Latest news with #AimeeHalstead
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
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."
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh student's terrifying phone call as dad collapses before 'sudden diagnosis'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh student has told of the terrifying moment her dad collapsed while on the other end of the phone. Aimee Halstead, 20, was all set up to take on her first 10k at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on May 25. Having never participated in a running event before, she admits feeling 'pretty nervous', with her parents coming through from Bathgate to cheer her on. Aimee gave them a call while walking to the festival, and was told they were on their way. While on the phone, Aimee's dad collapsed - and when she realised her mum wasn't making a joke Aimee was left with 'no idea what to do'. Now recovering from open heart surgery, her dad was found to have aortic stenosis. Aimee admits it's been a 'scary and emotional time' for her family. Before her dad was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Aimee didn't know whether to complete the 10k or find her parents. Recalling the day, she told 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. "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. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox '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 admitted that the 10k run was 'not enjoyable', as she spent most of it conflicted over what to do. She added "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. (Image: Supplied) "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 Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Aimee is now looking to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation, 'in honour of her dad' as she hopes 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." You can help Aimee with her fundraiser here.
