Corridors and more corridors - the outcome a big relief

[Bobbi]

Hilary, my wife and carer, has been admitted to hospital having experienced a stroke.

A few days ago, Sat Aug 1st, she awoke to discover she was unable to speak.

I thought I had upset her somehow and pleaded for her to explain. Gradually I realised something was wrong.

I rang a relative who could not help as they were at work.
I rang 111 but kept being put on one of those horrible roundabouts from which there is no escape.

Sod it. I rang 999 asked for an ambulance, and was told, unbelievably, one would be with us in 10 minutes, wow.

The two ambulance women ran some tests, had a discussion and told me they would take her to an excellent nearby hospital.
It was decided I would follow on in my car.
Eventually I drove the ten miles to the hospital and discovered she had already been given a scan, thombolysis and was beginning to get her speech back.

Several days later now she is making great progress and I’m keeping up with it all by visiting each day.

I hadn’t realised that being unable to speak is a classic symptom of stroke.

What use is this forum?

It gives me a place where I can document my experiences, share my thoughts and try to put everything into perspective.
At times everything is chaotic and frightening. It takes quite a degree of effort to find a way through it all.

So here is a movie of me getting around all those corridors on my scooter.

The outcome was a great relief.

hospital tour01

keep on keepin on

(I have to admit to being one of a kind - but aren’t we all?)

[ManjiB]

Hey Bobbi,

I am lost for words!

I am so sorry this is happened, but pleased that Hilary is getting better and you’re able to visit her daily. Hoping to see Hilary back on here soon

Please give her my love and a hug.

Thinking of you both - both amazing people!
Love and hugs.

[EssexPhil]

@Bobbi we’re with you every step and wheel turn of the way. For Hilary to be stroked is such a shock and a real knock back for you both, but I’m so pleased her hospital experience is sounding good and treatment has given every chance of a really strong recovery

Hopefully she’ll be up to getting home soon, and a suitable care package (if required) will be in place for BOTH of you, you need support too, but as we are all in the same boat, you know that anyway!

Very best wishes from sunny, baked ground, drought ridden Essex

[Mich-mm]

Oh @Bobbi I’m so sorry but pleased she is doing better and that it was an ischaemic (clot) stroke rather than the dreaded haemorrhagic.i lost my speech as you know,but not because of the stroke but because surgeons fitted me with a tracheostomy.lots and lots of love to you both.

[Anna_Moderator]

Hi @Bobbi

I’m really sorry to hear about Hilary. It’s great that she’s had some speedy treatment and seems to be doing well. Keep us posted on how she getting on when you can.

Best wishes to both of you.

Anna

[Gnasher]

Sorry to hear this Bob. And wishing Hilary a speedy recovery.

Mine was my speech that went. But not fully. And now almost fully back unless tired or get stressed then it flutters.

Thinking of you both. And you look after yourself.

Phil

[pando]

From a 10-minute ambulance response, to immediate thrombolysis, to speech returning within hours; that is a textbook example of why “time is brain” matters. You bypassed the delays and got her that golden-hour treatment. That took presence of mind under extreme pressure.

Well done, Bobbi, for remaining calm

[Rups]

Quick thinking on everyone’s part, including yourself, has improved the outcome greatly. Ten minutes for an ambulance is astounding.

@Bobbi

At times everything is chaotic and frightening. It takes quite a degree of effort to find a way through it all.

… And also the hospital, so it seems. I always get lost in hospitals, they are labyrinthine. I’m glad you stopped recording at entering the toilet.

I hope that Hilary is making good progress, and that you are getting by alright at home; try not to live entirely off banana butties and milk.

[Bobbi]

The banana butties are very sustaining and good for my inner monkey.

All the bananas have gone so will need to cast around for an alternative.

[harimanjaro]

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that, @Bobbi. I’m glad that Hilary is recovering well. It’s evident through all of your posts just what a great team you are, and she couldn’t have better stroke expert to support her than you. My best wishes to both of you, keep us all posted on her progress and remember to look after yourself too.

[Mrs5K]

Pleased to hear that Hilary is doing well. It sounds like the response & subsequent treatment has been great. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it must be for you both right now & I hope Hilary continues to progress well & is soon back home again.

Don’t forget to look after yourself too. You know the score.

Sending you both positive thoughts & lots of love.

Ann

[Apple]

I can only say what everyone else has said and that is I am so so sorry to hear about Hilary. Life can be so cruel at times. Wishing Hilary and yourself good luck in this next hurdle in your lives and it sounds as if she is getting the best possible care in an excellent hospital. Will be thinking about you both and please keep in touch to let us know how you are both doing xx

[Rups]

In Australia, children often eat what is called Fairy Bread, it is disgusting and no substitute for a banana butty.

[Jbob]

@Bobbi , so sorry to hear this but i’m glad due to both you and the medics that quick thinking and knowledge saved Hillary from something we know could have been so much worse than it is. My thoughts go with both of you and hope for a fullest recovery for Hillary too.

[Bigmugoftea]

Sorry to hear about Hilary, but it’s good to hear she’s received speedy treatment and is already starting to do better.

[Susie1]

Just seen this…my thoughts are with you both xxx

[Bobbi]

Aintree Hospital

@Anna_Moderator (as promised)

– some more news. (an update)

It’s a long and complicated story.

When I rang 999 it was an act of desperation.
Hilary wasn’t speaking.
I’d rung a relative, I’d rung 111, all to no avail.
I just did not know what to do.

The operator dealt with my call perfectly.
Without realising it I was describing a classic symptom of stroke.
She had an ambulance at our house within 10 minutes. Wow.
The two girls in the ambulance quickly performed tests and made the decision to take my wife immediately to a hospital that deals with acute cases. (Aintree)

I followed in my car.
When I got there Hilary had already been scanned, given thrombolysis and was already showing signs of a good recovery.

She was monitored for a few days, given another scan and along with the other half a dozen in her ward was kicked out and sent to another hospital.

I was very concerned. So far I really didn’t understand what was going on.

She was in a hospital where speedy treatment was their speciality.

A helipad outside was bringing in patients.
Rows of ambulances were delivering those needing urgent treatment.

All this conducted at very necessary speed.
Lives and ability to function were being rescued and saved.

Once this acute phase had been dealt with and stability was assured then it was essential the beds were freed so others could go through this same rescue process.

When I eventually realised all this I was far happier.

The woman who is both my wife and carer had a remarkable recovery thanks to this planned process performed so perfectly.

Room had to be made for others to receive this excellent care and so the next stage, rehabilitation in another hospital, was all set for a great start.

I am so happy.

I realise everyone is not so lucky.

In my own case, during covid, I did not get that “Golden Hour” treatment.
As a result I have mobility and dexterity problems.
However I still have a life and am glad to be in this world with my lovely wife.

It’s not all about me and I find it heartening to realise there is a process, from making a 999 call to an actual positive outcome, that can be realised to good effect.

I am so lucky.
I am getting my wife back.

Hilary I love you (She’ll kill me for putting up this photo )

A big thank you to those who are working at getting this available for all.

keep on keepin on

Here’s a picture of the ugly unkempt old lump that somehow put this together.

Thanks to you the reader, for being there

[Anna_Moderator]

Great to hear that Hilary is doing so well!

Anna

[Susie1]

Indeed, what a relief to see this! Also gives hope that help is out there, should the worse happen….keep on keeping on youse two xx

[Rups]

@Bobbi

I am getting my wife back.

This is lovely news Bob, even if you won’t be around to enjoy her company because you put up a photo of her on the forum I really hope she gets good care at the next hospital. They often require to keep people in to monitor how they are doing, so it is a duty of care phase before she returns home. She looks cheerful, certainly for seeing you, and not because of the hospital food.

Keep us posted on progress.