Beryl Wakeman 12.04.1936 to 10.01.2014
My Mom was diagnosed with bronchiectasis in July 2013, she had been ill for a long time, but was very strong willed. In July, we borrowed an oxygen reader and realised her oxygen was only 73%; we went straight to A&E. Within a couple of days, she was admitted into critical care, where she was placed on bipap. They said they would give her 5 days of treatment, but the damage to her lungs were too far gone, we were told that she would probably die on the ward.
Beryl had other ideas and pulled through. She came home with home oxygen and was recommended for palliative care. We had no assistance for 6 weeks, when she was readmitted again, this time only for a week. She was the first patient in the area to get IV antibiotics at home with nurses calling twice a day to administer. She was full of energy and back to life.
We were then allocated a nurse “Rachel” which reassured Beryl and the family. We had a great Christmas, but a few days later her oxygen levels began to drop. We went back into A&E where we were told there was no need for critical care or the bipap machine. We left her at 11pm on the ward and, when we went to visit her early the following morning, she was in critical care where she made progress for the first few days, then started to deline. Her CO2 levels would not come down even with the bipap then we were told there was no more they could do for her.
She was transfered into a side room on a respiratory ward. Beryl died peacefully in her sleep at 06.15 the following day surrounded by her family.
Throughout her illness, Beryl never once moaned and always had a smile.
She made us so proud, we love you and miss you.
Hiram, Andrew & Gordon Wakeman
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Your Mum sounded like a really nice and patient lady and very brave too. I was diagnosed when I was twenty one with Bronchiectasis so have suffered all my life with this little mentioned disease.Because of this people have always confused it with Bronchitus. In fact sometimes I’m treated like a drama Queen when that is not the case…..Have lived a wonderful life and travelled abroad mamy times and done more than some of the people I know.For this I am grateful and thank God for. I just wish people were more informed about this disease and there was more research into it. I was born in 1946 and will be 68yrs in a few days time. I feel that perhaps your Mum should have been diagnosed earlier, perhaps though it must be difficult to do this.It was good to read your story and helpful too as I think people think because you look well then you must be. Unfortunately that is not the case.God be with you in your loss and I’m sure your dear Mum knew she was loved. yours truly Vivienne.