This week the weather has been glorious – an extension to the summer we didn’t get in August. So the plan was to spend time in the garden, sorting out and preparing for the winter. I should know better than to make plans!
On Monday night, or rather at about 2.30 on Tuesday morning, I awoke feeling the usual necessity to visit the bathroom. So I got out of bed … … and immediately fell over on my left side. What is going on? Where has my left leg gone? I managed to lift myself back onto the bed and looked in the mirror. You know the advert, you need to check for – FAST – face, arms, speech, time to phone. Well my face was ok (not twisted), arms could be raised and held, no problem, so I began talking to myself in the mirror! Everything seemed to be in order so it appeared not to be a stroke so it wasn’t time to phone for an ambulance.
After a short while, I did feel my leg but I didn’t get much sleep that night. The following day I went to see my GP who sent me immediately to A & E where they did tests and took blood and referred me to the Consultant of the Stroke Unit who would be in touch. This morning I got the phone call to ask if I could go this afternoon (yes, that quick! – and on the NHS) I had more tests – ECG, ultrasound scan on my neck and MRI on my head sandwiched by two consultations with the doctor, one before all the scans and one after.
It was apparent that I have had a few TIAs (mini strokes) but not within the past 14 days but because of family history he has put me on medication to counteract any future attacks. It seems that the problem with my leg is something different and will be dealt with when I go back for future appointments – maybe connected to back pain. So for the moment I can’t drive and am limited in my digging in the garden. So much for my plans!
But I’m so grateful that although my leg problem was not what I thought, the scans revealed things that did need immediate attention that I am now receiving. And thanks to doctors and nurses in the NHS who are so thorough in their treatment of patients.
2 comments:
Oooerrr! Glad you are getting the care and attention you need though, Mavis. Take care of yourself
Thanks. I am mortal after all! Haha. Had a good sleep last night and feel fine this morning. Just wish my mind and my body were in sync. My mind thinks I can do anything til my body says it can't! But as you say I am receiving excellent medical attention.
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