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ApologiesApologies for the absence. Someone once told me that I should never apologise for not updating without explanation but I figure if you're doing me the courtesy of reading my words, I should afford you the same and not leave you hanging. Earlier in the week, I was simply up against it and didn't have time to run my mouth to you but later on, things simply got weird. I was at the hospital for some blood tests on Friday morning and had the misfortune of sitting next to this random oldster that smelled like a mixture of cigars and the geriatric ward. He was waiting for his wife and as you can imagine, was a chatty bastard. I had a 0515 appointment and rolled out of bed about 15 minutes before but he looked like a guy that got up with the roosters and was just hitting his stride. I spent the next 10 minutes nodding in silent agreement as he rambled on about immigrants, American jobs going to Mexico, war, and anything else you hear when your grandfather gets fired up. The only things missing were my Zayde's stories about Los Angeles in the early 50s and Route 66 but this guy didn't seem quite as interesting. Then out of nowhere, he said, "Ya know something, I don't feel like... I just don't feel good at all." I asked him if he wanted water but he refused, saying he'd stop at a water fountain when he went out for a smoke. And with that, he fell out of his chair and directly onto his face. I wish I could say I went on auto-pilot and swooped in to save the day but I'm pretty sure I sat there for about 30 seconds, staring at him while paralyzed with shock. I snapped to though, screamed for help, and attempted to set to work. In the beginning, it was incredibly difficult... he had dentures and his jaw was clenched shut... he was also gurgling. The wave of nausea that hit me didn't help matters either. But I got myself together and did what I could for about 5 minutes until people that actually knew what they were doing arrived. It is amazing to me that it took so long in a freaking hospital but I suppose there's only so much you can ask at 0530 in a random lab. Having watched too much ER, I assumed all of these doctors would appear and rush him up to the OR but these guys were paramedics that tried to revive him right there on the floor. Sometime during this madness, the wife appeared from the lab room and started rooting him on. I found out that his name was Lawrence. He was 61, had a history of heart problems, and was a heavy smoker. And at times, she'd root him on. "Come on Larry. Come back Larry." It was unsettling. After a couple minutes, they brought out the portable paddles and shocked him... 4 attempts; no results. The paramedics asked me what time he fell out of the chair and determined that 18 minutes had passed. They got him on a board and carted him away. The wife went with them. From the chest up, he was blue and since he hadn't moved since the gurgling nearly 15 minutes before, I assumed he was gone and spent the next three days heavily unnerved by the fact the man probably expired while my mouth was on his. But this morning I found out that they actually managed to save the old dude and though his memory is hazy, he's now up and around. The first thing he asked for was a cigarette. Hopefully, they won't be allowing him anymore of those. In any case, I'll be back to normal tomorrow. I hope you all gave your mums a great Sunday and managed to treat her well for once... naturally, my mum had a great one, which wasn't hard since I spent the day reminding her that she created me and I'm bloody fantastic ;-) Cheers!  Posted at May 15, 2006 11:41 AM Permalink • Filed under: Personal |
Comments (5): Apologies
Monkey
May 15, 2006 11:50 AM
CRAP !thats freaking scary. it cool that the old duffer pulled through, but asking for a cigerette.. thats just wrong. im sure he thinks youre bloody fantastic (as we all do).
Silver
May 15, 2006 1:51 PM
That's messed up! So what in the hell did you do after they took him away? You can't just have a regular day after that shit.
Kimmy
May 15, 2006 4:00 PM
Well I for one am glad you're okay now. When I talked to you Friday I thought you were through!!
Anthony
May 15, 2006 6:30 PM
Nice to see you feelin better! Have you talked to the dude?
Brian Manifold
May 15, 2006 11:22 PM
Damn give yourself some credit. You saved the dude. Even if it took you a few seconds to react, if you hadn't done anything, he'd be worm food right now. Paramedics can't save anybody if they're already cold for 5 minutes.