March 28, 29, 2007. Trip to ER, again.

March 28, 29, 2007.

Trip to ER.

One more point for my boy toy Bill Gates, his visions of omnipresent computers has saved my sanity. Can you imagine being in bed for hours or days without any idea if or when you are heading home, begging for a shower, 2 day underwear cannot be turned anymore, etc etc.

Bothered by a nagging chest cold for a week, I caved and harrassed my cute family (married) doctor. In good faith, he prescribed an anti-biotic for the wheezing in the chest and Predosone, an oral steroid for the inflammation of the breathing system. Been there done this drug combination of an anti-biotic and steroids before. Wrote the check, left the office, went to Walmart to fill the prescription and spent more money. Chinese takeout for dinner. Took some steroids. Read the information pamphlet that accompanied the anti-biotic, since I had a previous allergic reaction with Zithromax. According to the instructions, this anti-biotic, tetracycline is to be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours a meal. Shucks!!! Waited around for 2 hours, while my chest seem to be getting worse. A few bouts with the albuteral nebulizer, barely made a dent in the relief efforts. 2 hours passed, time for dose number 1 of tetracylcine, a 4 chain of benzine rings. Blah Blah

The girls tended to themselves very well, getting themselves all ready for the night. Well done.
An hour later, I felt my throat constricting, I eluded to the fact of the unswept house, a little swig of Benedryl should help and did, just for a while.

12Am, About 4 hours after the first dose of the tetracycline, I finally arose from the couch. A wave of nausea overtook me, accompanied with a bout of heavy coughs. Mad bee line to the porcelain throne, disappointed to reacquaint with my dinner.
Heart-pounding, breath taking, and panic stole the next scene. I called out to upstairs, following thundering footsteps. "I cannot breathe, I think I am having an allergic reaction to the anti-biotic." I heard, "I am calling 911." I sat down on the coffee table, helped to find some numbers, gathered the medications and pamphlets. Suddenly, firemen and paramedics rushed through my front door. The next thing is the last thing I remembered, a pair of firemen boots and a paramedic was putting a gas mask over me, only bare sensations registered.

This is written about 6 hours later from the hospital bed, some of the haze is clearing. Amidst the painful surge for air, all I felt were 2 thumps.

Stories, movies and shows have been written about encountering loved ones who have passed away in a near death experience. My late Grandma appeared and smiled, holding her arms gently by her belly, the angelic beauty of my life. We had a conversation about the weather while strolling amongst trees. Grandma walked gracefully, limp less, just keeping in step next to me.

Then I saw a bell, this is the same bell that was passed to Ron. The significance of the bell is sacred, it was meant for his grandfather, however his grandfather never lived to receive it. An elderly Caucasian man was ringing the bell, I don't remember his entire face, just a gentle smile. 3 rings of the Bell.

The sensation was painful, my neck is on its side, but I cannot move. Mentally screaming to myself now, try the toes, wiggle them. They are not responding. Fingers. Maybe I can move them, alas, no feeling there either! Eyes, they are not listening to my commands either. Silence. I don't hear anything. Slowly I start to hear voices. I heard a woman's voice on my right,

"Another stick of EPI. She did not flinch with the first one. And it is not a bleeder."

"We have to run a EKG," said a man amidst returning sensations of someone putting stickers on me.

That same voice,"We many have to intubate her." I was shouting as loudly as i could, NO, you are not sticking a metal spoon down my throat, I want to eat!!
Amidst all the noises and pushing and poking (I believe they were ALL needles), I heard one voice. Not a stranger, not one who passed on. My loved voice, "...Wake UP!!"
"Can someone please straighten my neck, it is killing me," I think it came from me!
"Open you eyes for me," said the stranger on my left.
I tried as hard as I could, I wanted to see Ron. Only a flutter escaped.
A needle entered my right wrist.
"I need to draw some blood," said the lady on my right.
"I need some blood too," came from the left, another man, "I am done."
Lady on the right, "the first one blew out at me."
"Go further up to the elbow if you want blood, there is a fat one ready for you," I said. "Thanks, you know your arm," lady on the right.

"You could have asked first." I said jokingly.
Wisps of cold midst filled my face, at least I started to regain feeling in my face. Ah, the familiar breathing treatment.
"I need to take an x-ray of your chest okay. Please lean forward for me," chimed a lovely voice on the left. I opened my eyes and gazed at her. A look that simply said, make me. They have to move me.
Hands reached all over, err ... complain at a later time. X-rays were taken, all settled in again, however with shakes, uncontrollable convulsions took over my body. Muscles jittered everywhere, extreme opposite to not feeling anything.
Somehow, the crowd began to dissipate. Lights went out, curtains are drawn and quiet.

This is not my bedroom, reality smacked. Something had happened and I don't quite remember.

.... to be continued.