A SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS
Two weeks after arriving , I came down which the worst viral cold I’ve ever had, which caused a sinus, throat, chest and bladder infection. I felt like death. Anyhow, I went to my local doctor for antibiotics and as soon as I walked in, I had the most Godawful chest pains. To cut a long story short, I was sent by ambulance to a hospital and have been here ever since.
I was found to be profoundly anemic, which leads them to believe I have bleeding stomach ulcers. As if that wasn’t bad enough, an angiogram revealed that one of my heart arteries is 99% blocked but had developed alternate sources of blood. I have had numerous tests done but still have to have the stomach one which involved a tube being threaded through my nose and into my stomach to see if I have ulcers. I’m pretty sure I do have them because have had difficulty digesting food for some considerable time.
I’ve just had a full report from my doctor and the situation is as follows:
I have one artery that is virtually completely closed, but appears to have been that way for some considerable time, because alternate blood supplies have been formed. I’d caught that dreadful cold virus, which made the heart have to work extra hard, ergo the chest pain. However, because I’m very anemic, they want to do the stomach thing to make sure I’m not bleeding internally. That will be done in the next couple of days.
If I contract another infection like the cold virus I had, this same thing will happen. They could put in a stent, but the only way it would be a permanent fix would be by my taking aspirin and super super aspirin for a full year prior to having it done.
I honestly think at this point, I will be returning to Canada with my husband when he pushes off. I can’t imagine what it would be like to catch another infection and have the same thing happen when I’m in that flat all on my own. And I would be scared stiff that it would happen. I seem to be very prone to cold infections here in the UK but not back home – I can’t honestly remember the last time I had an infection in Canada.
It’s a complete bummer, but I honestly dare not risk being alone and having this kind of trouble with no one around to help me. We have the Heart Institute in Ottawa, which is about the best one in the world, so if anyone could sort this problem out, they could.
I am looking forward to being able to have a proper shower soon (Wednesday) and washing my hair. Can’t get the cardiogram hole in my groin wet before Wed or it might cause a major bleed. So far, I’ve had to confine myself to having “washes” at the basin which I hate!
Very depressing news all around. My husband was here when the doctor gave it, and he said it was good news, because the doctor said this is a condition I’ve had for a long while (probably years) and there is “nothing new.” Bless him, he just wants to cheer me up. I now realize that my travelling days are over. Oh well, I knew something wasn’t right a long time ago, and just told myself I was imagining it.
David flew over immediately, and Mandy will be arriving on Wednesday morning. She will be remaining for a week, so I think we will all fly out on the following Wednesday.
If I get any further infections, the same thing will happen.
I cannot describe how painful it was. I couldn’t believe anything could hurt that much. The ambulance guys gave me liquid morphine and I’ve had more here. I haven’t had chest pains for several days now.
If you reply, please don’t do so to this address because my dongle doesn’t allowing incoming emails from either of my sympatico addresses. Please send it to my hotmail addy as follows:
The doctor assured us it is safe for me to travel.
I have two more tests to undergo before I can leave hospital- an echocardiogram and the stomach thing.
I can’t begin to say what superb, excellent care I’ve had. I think the NHS is greatly maligned. I am really impressed by the promptness and extreme care I have received. I’m in a ward with 5 other women, and when I was initially admitted and they found out I was on my own (My husband could only fly over 3 days later) I suddenly acquired 5 mother hens, all clicking and fussing over me – they were lovely.
When I saw my husband walking into my ward, my joy knew no bounds! As always, he’s been WONDERFUL. He’s staying in my flat in Folkestone and drives to visit me every day, bless him
Anyhow, that is the situation. If you could muster up a prayer group for me, I’d really appreciate it.
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Jojo
You are in my prayers!!!!! Just shocked to read your medical condition!!!! Of course we will all be thinking about you and a prayer group will be forming. We are all here when you need us…. sending “hugs” and the Lord’s blessings!!!!
Jo , You are in my prayers and thoughts and hope you will be ok and able to go back home to Canada. Like Blush said all of us on S.C. are sending you hugs and the our prayers for a speeding recovery.
Oh jojo so so sorry to hear of your ill health. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We are all here for you wishing and praying for a speedy recovery for you. Take care dear friend xoxoxox Huge hugs coming your way.
Oh jojo Im so sorry to hear of your illness, gosh if I lived closer I’d have come and visited you, ohh you brave soul jojo…….I pray you have a speedy recovery……..and a zillion hugs for you……bless you jojo and let us know when you get back home…..
((((((((((((((((((((((((((jojo)))))))))))))))))))))
🙂
xxx
so sorry to hear your not well jo jo…hope it’s all sorted soon xx 🙂
Thank you so much one and all for your prayers and good wishes – they mean the world to me. I am desperately anxious to be able to fly home, but have no idea when or if that will be possible. I keep getting chest pains and as long as this goes on, my husband will not allow me to step onto a plane nor would I want to. The thought of having a major heart attack in mid Atlantic is terrifying – it’s a 7 hour flight.. I still have a couple of important tests to have done, so until they can get around to doing them, I’m stuck in hospital bored out of my mind.
But thank you SO MUCH for your prayers and support. You can have no idea how heartening they are to me.
Big hugs all around,
Jo
Get well soon Jo I hope everything goes well for you xoxoxox
Coming from me you might not want to hear it. But it is with complete sincerity that I wish you the best in regaining your health and comfort. I’ve been where you are and understand all the pain and fear that accompanies this sort of affliction. With warmest regards.
jojo Oh you poor darling.All those lovely stories and blogs and jokes,you wrote, and we thought you were having a wail of a time in the UK.., and this is what,s been happening.You must be utterly miserable and fed up to the back teeth.H ope you get home soon, to Canada, and hope your husband can be with you every minute of the day. All the very best for a complete and speedy recovery CAG. XXX
Hi jojo
Just popping in to say hope all is going well for you….
debz
xxx
Dear Jojo,
I am so sorry this happened to you love, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. What a horrible ordeal, so painful and scarey. Glad you are receiving the best of care and are making plans so you will not be alone. All the best dear jojo for a speedy recovery. xxxxxx skip
Thanks so much everyone for your warm support and good wishes.
Am now back at The Grand. As if it wasn’t miserable enough, I’ve broken out in hives which itch unbearably – I’m allergic to one of my “new” meds – probably aspirin – so I sit and scratch myself frantically all the time. I am taking anti histamines of course, but they will take 2 days to kick in.
We are planning on flying back on Tuesday all being well, which it damned well better be.
The doctors assured me it will be safe for me to fly, and I’m taking them at their word.
Sorry to be brief and not all that cheerful but life is a bitch right now. This itching is driving me NUTS.
But once again, with all my heart – THANK YOU
Oh dear jojo, it doesn’t seem to end does it? Hives are just horrible, had an allergic reaction to antibiotics within ten minutes of taking the first one, I could have cut my hands off with the itch, gordie immediately smothered me in Advantan and the itching eased within ten minutes. I do so hope this may help you. Keep your chin up jo, we are all here for you xxxxx
Oh jojo I’ll be praying that your able to fly back on Tuesday…..I cannot imagine the itching and hope the antihistamines kick in asap…..bless you sweetie, as skip says we are all here for you xxxx
OH Jo I will be praying for you that you will be able to fly back home on Tuesday. Hope also the hives will be gone by Tuesday. Hugs Marie
Thanks so much all of you again for your support and good wishes. Skippy, tomorrow we will go to a chemist shop to see if we can buy Advantan because the itching is still fierce – in spite of anti histamines. I am not allowing it to spoil our last few days in the UK knowing I will never be coming this way again so today my husband and daughter and I drove to the gorgeous town of Canterbury, where we toured the cathedral – a fascinating experience.
Tomorrow we might go to Rye, which I’ve been told, is equally beautiful and on the next day to Leeds Castle.
Thanks once again, all of you dear wonderful friends for your caring support – you can have no idea how much it’s helped.
Hugs, Jojo