We got a phone call late on Tuesday night from my dad who was having chest pains, he thought he was having a heart attack so he'd rung the doctor who said he'd send an ambulance. Why he didn't just ring 999 I don't know. I was in bed at the time so I jumped out, quickly got dressed and got to his house just as the first responder arrived. Not long afterwards, the ambulance turned up. He'd had a heart attach back in 2011 and ended up having stents fitted then, he said the pain was very similar but after looking at the information provided by the heart monitor, the paramedics didn't think he was having a heart attack this time. They said it could be a touch of angina.
We ended up in A&E until about 3.30am when the doctor said they'd be keeping him in and that he'd be transferred to a ward. When we enquired on the ward later on that morning it was confirmed that he had indeed had a heart attack.
As most of you know, my mum is now suffering from dementia and it's getting steadily worse. She couldn't be left in the house alone whilst my dad was in hospital so I've spent both days and nights there with her when I haven't been hospital visiting. It can be quite trying at times.
I'm pleased to say that my dad's now home, none the worse for wear, though he's got another tablet to add to the numerous pills he already takes. I'm just hoping that we can steer clear of hospitals for a while again now.
It's a relief to read your dad is well enough to be home again now. You must have had a dreadful shock to receive the phone call on Tuesday night. Just the kind of reason that makes you dread those late night calls.
ReplyDeleteDo your parents have any additional support at home (other than yourself) or is it something which could be considered to give you a bit of a break/peace of mind? X
I rarely get phone calls on the landline any more so I'm always apprehensive when it rings, especially so early morning or late at night. My dad is suffering from cancer as well as other, less serious, ailments but he's fiercely independent and won't have any outside help, other than family. It does put a bit of a strain on us but we have to respect his wishes. We've spoken to him again since he's been home from hospital about having someone come in just to help out a little with my mum but he's still of the mind that he can manage.
DeleteSo sorry Jo, there's a lot of heart stuff about at the mo, we know of several people ourselves (including husband and next door neighbour, amongst others) who are having heart trouble right now. Doubly hard for you all with your mother's dementia too. Hope your dad improves quickly.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dad seems fine again now, but of course, you never know when something else is going to happen again. I must admit that it's all a bit of a worry.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your dad's heart attack :( I too worry about my dad. His health is deteriorating, but he plods on. Mum passed away 7 years ago, but she'd been very ill for 18 years needing constant care. I work in a care home and daily look after very elderly people with frail health and various forms of dementia; it's both hard work and very heart breaking :( Be sure to take care of your own health too. best Jane :)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to see our parents get older and begin with ill health. My parents moved from the house where they raised their family to a flat seven years ago and it's been one thing after another with their health ever since. It's a good job they did downsize when they did because they'd have never managed in the house with all the problems they've got now.
DeleteOh Jo, what a scary time you've had. Remember to take care of yourself as you take care of others. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was really scary arriving on Tuesday night as I just didn't know what I'd find when I got there. He was quite bad but seemed to settle down quite quickly, I'm just glad it wasn't any worse than it was.
DeleteJo, sending you a hug and hoping the new medication will help your Dad.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The hospital seemed to think the medication was all that was needed so I'm trusting they know best.
DeleteMy sympathies, it must have been an anxious night for you. xx
ReplyDeleteVery anxious. I think dealing with my mum took my mind of my dad somewhat though, a bit of a distraction.
DeleteOh Jo, I am so sorry about all the upheaval in your life. So glad you Dad is doing better and is at home. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you. My dad copes so well with my mum but it's obviously taking its toll, I just wish he'd let me arrange for some help but he's so independent.
DeleteI am so glad to read he is OK, take care of yourself, it's hard when someone close is so very ill.
ReplyDeleteIt is. My dad's 85 now so I know we're lucky to still have him, it's a relief to get him back home again.
DeleteJo, I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm glad that your Dad is home and well. I didn't know about your Mum having dementia though. It's a horrible disease, and so hard on everyone involved. I hope you're getting some time at home now, and you're able to put your feet up after looking after everyone else.
ReplyDeletexx
My mum's dementia is getting gradually worse and she should really have some help but my dad just won't allow anyone outside the family to help. I think it's coming to the time when he won't have a choice though, especially if looking after her is going to impact on his health.
DeleteGlad he's doing better. Does he get much help dealing with your Mother's dementia?
ReplyDeleteMy dad won't allow anyone to help other than family. It's really worrying for us but there's not a lot that we can do other than help them ourselves.
DeleteOh how terrible....... -sigh-
ReplyDeleteIt's been a worrying time but at least we've got him home again now.
DeleteHope he recovers well. I understand totuanout elderly parents with dementia, it’s not easy is it
ReplyDeleteIt's getting harder and harder with my mum's dementia. It's such a cruel illness taking her away from us bit by bit, it's very sad to see.
Deletelove and {hugs} Jo, a worrying time for you and the family. I hope dad is comfortable and i'm sure mum is perhaps more settled now he is home again and her routine is back to normal.
ReplyDeleteThe change of routine is really bad for my mum, it sends her haywire so it's good that my dad's back home again, I'm hoping she'll settle down again now.
DeleteOh dear, what a worrying time you've had. Good job your parents don't live miles away. So glad your Dad is back home again. x
ReplyDeleteMy parents live within walking distance, which is good now that they're elderly and needing help.
DeleteJo, my thoughts & prayers are with you all. I do hope your Dad makes a good recovery & I know only too well about dementia, as my Dad had it. Try and get some help, so it doesn't all fall on your shoulders, please...... Take care & huggles.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'd love to get some help for my parents but at the present time my dad won't allow it. He's very stubborn. I'm hoping that this heart attack will make him reconsider but it's not looking that way at the moment.
DeleteSo sorry to hear of your Dad´s heart attack, but so pleased he is well enough to be at home again. No wonder you are on tenderhooks with your Mum being unwell too. Take care of yourself too though, just as important as caring xcx
ReplyDeleteAny change of routine is bad for my mum now so I'm glad that my dad's home again, for her sake as well as his own.
DeleteThank you. My dad seems to be doing well again now that he's back home.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry to hear this, Jo - I'm glad that it was not as serious as it could have been. Times like this are so stressful on everyone involved, especially when issues such as dementia also factor in. Sending healing thoughts to your mum and dad XO
ReplyDeleteThank you. My dad's doing really well now he's back home again. As you say, it could have been much worse so I'm thankful for that.
DeleteSo sorry Jo, I hope your dad is on the mend now, can't be easy with your mum for him or you either. So glad he at least phoned the doctor when he didn't feel well, you know what men are like, usually they don't want to bother with the doctor. I'll be thinking of you. x
ReplyDeleteHe's much better now, thank you. He was literally gasping for breath, tried to get my mum to phone someone but she couldn't use the phone so it was a case of having to manage it himself. It's very difficult with my mum as she is now.
DeleteSo very sorry to read about your Dad´s heart attack, but so pleased he is well enough to be at home again.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Mum had Dementia, it's such a cruel disease.
Reading through your other comments, I can see that your Dad does not like help from outside - but maybe he may re-consider this.
Sending my good wishes to you, and the family, and hoping that now your Dad is back home things will settle down a little.
All the best Jan
I'm hoping that my dad will reconsider about getting some help, looking after my mum is taking its toll but he's fiercely independent and is very reluctant to give in. We'll have to see.
DeleteOh Jo, how scary. I'm sorry to hear about this but I'm glad he's back home and doing okay now. I am thinking of you all and hoping things will be peaceful now. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's been a trying week for us all but things are starting to settle down again now that he's home again.
DeleteJo, you have had so very much on your plate. Big hugs. Know that we care
ReplyDeleteThank you. Things are a little easier now that my dad's home again. I do wish he'd let us get him some help though.
DeleteBig hugs to you. I'm not sure I ever want to go near any hospital ever again after this year! :(
ReplyDeleteWe've had so many trips to hospital over the last few years with my mum and dad that I think the car could find its own way there!
DeleteOh Jo what a time you’ve had. So glad your dad is home again though it must be so hard with him being the main carer for your mum, don’t imagine his getting much rest especially if he isn’t willing to let anyone help from outside, a difficult situation for your family xx
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard knowing that my dad won't accept any outside help. It would take the pressure off us all, including himself. At least he's home again now so my mum is more settled again.
DeleteOh Jo....what a terribly stressful time for you. I'm so glad your dad is home. Here's to his continued good health.xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you. Things are much easier now he's home again. I just hope he stays well now.
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