bikehikebabe sent me the link to this heartwarming video about a 911 call. The father made the call but couldn’t talk so his 5-year old daughter dealt with the dispatcher. She was in her pajamas and at one point wanted to get properly dressed before the ambulance arrived, but the dispatcher convinced her it was better to stay on the phone. She good-naturedly agreed.
Have you ever had to phone 911? We never have, but I once had to drive my husband to the emergency room, a 45-minute trip, when he chewed up a finger with a chain saw. He was going in and out of shock, and I wasn’t feeling so good myself. Every once in a while we had to crack a joke and laugh to relieve the tension.
I also had a serious salivary gland infection once. I kept waiting for it to get better but instead I kept feeling worse and worse and the red, inflamed area of my neck kept getting larger and larger. It was on the weekend so I couldn’t phone my regular doctor, and I kept debating whether I should wait longer or just drive to the emergency room. It was a hot July night so when I stated shivering around 2 AM I was relieved to have it settled. That was not a good sign. So I drove myself to the emergency room and they gave me some intravenous antibiotics which worked just fine.
I’ve had the same type of infection several times since then, but I know enough now to go to a doctor before things get that drastic. It helps to know what’s going on.
Have you ever gone to the emergency room? Did you ever have trouble deciding whether or not it was the right thing to do?
Been to the emergency room twice myself and Karen had to go after our accident few weeks back.
With my first time and Karen’s there was no question about waiting.
With Karen, she stayed in the vehicle until after EMTs arrive to evaluate her and then they took her out and put her in the ambulance.
For mine, I was already on bed rest for a herniated disk. I was on the phone talking to one of my sisters and I rolled over to reach for something and all of a sudden felt the worst excruciating pain I have ever felt. There was no question about calling for help.
The second time, I had been having issues with my right leg for a while. We were on what was planned to be an extended trip to southern Texas in January 2007, just before I retired. We didn’t make it all the way there. We were 4 days into the trip and the leg kept getting worse and worse. When I told Karen how bad it was getting, we decided to come home to our regular clinic rather than dealing with it away from home. She was afraid it was a clot and I was getting a little concerned about that, too — but I wanted it to be treated at home.
We drove straight home — I guess I should say that I drove, since we were in the truck towing an 11,000 lb. trailer which Karen had never even attempted. When we got home, Karen talked me in to going to the emergency room.
The initial diagnosis was deep vein thrombosis and the ER doctor gave me an injection of blood thinner. Then, they took me in a wheelchair for an ultrasound evaluation, which found no clotting.
It turned out that I had cellulitis, an infection where bacteria had apparently gotten under the outer layers of skin through cracking that I had in the soles of my feet.
Looking back, I should have gone to the clinic before we left on our trip or , given the severity of symptoms, I should have sought help on the trip instead of driving straight home.
Since that experience, I don’t wait as long before going to the clinic, though I still have a tendency to “tough it out.”
The last incident I remember was when driving along late at night with my daughter. Someone had driven his car over a pedestrian – dressed entirely in black. We called 911 which brought the police scurrying over and later an ambulance. The police were completely focused on the two, so we headed home.
The next day I had wanted to check on the young man, but failed to locate him at the nearby hospital. They told me that they would not be able to release any information even if he were there. It is sad, but apparently this is due to gang activity. The driver was certainly in a bad way also.
a couple of years ago I had call an ambulance because my friend collapsed in agony whilst mowing my pocket sized lawn…he had just been cleared from problems with his leg/circulation/stent inserted a few back – apparently he could now DO ANYTHING – except later when he was in emergency and admitted they decided that ”someone had made an error”
i was trying to keep calm but I was panicking because he doesn’t actually live here. When they finally arrived, he was still ashen but he was a little better…then he was gone.
at that point I went outside to see the status of the ‘hire lawnmower’ and realised that I just didn’t have any strength to deal with it. The mower was on the back lawn but there was a 12″ drop to the pathway. I called my neighbour the phone was not answered (later found he was out)
I couldn’t think…there were a few others I could have called.
I then had a bright idea – I would call the place we hire it from who are just down the road (my friend always just walked it here and back). I couldn’t even do that because it was on the other level and it was caked in clippings etc…
The hire guy just walked up the road as well…he was calm and collected and just dealt with things but what he also said didn’t make it much better “this is the 3rd instance this week, of people collapsing whilst mowing their lawns with our mowers”
I called the hospital about 2hrs later, when I had “recovered” to hear that he had been admitted to a general ward. The next day, one of my friends took me to his unit to collect some things…I had to deal with his dishes, the garbage and scout around in an unfamilar layout and find things.
I think I went there 4x over the course of 10days to do things…finally I had to empty the refrigerator because he wasn’t going to be back real soon. One day, I wanted a plastic garbage bag – zillion cupboards later found a years supply!! I bought the wrong shoes, I got them out of his wardrobe but apparently the shoes he wanted were in a little cupboard under his TV (am I mind reader!)
He got better…but he isn’t allowed to mow the lawn. My new lawncare guy might be made redundant real soon as last week I was home and he didn’t know until I went afterwards to pay and I watched him completely ignore some long grass which he should have cut…
Mike,
I thought of Karen when I wrote this post. Glad the accident wasn’t more serious. Your bout with cellulitis really impressed me. I’m going to be a lot more careful now about putting lotion on my feet!
That was a long trip home and I’m amused that Karen had to talk you into going to the emergency room. It reminds me of the time Andy was cutting down a tree and part of it banged his ankle. He was hobbling around and the ankle was swollen and turned all sorts of ugly colors before I could talk him into going to the doctor. When he got there the nurse took one look at it and asked, “Don’t you have a wife?” Oh, yeah, she’s been on my case about it. When he saw the doctor he asked if he should have come in earlier. The doctor said no, he could lance it if Andy wanted but then there would be a danger from infection, so they left it alone to cure itself.
That’s one reason I let my own infection go so far. It’s really hard to judge sometimes.
Looney,
We live in a small town and years ago we could phone the hospital to find out how a friend was doing. Now the privacy laws prevent that. I understand the reason for the change, but it was a lot friendlier before.
Cathy,
I’m glad your friend recovered all right, but what a story…to have it be the third time people collapsed using the company’s mowers that week!
Absoluetly. I just wrote about it last week. My daughter had come home from school with vomitting and that night she woke up crying and in pain. right around her appendix area. I ummed and ahhed because I know gastro can give you pain and I didn’t want to go to the hospital and have them roll their eyes at an overprotective parent.
But of course I went and they were great. Kept her in for observation, did so tests and concluded it was gastro, but I’m so glad I went anyway. At least there I didn’t feel so hopeless as I would have at home trying to calm her and ease her pain.
Forgot about one visit to the ER — back in the late 70s, I was stationed at the Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho. While up in the mountains cutting firewood, I accidentally cut through my shoe and into my left toe with the chainsaw. It wasn’t terribly deep, but it was pretty bloody. While it hurt a lot, we got the kids, the chainsaw and the gas can loaded in the vehicle and headed back to town — 27.5 miles from where we were cutting firewood to the medical center in Arco (according to Google maps).
I was young and foolish back then and insisted on driving because I thought Karen was more shook up than I was. These days, I’d let her drive, unless it’s something she’s never driven before.
That reminds me — I really need to get her to drive the motorhome a bit, including towing the car, just in case.
When Urmeela passed out in my arms, I was asked to rush her to the hospital by our GP and her Cardiologist. Since there was no time to send for an ambulance, my neighbour drove us to the hospital with Urmeela in my arms on the rear seat. At the hospital, she was wheeled into the ER, and when they hooked her up to the monitor, she was gone. I brought her back home in the same car. I cannot pass that hospital without remembering the drive up and down.
911? Don’t think so. Though could find the numbers on the phone pad in the dark. Also keep doing refreshers in advanced First Aid so – if you must – please do faint or have heart attack only when in my vicinity.
Have I found myself in A&E? Yes, suddenly, in the last few years. Frequently. Ludicrous. I am made of steel. Naturally, I will always postpone. Breaking arm, wrist, slicing my fingers looking like pig at point just after slaughter? Oh no, not ME. I can deal with this. Limp hand will be better after good night’s sleep. Sure, no probs.
People will not admire your heroism; neither should they. If I’d have to deal with someone like me in that situation I’d go ballistic. Once you have arrived admission nurse will hiss at you why the hell you hadn’t come in immediately. Calm down, dear, it’ll be me wearing the scars, dealing with the fallout. Which I do, very much to my chagrin as my extremeties have always been a source of pride to me. In truth, who other than myself will be lovingly gaze at the inside of my ring finger (left hand) now disfigured with an ever so invisible scar?
Am slightly miffed at a couple of scars left by one of the K wires on top of my left arm just below the wrist. Suppose it’ll give me excuse to wear those massive one piece metal bangles to hide imperfection.
I feel for you and all your commentators.
One thing to remember and I cannot marvel enough at it: Considering how frail the human body how much it can withstand. It’s a miracle that we make it past the cradle.
U
Esther,
I sympathize about your trying to decide, but better be safe than sorry. I’m glad your daughter was all right and received such good care.
I had a similar decision to make when I was about 20. Should I go or should I wait? I finally phoned the doctor and saw him in his office. He decided the appendix had to come out. Except when they took it out it looked just fine and the doctor had the nerve to imply it was my fault, that somehow I had misled him. I suppose it was a good life lesson, but one I would cheerfully have skipped. 🙂
Mike,
You certainly have some good stories!
One trouble with chain saw accidents is they usually happen so far from the emergency room. I agree it’s a good idea to give your wife a bit of practice driving the motor home. It’s best to be somewhat prepared for contingencies.
rummuser,
If it had to happen I’m glad you were with her. And bless your helpful neighbor. They both mean a lot.
Ursula,
I agree about the fragility of the human body and how amazing it is that it usually works so well that we take it for granted.
You certainly have had your share of problems lately, though. 🙁
A month ago, I had to call 911 for the first (and I hope ONLY) time in my life. My boyfriend’s ex had come after me in his house. I was a mess, except that I had the conviction that I should call. I wish I’d been calmer, but I wasn’t. She’s crazy, and I’m sorry she’s crazy, but I knew I had to protect myself.
Jody,
Bless 911! I’m glad it turned out all right.