What a Twixmas!

[skinnylizzy59]

Hi Everyone, here at last, how long have you got because I've quite a tale to tell?

It all started just before Christmas with my husband not being well, I called the Doctor out and she said he had a virus, to take paracetamol and drink plenty. He went on O.K. so we went to our daughter and son-in-laws for Christmas dinner, I felt fine in the morning but as the day went on I felt worse so we came home early. I struggled for 3 days coughing and unable to breathe so I called the doctor out. Before he came he rang me to see if a visit was really necessary and couldn't I go into the surgery, I said 'no, I felt too ill' so he came to see me and said that I'd had all the Ciprofoxacin I could have as it is a very strong antibiotic so I would have to go to hospital for oxygen (never had oxygen in my life) and intravenous antibiotics. I waited 4 hours for an ambulance, the despatcher rang me twice to check that I was O.K., and off we went, what a ride, a real old jalopy of an ambulance, I felt every bumo so I didn't feel too good when we got to hospital. I wasn't covered up at all just wheeled out of the ambulance into the cold and damp into Casualty where I joined the queue for triage. I was parked in the ~Emergency Admissions Unit and given iv paracetamol, I had my blood pressure and sats taken several times as I waited on a trolley for a bed. Eventually a bed was found for me and I was trundled to a ward where i stayed for 48 hours before being moved onto a geriatric ward, the only place where there was a bed. I was offered Meroperum, which I refused as I had such bad side effects last time I had it, I was made to feel like a naughty girl for not having it until, 72 hours after admission I was given Doxicycline which Microbiology agreed would suit me and subsequent blood tests proved it was working. I was in hospital for 5 days when it was agreed that I would be better off at home as I was the only person on the ward who could care for themselves and be independent. So what an eye opener, the pressure on the NHS is not a myth I have experienced it first hand. I feel better now I've told you my saga, hop you stayed with me to the end. Take care, Love Lizzy xx

[sassy59]

I read your post with interest Lizzy especially as the Government are trying to say there is no crisis. You could tell them your tale. It is an eye opener and that's why l do all l can to keep Pete well.

Hope you are lots better now and go wish you well. Xxxxx

[Hidden]

Yes I did and was very relieved that there was a good outcome after all that. What a shocking tale....and 72 hours after being admitted you had the correct medicine.....why am I not surprised. It makes you scared to think of having to be admitted.

[Hidden]

What a terrible story Lizzie. God help us all.

Send your story to a local paper and a copy to the Govt. x

[PenelopeS]

What an awful time you have had & what a frightening insight into the very real struggle the NHS is experiencing.

I recorded a programme on BBC last night called Hospital which I believe is about this very issue, I haven't watched it yet. At the moment there is certainly a lot of "noise" from many quarters about it, we can only hope the government eventually really listens instead of fobbing us off with endless platitudes.

I do hope you are feeling much better now. Penny xx

[clematis5932 in reply to PenelopeS]

Please watch it Penelope a very good programme.

[hufferpuffer]

What a Christmas you had! The hospital is the last place you need to be these days.., I have a dread of it and I'm glad you are back home and on the mend! The NHS is a cause for concern and your story is very worrying.

Stay well, keep away from anyone with symptoms if you can! huff xxx

[jackdup in reply to hufferpuffer]

I once heard a doctor say the hospital is the last place you want to be if you are sick. Way to many germs floating around and you could end up sicker than you went in but then sometimes there simply is no choice and you need to be there for care only the hospital can administer.

[skinnylizzy59]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post. There is more to my story - although my husband appeared to improve from his virus he suddenly got a lot worse so I called the doctor out again. When he came he was more interested in my story (just another doctor from the practise, not a doctor I knew) but he did diagnose my husband with a chest infection and put him on antibiotics. You can imagine what a couple of old crocks we are, thank goodness for my daughter and son-in-law, I don't know what we would have done without them. Now you can understand about old people who live on their own and haven't anyone to help them, it must be horrendous - and the Government are closing convalescent homes and homes for the elderly, talk about care in the community. Rant over. Thank you all very much once again for all your kind thoughts and good wishes. Take care,l Love Lizzy xx

[Hidden]

What a saga. Glad you are home now and (hopefully) feeling a lot better.

[skinnylizzy59 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rayswife, I am feeling better but not usually until the afternoon then I've got very little energy. Afraid it's going to be a long job. Take care, Love Lizzy x