Old Stroke People in Hospital
My experience may be of some interest to any S.A.P.s with a similar event.
After I stopped going to the gym I continued exercising at home and had what I thought was a routine fall. But not to the ambos who rushed me with screaming sirens to meet another ambulance to pick up someone who I thought was a doctor. One noisy journey stopped at the nearest acute hospital. The emergency room was filled with monitors all checking my heart. There were about six staff looking after me. My heart problems were found. And the cardiologist who was running the show contacted my doctors and medication changes were made on the spot.
The experts dispersed except for a mature female doctor with a clipboard who had taken no part in the process. She questions my on my age and capabilities rather like stroke doctors do. Having established my health problems, she moved on to my increasing years, and had I made any arrangements.
She said “there are a number of comatose patients in the hospital being supported by inserts and tubes with no apparent hope of recovery, because relatives don’t know how they wanted their lives to end.”
Me “I am not ready to discuss this. When I am we can talk about removing tube by tube. I want to go to a recovery word now.”
I am told that as I was wheeled away I was shouting “Don’t pull the plug!” And I said to myself “If I never see her again, I hope so.”
Now you might say she was only doing her job. Yes, but not well and on the wrong person. She must have seen how well I interacted with the cardios.
For my part, I am content that I out-thought her, and I am working on my walking. My thinking is getting better and more articles are on the way.
They don’t have to be of academic standard. Just thoughtful and, hopefully thought providing. Thinking is something we senior S.A.P.s can do. The subject doesn’t matter. It’s the work which counts. So, here I am doing what I criticize others for doing – giving advice. Guilty. So which is more helpful, the keeping or breaking of my rule?
Disclosure: I never know the date. I can start at my calendar and still have to ask someone what day it is. This caused me to miss the Swan’s game. A team to which I give much thought[1].
Angus
[1] After a short walk for a physio I was discharged to home.