Tuesday 20th Dec 2011: an early morning call…not usually a good sign

…and it wasn’t. It was NHS 24 on the line telling me that mum was waiting for an ambulance. Would I like to get to the hospital? Yep, I’m on my way.
Mum’s unstable angina has landed her in hospital on a number of occasions before. When I arrived at A+E at the Belford, mum was sitting up waiting on some tea and toast…always a good sign. They decided to keep her in overnight and do extra tests. Always before the tests had proved negative for heart attack. This time they said it had been one. Took us all by surprise. So mum was kept in for 5 days and treated for this. Each day I visited mum was champing at the bit to get home and finally on Christmas Eve she was allowed to go home. Mum’s exit was like royalty leaving as all the nurses, auxiliaries and cleaner on duty lined up for a kiss and a hug and to say good-bye. Come back anytime says the charge nurse!