My Husband Saved My Life

This past Tuesday as you all know , I was headed to meet Jill ( Sporty Jill ) For lunch , and then on to my plastic surgery appointment . That did not happen .  At 11 pm , I was sitting in traffic on 270 South , waiting for traffic to begin moving again .. it was stopped due to construction. When out of no where , I wa**** by a young man traveling they tell me about 70 miles per hour . He never seen my car , nor the stopped traffic .  When I wa**** .. a bright light flashed in my eyes .. and I said to myself . I have been hit ..  I began going into Adrenal Shock . I do not have adrenal glands , and when my body feels severe stress or shock , it starts to shut down .  I began searching in my car for my injection . Once I found it ... I attempted to call 911 . I began to fade in and out , when an older man came to my car . took my cell and called 911 . I had them dial my husbands cell .. I called Alan .. got him on the phone .. and the man told him were we was .  It felt like eternity before the police got there, but when they arrived , they imediatly asked me did I need medical attention .. I told them yes, then began begging them to administer my solu-cortif . Th is would ensure my life . The troopper declined me .. saying the EMT's would better know how to do that .. I screamed at him that I could not do it , my hands where shaking too bad .. I was going in and out .. my vision was impared from the adrenal shock .. I pleaded with him .. and the other officers that where now surrounding my car .  Out of no where comes my husband, who takes the vial out of my hand and administers the meds ... at this point , according to my PCP .. I was almost in full blown adrenal failure .  The officers moved Alan out of the way to make room for the EMTs . Who knew nothing about Adrenal Insufficiency .. nor Gastric Bypass Patient needs ..  Let's just say , I had to beg them not to blind NG tube me .. they kept telling me if I passed out .. they may have to .. and I kept telling them they could kill me .. Thank God the medicine Alan gave me worked .. and my injuries where not life threatening ..  So my husband was my angel .. and he saved my life. He is the best you guys.. I know most of us have spouses , this man is my hero !! I realize that the tropper probably felt some sort of liability if he gave me the injection .. but I handed him my medical card explaining my condition .. and how to adminsister the shot .. are they not first responders ???  And the EMT's ... why are they not trained to understand this type of disorder .. these kids .. and I say that .. these people that treated me in the ambulance where kids .. knew nothing of Adrenal insufficency .. So .. my PCP is writing a letter to the Montgomery County EMS Director .. and I meet with my attorney today to discuss the accident and possibly a formal complaint to the county  .  Not that it will do any good ... but if you do not have your emergency ID bracelts .. I would strongly suggest you get one .. as it could save your life ..  All I can do at this point is rest .. and heal .. some more Thanks again for all your support ,love and encouragment .  Tink

Wow tink that is a tragic stories im sorry for everything that happened to you but im soo happy you came out alive and are doing ok now... your husband is an angel ..... your hero.... best of luck for the days to come i will be praying for you!

Nat I am so sorry for what you have been through.  As I read your story, when I got to the part  about  Alan stepping in and doing for you what he knew to do.  I got chills from head to toe.  That husband of yours is more than your hero...that is not enough to say.  He is your guardian angel sent from God above.  I hope you continue to heal and start feeling like your old self again soon.  I also pray that the cloud that seems to be hovering over you goes away!!!  Bless your heart you sure have had a rough road to hoe over the past while, but you will prevail because you are so strong!  Best wishes to you and Alan. hugs

Oh Tink, I was so delighted to see that you were back on OH yourself...that means we can all breathe a little easier.  Thank God in Heaven that you weren't more seriously hurt.  And Bless your hubby for coming to your rescue...he really IS a hero, though I'm sure he doesn't think he is. Now, allow me to put on my EMT hat for a few moments.  First, let me ask if an IV was established enroute to the hospital?  The reason I'm asking that is because your answer would give me some idea of what level of skill your EMTs were.  EMT-Bs cannot start IVs & cannot administer very many drugs other than assist with EPI or nitro.  Let's just say, for argument's sake, that you only had EMT-Bs...they should have imobilized you with a c-collar & strapped you to a back-board.  Had your hubby not administered your medication for you, at the very least the EMT-Bs could have called in to get a doctor's permission to administer it.  That's what I would have done. I will admit my own ignorance about Adrenal Insufficiency.  Is this something typical for bipass  patients?  I agree with you that with the increased number of bariatric patients, EMTs of all levels should be brought up to speed on the special needs of such patients.  But please keep in mind what our initial requirements are.  Our job is to provide a level of care within our scope of practice, to address life-threatening situations to the best of our abilities & to deliver our patients to the ER for advanced care beyond our abilities.    As for the police officers, not all are certified First Responders...that is not a requirement of their jobs, although I believe it SHOULD be since oftentimes they ARE the first ones on a scene. You made a very good recommendation about alert bracelets.  If I may make a further suggestion, create an emergency information sheet.  I have one that I made myself & would be happy to share with any that are interested.   It folds up nicely & fits into my wallet.  It contains my personal info (name, ssn, date of birth, address, phones),  emergency contacts (I have my hubby, son & best friend listed...best to have more than one), my doctors (their specialties & ph numbers), list of medications, list of allergies, insurance info.  You could keep a copy in your wallet, a copy in your hubby's wallet, a copy within easy reach in your car, a copy on the face of the fridge.  It should also include any special medical instructions.  For instance, I have all the info pertinent to my defibrillator implant.  I can't tell you how helpful such an info sheet is for us EMTs in an emergency situation. Your situation has inspired me to contact my own medical director & EMS office to inquire or suggest specialized training in this area.  Just please keep in mind, we are not doctors.  There is only so much that can be done in the field.  As for the age of EMTs...we have several "kids" in our county & I would & HAVE trusted them with my life on more than one occassion. I can't tell you how glad I am that you are on your way to healing.  I will continue to send up prayers in your honor.  Get well soon, sweetie!!!

They removed me from the vehicle. Placed me on the board, put collar on me . But they would not administer the shot . Would not tell me why ....  In 06 I did a training video for the Department of Emergency Services for Va . It covered how to treat an Obese person and a Gastric Bypass patient . This video is to be shown to all EMS students and for all EMS new personell . But remember ,I Live in MD now .. things are different .  I realize that certain EMS'ers can do certain things .. but I clearly had the instructions on my medical card .. and if all it took was a phone call .. it could have saved me a lot of time .  And no .. Adrenal Insuffiency is not related to GBs . I have no adrenal glands . I had tumors and the glands were removed .   I just wish that they had a better understanding of Adrenal Isuf .. and how it can effect a motorist involved in a car crash .  Stress is terrible .. and can kill you .. and when you do not have the glands to make the cortisol .. your body begins to shut down .. from the stress .. this shot gave me what I needed to handle this trauma .  Please look into the bracelet . www.wristcandy.com is a great place to start .  Hugs,  Tink

Hi Nat - I'm sooooooo glad you're going to be ok!!!!   You've been in our prays!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW Everyone - the correct URL for Wrist Candy is - http://www.wristcandydesigns.com/ .... think I need to look into getting a bracelet for me, with all of my allergies, asthma and GBS :-) Glad you mending Tink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Helen

As I sit here reading your post, the tears are slipping down my face.  What a horrendous episode!  So glad your husband came to the scene so quickly.  It's clear you love him dearlt and he you. Please mend quickly - body and soul.

Oh Natalie, How sorry that I am that you had to go through all of this. When is it all going to end? You are like the energizer bunny...you keep going and going. I guess that old saying is true, if God leads you to it, God will lead you through it. Keep your chin up and take it easy for a while. You need to rest and let your body recover from the shock of everything that you have been through lately.
God bless,
Cath

I have just come back and reading all about this!! I sent you a voicemail earlier tonight. I hope you are feeling better............ you are having he worst luck these days.... hope you get a break soon! Jackie

Dear Nat, What an ordeal you have gone through. I'm so grateful you are here to tell us. Please tell Alan thank you for me. I'm so greatful he arrived when he did.  I haven't even met you yet, but my life has been so positively changed by you.