A little under two weeks ago,
as I prepared to heave myself
into the shower, I had what
my Mum would have called 'a
funny turn'. It felt as if
someone stuck a needle into
either side of my neck at the
top of my spine and injected
bolts of pure pain which
spread instantly up and
across my skull, leaving me
barely conscious. It was, to
say the least, a scary
experience.
I stupidly tried to ignore
the event and struggled on
for several days, groggy and
unsteady, before finally
calling in to see my doctor,
who referred me immediately
to a neurologist and within
hours, for the first time
since my birth 52 years ago,
I found myself in hospital.
A small bleed to the brain
(subarachnoid hemorrhage) was
a strong possibility - not
dangerous itself, but
potentially a precursor to
something far more serious if
it re-occurred. The specialist
emphasised this point by
snapping his fingers and
saying it could be 'game
over'. Dramatic, but he got
my attention.
Thankfully, after three days
of tests, including a lumber
puncture (straight into the
top five of the all-time most
unpleasant experiences in my
life) and brain scan, the
diagnoses was that I had
suffered a Thunderclap
Headache, which may sound
innocuous, but believe me, is
not. A little rest and mild
medication and I should be
fine.
As the youngest and otherwise
healthiest in my ward I was
witness to the limitless
patience and compassion
offered by the medical staff
during their 12 hour shifts
to old, frail and confused
men, some clearly approaching
the ends of their lives. I also briefly got to know
some remarkable people who
continually overcome
seemingly insurmountable
health problems and are
determined not to 'go gentle
into that good night.'
I may write about a few of
those I met during my short
stay in Bay 7, Bed 26, but I
won't forget any of them.
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5 comments:
Oh no, my dear The Swede! How horrible for you, I hope so much you're feeling tons better now and don't have any more Thunderclap Headache Incidents (good name for a band that...?!) Hospitals are such poignant places, aren't they, where somehow no matter what our personalities or backgrounds etc. we all become equal in the fact that we inhabit fallible human bodies. Very sobering...and I'm sure your tales of fellow patients will be thought-provoking and interesting.
Meanwhile, sending my very best wishes and hope you're putting your feet up. Maybe ease up on playing Hawkwind at full blast too.. ;-)
If i'm ever again in a position to form a band, The Thunderclap Headache Incident it will be!
Thank you for your good wishes C, it was indeed a very sobering experience all round.
My feet are up & the volume is down!
I'm so very sorry to hear about your experience, my friend. I'm equally relieved that all is no well. As for hospitals, I've seen far too much of them in the past few years but can only agree with you as to the steadfast courage and determination of so many of the other patients. A lot of the staff do their utmost, too, under very difficult circumstances.
Rock on, mate!
Thank you Singing Bear, your kind thoughts are very much appreciated. Here's hoping it'll be a long time before either of us are required to see the inside of a hospital again - as a visitor or patient.
WoW! that is pretty scary....I had experiece few years back in a ward for a week....it certainly is an eye opener...I bow down to the staff! I also met some intereting characters...but the tragedy of seeing old men who dont recognise their kids is heartbreaking.....Great post and top tune.
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