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Tuesday 12th October 2010

I wake up this morning wondering what new crisis I shall face today?

10.00 a.m. Jamie phones, complaining of a horrendous headache in the centre of her head: worse than anything she has ever suffered before. As we continue to chat, her speech becomes slurred and starts to deteriorate rapidly. She has not had her medication this morning, so it can't be because of that.

Suddenly, it dawns on me, she may be having a stroke. I tell her to get to hospital and I shall phone in ten minutes to see how she is.

When I phone back, she is feeling a lot better - the headache has almost gone and her speech is clearer.She tells me that she knew in her mind what she wanted to say but could not say it. Hence the slurred speach. She is reluctant to go for a check and assures me that she will take immediate action if it happens again.

A nurse at my doctor's surgery advises that Jamie should go to her doctor and get her symptoms put on record, in case it happens again. Jamie assures me she will make an appointment to see her doctor as soon as possible.

 

Late morning, Jamie calls again to inform me that she has just had £80 and a large pack of tobacco stolen from her flat. She forgot to lock the door when she popped out to the shop. Fortunately, she is managing to keep calm because she knows her good friend Denis will lend her some money to keep her going.