My father has just died 21 November 2003, from a Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
He was 63, married to my mother for 44 years.
His day started as any other day. My brother called him at 20.00 on the 20th and he was complaining of a niggle in his back. He said he was going to take some painkillers.
My mother returned home at 21.30, to find him collapsed on his bed, sweating but cold and with severe back pain.
She called an ambulance straight away knowing that it looked serious.
It took 4 mins for the ambulance to arrive which in my home town is pretty good going. However it took 20 minutes to get to the nearest hospital...valuable time lost...and a very bumpy journey.
He was diagnosed straight away on reaching hospital. The surgeon was called and a CAT scan arranged. However he was in a coma on coming out of the scan and died 10 minutes later.
Both myself and my brothers who where racing to the hospital did not make it in time.
One week later I am searching the web for answers and an explanation.
My father had suffered with his back for a long time, so recent pain was just put down to normal aches.
He had visited the doctor in August complaining of feeling unwell, weak legs, legs which would buckle from underneath him, his back etc. To be fair to the doctor he sent him for an MOT, but nothing was found and he was given a clean bill of health.
I can only assume that as most doctors never get to see 'ruptured aneurysms' they really don't know what to look for.
My father smoked, did very little exercise, but had a good diet.
At 63 it is still too young to die and we all miss him greatly.
From his loving daughter, Michelle.