I know the fear of which you speak. It's the scariest feeling in the world.
My mom was feeling very sick last week - say from Thursday - flu symptoms with nasty headaches from what I could gather. Bad enough for her to stay outta school (she's a primary school teacher), which is a rare occurence in itself. Being the hard-headed stubborn woman she is, she refused to go to the doctor, despite my constant efforts.
Early Saturday morning, however, she asked me to drive her to a friend's house to drop something off. She can drive, but was feeling lightheaded and dizzy and didn't want to risk it. When we got back home she was struggling to get out of the car. I almost blurted out "Stop being such a stubborn bitch and let me take you to the fucking doctor", but before I could get out she turned and said "Maybe you should take me to go see Dr Ohlson".
Thank God for small mercies I always say. But the scariest part was when we got there and were sitting in the waiting room. She started complaining about her head and she felt weak and her hands and feet started shaking. She tilted over and fell with her head into my lap, holding it in her head in her hands and this look of pain and anguish on her face. And even though we were sitting in the doctor's surgery I felt this wave of utter helplessness wash over me. It was like I was just stuck. I knew what I was sposed to do, but the fear had such a hold over me...it was terrible. After a few minutes though, she started looking better. I got her some sugar water. A coupla minutes later we went in to see the doctor and he gave her some meds that sorted her out pretty quickly. She went back to school this morning
It's true what Sue said...it's different when it happens to someone you love. I've been in similar situations in the past and reacted calmly.
Sue, hope your mom's doin ok.