Rosemary - Interview 09
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Rosemary’s husband Brian had previously had heart problems, including a heart attack in 2002, which led to a triple heart bypass operation in 2003, and atrial fibrillation in 2008. Since then his health had been OK, but one afternoon in March 2010 he was sitting at home when he realised he couldn’t see the TV properly and he felt woozy and strange. He asked Rosemary to fetch his blood pressure monitor but his blood pressure seemed normal. He tried to get up and move across the room, but he couldn’t walk properly, and it felt as if he were drunk.
Given his past history, Rosemary was worried that something was wrong, and dialled 999 for an ambulance. The GP and Brian’s heart doctors had always said that if ever they had any worries they should not hesitate to call an ambulance. The paramedics took Brian to hospital, where he was kept in overnight and then sent home. He was told he had had a TIA. Before discharge, Brian was asked if he would take part in a research project, and he agreed. Rosemary also volunteered to be a healthy member of the control group. She has had a blood test, had her blood pressure measured, given her family history, and taken part in some tests of mental functioning. This includes tests such as being given a sentence and then asked to remember it a few minutes later, or spelling a word backwards. This helps the researchers compare the responses of people who have had a TIA with those of people who have not, to assess how far TIAs affect people’s brains.
Rosemary has found the research easy to do and very interesting. She would not want to take part in a trial which involved taking different drugs, but anything like this which is easy to do she would be happy to take part in. She also likes the fact that she is able to go along to Brian’s research appointments and listen or ask questions. The research staff are very friendly and make you feel like an equal. She says it has made her feel ‘I wasn’t an outsider any more, I was involved with it.’ It is reassuring to know he is being so closely monitored, as well as thinking it may help others in future.
Rosemary’s advice to other family members is that if they are at all worried by any changes or symptoms they notice in a relative, they should not hesitate to seek help, even if the person themselves does not think it is anything important. Sometimes the person may not realise what is happening, so you should trust your own instincts and call an ambulance if you are worried.
Brian was also interviewed (Interview 08).
Rosemary found that the research staff were easier to talk to and had more time than routine hospital staff
Rosemary found that the research staff were easier to talk to and had more time than routine hospital staff
Rosemary described the onset of symptoms when her husband experienced his TIA 'as if he was drunk, sort of wavering about walking'
Rosemary described the onset of symptoms when her husband experienced his TIA 'as if he was drunk, sort of wavering about walking'
Rosemary feels it's very important to seek help for someone when they are experiencing unexplained symptoms.
Rosemary feels it's very important to seek help for someone when they are experiencing unexplained symptoms.
Brian's wife Rosemary agreed to take part as a healthy volunteer or 'control' in the research study he was involved in. She felt it gave her an opportunity to ask extra questions
Brian's wife Rosemary agreed to take part as a healthy volunteer or 'control' in the research study he was involved in. She felt it gave her an opportunity to ask extra questions
And I found this very good with the research programme, because I was able to go as a controller, because I haven’t suffered any heart problems or stroke problems. And I found that I didn’t panic over anything at all, and I would, my advice is to anyone else who experiences the same thing, do not panic but don’t hang about waiting. Get on to the paramedics to come out.
As a healthy volunteer in TIA research, Rosemary had just one visit, which involved mental functioning tests, questions about family history, blood tests and blood pressure readings
As a healthy volunteer in TIA research, Rosemary had just one visit, which involved mental functioning tests, questions about family history, blood tests and blood pressure readings
They were mental functioning tests, mainly, sort of they would give you a word, and you had to make connections with that word, or there was a word, they would give you a word to spell, and you spelt it as normal and then you spelt it backwards.
Rosemary phoned 999 for an ambulance when her husband (a former ambulance man) was taken ill - 'my advice is try not to panic, be calm, and it's a lot easier.'
Rosemary phoned 999 for an ambulance when her husband (a former ambulance man) was taken ill - 'my advice is try not to panic, be calm, and it's a lot easier.'
Rosemary - And I would say that in my experience I’ve found that the paramedics were very good, treatment in the hospital was A1, and I couldn’t fault anything that’s gone on at all. Everyone had been most helpful.
Rosemary finds the research staff really friendly, and feels she's been treated as an equal. She has enjoyed taking part
Rosemary finds the research staff really friendly, and feels she's been treated as an equal. She has enjoyed taking part
And how have you found the members of the research team that you’ve seen?