IHASWYE - Part II #1

I finally woke up in the ICU in the other hospital..

I could feel the tube down my throat, the restraints on my wrists.

I had a quick flashback of the last couple of weeks, and looking around the ICU seeing all the respirators, IV pumps, and the other equipment, One thought came into my mind..."I'm Phuked"

Roto Rooter #14

The angioplasty was needed for two reasons:

1. They needed to remove the clots in my brain - otherwise pressure would continue to grow.

I had already had seizures and flat lined once.

2. I was paralyzed on both sides of my body.

The first attempt on my right side was successful, relieved pressure on the brain. Left side still paralyzed.
Second attempt on left side gave me partial recovery on my left side.

(Keep in mind - since I remember being loaded into the ambulance for the second visit -

I have NO MEMORIES OF ANY OF THIS

I have a 5 day gap in my memory covering most of these events. This is true to this day.

However my wife has very clear memories, and will never forget what happened. We live Provinces away from our family and at the time our boys were about 4 and 2. My youngest spent most of his time during this strapped to the front of his mother as she dealt with all of this.

My 5 day coma #13

While i was knocked out in a coma... my wife had to make one of the most difficult decisions of our lives.

well, it was basically when the they needed to do the roto rooter thingy into my brain(angioplasty)
- it was like a million to one chance that it might work, otherwise i was gonna die.

(Strangely enough, the odds of some one getting this, at my age with my history, was also a million to one.)

The wheels really start to come off. #12

I had a rough night. I had been momentarily confused about where I was and then wanted a doctor.

When my wife arrived she was shown to my bed that was now in the stretcher bay and I was shaking profusely babbling and not coherent. After a few minutes I was apparently able to recognize her and I asked for water. I wanted a LOT of water.

Moments after I got the water I returned to babbling. The nurses said that it was time for me to go for his MRI so she visited briefly for a few minutes. I was speaking to her through clenched teeth and was still trembling and shaking all over. I was very sick but still no one had any concrete answer as to what was going on.

She spoke to the doctor. He explained that he had some hunches:
• suspected that a small tear was bleeding in William’s neck, • tiny clots that need time to develop and show on the CT scans • or the possible onset of MS.

During my MRI I had a seizure. The test needed to be aborted and I was brought back to the emergency department.

My wife heard commotion behind the curtain but could not see what was going on.

The nurse informed her about the seizure in the MRI and now needs a breathing tube to protect his airway.

As soon as the breathing tube was in I returned to the MRI.






They then moved me up to the ICU and the doctor explained to my wife that I had had two large clots in the veins that carry blood away from the brain. With this blockage, my brain could not equalize it's pressure, causing the headaches, and forcing against my optical nerves.

I was to be moved to another hospital that was better equipped to handle this. My condition was very grave. All arrangements and been made and I was being prepared for immediate transfer.

Back in the hospital again #11

When I arrived back at the hospital there seemed to be some confusion about what the deal was and my history.

The communication (so I am told, remember at this point my memory disappears.) between ambulance and the doctors was not very clear and it took almost 2 hrs. for me to get the IV that prevented me from me from getting pain killers for the pain.

My co worker from last night was there with me trying to cover my eyes, and helping me with a cold cloth. Other people from from work were waiting for me in chairs outside of the ER.

I was basically in a deep sleep like state, however I was able to automatically communicate with the doctors ( medication, who i was etc.) I received a spinal tap around 2:00 and was able to talk to my wife however it did require a lot of effort.

The doctor was asking about my recent health, had I experienced mood changes etc. She explained that i had missed a lot of work over the last two weeks which was very unusual, and insisted that something be done as she was not going to be taking me home again until I was fixed.

It was at this time that the trouble with movement on my left hand side. The slur showed up in my sleep when my wife headed home. She was worried about the possibility of a stroke- but nothing had shown up yet.

Time for lumbar punch #2

During this time I was unaware of family winging it's way out to me. My father in law had been talking with my wife and realized that he needed to be here.

My brother had also called to see if they should also come out- the recommendation was that they should get out as soon as possible.

Ongoing observation, testing and treatment. #10

While in the CAT scan, I believed that i was being tested to be part of a religious cult in the desert who refused to give me water.


On the way back down - one of the doctors bitched out the attendant who was bring me back for using the "wrong" elevator" -when he informed her that the regular one was out of service, I offered to her that we could take the stairs.

Ambulance ride back to hospital #9

I regret that i wasn't conscious for the hospital ride back at Code 3. Apparently from what I am told we went screaming, lights and sirens on this trip.

They may have also "split the sheets {term from when I was in the fire department - basically when the cars you come upon do not move over, you go around them by utilizing the on coming traffic lane. Most vehicles seeing an emergency vehicle coming at them tend to move over.}

My wife did not choose to ask if she could play with the siren on this trip.