After a lovely day with my daughter and grandson, I had gone into the kitchen to prepare the evening meal, when I was seized by intense pain in the right side of my chest. I struggled to breathe, was sweaty and nauseous, filled with disbelief this was happening. I went into the next room, where fortunately my husband was and was able to tell him I was in distress. He got me a bucket and asked if he should ring 111 for advice. I said 999. The ambulance arrived within 10 minutes, by which time the intensity of the pain was easing. They did all the normal checks, blood pressure, temperature, ECG etc. Everything was fine, but despite there being no evidence of heart problems, they felt I should be checked over at the hospital and would probably be kept in for a few hours to have blood tests. By the time I got to the hospital, the pain had gone and I was beginning to feel I had made a fuss about nothing. I have been reassured all along the way that we were right to call for an ambulance. They repeated all the tests, plus a chest X-ray, but not blood tests. After 2 hours, they were satisfied they could send me home. In the absence of pain, there was no explanation for what had happened, but I was told to return if I had any re-occurrence of pain.
After all this, I was exhausted, but where was my husband? I had no phone or money with me. I was able to ring home, but all I got was the answer phone. I have no idea of my husbands mobile phone number or any other number of family or friends. They are all on fast dial. Makes you think doesn't it? I hoped he was in the waiting room, where I had to go. I felt abandoned, angry that he hadn't followed on. (I had told him to eat first, particularly as it was obvious that I was not about to die.) Plenty of time had passed and I didn't know what do, then started worrying he had been in an accident. Eventually, a nurse came to tell me he had rang in and was on his way.
I had been starting to think he didn't care, in my stress, but it turned out he had taken the paramedics at their word that I would be kept in till the early hours of the morning. So he'd eaten, packed a bag for me ( that's another story about what he thought I'd need!
) talked to the children, including my son, a paramedic in the USA.
Now he wants me to write a list of medication, along with a list of what I would need for a night away. He found he was at a loss. Now after the event, I realise I should have had my phone and some money. Though at the time these were the last things on my mind and I assumed he would follow on much sooner.
I slept well for a few hours, but now am sleepless. Feeling rather traumatised.