Wednesday 3 June 2020

WOYWW 574 - the explanation

Dear deskers, I am sorry to have left you with so little information last week.  I honestly expected to be home to update the post.  (I wrote it at 8pm and scheduled it as always for midnight Neet)

Lots of you follow me on Facebook so know what happened.  But for the record, here it is. It's a bit of a long read, sorry.

I had eaten my dinner but when I took the tray out to the kitchen, had a dizzy spell and fainted.  I came too, on the floor surrounded by a broken plate and blood pouring from a big gash on my arm
and from my nose.. I can't have been knocked out for more than a few seconds
(look away if you don't like gore!)


Once I had cleared up a bit and stopped the bleeding, I rang 111 and they sent an ambulance.

I knew the arm would need stitching but as I say, thought I'd be back a couple of hours or so later... but an ECG in the ambulance showed an irregularity in the heart trace.. (don't really understand this bit)

Got to hospital (almost made them stop before going inside so I could take a photo of the gorgeous sunset!) where they seemed more worried about my heart than either my nose or the arm...

Several hours later and having had a chest xray and head scan (big bump on my forehead but no damage internally)  and repeats of the ECG and blood tests and.....

the black eye developed nicely overnight...

















They finally got round to sewing up my arm....

I was moved to a different room off A&E ; was nearly allowed home but the Doctor decided to arrange an echocardiogram of my heart so I was moved to a holding ward elsewhere...

The Echo took place on Wednesday afternoon, I called a friend from work who came to fetch my keys and collected some bits from home for me

I ended up in hospital till Friday when they did a heart CT scan which also failed to show the cause for my dizzy spell or any major heart defect (phew!!)  I was put on a heart monitor for 24 hours on Wednesday/Thursday as my heart rate was a bit erratic and they started me on beta blockers.

So I came home on Friday afternoon, and will get an appointment at some stage for an MRI to check the heart again.  I spent the weekend hoping I wasn't going to have another dizzy spell (so far so good)
at the advice of my good friend Emma, (a nurse) I removed the bandage from my arm to let the scar breathe.... neat sewing!
















On Monday however I developed a rash (I assume in reaction to the tablets)  and had a phone appointment with a Doctor from my surgery who at the time of writing (prepping this Monday night in case anything untoward happens again!!) is checking with the hospital Doctor and has suggested for tonight I don't take the tablet and she will talk to me tomorrow. **
I worked as normal today (Monday) from home.... trying to get back to normal.
so that brings you up to date.  Hopefully from here on the news will be all good!

** Update Tuesday - I spoke again to GP from surgery and also the  Dr from the hospital who confirms it is an allergic reaction to the tablets, has changed the prescription and new tablets are being delivered on Wednesday

I did have a lovely surprise though - a knock at the door produced these from several of the Paperartsy FB group most of whom are good friends



so, no crafting (by me anyway, the Dr did a great job with his needle!)  - and I am sorry to have worried you last week.











Had more happy mail too - this lovely card from Twiglet (Jo) and Wipso (Annie)  thanks ladies! 



Just realised I haven't said why I have shown all this - it's Wednesday (well will be by the time you see this) and desk sharing time...
WOYWW  once again - head to Julia's for the link and other much more interesting desks!!




All being well, I will visit you this time!

38 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

So glad that there do not appear to be any long lasting effects from the fall Helen, although that gash and eye are certainly colourful! Hope you can get your additional MRI soon. I am waiting for one too so it seems they are not completely back to normal yet in hospitals. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #?

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Heavens, Helen. I was completely CLUELESS. I hope you are better soon, dear. This sounds extremely serious. First the blackout, then the black eyes, then the allergic reaction to medication. Let's hope that the worst of the crisis has passed.

glitterandglue said...

Morning Helen. Oh my - you really made a mess of yourself there, didn't you - but thank goodness that you were able to get an ambulance so quickly and be seen to, looked after, generally checked over... The doc has done a fine bit of sewing - that was a big gash! Look after yourself, enjoy those beautiful flowers and that card, get back to full everything as and when you feel up to it.
Take care. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #1

brenda said...

Oh my goodness Helen, what a dreadful time you have had, bad enough on it's own without the added trauma of having to be in hospital at this time. Looks like you need rest, rest and more rest and perhaps a footie match or two to put things right in that direction.

Sending you virtual hugs for a speedy recovery.

B x

craftyani said...

Oh my gosh what a picture(s) poor you. Glad you are on the mend and the hospital treated you well. Hope you get your MRI soon. What you are missing are the visits to Kew. Have a good week and don't work too hard. Ani 2#

Mrs.D said...

Well you have been in the wars, glad to see you seem to be on the way to recovery, do take care, and don't rush back into work, give yourself time to recover. If you were going out to work, you would have not been fit to travel, so take your time to get back on an even keel.
Bless you for sharing
Chris #10

Julia Dunnit said...

It’s quite a story Helen, I am incredibly pleased with you that the heart part doesn’t seem to be the issue and very sorry about the Doctor induced rash! Good prompt action from your GP though, impressive. That ‘gash’ on your arm was horrendous, and a little blood goes a long way, I expect it was tres alarming. OMG, i just thought..maybe this is a message that you have to stop kneeling on the floor.....but you probably don’t eat from that position huh. Ignore me..over thinking the old blood pressure issues I would have with a session that involved kneeling! Continue well dear gal, don’t make me come over there just to have control!!

Shoshi said...

Oh my word, Helen, poor you! What a dreadful and frightening thing to happen! That was a huge gash, and a spectacular black eye as well. I am glad to hear what good care they took of you in hospital, and kept you in for further investigations. I am sure they will continue to keep a close eye on you, and continue the tests until they find out the cause of the blackout. I think you coped extremely well, being on your own as you are - I am just so glad I’ve got my hubby to help me in case of emergencies (of which there have been a few) - its scary enough, without having to deal with it all on your own. How very sweet of the Paper Artsy crowd to send you such beautiful flowers! That must have put a smile on your poor bruised face and lifted your spirits! You take good care of yourself, and we await anxiously any further news of the situation.

Gentle hugs, and a happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #14

Neet said...

Good to know your heart is ok - here's hoping it was the heat or something that caused the faint. Surprised you are doing work from home, you need time to rest and get well.
Hugs, Neet 9 xx

Mariane said...

Oh My Goodness, Helen. What a day you have had (days) I do hope everything is ok by now and you will recover from it quickly!! - Nice sewing for sure ;) Superb little card!!

Thank you so much for sharing!

Happy WOYWW
Mariane #8
http://art.cordes.re

Lillianb said...

Good to know you are okay although battered, great to know the heart is good, Take it easy, Look after yourself and stay safe,

Lilian B #11

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Well, I for one am very happy that you're back home and even working a bit - apart from the rash, there doesn't seem to have been major issues? Hope the MRI proves there's nothing up with your heart but it's best to know and manage rather than ignore. Hope you take care of yourself, don't go weight lifting or anything like that!!
Hugs LLJ 5 xxx

Annie said...

As Julia said a little blood does go a long way...when I started nursing I well remember having to 'spill' a measured amount of liquid on the floor to help us judge blood loss when it couldn't be measured....and a cup full sure does cover a lot of floor :-) Really glad that so far so good you're healing well.
Big hugs,
Annie x

Anne said...

Oh my goodness Helen - what a story!! So pleased that you are home and recovering and that all sounds well re your heart. Take care. Anne x 22

sandra de said...

What a traumatic week but, so good to hear you are on the mend and would never expect you could find the time to create. Hope you get some rest and time to heal.
Sandra de @11

Ali Wade Designs said...

Happy WOYWW and hope that you are feeling ok this morning. That black eye will take a while to go down. Beautiful flowers. Ali x #23

Twiglet said...

What a time you have had Helen - so glad you are on the mend and nothing too seriously wrong. Take it easy for a bit. I was very impressed with that lovely stitching! xx Jo

Camilla Fisher said...

Oh, you have been in the wars! Hope the new tablets work better and you feel better soon.

Christine said...

So pleased that you are on the mend. What a very frightening time you have had, hope your freezer had some 'ding' meals in there!
Take more water my friend and rest
Christine #26

Diana Taylor said...

Hi Helen, I'm not taking part this week but just wanted to make sure you are OK after last weeks post. What a dramatic time you've had - that's one heck of a gash and a spectacular black eye too - I hope it looks a lot worse than how it feels by now! I am so glad you are doing OK and that they will be keeping an eye on you, and I hope the new tablets work. What a lovely gesture from the Paper Artsy group - I bet that made you smile.
Take care, rest and pamper yourself,
Hugs, Diana xx

My name is Cindy said...

Well you really did come a cropper but our good old NHS seems to be looking after you very well. Hopefully it was just one of life's little blips and you'll be able to look back and laugh. Happy WOYWW, stay safe, stay well, Cindy #25

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Helen, so happy to see you home again, and that you're feeling much better. He did do a fab job with the stitches- at least you didn't get superglued together! It's good they are making sure theres no underlying reason for your faint, better safe than sorry! Look after yourself lovely, Have a lovely week, Stay Safe, Hugs, Shaz #12 X

Lisa-Jane said...

Good grief Helen! What a time of it you've had! So glad they are keeping an eye on you and that you are home and healing. I hope it's not too painful and that you can get back to crafting again very soon. I missed you last week but I am back WOYWWing after a few years away and I remember meeting you at one or two of the events! Best wishes, Lisa-Jane #17

Crafting With Jack said...

Oh my goodness, you have been in the wars! That was not a very nice experience and I hope you will be feeling better soon. The flowers were a lovely surprise though. Take care Angela #30

Caro said...

I'm so glad that you are at home and healing. I hope that they are keeping a close eye on you. Take care my friend. I hope you have a good week. With love & God Bless, Caro x (#7)

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Pleased to hear you're at home though I should take it easy for a while and that includes work. Did they test you for the Virus while you were in the hospital? Wishing you a happy woyww and a great crafty week with hugs, Angela x15x

Kyla said...

So pleased they were able to do the scans etc and change your meds too, did make me laugh about you wanting to stop the ambulance to take a photo of the sun. What lovely flowers and hope you got a supermarket slot too.
Kyla x

StampinCarol said...

Oh my gosh! So glad you're ok, home, and doing better! Will say a prayer for complete healing and restoration!
Will say that is pretty nifty sewing. Please rest!
Carol N #27

Shoshi said...

Thank you for your visit, Helen - glad you like my knitting, and thank you for your birthday wishes, too. Hope you are making a good recovery!

Shoshi x #14

Stacy Sheldon said...

Hey Lady, I hope this finds you with your feet up and some rest being had by you. I also hope they figure out the why so steps can be taken to prevent this from happening again. (( hugs ))
~Stacy #31

Marit said...

Oh Helen, that's quite a story... sorry to hear that and I do hope you are ok by now. It must be frigtning if you have a dizzy spell and don't know what caused it... hope the beta blokkers help and you get back to normal (and stay that way) although 'normal' may not be the right word... hope you get back to be the amazing and creative YOU soon! Thanks for your visit to my blog yesterday, happy – belated – woyww and a hug from Holland. Marit #20

Lindart said...

Oh my Helen, what an adventure! So glad you are OK, and seem to be in good spirits. Thank goodness you woke up and was able to call for help. Please take care, let everything heal, have nice cups of tea, and enjoy sunsets while you get better. And don't do that again! Thanks for your visit, have a great week, stay safe, Lindart #32

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Hi Helen at last i'm here to check that you are ok, what a frightening experience you have had. You had us worried. I'm really glad they patched you up good and taken good care of you with assessments, hopefully the new tablets will keep that rash at bay. You make sure you rest, listen to what your body is telling you. Beautiful bouquet and card, i'd have sent you one too if I knew where you were. Wishing you a very Happy WoywW, sorry no post from me this week i've had quite a bit on this week but just wanted to pop over to send *Get Well Soon* (((HUgs))) Tracey xx Take care!!!

Virginia said...

Oh my goodness, I couldn't find this post last week, my tablet is doing peculiar things, what a week hun, hope you are well on the way to recovery now.

Hugs

Miriam said...

Hope you are continuing to recover... You'll be back creating before you know it!

pearshapedcrafting said...

GOOD GRIEF Helen...you don't do things by half do you! I hope you get yourself some decent medication now - and that meanwhile don't do too much! What a lovely bouquet you received! Just to think we would have been at the crop this weekend ! Take care! I am trying to do some catching up at long last! Hugs, Chrisx

Belinda said...

oh Helen, I am so sorry to hear your news. I hope you are feeling better and have gotten to the root of the problem. I love that in true artist form, you noticed the beautiful sunset while heading the hospital and thought of asking them to stop for a picture! Heal fast my friend!
hugs,
belinda #33ish

Kelly said...

Oh, dear Helen. Please be careful. I have no doubt you'll heal nicely and this will all be a tick on your 'things to do just for fun' list ;-) Those gals from Paperartsy are something special. Lovely flowers.
I hope tommorrow finds you right as rain and playing a bit.
Creative Blessings and tender hugs - Kelly #29