We have written a couple of earlier blogs about some of the real problems with the health care system in Finland. One recent one is: The Finnish Health Care System
But my personal experience of the last two months may be especially of interest and important to several of you.
Even though I am 80+ and with only one leg, I consider that I am extremely active.
As Annikki has severe dementia and is incapable of any action which requires the thought process, it is my task to look after everything in the household.I do have one lady who comes once a week to vacuum the house and wash the floors.
We eat out twice a week but the rest of the week I have to manage the cooking and providing food for both of us.
Being an amateur ergonomist, I have made it a fine art of minimum effort for maximum result!
One of my tasks has been to visit the large supermarket every Sunday, where our youngest son, who lives near the supermarket, would take care of his mother while I would do the rounds and stock up our needs for the week.
About 2 months ago I started to feel tired while doing the shopping. Every week my ability to shop became problematic. Finally, I was just able to do about 50 metres walking and then had to rest.
I realised there was something seriously wrong and informed the home nurse that I needed to have urgent medical attention.
The ECG revealed a left bundle branch block in my heart, which my daughter explained to me was an electrical problem of the heart.
“ A left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a heart condition that occurs when there is a delay or blockage along the pathway that electrical impulses travel to make the heart beat. The left bundle branch is one of the pathways that these electrical signals use to travel from the heart's upper chambers (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles).
When there is a blockage or delay in the left bundle branch, it can disrupt the normal coordination of the heart's contractions, leading to an abnormal heart rhythm. This can be detected on an electrocardiogram (ECG) as specific changes in the pattern of electrical activity in the heart.
LBBB can be a sign of underlying heart conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart failure. It can also occur in people with otherwise healthy hearts. Treatment for LBBB depends on the underlying cause and may include managing any heart conditions present or addressing other factors that could be contributing to the blockage.” (Explanation was AI Generated)
I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and after a wasted half day in the Out Patient Ward, I was admitted to the Cardio ward in the Oulu University Central Hospital. I was fitted with a telemetry device which continuously tracked all my vital data.
The next day I was taken for a chest X-ray and later the cardiologist did an ECHO examination. The following day they did an angioplasty.
The conclusion was that my problem could be treated by medication. I was duly sent home to take one prescribed tablet in the morning and one in the evening. I was also provided with a mouth spray to be taken if I was embarking on a major exercise routine.
I started this regime.
I have my own monitoring system where I take my blood pressure, test my blood sugar before and after food and keep tabs on my pulse and blood oxygen. All my data is obtained both in the morning and evening so I know exactly where my health condition stands.
I did go to have all my remaining teeth extracted as a continuation of my dental health programme. I recovered from that very quickly.
However, 9 days following my return from hospital, I realised something was still seriously wrong.
I went to bed on the Sunday afternoon and woke up late afternoon on Monday. I could hardly lift myself from my wheelchair to move about!
Poor Annikki suffered not being looked after but she is an angel and stayed by me quietly through those 26 hours.
On the following Wednesday I informed the home care visitors that I was in a terrible state and to inform my home nurse.
Nothing happened for a day so I told my daughter, who is a professor of medicine at Newcastle University (NUMED) in the UK and the Dean of the NUMED teaching facility in Malaysia.
She said just one thing: “This is not your NORMAL, Dad. See the cardiologist as soon as possible.”.
I sent an email to the cardiologist using the Oulu University email address but then I found it rejected the email. It appears that they do not entertain emails from their clients!
In desperation I managed to get to the cardiologist on the phone but she was on her rounds and said she would call me back.
She called me back in the afternoon and after listening to my version of the facts with all the relevant data she asked me to stop the medication with immediate effect.
So, now I have stopped the medication - and what is the next step as there is no next step for me except to live with my problem which is steadily weakening of my ability to do any lengthy physical exercise!
My daughter has suggested that I have a Pacermaker installed, but I am not very inclined to any operative procedure.
I wonder if the cardiologist realises that I am back at SQUARE 1 and now in limbo and I must try to find a possible solution.
I will pursue the matter with my home nurse to get the “plan”, but for now it is extreme careful behaviour and no extra physical exercise till I find the solution.
Finland’s health care system is considered to be fantastic but the bulk of the doctors are without the in-depth experience and expertise required of their profession and the pace has to be forced by the individual.
It is not important for something to be just free. The competence of all those in the system has to be of the calibre required of their job!
I have since reverted to my heritage technology.
I have increased my intake of coconut products as coconut water 8total nutrition), coconut cream, coconut milk, coconut yoghurt, and also increased my intake of ginger, tumeric, pepper in green tea with honey. I will continue my intake of my high fish (salmon) diet which is rich in Omega 3.
I will start light physical exercise which causes no stress or tiredness.
I will continue my intensive monitoring and try to get the results reviewed by my own doctor to get some action before it is too late!
I do not intend to live as a vegetable!!
