Wednesday 10 December 2008

whole hearted thankyous


Last tuesday i had the misfortune,putting it mildly,to suffer a massive heart attack. i hadn't been feeling well for several days,pains in my left arm,a "tight" feeling in my chest,sweaty.so on monday i had rung my Drs surgery to make an appointment for the following afternoon. Tuesday morning i went over to my friend pams and took her to her dr at Melton Constable for a check up on her knee.she has had a replacement operation and was due to have it checked. i felt lousy so after dropping her at hers i drove home. realising something was wrong,i decided to go up our local hall,as my dr.comes here every tuesday and friday. i was first in to see him,and after examining me,he asked me to go to Wells health centre,some 4 miles away to have an ECG trace done.by this time i was in severe pain.i got to the surgery,explained at reception and was called into the nurses room.she wired me up,read the trace,said i think dr.M should see this.he soon arrived back,looked at the ECG and asked if i felt able to drive home.he would arrange for an ambulance to come and take me to hospital. so i drove,another 4 miles back home.now,by this time i was literally screaming in pain.the last 2 miles i just dont remember doing.i got home,parked the car,staggered indoors.(already having rung and warned my poor mum i was going into hospital,) and co;;apsed on the ground.agony.a tight band wound round my chest,my arms were on fire,i couldnt get any air into my lungs.i managed to grab a few things together to take with me,and just prayed.because i really thought i was going to die.mum was frantic,our friend brian pulled up,alerted by mums phone call,at the same time as the paramedic.mr.cool himself lol.no worries old mate,said he,shoving a bloody great canula in my hand,we will soon stop the pain.morphine injected.and...................sod all relief.i was yelling by this time.the big ambulance then pulled up,and 2 very nice ambulance personell came trotting in.paper work sorted,i was whisked in a wheelchair to the waiting ambulance,and away we roared.30 miles to the Norfolk and Norwich hospital.i was given more morphine on the way by the medic but it just didnt do any good.they had radioed ahead,and as we stopped at the door of the Coronary Care Unit,we were met by 2 nurses and a doctor,i was transferred to a bed,wired up to monitors,all calm,professional,wonderful care.within 5 minutes a dr.explained"morton,you are having a massive heart attack,another 30 minutes and you will be dead,so i am injecting you with a clot busting drug to break up the blockage causing the awful pain,there are possible side effects,but if i dont,you are going to die".no contest lol.within 5 minutes i started to feel easier,as the pain slowly subsided.within 20 minutes i was relatively pain free.i had to lay quietly for 3 hours,and was then moved to a side room.after 2 days i was moved to the main ward.on monday i was given an agiogram,and as luckily i had the "main man" as one of the nurses said lol,the damage to the artery was repaired,and a stent put in then and there. i was allowed home yesterday,tuesday.a week to the day. MY GRATEFUL THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL DOCTORS AND NURSES,AND ALL THE STAFF OF THE NORFOLK AND NORWICH HOSPITAL. AND TO THE PARAMEDICS AND AMBULANCE STAFF.

Finally. my heartfelt thanks to jeannette for her updates on me.for all my friends on blogspot,facebook,the 50s romance chatroom,angela for ringing me,bless you hun.bernie, as well as nina,who actually tried to visit,but due to a virus at the hospital wasnt allowed in,and my lovely,special friend lyn. you never forget me hun.and im honoured to call you my friend, you always think of me.THANKYOU ALL FOR YOUR KIND WISHES. TAKE CARE ALL,MORT.

29 comments:

Jan said...

Welcome home dear Mort wow what a week you had ,you are making light of it but it must have been ghastly ,Iam so pleased you are home ,take things easy now ! promise me ? love to Mum ,...love Jan xx

Beth said...

Dear Mort, WELCOME HOME! It sounds like an incredibly scary ordeal, but you made it through. We are all so happy to hear from you and hear that you're home and recuperating. It sounds like you received wonderful care--it must be so scary to know that you're putting your life in the hands of others, but it sounds as if they took good care of you.

Please take it easy at home and give yourself time to heal.

Much love,
Beth

Jeannette said...

Oh Mort, how good to see you writing. You had a close call there my friend but someone was watching over you. You have had so many praying for you and sending out good thoughts. The whole thing sounds horrendous. As Jan said, you are making light of it, but I can imagine how scared you were at the time. The nursing staff sound wonderful. Now, take it easy and do not try to do too much. Big hugs. xxxxx

Pamela said...

Hi Mort, welcome home!! I'm so sorry you went through all of this. Thank GOD you were taken care of and are now on the way to recovery. What a relief it's over now. You have to take it easy and follow Doc's orders!!
Hope to hear from you soon!
Love ya,
Pam

Yasmin said...

Welcome home Mort, so glad your back at home, safe and well, must have been an incredibly scary week for you, sent many prayers and good thoughts your way, and a huge well done done to all the doctors and nurses that took care of you. Take things easy and regards to your mum.

Love yasmin
xx

Frances said...

Reading the description of your ordeal brought back memories of when my husband had his heart attack. He eventually had a heart transplant, which allowed me to have him another two years before his death. I thank God for His hand in keeping you with us.

I enjoy reading your journal, and wish the best for you and your Mom.
Frances in Texas

Teresa said...

Welcome Home Mort!! I had no idea that was going on, it's an incredibly scary thing to go through. I'm so happy you are better and are on the mend - sounds like you DID have some awesome Dr's and Nurses!! as well as the paramedics and ambulence drivers. My thoughts are with you and your Mum ~ Blessings Honey (((Huggin' you up))) Teresa

topchelseagirl said...

What an awful and scary thing to have had. Glad to hear you are home and on the road to recovery. Take things easy.
Angie

Jenny said...

So glad you are back with us.
Jenny <><

Anonymous said...

Hi Mort ,so pleased you are home again ,wishing you a full recovery ...best wishes ..Jean

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

You were one lucky man for sure. Welcome home and take good care!
'On Ya'-ma

Big Mark 243 said...

Wow ... glad that you are home and getting back into things ... I had only began to read your blog, when you had to take care of yourself ... glad you are doing better!

louise said...

Hi, so glad you are feeling better and back home...you have been missed. Take care and TAKE IT EASY!

Joyce said...

Welcome home Mort. I'm so sorry you had to go through such an ordeal, but extremely glad it is behind you and you are home. Your mum must have been out of her mind with worry. Big hugs to both of you.
Joyce

Lucy said...

You had quite an ordeal Mort. You scared the heck out of me and some others as well. Now you behave and do as you are supposed to, not by your standards but as the Doctor says. Lucy

lunarossa said...

Glad you're back home, Mort, hope you are feeling better and more relaxed now. Take it easier and look after youself a bit more. Ciao. Antonella

Sandra said...

Hello Morton, I`m glad you are home from hospital and I hope you are going to take things very easy from now on. Take care.

Love Sandra xx

LYN said...

WELCOME HOME..I WAS WORRIED AND I AM HAPPY YOU ARE OKAY...TAKE CARE NOW YOU HEAR??

D said...

welcome home... I am so glad you made that trip to the Dr... and all is good. I know that oh so close to death more then I care to admit.

Ken Riches said...

Welcome home, so glad for a good outcome.

Randy said...

Hello Mort.

So Glad you are back with us and take it easy.

God Bless

Randy

Dannelle said...

Dear lord, mort, I have been worried on this side of the pond. Shocked to hear about the ordeal with your sweet tender heart. Glad the Doctor caught it in time. You were so smart to find him like you did. Stay well and follow the advice of you doc. Love and Hugs, Dannelle

Julie said...

Glad your back and all fixed up. Take care.

Sheila Y said...

So glad you are back safe and sound. My Hubby had a heart attack July 07 and it is a scary thing. Hope your Mom is doing well also, I can only imagine how scary it was for her too. Take care, Sheila

ADB said...

Welcome back, Mort, good to see you back on form.

Lori J said...

Dearest Morton, Oh my friend this story just is to familiar..WHY are you men so pig-headed to get help...well I mean we love you so and my hubby was the same. NOW here is the lecture, YOU must do what ever the medical folks told you to and I realise your MS may interfere sometimes. I think of you often and will commit you to prayer daily. I think of you Mum and I am sure she has been anxious as no matter how old our son's are we still think of them as our children.
Love and hugs and blessings dear one...TAKE good care of yourself.

Love ALBERTA Lori

www.lorisletterbox.blogspot.com

jack69 said...

I will say no more than that was a great narrative,since I am a candidate I listen well to the signs. Thanks. God be with you as yu recover. So glad you are still with us. definitely no response required.
Jack

pam said...

Hey My Fav other man. So pleased you are home and well. I am sorry I have taken so long to get here. Have kept you in my thoughts. Love to you and your mum. Thank you so much for the xmas card. You are a sweetie. Love Pam xx

Lori J said...

Morton, Wishing you and Mum a very special Christmas time.

Love Alberta LORI