Why I love nurses, paramedics and the people that saved my life!

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm new to this website and just wanted to share a story. I wasn't quite sure where to post it, so I figured that this might be a good place! I am a pre-nursing student and have wanted to become a nurse for a very long time. I had a very traumatic experience a few years ago, and I am thankful to God everyday to the people that helped save my life! It completely solidified the reasons why I want to become a nurse.

I am asthmatic, and a few years ago I was having "symptoms" that I thought I could power through. I was sucking the life out of my inhaler and thought to myself, "I will just go to bed and I will wake up and be fine." I told my boyfriend that I was fine and that I just needed to lay down. Not even 10 min after laying down I was having a full blown asthma attack like I've never experienced. I managed to get on the floor and crawl into the living room where he was watching T.V., and I was able to somehow muster up the words "CALL 911!" He freaked out and tried to console me, but I literally couldn't speak at that point, so he called. . . and that's all I remember. . .

I guess it became so bad that I began to lose oxygen to my brain and I blacked out. Luckily I live really close to a fire station, and they were there within 2 minutes. From what I understand I was "flopping" around on the ground like a fish out of water. I was told by my boyfriend that the firefighter/paramedics were "injecting" me with things and trying to intubate me. I apparently was having no part of the intubation, and kept yanking it out. (Which is weird to me because I didn't even know what was going on). My boyfriend told me that my eyes were bulging out of my head and I had some sort of super human strength, because it took two men to hold me down while they intubated me. (And I can hardly do 10 push-ups!)

They then rushed me into the ER where they cut off all my clothes and started their work to keep me alive. My boyfriend said he'd never seen anything like it. He said it was as if I was the only person that was there, and they all came rushing to my side. When he told me this I was in tears! I was so amazed that these wonderfully amazing people were right there in my worst time of need. They literally saved my life and I will be FOREVER grateful! :bow:

The next thing I knew I woke up in the ICU with my Dad by my side. I was SO thankful to be alive! I was out of it for a day or so because of the meds and what not. Once it started wearing off I began remembering what had happened and was shocked. I felt so blessed and thankful! Right around that moment I also realized I had tape on my face and something in my mouth. The Doctor and the Nurse had their back to me, and I then started pulling off the tape. Apparently I didn't realize that there was something "attached" to that tape, and out it came. . . the nurse screamed NOOOOO! But by the time she reached me I had pulled the tube out. By then I was fine and able to breathe on my own, but needless to say I had a sore throat for 2 weeks! :p

I just want to say that I think that nurses, doctors, firefighters and paramedics are INCREDIBLE people! I know that my story is nothing compared to others, but it means the world to me! They all had a part in saving my life that night and I will never forget that, and that is why it made me realize that this is my calling! :nurse:

Specializes in ER, ICU,.

I think that is a great story! BUT,,, I am sure you came across a Respiratory Therapist some time in your hospital visit! Don't leave us out!:(

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad you're OK!!!

Specializes in ER, Labor and Delivery, Infection Contro.

Wow, what a story! Sounds scary for you and your boyfriend! I'm glad you have recovered!

Just wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your story and your thanks. It's what we (ER) do everyday, yet don' t hear alot of the thank you's-so thank YOU for passing that along. Now next time, lets just meet somewhere for coffee instead of the ER -:wink2:

Blessings,

alwayslearnin

OH MY GOSH I'm so sorry!! Of course I did!! They were wonderful as well, and as an asthmatic I am so thankful that you all are trained in what you do! And I am also thankful to be alive because of them as well! Once I was admitted to the hospital room after I left ICU the RT's would come in periodically to give me my breathing treatments. They were SO nice and would just sit and talk to me about all kinds of things while I received my treatment! I'm so sorry I left them out! :bowingpur

Specializes in ER.

Thanks Melody, we do kind of attack people when they come in really sick. I always thought it would scare the bejebbers out of patients and family. I'm very glad you came through OK.

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
Thanks Melody, we do kind of attack people when they come in really sick. I always thought it would scare the bejebbers out of patients and family. I'm very glad you came through OK.

I thought that too. We'd all jump in taking care of you, but the dude down the hall is complaining because he wants some coffee. :lol:

Glad you're ok now!

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