Ken - Interview 39
More about me...
Ken was experiencing minor visual disturbances in the mornings, but didn’t think it was serious and also didn’t want to worry his wife who also has health problems of her own. He went to see his GP eventually, who suspected it was caused by TIA’s and immediately put him on aspirin. He was sent to hospital for tests including an MRI scan which confirmed that he had in fact experienced a series of small TIA’s. Tests also revealed that Ken has an irregular heartbeat and he is now receiving treatment for his heart condition. Being diagnosed with TIA’s and a heart condition has been a big shock for Ken and he has found it difficult to adjust, especially in terms of having to be less active as he is a keen allotment gardener. In the past he spent a large proportion of his time out on the allotments but now finds he gets tired and has to take things more slowly, however over time he has gradually discovered that he can continue to garden, but just needs to pace himself and recognise if he is doing too much. Ken’s wife has also found it to be a worrying time because she relies on Ken who is not just her husband but also her carer. Because of this Ken sometimes feels he needs to keep his feelings about his health problems to himself. Over the past year since the diagnosis he has felt quite low at times, but is taking a positive attitude towards his recovery and feels that it is important to keep going and not dwell on anxieties and worries.
Ken felt shocked and upset at first that this had happened to him because up until then he'd been...
Ken felt shocked and upset at first that this had happened to him because up until then he'd been...
Ken had woken on several mornings with blurred eyesight but thought nothing of it to begin with.
Ken had woken on several mornings with blurred eyesight but thought nothing of it to begin with.
Ken cares for his disabled wife and didn't want to worry her.
Ken cares for his disabled wife and didn't want to worry her.
Ken is on warfarin and has to have blood tests every week to monitor how things are going. Once...
Ken is on warfarin and has to have blood tests every week to monitor how things are going. Once...
Ken was put on aspirin initially but is now replacing it with warfarin which the doctors feel...
Ken was put on aspirin initially but is now replacing it with warfarin which the doctors feel...
Ken has felt depressed since his TIA but doesn't want to take medication for it
Ken has felt depressed since his TIA but doesn't want to take medication for it
Ken now has to have regular checks to monitor his blood and his medication is sometimes adjusted...
Ken now has to have regular checks to monitor his blood and his medication is sometimes adjusted...
Interview 39: Ken would like to be monitored more regularly so that he can be sure things are okay
Interview 39: Ken would like to be monitored more regularly so that he can be sure things are okay
Ken would prefer to see the same GP each time he visits the surgery because he thinks it's...
Ken would prefer to see the same GP each time he visits the surgery because he thinks it's...
""It's a macho thing" Ken has to leave the heavy work on the allotment to other people and he...
""It's a macho thing" Ken has to leave the heavy work on the allotment to other people and he...
Ken and his wife have been married for 50 years and are very close. Ken is his wife's carer as...
Ken and his wife have been married for 50 years and are very close. Ken is his wife's carer as...