I don’t even know where to start with this post, it’s been such a long time since I last updated this blog. This post isn’t about books but I hope you’ll stick around and read it anyway. I hope to be back reading and blogging about books very soon, I’m slowly trying to find my way back to normality.
In January my husband had a heart attack at work. It was a normal Thursday and he was fit and healthy… until he wasn’t. There were no warning signs at all. His manager called me to say they were waiting on an ambulance and he would come and take me to the hospital. It was a little while later that I got to see my husband to find out that he’d survived a massive heart attack and also the cardiac arrest that he had in the ambulance. It was such a shock. He’s a fighter though and just a three days later he was home from hospital and we were getting our heads around what had happened and how our life had changed. It had been, at that point in time, the worst couple of days of our lives but we got through it.
And then twelve days later he had a cardiac arrest at home in front of me and I really thought I’d lost him. I woke up just a few seconds before him and then he sat bolt upright, got out of bed making an horrific noise, staggered a few steps and by the time he hit the floor he wasn’t breathing. I dialled 999 and managed to do CPR for the five or so minutes it took for paramedics to get to us. They took over and I was ushered out of the room. The police came as well as paramedics and they were so kind to me. They helped me get dressed as I was only wearing a nightie, they sat with me while the six paramedics fought to save my husband’s life, and then they drove me to the hospital. It was an hour and a half before I found out that he was still alive, but also that he was desperately ill. He was put on life support in ICU and we just had to wait and see. I was warned about all the eventualities and outcomes that we could be facing, it was beyond horrific. It was hours and hours before they had him stable enough that I could see him. He had tubes everywhere, he was covered in bruises but he looked better than he had when I was doing CPR on him. That was the worst day and night I have ever lived through. Thank goodness for my neighbour who so kindly came and sat with me until the early hours once I was home from hospital.
The next day they woke him up and he was able to breathe on his own and he could communicate. He knew who I was, which was the most incredible feeling for me as I’d been warned that he may not recognise me. He was very confused but I could see that he was still him. The confusion lasted a few days but gradually he began to orientate himself and to understand a bit more of what was going on. From then he had another couple of weeks in hospital in an acute care ward and wasn’t allowed to come home until he had an ICD (internal defibrillater) fitted.
The last few months have all been about him trying to recover from everything and to start building himself back up again. He has been incredible, so strong and focused and I’m prouder of him than I can even put into words. I’m still struggling with PTSD and the anxiety after what happened but I’m getting stronger all the time. Life will never be quite the way it was before but we need to find a new normal and for me that means books! I’ve been slowly finding my way back to reading, and I’m starting to find my love of books is coming back now so I’m hoping to be blogging regularly again very soon.
I still can’t comprehend that I helped save my husband’s life, that I did CPR and it was successful. I actually learnt CPR when I was a child, around 8 or 9 years old, as part of my swimming and lifesaving lessons. I’ve never even thought about it since but somehow that Tuesday morning my brain snapped into gear and I knew what to do. I would urge everyone reading this to please learn CPR. There is a great fifteen minute video called RevivR on the British Heart Foundation website that will teach you all you need to know. I know it’s scary to contemplate that you might ever need to know how to do it, but one day you might be in my shoes and knowing what to do means your brain can almost work on autopilot. 80% of cardiac arrests happen out of hospital and of those only around 10% of people survive but knowing how to do CPR can make a massive difference. #EveryMinuteMatters
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Hayley what an absolutely frightened and traumatic few months you have had. I’m glad to hear your husband is home with you now & you can slowly find a new normal. He’s a lucky man to have you by his side. He sounds like a fighter. Wishing you both much needed peace xx
Thank you. It was very traumatic and I’m still trying to come to terms with it. My husband has been incredible throughout it all, he’s determined to keep looking forward. I’m so proud of him. x
I don’t know what to say but just the giantest of hugs, Hayley. You are an amazing person for doing what you did and I hope things get easier for you both, I’m so sorry you’re both going through this but it’s good that you have each other to lean on. Take care xxxxx
Thank you. I still haven’t really come to terms with what happened, or that I had to do CPR on my husband but I’m just so beyond glad that I was there. xx
Oh Hayley, what a traumatic time you and your husband have been through! I’m so pleased your husband is now home and his recovery is going well. Sending so much love to you both ❤️ xx
Thank you. It’s been very traumatic and we’ve both had a lot to come to terms with but we’re getting there now. x
What a shocking and frightening time this must have been for you both – well done indeed on performing CPR, such a vital skill. Wishing you both the very, very best recovery.
Thank you. It was terrifying, I still haven’t really come to terms with it but I’m just so glad I was able to do effective CPR. I wish everyone would take time to learn it, it is indeed a vital skill. My husband is incredible how he has dealt with everything, I’m so proud of him. I’m still struggling but I’m getting there. x
That’s most frightening and I sure wouldn’t know what to do in such situations. I’m glad your husband is fine now and you both are slowly getting back to new normal. I’m sure now going to learn CPR.
Thank you. It was terrifying, I think my brain just worked on auto-pilot so make me start CPR. I’m just so glad that I knew how to do it, it’s absolutely worth learning because you just never know. I’m beyond grateful every single day that I could do CPR. x
Oh Hayley! Sending you both all the love and strength in the world xx
Thank you xx
Oh my goodness, what a terrifying and shocking experience this was for you. I agree regarding CPR and also other life-saving procedures. I was out campaigning in the general election when one of my colleagues, a teenager, choked on something he was eating and I saved his life, effectively – I was horribly upset by it (fortunately he bounced back and was completely OK, and I carried on with the work we were doing, which was probably for the best). But shockingly, we were among a group of about four other adults and the others either didn’t notice what was happening or didn’t know what to do (one held my coat, bag and clipboard for me, at least). So I have been thinking of this ever since, as I got the technique off This Morning in the 90s! (I have done it for three other people since the 90s, bizarrely, including my husband). I am so glad to hear of the kindness of the police, your husband’s boss and your neighbour and I wish you all the best reading in the world, of course.
It was terrifying but I’m just so glad that I knew how to do CPR. I wish more people would learn first aid including CPR and how to help someone who’s choking etc. It’s so lucky you knew how to help your colleague but also shocking that no one else did anything. My friend is a first responder and he told me how often they attend cardiac arrests and the bystanders hadn’t even realised the person wasn’t breathing. It’s so important that people can recognise what is happening and act quickly. I feel so passionate now about people learning CPR but it’s shocking that even people close to us don’t want to learn it even now.
Yesterday I had a lovely day reading so I’m hoping it’s the start of me being able to get lost in a good book again as it’s been too long. x
What a frightening and traumatic time you’ve both had. I’m so pleased that your husband is recovering. Sending you both all good wishes x
Thank you. It has been such a scary time but we’re slowly getting there. x
Such a traumatic experience for you both – wishing you both all the best x
Thank you xx
Goodness Hayley what a nightmarish time you’ve both been through! Great that your husband is recovering and that you remembered how to do CPR! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing what you’ve been reading about in the future. Sending big hugs xx
Thank you. It’s been the most horrendous time but we’re doing ok. My husband has been incredible, he’s determined to get better. I’m still struggling but I’m better than I was. I think now I’m able to read again that this will help me relax and hopefully help me feel a bit more like me again. xx
I can only repeat what others have said. I can’t even imagine…
Wishing you both health and peace.
Thank you xx
I’m glad to hear that you are both on the road to recovery. Wishing you both all the best x
Thank you x
Hayley this sounds horrendous, my heart goes out to you. I’m glad your husband is home. Well done performing the CPR, I did my annual first aid training and it’s such an important skill.
Thank you. It has been such an awful time but we’re slowly getting there. I wish more people would learn CPR, I think that morning I just did it on autopilot because I already knew how to do it. x
Oh Hayley what a horrendous and scary experiment for you both. I’m so glad you knew what to do. My brother had a cardiac arrest in 2021 and his life was saved by a colleague who knew how to do CPR and a public defibrillator. Like your husband he has had an internal defibrillator fitted. The good news is he’s been absolutely fine after he recovered. I hope your husband has the same outcome and all goes well for you both x
Thank you. I’m so glad your brother had a colleague with him who knew CPR and that he’s doing so well now. I’m sure I did it on autopilot that morning because I already knew how to do it, I wish more people would learn. My husband is incredible, he’s determined to keep looking forward. I’m still struggling but I’m getting there – I’m sure that finally being able to get back to reading will help me. x
Massive hugs Hayley. Thank you for sharing x
Thank you x
What a frightening and traumatic time for you both. Sending all the hugs xx
Thank you. x
Oh Hayley I am so sorry you and your husband have had to go through this. You make sure you take of yourself as well as your husband-what an amazing woman you are to perform CPR. I’m so glad he is home and recovering. Big hugs xxx
Thank you. I appreciate that, I’ve not been good at taking care of myself recently but I’m getting there now. xx
OMG… I hope that he can recover as quickly as possible. So glad you were able to help him. I never learned CPR formally, but you know what… maybe I’ll take a class. Thanks!
Thank you. He’s doing really well considering everything that has happened. I would definitely recommend learning CPR – I think I went into autopilot when my husband collapsed and I did CPR because I already knew it in the back of my mind.
Muscle memory coming out at the right time.
What a terrifying couple of months y’all have had. I’m so sorry y’all have had to go through this. I’m glad y’all are both getting better and finding your new normal!!
Thank you. We’re getting there, it’s been so much but we’re slowly finding our way to some kind of normal again. x
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