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31 October 2006
My father William died 18 months ago of a ruptured AA, at the age of 62. He had suffered severe back pain in the six months leading up to this, which his doctor told him was "old age" and arthritis. Unfortunately, surgery could not save him.
Fortunately, I managed to get to the hospital for the last ten minutes of his life. That afternoon, I was blissfully unaware of what was happening although I remember the most beatific feeling at the time Dad took ill.
I have so many questions and am scared at the answers. He fell gravely ill in the afternoon (presumably at the point the AAA ruptured). He could speak a few words at that point but was then seemingly unable to talk. Very soon after this he stopped moving independently.
The paramedics revived him on the way to hospital (writing this tears me apart still) and he clung on to life for two hours after this.
My question is selfish. Would he have known I was there at the end? Realistically my head says no, my heart says yes. Does a ruptured AAA bring on similar effects to a stroke? Would the brain 'shut off'?
Discussion, comments, or questions: Emma Broadbent
© Copyright 2006 Emma
Broadbent
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