Saturday 5 April 2014

And the walls come tumbling down!

Our life is so hectic and so full that there's not a lot of room for adjustment. When something in the routine breaks down, everything collapses.
This week I feel like I've lost days, been so busy and had so little sleep. Wednesday I did everything on automatic. Thursday was better and today I've purposely done nothing except basic house work. I've ordered everyone not to book anything and we've all had the quietest of days to relax and rest our minds and bodies.
I won't go into the full details of everything that happened with Malc, but I called an ambulance for him in the early hours of Sunday morning as he was shivering uncontrollably and clutching his stomach in pain. Fifty minutes later a first responder arrived who assured us that an ambulance was following. He gave Malc morphine straight away, he knew nothing of his symptoms, he'd been told he had shortness of breath! Thirty minutes later he contacted control by his radio to find out where the ambulance was only to be told one hadn't been dispatched. He gave Malc more morphine but wouldn't be able to give him any more and he knew the effects of the drug would run out in about an hour so after waiting another 45 minutes with us decided to take us in by his car, which apparently he's not meant to do!
Malc was seen and put on a ward, had an x-ray, ct scan and ultrasound on his kidneys and after first diagnosing a chest and kidney infection they changed it to a chest infection right at the bottom of his lungs that was passing through the membrane through to his internal organs in his tummy. He was put on IV antibiotics and stayed in that night. The next day they moved him onto a surgical ward because there were no beds anywhere else, we couldn't visit because it was only for an hour and just two people at a time. By dinnertime he'd had enough and was going to discharge himself as he was by then on antibiotics orally. The doctor came round and discharged him on the provision that he saw his own GP by the end of the week to make sure the infection had gone.
Tuesday he had his six month appointment with his chest consultant anyway and she gave him steroids which he usually needs to clear up chest infections. He'd told the doctor on the ward this but they wouldn't listen which is another reason that he wanted to leave.
As he's self employed I had to do his work with the boys which was very stressful as I don't know where most of his rounds and drop offs are!
He's been to see his local GP now and although he has to finish the course of meds it looks like the infection has gone, which is good news as if it didn't go he would have to go back into hospital to maybe have his lungs drained! Doesn't bear thinking about!
Friday was the usual Youth Club, Beavers and Clark had Scouts in a local forest running around in the pitch black looking for Easter eggs! Rather him than me!
Today as I said has been quiet, I had these to sew up.
I didn't do any knitting until yesterday and I'd forgotten what size I was knitting so I had to count the stitches to work it out! 











Callum made these lovely Brownies this afternoon, which I can tell you are delicious.
So we continue getting back to our busy, hectic schedule. Thankfully it's the Easter Hols so although Malc still has to work Eden is off to lend a hand if needed. The children have been great, really pulling together to help me either with Malcs work or at home when needed.
Thank you for your well wishes, Karen, Kath, Dreamer, Amanda, Jo, Sue, Morgan, C, Helen, Em, Melissa and to newbie Mitzi, who discovered my blog recently and must have wondered what on earth was happening!
I opened my emails in the mornings and found a few new comments each day which really cheered me up and helped me to start my day!

18 comments:

  1. I'm so glad that Malc is on the mend again and you have all managed to cope. It sounds like it was a very scary time when he became ill.
    That's the downside to self employment isn't it - whatever happens the show must go on. At least you have lots of willing hands there to delegate stuff to :)
    Enjoy some chill time - go and knit something and eat one of those delicious looking brownies! xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much dreamer x I really do appreciate your comments x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Crikey, what a time you have had. I'm glad Malc is on the right meds and starting back on the road to recovery.
    I'm sure those splendid brownies will help! best wishes to everyone, illness in the family affects everyone after all. Good job you are a capable and strong lady xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kath. We make a good team and it's no fun without my teammate alongside me x

      Delete
  4. What a stressful week you have had, but thank goodness Malc is home and OK. Sounds like you will need to catch up on sleep - but have a couple of brownies first!
    Take Care

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sue, we all had a lay-in this morning and I'm hoping not to get up too early tomorrow, so we are slowly catching up x

      Delete
  5. Oh dear, what a time you have had! Good to hear Malc is getting better, thank goodness the children have been able to helpout, those brownies look gorgeous, just the treat to give you a bit of yummy energy. Take care of yourself x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen. The children have been amazing x

      Delete
  6. I hope that this week brings better health for Malc and some respite for you. At least you always have a dog to hug and share your anxieties with, they are wonderful listeners and just love you back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pam. The dogs certainly filled my bed for the nights he wasn't here! X

      Delete
  7. So glad to hear that Malc is home again and on the mend, but what a stressful time for you all. Take care of yourself and rest when you can, if you can! We aren't fond of hospital episodes here but thankfully we haven't had any this year - it is draining for everyone, not least the patient, who is always desperate to get home. Hugs all round xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Morgan. Luckily we don't have a lot to do with hospitals, just Malcs outpatients for asthma, so it was a bit of a shock! Long may your lack of hospital episodes continue! X

      Delete
  8. Glad Malc is on the mend hopefully normality will return soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mitzi x It's nice to see you here again. I have been over to your blog but haven't had time to comment! I will do though as things have got back to normal x

      Delete
  9. I'm so glad to hear that Malc is on the mend; what a scary time and it doesn't sound like you got very good service from the hospital, thank goodness for his GP. Love the socks (Dave's mum liked the ones I sent her for Mother's day by the way) and Callum is turning into a very competent baker. You need to take a bit of time for yourself now after all the drama or else you'll get sick too. Take care of yourself Bridget, hugs Helen x

    ReplyDelete
  10. oh golly - what a scary time! so glad malc is on the mend.
    sending lots of love and healing vibes your way!

    ReplyDelete