so the grandchildren could be in their own beds) sort some laundry, go home and put the washing machine on and do normal things. I was a bit empty at the weekend and everything came to a halt.

Rambling again 🥺

Can I just say that I am in awe of you OP. Any one of things you've experienced the past few days would have a person crumbling but you have stayed so strong.
I am honestly so proud of you. Your family are so lucky to have you.

I'm not strong - just cried because I dropped a bloody stupid teaspoon.

I feel crap that my grandson is still watching pepper pig - different house but I'm home now.

First cup of tea in 24hr and fave sandwich - I'm too upset to eat.

@MyOtherCarIsAPorsche Children's tv won't hurt him, I promise. It's okay if you need a good cry

Sending a big hug. Squeeze those grandchildren tight. TV and treats will not hurt a joy and you being there to help will mean a lot to them all.
Stay strong OP! Xx

What a rollercoaster you've been on, just don't forget yourself in all this. As my mother always says, you can't pour from an empty vessel.

How are you feeling OP?

please be careful about driving when you are so over-tired.