Scots student reveals terrifying moment her dad collapsed while on the phone to her
Aimee Halstead was preparing to run her first 10k, but the shock phone call left her "conflicted".
A Scots student has spoken about the terrifying moment her dad collapsed while she was on the phone to him.
Aimee Halstead, 20, was getting ready to run her first-ever 10k at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on May 25. Her parents were travelling from Bathgate, West Lothian, to cheer her on, with her feeling some nerves beforehand.
She called them while walking to the start line, but after being told they were on their way, her dad suddenly collapsed during the call. When she realised her mum was being serious, she was left with "no idea what to do".
Aimee told our sister title Edinburgh Live: "I kept trying to text mum and I didn't know whether to run, or leave the race and go find them.
"Mum was saying it was fine, to just to the race. They didn't know what hospital they were going to and she said she'd talk to me after."
Her dad was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and was diagnosed with aortic stenosis, a serious condition which required open heart surgery.
Aimee shared that it had been a "scary and emotional time" for her family.
She continued: "I met them after at the Royal Infirmary, and doctors said he has something called aortic stenosis. Most people have about three heart valves, whereas they found out dad has only had two his whole life. He used to be a runner as well, I think just over time it's sort of worn down and unfortunately it's hit him now.
'He had to get a bunch of procedures, and they eventually told him the only way to deal with it was to have open heart surgery. It was quite scary because doctors said if he hadn't collapsed that day, and it had gone unnoticed for another month or so, it could have been a very different story.
'In a way it's lucky he collapsed, and that it happened when it did. Seeing your dad like that is so scary though, and having to hear about the surgery was awful."
Aimee revealed that she found the race "not enjoyable" as she spent a large part of it conflicted over what to do. She said: "I was disappointed that my parents wouldn't be there at the finish line, but it was a nice achievement crossing the finish line because my friend did it with me.
"But as soon as I crossed the finish line I had about five seconds of thinking 'great I've done it', then instantly my mind went to 'where's dad and how is he'.
"It was really difficult because I didn't know that I was conflicted on whether do I even run this or do I try and find out what's happening. In that moment my mum and dad, they were kind of busy dealing with that, so I kept trying to text her and call her, but obviously she was trying to deal with my dad being unconscious and everything.
"All the roads were shut after for the marathon as well, so I was trying to get an Uber. It was my first running event as well so I was already nervous."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
She now plans to fundraise for the British Heart Foundation"in honour of her dad" as she wants to make him proud.
She added: "You can find a lot of information so you don't feel as alone and you know that other patients and their families have gone through this. I wanted to do it for a charity that really means something to me.
"I also want to make my dad proud obviously because he's going through it right now. It was an incredibly scary and emotional time for our family, as the possibility of losing your dad is one of the scariest thoughts I've ever had
"That experience has made me even more passionate about raising money for the British Heart Foundation."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
34 minutes ago
- STV News
'Doctors thought I had gallstones - it turned out to be a rare liver cancer'
A Moray mum has described how a suspected case of gallstones turned out to be a rare form of liver cancer following a six-month wait for vital scans. Nikki Simpson, 52, who has cholangiocarcinoma, says her symptoms were dismissed despite several visits to her GP clinic in pain. Tests revealed a 10cm tumour on her liver in September 2024. She has since undergone 15 rounds of chemotherapy and is now receiving immunotherapy. Now, Nikki is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the signs of the disease. She told STV News: 'It's very difficult to diagnose, but I went with several different symptoms of the disease. 'I had a lot of pain underneath my right ribs, changing bowel habits, and darker urine. 'I wasn't jaundiced – which is one of the main symptoms – possibly one of the reasons why it was missed. 'Because there's not enough awareness of the disease – both among patients and health professionals – it was fobbed off for six months.' Husband Neill added: 'Whether that could have made the difference or not, we'll never know.' Once classed as rare, cholangiocarcinoma is now on the rise amongst younger people, with six in 100,000 Scots developing the disease. STV News Nikki Simpson hopes to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma Vague symptoms such as pain under the right rib, tiredness, pale stools and dark urine mean it's difficult to diagnose and often not until it's too late for treatment. Nikki joined campaigners and health professionals at a reception held at Holyrood to press politicians to fund more research into treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. 'You put you're trust in the professionals, but if things are taking six months, it could unfortunately be too late,' she said. 'My disease is stabilised, which is the best we can hope for. I'm hoping the immunotherapy will keep it at bay for longer.' Liver cancer charity AMMF says it wants more GPs to be aware of the signs and urges people who are concerned to ask their doctor for a liver function test. AMMF CEO Helen Morement said: 'We ask GPs just to be aware that these vague symptoms could add up to something serious and if there's the slightest suspicion, run a liver function test.' 'It's just a blood test and it will show if the liver results are raised and if so, then start investigating.' Public health minister Jenni Minto has agreed to consider the case for tests which explore if patients are eligible for immunotherapy treatments which can delay the cancer's progress. The Simpsons say they don't want anyone else to have to suffer life-changing delays for a diagnosis. Neill said: 'If we can help someone else going forward, that's going to be in our position, that can only be a good thing. 'We want to raise awareness to stop this from happening to other families.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
British tourist fighting for life in Greek hospital after contracting Legionnaires' disease
Donna Jobling was on holiday in Crete with her husband and friends when she fell ill. A British tourist has been left fighting for her life after falling ill with Legionnaires' disease during a holiday to the Greek island of Crete. Donna Jobling, from West Hull, is still in an induced coma at Venizeleio Hospital in the capital, Heraklion. She was enjoying an all-inclusive holiday with her husband Sidney and their friends, Paula and Nicholas Mason. The 57-year-old became unwell on June 5, initially suffering from a chest infection, but her condition worsened just two days later. Tests confirmed she had Legionnaires' disease, caused by Legionella pneumophila. The infection caused acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, according to her family. The disease is usually picked up via inhaling water droplets from contaminated air conditioning systems. Her niece Claire, 42, flew out to see her after hearing how ill she was. She had to return home to obtain documents proving Donna is covered by insurance, but is travelling back as soon as she has them. Claire told Hull Live: "We are all devastated and beside ourselves." She added: "We were told it was touch and go whether she would survive. We are all praying for her. She is stable but under constant watch. We flew out there but had to come back because of work and family commitments. I'm still waiting for documents but will go back with them as soon as I have them." She described her aunt as being "like a mother to us all." She recalled Crete was a popular destination for family holidays when she was younger: "We have happy memories of the island. It used to be our go-to holiday destination and we went as a whole family. It is beautiful, The weather is great and the food is fantastic." Claire explained Donna has complex medical conditions, including epilepsy, but added she is being well cared for and staff brush her hair: "It is quite strict in the intensive care unit. You only get 30 minutes to visit. But she is well looked after." Donna's friends Paula and Nicholas travelled back home on June 12. Paula, 52, explained how both of their husbands had organised the holiday as a surprise. She said: "It was lovely at the start of the holiday. We all walked everywhere. "Then it came out from nowhere. She has a lot of health problems anyway. But she became seriously ill and the doctor said she had to be taken to hospital. and they have put her in an induced coma in the intensive care unit." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The source of the Legionnaires' is still to be identified, however easyJet Holidays, the company the couples used to travel with, have re-accommodated other guests out of the hotel they had stayed in. A spokesperson said: "We're so sorry to hear that Ms Jobling is unwell, and we're continuing to support her and her family in every way we can. 'As soon as we were made aware of reports of illness, we immediately took action and contacted customers who were already staying in the hotel, or due to travel in the next four weeks, to provide alternative hotel options. "We've also been in touch with customers who recently returned home from this hotel, to inform them of necessary guidance. Our customers' safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we'll continue to do all we can to support them.' It is understood that the hotel is working alongside health authorities in Crete.
Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Scotsman
Expert urge Edinburgh to take precautions ahead of scorching temperatures
THEYE With scorching temperatures predicted in Edinburgh this weekend (20th - 22nd June), Scots are being urged to take precaution as mosquito-born diseases are rapidly spreading across the country. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Temperatures are expected to rise up to 27 degrees, and experts are encouraging Scots to ensure they're wearing more than SPF, but mosquito-repellent too. This follows news on the recent West Nile virus outbreak found in the UK for the first time. Mainly spread between birds, the West Nile virus can now infect people when bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, aches and nausea - and in rare cases, can cause encephalitis or meningitis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mosquitoes thrive in warm, damp conditions and their activity increases as temperatures rise - meaning the risk of a bite from a disease carrying mosquito is higher. Founder of natural insect repellent brand THEYE®, explains: "Many people assume that mosquito-borne diseases are only common abroad, but climate change has resulted in those viruses now spreading to the UK as populations migrate - which is what we're seeing with the West Nile Virus. We're expecting higher risks of not only West Nile, but worrying reports of Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, on home shores, and abroad in holiday hotspots around Europe. 'Protection is more important than ever, but it does not, and should not, mean more chemicals." Nick warns Brits against using popular chemical repellents with DEET, especially around children and pregnant women, praising DEET‑free, natural alternatives that can be reapplied more frequently without harmful side effects. The secret ingredient to the natural alternative is known as PMD - a natural compound derived from Java Citronella oil, and has been clinically proven to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects - without the toxicity risks of chemical alternatives like DEET. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His advice: 'We'd strongly recommend getting tested and approved natural, DEET-free insect repellents and wearing these across the day, and particularly into dusk. If you're travelling into particularly high-risk areas, covering up with long sleeves or trousers can be a great idea, and sleeping under a mosquito net if sleeping outdoors or somewhere particularly rural would be key. Keep an eye out for standing water, including perhaps paddling pools and marshy puddles, as they love standing water. Finally, if in high risk zones, make sure that your repellent option is signed off for use in high risk areas like THEYE®, but do make sure that you're consulting your doctor before travel.' To find out more information about THEYE or to shop the products, please visit:
