in case of my demise...

[ragani]

Over a week ago, the son of a close friend of my mom's died suddenly in his sleep. He was in his late 30's. This prompted my mom to send my bother and I a document titled "In case of my demise" which outlined people to call, where keys were for various things and other details like that. It was actually not all that comprehensive, but was a good start. I spoke to her about it, and she wants my brother and I to each create one as well.

Fast-forward to today at about 4 PM while driving home. My mobile phone rings, and it is my aunt in South Dakota. She wants to know if I have heard from my mom because apparently my brother had sent out an email message stating that she went to the emergency room this morning, and no one has heard from her since.

!?

This is news to me. It turns out my brother got a call from mom at 5 AM saying that she was feeling tingly all over, and her hands were blue. He told her to go to the emergency room, even to have her roommate drive her, right away.

After some leg-work, my uncle (who is local to my mom, up in santa Rosa) found out what hospital she was in, but that she had been released by 4:20 (it was 4:30 by then). His wife drove out to her house to find out what can. She called me once she was able to talk to my mom's roommate and found out that: a) my mom decided to drive herself to the hospital instead of getting a ride, b) she did not leave until noon!

About 6 PM, I finally get a call from my mom. She clears-up some of the details, including that she only drove to a nearby friend's house (the same one who lost her son recently) who insisted that she take a cab instead.

What was causing the problem? Unknown. With the exception of her blood pressure (which was off the scale when they first took it), the tests show she is healthier than most people her age. The theory is that she might have a clogged artery, but not from cholesterol. She needs to go to a clinic for some tests before she can find out more, which might take weeks.

Some of the first words out of my mouth to her once confirming that she was OK, were "Do you realize how freaky it is to receive an in case of my demise document from you then to find out you are in the emergency room two days later!?"

She is home trying to sleep right now, and promises she will call me in the morning to let me know how she is doing.

Comments

[themusecalliope]

I send you hugs.
I came home from thanksgiving last year to find 2 of my people of the hospital. I am thankful that they are both well and whole again now. I hope that your Mom gets better soon!

[ragani.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Ironically, she had a heated discussion on Boxing day with my brother about health concerns she had, including her heart and helping her pay for treatment (she has no insurance). The test she needs to get from the clinic is one that her sister had already offered to pay for in order to see if she was at risk (I don't know all the details for what she is at risk for though). Hopefully since she has not been to the emergency room about something potentially related they will schedule the test soon.

[egonbrauer.livejournal.com]

Eeep! Just been an iffy week all around, between quakes and weather and people sick and all. Hugs, love.

[ragani.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I know the quake/tsunami tragedy far out weighs my own. Being sick sucks, but I am feeling a little bit better. My mom seems to have stabilized, although is not feeling much better.

[juliruge.livejournal.com]

Frightening! I hope she's ok and gets the care she needs. What a surreal experience. *hugs*

[ragani.livejournal.com]

Surreal is right. I was not sure I felt much while it was happening, actually.

She has an appointment to get tested, but not until the 19th of January! She is going to ask to be contacted if they have any cancellations in the meantime. She seems to be OK, for now, but not better.

[emberleo.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

--Ember--

[ragani.livejournal.com]

Thanks (and in-person hugs too!)