stoic mother won't go to doctor advice on problem needed

not advice on getting her to the doctor needed (heavy guns if we have to get her there are 'selfishness of letting us all worry ourselves sick about her' - it can only be used so many times though!) I'd like info on the possible causes of the problem below.

My mother is a stoic and needs a tranquilliser dart gun to get her to go to the doctor. She hates taking medication unless she truly believes it is necessary and shrugs off problems as 'they'll go away on their own'.

She has severe asthma (late onset), polymyalgia rheumatica, spondylolisthesis (hope I spelt that ok - congenital deformity of the spine, not visible but causing arthritis and constant pain, severe and debilitating at times).

She has always been a busy bustling woman, dashing about.

She's now in her mid 70's

She has periodic lows in health (only since she got older) and recently (months apart) coinciding with these she's developed a black eye. It starts with a faint bruised appearance in her eyelid and spreads around the socket, the previous occurences disappeared after a few days.

My father rang last night to say she looks as though he's punched her! another black eye and from his description worse. She is doing her usual dismissive 'it'll go away, stop fussing'.

I want to know the possible reasons and causes - I'm trying to persuade her to see a doctor but don't hold out too much hope


oh - she takes her asthma medication regularly - after the doctor sat her down and said 'you will die if you don't - and something for slightly high cholesterol (don't know what). She takes no pain killers as she doesn't like taking drugs 'unecessarily'


what could be causing it? I assume it is a small haemorrhage - should we be worrying about possible strokes? does she need to see a doctor as a matter of urgency?

any advice will be gratefully received as we are worried about her


ps - I've just spoken to NHS Direct - our national health helpline. They asked if the bruises faded gradually or just disappeared - they fade gradually. They also advised a routine appointment and blood tests - I phone her and the reply is 'I'm fine and I'm NOT going to the doctor so leave me alone'! They also asked if she has bruises elsewhere - we don't think so.

(my dad isn't guilty by the way! but he's very worried about her)