A Memorable Day

by Rosie Peters

The smell of cooked bacon wafted through the many rooms of Bill and Susan's home.

"That was a feast, love," said Bill, mopping up the last bit of egg yolk with a chunk of fried bread.

Susan beamed. She loved watching Bill clear his plate, especially as his usual breakfast was two cups of strong coffee and a cigarette.

"Today is going to be memorable," said Susan, clearing away the dishes. "For once, there is to be no paperwork and no business phone calls."

"Yes dear."

Susan saw a look of resignation on his face. She smiled; glad that for once Bill's appetite for commerce would not spoil her plans for the day. Some activity together, then a delicious, home cooked lunch she thought.

"How about a walk up the hills? That would be a change."

Bill scowled. "I'd rather read the news. I rarely get the chance to relax."

"Well let's stroll to the village once you've read the paper, and we could stop at the pub for a drink."

"That sounds ok."

Susan busied herself in the kitchen, happy that Bill had agreed to go out later. She hummed to herself as she washed the frying pan. How lucky she was to live in such a beautiful home with a husband she adored. The kitchen window gave a good view of the garden. It was a pity that Bill rarely had time to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the plants. Perhaps he'd bring the newspapers outside on the patio and they could sit together a while. Susan strode through to the lounge to speak to Bill. She gasped when she saw him. He was holding the rubbish bin and vomiting into it.

"Must be the breakfast," spluttered Bill. "I made a bit of a pig of myself."

"Are you feeling better now you've brought it up?"

"Not really. I've terrible indigestion. A real sharp burning pain in my chest."

Bill was pale and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. Susan hurried to the kitchen to get some tissues and a towel for him. When she returned, Bill was gripping the arms of the chair. His face had turned a greyish colour and his breathing seemed shallow and rapid.

Susan's mind flashed back to her childhood. Her father had died of a heart attack while she was in bed asleep. In the morning her mother had tearfully explained how quickly it had all happened. One minute her father had been doing the crossword and the next he'd clutched his chest and died. Susan knew that Bill's chest pain could be more serious than indigestion. He looked so ill. With hand shaking, she picked up the telephone and dialled 999.

"Ambulance please. I think my husband's having a heart attack. Please hurry." Her voice quivered as she spoke. Susan went to the front door and opened it wide so she wouldn't have to leave Bill's side when the paramedics came. She could feel the colour slipping away from her face and her heart beat rapidly with the terror she felt. She fought to hold back her tears, anxious that Bill shouldn't see how scared she was.

"Is the pain bad?"

Bill nodded, his face grimaced. "I've never had anything like this before. He grasped his left upper arm. "It's here too and in my neck, and my chest feels like there's something really heavy pressing down."

"I've sent for an ambulance, just in case it's not your breakfast that's caused all this." Susan was thankful he didn't argue, for he wasn't used to being dictated to.

The door bell rang and two men in green overalls printed with the word 'Paramedic,' across the back walked in. They introduced themselves as Frank and George. Susan felt such relief to see them. Frank went immediately to Bill and started talking in a reassuring manner. George asked Susan what had happened. When Susan had finished explaining she saw that sticky pads had been placed on Bill's chest and he was wired up to a machine that did a heart tracing.

Frank had placed a clear plastic mask over Bill's face. "That's oxygen and nitrous oxide to relieve the chest pain and he's had an aspirin to stop the blood from being too sticky."

Susan nodded. "Thanks." She felt glad she'd phoned 999. The medics certainly seemed to be taking the situation seriously.

"We're taking him to the City Hospital. Do you want to come in the ambulance?"

"I need to let our son know. He's just up the road. We'll follow." Susan rang Peter and before the ambulance had moved from outside the house, Peter had parked his car.

"It could just be bad indigestion," said Susan, "but I think your dad may have had a heart attack."

The hospital was only a few minutes drive away. As they sat in the emergency department Susan kept thinking of her father's sudden death all those years ago and prayed Bill would recover. Tears and trails of black mascara trickled down her face. She felt Peter's arm around her shoulder. He pulled a tissue from his pocket.

"Dry your eyes, Mum. We've got to keep strong for him."

A young woman with a stethoscope slung round her neck appeared. "Mrs Felton?"

Susan dabbed her eyes. "Yes. How's my husband? Can we see him?"

The woman pulled a seat near to Susan and Peter. "I'm Doctor Anna Jones. I'm sorry to tell you, Bill has had a heart attack. Of course, this is very serious but your prompt action in sending for an ambulance may well have saved his life and will certainly have reduced the risk of further complications."

"Thank goodness for that," said Peter, "but what exactly has happened to my father?"

"He's had a blood clot in one of the coronary arteries. This impedes the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart and causes pain. Sometimes there can be damage to heart muscle. In this instance though, because there was no delay in treatment things may not be as bad as they could have been. After more tests, we'll know the extent of the damage."

Susan could feel herself shaking. She was so glad Peter was with her and able to ask the questions she felt unable to.

"What treatment has he had, Doctor?"

"I've injected a drug called streptokinase into the bloodstream. The purpose of this is to dissolve the blood clot which is causing the blockage. This medication is most effective if given within ninety minutes of the heart attack starting.

Susan glanced at her watch. It was about forty minutes since she had found Bill vomiting.
"Is he in distress?"

"No. He's had a strong painkilling injection which seems to have helped him. We've moved him into the coronary care unit which has specialist staff used to looking after people who've had an MI."

"MI, what's that," asked Peter?

"It's what your father's had. Myocardial infarction. It's the medical term for heart attack or coronary thrombosis."

"Can we see him please," asked Susan?

"Yes, but be careful not to tire him and don't be alarmed at all the machinery around him. It's just to help us monitor him closely."

Susan took a deep breath, put her arm through Peter's and together they went to where Bill was lying propped up in bed. Susan kissed her husband gently on the cheek taking care not to dislodge the mask over his nose and mouth. She sat down at the side of the bed and slid her hand in his.

Bill turned his head slowly towards her. "Thanks, love."

Susan felt weary and rested her head on the edge of the bed. She closed her eyes and pictured her and Bill at home in their beautiful garden each sipping a glass of wine. She tried to block out the smell of hospital disinfectant and imagine the fragrance of the lavender bushes Bill loved. Hopefully it wouldn't be too long before he would be allowed home. Susan had seen the health education posters on the ward and realised that some changes in lifestyle would be needed. She would help Bill. The main thing was her husband was still alive and she wanted to keep him that way.