Takotsubo: Daughter at Bedside Broken-Hearts for Everyone

A true story of mother and daughter experiencing a medical trauma that took us on a wild ride through the hospital system in 2019.

Waiting to be discharged and in a heartbeat, we were faced with

"Takotsubo"

"Stress Cardiomyopathy

"Broken Heart Syndrome"

to signify a few names for her diagnosis.

My mother went in for outpatient shoulder surgery in September of 2019, and 27 days later we were still under hospital care and

struggling for life.

I made sure to document my time with my mother as it transpired because right away I knew something was different from other hospital visits with my parents. It was during the time we spent in the trenches together in the hospital fighting for her life that I realized we were alone and I would not leave her side or she would pass in the night.

We made it, and now that my mother is home working to recover from the devastating turn of events, I, still being with her as her caretaker, decided this medical case was noteworthy. I have the time since I am currently caring for my parents at our family home in Texas, and having the thought process to write it all out takes time because I didn't want to be presumptive so I have had to read and compare my notes to the medical records that were provided to me after three attempts to gain access. I was there every second and I remember significant moments because not only did I nearly lose a parent in front of my eyes but because of that I was mentally traumatized by this treatment and how to process it.

It is resounding loudly in my mind still today and refuses to be quieted so I will do what I always do when I am in that position in life. I will write about it.

I am here to document my experience with my mother and share an ardent story that I will continue to tell as long as it continues to affect my family and as of today, we have survived and continue to thrive with the love we have for family and duty to the ones you love the most. I am Paige Keaton and this is my story.

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