Russia Trip DB030724

Finally back from Russia, Estonia, and from Nyköping Hospital. The situation is somewhat weak but stable; I had a major heart attack just as I was on my way to the ferry in Tallinn. The weather had been humid and warm, I had a suitcase and a cart, both quite heavily loaded with car parts and various other things. The distances between the entrance and the boat are long, and suddenly I felt my strength give out. Mustering my utmost strength, I managed to drag myself to the ferry and get on board, but then it was over, and when I reached the deck chairs on the information deck, I had to lie down in a corner there. The sweat poured for a long time, and I had severe pain in my left arm.

After a while, I went to the information desk and was directed to the ship's doctor. He gave me a couple of aspirins, and I returned to my lying place. However, the pain did not go away, and half an hour later I was back with the doctor, this time with worse pain than before. He probably realized that something was wrong with my heart after listening to me and taking my pulse, and gave me a nitroglycerin tablet and a couple of other tablets. I went back to the lying place, but couldn't find any peace; I simply could not rest because of the intense pain.

I was in pain all night; I didn't get much sleep, I simply couldn't lie still long enough to fall asleep. It was a horrible, long night of torment, which continued even after the ferry "Christina Baltica" had docked.

I had left the Ford Orion in Estonia and arranged with Björn Grönroos that he would pick me up at the ferry at 10:00. We took my things with us and drove to Alby; Björn and Aili were to continue to Gothenburg to attend the Gothia Cup, where Björn's relative from America was playing.

Upon arrival in Alby, Björn had some errands to run; I took a shower and rested for a while. When we had reached Nyköping and sat for a short while at our place, Björn and Aili continued on. I went with them and was handed over to the Emergency Room at Nyköping Hospital.

It was a quick treatment down in the ER, with an EKG and tests; then they rushed me up to the ICU and continued with blood tests and tablets. After a couple of hours, the pain went away, and there I lay for two days with oxygen in my nose, monitoring cables attached, and frequent visits from the medical staff. I was very well taken care of, and after a couple of days I was moved to ward 12 in the main building. I lay there from Friday to Thursday and became truly well. However, there were strict orders at first: I was not allowed to get up on my own; I was washed and cared for in every possible way by nurses and assistants.

Today I was discharged and feel quite healthy; Katarina has been with Ann-Marie since Saturday and is keeping her company. Ann-Marie is like a hawk watching over me and does not allow any exertion whatsoever. On level ground I have no difficulties walking at all; it is on stairs and uphill that problems can arise if I walk too fast.

If I didn't know I was sick, I would hardly notice it, but one has to trust medical science and take a number of pills (3 kinds at present) and hope that it will get better with time. It should take 6–8 weeks before I am reasonably well again.