Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Emergency
Today I had something happen to me that I have never experienced before and I hope it never happens again. I was driving back to the school after my lunch break when I noticed a man running on the sidewalk and then I watched as he fell face first into the grass. A million thoughts ran through my mind during the next few seconds. At first I thought maybe it was a kid that was just being silly. I decided I better turn around through a church parking lot and make sure that the person was ok. When I pulled up, I noticed a white unmarked van with a sketchy looking guy in the driver's seat putting on a shirt. I instantly thought, "What if this is a trick to get me out of my car and then they are going to take me?" I know this sounds ridiculous, but I am so programmed to always be cautious. I decided to take my chances and I started running to the man who had fallen while I dialed 9-1-1. All of this took just a matter of seconds, but seemed like forever. The principal of the school I'm working at had been behind me and she came to the scene and called the assistant principal to bring the defibrillator from the school, which was only a few blocks away. Thankfully, at the same time a nurse came up and immediately started CPR. Nothing seemed to be working. His eyes were fixed and dilated and there was just a faint pulse, but no carotid pulse. He gasped for air a couple of times after the CPR, but nothing changed. The police were the first to arrive and talk to me, which is when 9-1-1 let me go. By the time we had the defibrillator and shocked him once (also no response), the ambulance and fire truck had arrived. I think it took them 10-15 minutes to arrive on scene, which seemed like an eternity to me. No one had a clue who this man was. I don't think he had any identification on him since he was just out for a jog. He was a thin black man who seemed to be in his mid- to late thirties and it was during the hottest part of the day. I just pray that he survives and that they find his family. I was pretty emotional and shaken up after the ambulance arrived and my principals and another teacher couldn't have been more supportive. One of them even drove me back to the school and sat with me for a while. They told me that they would take me home, but I knew I would feel better being around people than sitting at home alone replaying it in my mind. I am definitely not writing this for sympathy or kudos from anyone (I'm not the one who possibly lost a family member today and I feel there's more that I should have done looking back)...it's just a way for me to put my thoughts down and let go of something I have no control over.
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3 comments:
Well, from this story you could do two things. One you can realize and be thankful you don't work in the medical field. Two you could take a basic CPR class, this might make you feel like you were able to do a bit more. That's one thing that helps me feel better when a patient dies, knowing that I've done everything in my power to help, sometimes it's just God's will. Sorry that this happened to you, but I'm glad you have such a caring heart to turn around and stop. Calling 911 so quickly was a great move on your part. Hang in there, I think it throws everyone when something like that happens (even in the ED). We'll just have to keep him and his family in our prayers.
On a lighter note, I'm glad you had a great weekend and are enjoying your job!! Miss you
It is a great priviledge to be present when someone passes over into eternity. Angels are around, offering a warm embrace to the one who is entering with them. I am always in awe when this happens. Sometimes it is sad, sometimes it is frantic (as I'm sure you witnessed today), sometimes it is peaceful. Thank God that the man was not alone when this happened.(I still can't quite think about my friend Denise - who had to die alone in her apartment last week) God chose YOU to be there with him. Witnessing the death of a person is a reminder of our outer "cloak" that we are clothed with - it is only here but for a minute - in God's time. The soul is what lives forever.
I hope you are blessed by having been there for this man. You tried to do what you knew to do - and did it well. That is all one can ask for.
Now, we all have the priviledge to go to the Father and pray for this man's soul...I hope he is resting peacefully now.
It's not easy, Jill - but we, as God's chosen, are blessed to witness this....and can look forward to the day when we will be crossing over to meet Jesus. May you be comforted.
Love you!
karin
I had a similar experience a few years ago. I was walking through Target's parking lot and I heard a loud crash and screaming. I ran to the site and there was a woman sprawled on the parking lot. She'd just been hit by a truck and the driver was really upset! I was the only other person that was in the parking lot when it happened. The driver managed to call 911 and I basically told that woman to stay still and not move anything while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. It was also pouring rain, so I had my handy little umbrella that I held over her to keep her dry too!
I never knew what happened after that! I wish I did...
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