WELL OVERDUE UPDATE ON AS CLEAR AS MUD . . the saga continues 😩😩😩

[WardijaWardija]

Hello Hearties. For those of you who recall I was awaiting to see my consultant, I did but she couldn't figure out why my symptoms persisted even after using the GNT spray. So it was decided That I go for repeated tests and specifically a echocardiogram stress echo and then possibly a further angiogram within the next following days . . Great OK.

The day before my tests were due to start, DISASTER struck.

Whilst I was having an angina attack, I became dizzy and just fell, Slap, bang and flat on the floor !!

Immediately I knew this was bad news, indicated by the amount of pain that I had - it was excruciatingly painful.

It was 6am, still dark outside and I was stuck on the floor unable to move for over an an hour, my anxiety along with the damn angina and the pain of the fall just overwhelmed me - I thought I was going to die. I live alone in a pretty isolated area, I was really, genuinely scared.

Eventually and God only knows how, I managed to agonizingly slither myself along the floor to get my mobile, which thankfully was on a low coffee table, rather than a regular table that I wouldn't have been able to reach.

I called emergency services, and within 40 minutes or so, I was in A&E. X- Rayed and found shoulder broken in 2 places and 3 fractured ribs

As for the heart issues, they were checked after the X Rays ?? Yes, I know,I know . . But this is Malta remember 😦🙃🙃🙃

And yes, as i was still breathing they "assumed" I was OK, Maltese logic I guess . . . All I wanted was to get some pain relief, was this forthcoming ? - of course not, unless you call 2 paracetamols "pain relief" Hell no.

I spent the next 8 hours on a stretcher type gurney, in abject pain, basically pushed to the side and ignored, waiting to be seen by a orthopaedic surgeon. Finally I was seen and told told that I wasn't going to be put in plaster and the breaks would fuse back together with a sling and over the next 10 weeks - I'm like WHAT ???? 10 weeks ??

I was discharged with not a proper sling but with a narrow width piece of cheap foam. They call it the collar and cuff - I call it a disgrace . . .

So there i was discharged, with a prescription of paracetamol for one week . . . . I have no word's

So to suffice, all my booked cardio tests for the following day were cancelled. So heart wise I am no further ahead and until I significantly heal up, there is nothing else to be done.

I can bearly walk and the pain is off the chart - thank God I had some Tramadol squirreled away at home. It's not a 100% pain resolution but it helps a bit, I'm equalling out my hoard to last as long as possible.

On the bright side, all damage was on the left hand side, so I'm just about able to use my right hand to finger type.

I'm having some government help for personal care needs and a diabetic nurse twice a day. It's not great but I'll get by and time will pass, eventually . . .

So dear readers, the Cardio saga goes on . . .

BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL 😊😊

N.B I just can't wait to be called back for my PHYSIOTHERAPY !!

[Sunnie2day]

Blimey! Shoulder and ribs, what a whammy (I know this from personal experience).

If it's any comfort at all (slim, at best, I know), in March 2016 I fell in our front hall, did a horrible amount of damage the consultant said was quickest described as akin to being in a horrific motor wreck.

Long (sooo long!) story short, A&E 'care' here in my part of the UK was so inept they cut the stabiliser strap off my sling -without it the pain was shockingly bad. I went home, cut it off me and went online to buy a proper sling sent super-express. So, not just Maltese 'logic' but I will forever more call all inept care 'Maltese logic'.

Here's wishing you an uncomplicated recovery. Re no plaster casting, it may be the location and position of your shoulder fracture; ribs are never plastered but are always taped/wrapped - if yours weren't you might consider going private to receive better post-injury care. At the least the orthopaedic consultant should have explained about your shoulder fractures precluding plaster and why your ribs weren't taped.

Keep us updated, and I'm aching in sympathy for you. Ouchie-ouchie-ouchie!

ETA: I did go private, and the consultant was so angry about the 'care' I received he wrote a letter of complaint. And then he let the DVLA know I wouldn't be driving any time soon - three plus years on I'm STILL waiting for clearance to drive. sigh.

[WardijaWardija in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hi Sunnie OMG your experience sounds appalling too and way worse than fine.

Being in severe pain is just the worst isn't it . . .

If I were at deaths door, which thank God, I'm not, I would go private - but for this, I would most likely end up seeing the same consultant, just in a different location !!!

Malta is smaller than the Isle of Wight . . .

Three years sounds an amazingly long time to be deprived of driving - what on earth is their rationale based upon I wonder . . . Can it not be challenged !

Thank you so much for your support. It's genuinely comforting to know that other people do care and kindly take the time to get back to us.

Following an imposed home lock-up for the last week or so, I'm psychologically desperate for some fresh air but it's not going to be easy, physically, as I can bearly stand for longer than a minute* or so, let alone walk unaided, with this constant pain.

* I have diabetic neuropathy.

I have an follow-up appointment on Tuesday to go back to the Orthopaedic out-patient clinic, where I hope, no pray that they will repeat the X-Rays and tell me everything is healing up nicely.

Time will tell and I will of course, let you know.

Blessings for a new week upon us all 🌹

[Sunnie2day in reply to WardijaWardija]

When I fell I broke and dislocated so much in that arm (dominant, of course) that even with physio I've not regained enough strength and control in that arm to hold the steering wheel whilst changing gears. I keep wishing my husband would let me use some of my savings to buy an automatic transmission motor but he keeps reminding me I hated roundabouts before I fell and that I am the holder of a 60+bus pass...men, heh.

Blessing indeed - fingers crossed your x-rays show healing!

[WardijaWardija in reply to Sunnie2day]

Oh I see. But can you not get a free and automatic vehicle through the Blue Badge disability scheme ??

My late mother used to have this, she didn't spend a penny.

It's worth checking out.

Contact your local CAB for a full, free assessment on this plus more information on services you could access regarding transport options.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Ouch indeed😫

Can you go to your GP for a prescription of something stronger than paracetamol?

I wish you a speedy recovery and I hope you are more comfortable soon. Being in pain is no fun.

[WardijaWardija in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy Thanks for your message ☺.

Yes within 48 hours of excruciating pain, I found a Dr who did home visits and an hour or so later he arrived, by this time I was crying my eyes out, I think it was in relief and the thought that I was going to be relieved. I think the doctor took it as that i was in so much pain, which I was . .

As a health practitioner myself, common sense completely flew out of the window when I saw the doctor holding a syringe . .

I didn't even ask him what it was, by this point I didn't even care, so when he uttered the immortal words "sunny side up madam" I knew where exactly where that loaded syringe was going !! I was a lamb to the slaughter, willingly.

A short while later the pain started to subside, it wasn't total relief but it certainly took the edge off.

The good doctor also left me with some substantially stronger pain-killers to be started the following day.

I almost kissed him, almost . . .LOL

Going to follow-up orthopaedic appointment on Tuesday, that'll be interesting - I'll post up the outcome.

Take care 🌹

[jimmyq]

Wow! You are going through it! Try to keep your chin up!

[WardijaWardija in reply to jimmyq]

Thank you, Jimmy, I'll do my best. Take care.

[cowparsley]

Gosh,you`ve really had a rough time of it.Thank goodness you had a helpful GP.It`s so difficult coping on your own with these problems.I broke my wrist this year and lived off scrambled eggs eaten out of the saucepan for weeks.The silver lining? I lost the weight I`d put on over the winter.I`m rather off scrambled eggsI Best of luck and a speedy recovery xx