Holy Crap, Dad's having an MI!!!

allnurses Guide · Dec 27, 2009

I think we have pretty well sorted the "feign" comment. We can continue to focus on it or we can move on to more productive conversation.

You are right - :up:

I do want to thank BlueGrass RN for teaching her kids - especially about seizures. I appreciate that.

Both my seizures happened at work fortunately and I had just used the bathroom fortunately! It was bad enough to be in a generalized seizure in front of co-workers but losing control of my bladder would have been really bad. Isn't that silly though? I'm grateful that I've been seizure-free for 6 years. I prompt my 8 year old occasionally - "What would you do if mommy fell?".

My 3 adult kids have also taken CPR (not the 8 year old yet). I've also always taken them with me to give blood and they continue to do this as adults. My 8 year old goes with me now.

This thread could morph into a great learning tool :up:

steph

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 27, 2009

Nothing like having an Uncle have a grand mal seizure at family reunion while parking car in reverse ...... to teach your kids what to do in an emergency.

That was piled on top of learning "ice is for injuries" "Can't you read Mom's sign: clean cut with peroxide, apply antibiotic ointment and THEN the bandaid" coming out of 7yo son's mouth after living in summer camp infirmary for 4 years.... as he filled baggie with ice from chest he filled from canteen each AM and handed it to camper.

Boy Scouts included more first aid, CPR, choking and burn prevention cooking over campfire.

Now 24, recently drove my 15yo Caravan that he's using -- opened hatch to find plastic crate filled with flashlight, poncho, blanket, road hazard warning, first aid kit, motor oil and power steering fluid, dried foods etc and topped off with 5 gallon water is case he broke down this winter.

:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

Midwest4me · Dec 27, 2009

so i'm in the car recently with my daughter 12 and i feign an mi, nausea, chest pain, jaw pain, sweating, difficulty breathing and ask her what she would do? similar to a fire drill, i get into nurse educator mode and keep probing and asking. my daughter responded by stating the following: "i'd grab the wheel, apply the break, run up the street call 911...etc." i hadn't thought of showing her these things, since she's not old enough to drive, but fires can occur at any time..any thoughts?[/quote
interesting replies----people need to lighten up and stop giving you a hard time, calling your behavior "bad"! geez!! i applaud your wisdom to educate her early. personally, i felt you were very clear that you didn't actually playact an mi since you asked your daughter what she would do.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2009

see below

Otessa, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2009

Actually, I did not have an attack or feign one, but I did ask the question what would be practical to do in such an instance. My daughter had great answers to share with me. I am grateful she has the wisdom to know how scary an instance like this would be and what to do in such a situation.
Thank you to the mature audience for answering my question in a helpful manner. We could use more of that attitude on these forums, please!
And I might add that anyone at anytime is at risk for a health related emergency however healthy you think you are and aught to be considering the welfare of you and your loved ones perpetually, that would include instruction on what to do if you or a loved one had a heart attack, no?

I have to say as a mature adult I certainly thought you had feigned an MI in the car with your 12 year old daughter at your side and your post was a little difficult to follow.

Just saying.

otessa

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 27, 2009

Just this week 24yo son said he remembered lots of car conversations as captive audience.....

I could always get sons and best friend in the car and ask what's best/worst about their day/week and they'd spill the beans, fears and frustrations out from backseat of Caravan as not directly facing me....trick I learned from my Dad.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2009

My children are 6 years old and I have brought my CPR dummies home-they know the basics of assisting with choking and CPR-although they may not be strong enough to do CPR/assist during choking on an adult, they certainly could assist a child or an infant.

They know when to call 911 and what to say-have known this since they were 4 since the grandparents that would look after them for short periods of time were in their 80's.

Same think I teach with stranger danger, bullies, I ask the question"what if?......"

otessa

allnurses Guide · Dec 27, 2009

Just this week 24yo son said he remembered lots of car conversations as captive audience.....
I could always get sons and best friend in the car and ask what's best/worst about their day/week and they'd spill the beans, fears and frustrations out from backseat of Caravan as not directly facing me....trick I learned from my :smokin:Dad.

Yep! Some of the best conversations can be done in a car.

We asked all kinds of things from being offered illegal drugs to medical emergencies.

Especially important around my house as all my kids and dh hunt and safe handling of firearms is important. I took Hunter Safety with my two oldest boys too. Can't hurt to have the non-hunting member of the family savvy about hunter safety. :coollook:

steph

HealthShepherd · Dec 27, 2009

Callacode:

In your first post, you said that you did feign a heart attack. In your second post, you said that you didn't. Did you or didn't you? And is there a reason that you've given us two contradictory stories?

Otessa, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2009

Yep! Some of the best conversations can be done in a car.
We asked all kinds of things from being offered illegal drugs to medical emergencies.
Especially important around my house as all my kids and dh hunt and safe handling of firearms is important. I took Hunter Safety with my two oldest boys too. Can't hurt to have the non-hunting member of the family savvy about hunter safety.
steph

I didn't grow up in a hunting family but my kids have grown up with a hunting father and extended family. Even play guns are treated in the same manner as real guns-with respect

don't point it at anyone, end of gun pointing to the floor, assume it is loaded.

I will be attending hunter safety with my kids when they are old enough-but i won't start hunting

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2009

Callacode:
In your first post, you said that you did feign a heart attack. In your second post, you said that you didn't. Did you or didn't you? And is there a reason that you've given us two contradictory stories?

Actually, rather than acting like I was having an MI I was verbally describing it than true acting what it would look to her if I were experiencing one. I think it would be cruel behavior to make sick and have another person panic, don't you?

HealthShepherd · Dec 27, 2009

Actually, rather than acting like I was having an MI I was verbally describing it than true acting what it would look to her if I were experiencing one. I think it would be cruel behavior to make sick and have another person panic, don't you?

Thanks for the clarification, and I'm glad to hear that. Yes, I do think that would be cruel - and that's why you got negative responses. I doubt anyone is opposed to the idea of talking to children about what to do in emergencies - although I suppose it's possible to go overboard and cover so many scenarios or go into so much detail that you end up terrifying a kid.

Best wishes, Marion