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Thursday, 11 June 2015

The NHS

I write with nought but praise. Apologies for lack of posts but I've been mind occupied elsewhere of late. 
The HG's mum had Rheumatic Fever when she was a child. She's in her 70s now. It has affected the valves in her heart some decades later. Her heart failure caused a stay in hospital on her birthday in January with AF- an abnormally high heart rate. She was prescribed Digoxin to slow this down and had to wait for follow up scans and appointments. 

It did seem like an eternity for anything to start, but it's been a whirlwind ever since. 
The first shock was when she went for her initial ultrasound scan results and she was told she needed open heart surgery. 
She was put on warfarin so had to go every 2-3 days for a blood test. She's had scans, ECGs, tests, lung function tests etc etc with the upshot being 
On Tuesday this week, she had a seven hour operation to replace her mitral valve, repair a tricuspid valve, remove a blood clot in her heart and attach a pacemaker! 
This all took place in Blackpool Victoria Hospital. What an amazing place. She came out of theatre about 3pm and at 7pm we were at her bedside. She'd been extubated, was awake and somewhat able to communicate although she was still heavily sedated and sleepy. She had tubes and wires and monitors everywhere on Intensive Care. She had her own Nurse sat at the foot of her bed watching and recording all the monitors and extra Doctors and Nurses seeing to her. We were surprised at how well she looked considering! 
Fast forward to day two. By lunchtime she was on the normal ward! Still under very close supervision and attached to a few monitors and a lot less tubes. She'd been out of bed and had a little walk! 
We will go again tonight - I'm expecting she'll be even brighter! Amazing. 
Without the NHS, she'd not be here I don't think. 

So a few of the lovely purples in my garden now it's finally warmed up and got sunny! 


I'm a bit disappointed by my Rhapsody in blue this year. Hoping it's not returning to the rootstock even though I kept a watchful eye out for suckers.... This was day one mind and they do fade to a deeper purple. 
Knitting - all three cardigans are just about ready for their next photo! I'll show you next post! 
I gotta run now as its time for work! 

Lots of love from 
Rachel *may have just dyed my hair ginger* Radiostar xxx 





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19 comments:

  1. Poppypatchwork11 June 2015 at 09:30

    Hope your MIL is recovering well, our Hospitals are great places to be when you have planned procedures, and I have never found nurses who did not care, it's the system which is broken, not the people.

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    1. Rachel Flowers11 June 2015 at 21:52

      Thanx Marlene, we've just got in from seeing her and she's doing brilliantly x you are spot on with the system. People running it who have no idea what it's really like!

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  2. Anonymous11 June 2015 at 09:48

    My father in law had something very similar a few months back- be prepared for a wobble once the adrenaline and sedatives wear off fully. He found sleeping once home very hard (uncomfortable). It took a good few weeks to settle. He has made a great recovery though and is in his mid eighties and now back to driving, fishing and walking. The folk who work for the NHS are a marvel. Loving all your purples- my rhapsody is having its best year ever so really hope yours picks up soon xx

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  3. Tracey11 June 2015 at 17:46

    Best wishes to HG's mum and a hug to everyone who deserves one this week. X x x

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  4. Mum11 June 2015 at 19:13

    I'm so glad she's doing well. It must have been a traumatic time. Take care.
    xx

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    1. Rachel Flowers19 June 2015 at 06:36

      Cheers Mum, it seems so long ago now. I a few months it'll probably seem like she never had it!

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  5. Carol11 June 2015 at 20:57

    Blackpool Victoria Hospital heart department does have a very good reputation. Good to know that your mum-in-law is doing well. I'm a regular visitor to this hospital with my eye problem.
    Flowers look lovely.
    Carolx

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    1. Rachel Flowers13 June 2015 at 19:47

      It's a shame we couldn't meet up Carol - I've been there everyday!!

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    2. Carol14 June 2015 at 08:23

      That would be nice.
      Carolx

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  6. Everyday life at Number 3811 June 2015 at 21:59

    So glad to hear your mother-in-law is doing well. It's amazing how quickly they have them back on the ward isn't it. Mark's dad stayed in hospital for 10 days then we got him 6 weeks respite in a rehabilitation home which did wonders for him. Not sure what your m-i-laws situation is at home but it might be worth bearing in mind. Have you really gone ginger? I love ginger coloured hair. xx

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    1. Rachel Flowers13 June 2015 at 19:48

      She's going to the HG's sisters for six weeks x

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  7. Anonymous12 June 2015 at 08:34

    I'm so pleased to hear she's doing well. One of my family members is a consultant at that hospital and they do have a very good reputation. I would like to find out more about the hair. X

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    1. Rachel Flowers19 June 2015 at 06:37

      That Hospital must be one of the best ones in the country!
      The hair gladly turned out brown! It was just the rinse water that was shockingly orange!

      Delete
  8. John13 June 2015 at 03:13

    Hope her recovery continues at a pace m'dear, Ginger Rach? Mmmm I'll have to think about that one ;+)

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    1. Rachel Flowers19 June 2015 at 06:38

      Ginger Rach - you make me sound like a SpiceGirl John!!!

      Delete
  9. Lazy Days & Sundays14 June 2015 at 10:03

    Glad to hear that she is progressing well in small steps. Lovely flowers.

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