Yesterday morning my Mum fell getting out of bed. Nothing unusual in that, except that she managed to whack her head on the commode and there was a lot of blood. Figured out that it was her ear that was bleeding, so we got dressed and I took her to A & E.
We had to wait, but it was bearable (Monday morning), and when we did get to see a doctor it was so worth the wait! He was really lovely, the best thing was that he addressed his questions directly to Mum instead of me, and even though she gave her usual monosyllabic answers and often got her Yes and No the wrong way round, he still treated her as a person. He even asked her what job she used to do before she retired (no-one who's treated her has ever asked her that). It was so refreshing to meet someone who treated her as a human being rather than a brainless idiot. And she didn't have a head injury, it was her ear that had taken the brunt of the hit and although it's swollen right up and turned a beautiful violet colour, her skull is intact. Phew.
Thought I'd share a positive experience of the medical profession, as I know we've all had less-than-easy encounters!
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Idris
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Thanks - today was better than yesterday. She's still rather nervous about getting out of bed, but has made it to the loo without mishap since then. Phew.
Sorry to hear you've had a dispiriting experience. We've had good neurology experiences as at Newcastle they're doing lots of research into PSP, I can't imagine how I'd deal with someone behaving in that sort of manner. *hugs*
Glad to hear your mum didn't injure herself too badly. If only all the professionals realised how their approach can make all the difference in these circumstances. Hope mum's ear is improving now - no doubt the pretty violet colour will soon be turned into deep purple, but at least there was no serious damage done.
There's some tinges of green and yellow in there, it's turning into quite the work of modern art! I too am relieved there was no serious damage done. This doctor we saw was clearly aware that the way he talked to his patients was as important as anything else he did, which was so brilliant to see. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Idris
Glad you had a positive experience at the A&E. On one occasion when my husband had a fall outside, the Paramedics were called. I was totally surprised when one of them asked me to write out something for him about PSP so that he would know what it was the next time he encountered it. He promised me he would distribute it to other Paramedics in the County. It felt good to know that someone was interested in learning about this disease. Like you, I found that one of the Neurologists (who should have known better) was very rude. It was as though my husband wasn't there. I felt so sorry for him. Luckily most of the medical staff are understanding.
We had a similar encounter with one of our District Nurses, who hadn't heard of PSP but said she was going to go and research it on the internet after talking to us. As you say, most medical staff are understanding.
Glad your mother is alright. These falls scare me more than my husband.
Your experience with the doctor echoes what I feel. These doctor appointments are not mine. Talk to the patient. He is "in" there. I am the driver. He is a little vague but knows what he knows.
i expect by now she has recovered from that experience in august and hope htat she has not had any other bad expeiriences
i think ti matters a lot that the docotots do treat you as a person
i hage psps and find it difficult to communnicate my feelings = of anxiety when i fall but cannot communciate easily hwa ti wanto2 say to the paramedics or doctors
they say "just relax" = impossible when i have fallen backwrds (for the 1st time) and my head is bleeding at the back as i =landed on the stone floor at the bottom of the stairs!!
But all is well 3 weeks later and i was glued back together in 2 minutes by a nurse after a 4 hour wait at AandE
love jill
i am lucky that i did not have any concussion or any damage to the spine
Falling backwards is my Mum's worst problem with mobility. It happens to her a lot if I'm not there to give her a helping hand.
So sorry to hear about your fall and glad you've recovered with no long-term damage.
I think it matters a huge amount to be treated as a human being and not just an 'old person' or a set of symptoms, which is why I was so impressed with this doctor.
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FIRST NIGHT A NIGHTMARE
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