Ready for a Medical Emergency? - Osteoporosis Support

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Ready for a Medical Emergency?

FlowerPreciousLover profile image

My neighbor friend called Thurs almost hysterical: "Please call 911 and come down. Bob (in mid 80s) has fallen." When I hurried over, Judy was so red in the face, I was as concerned for her as for Bob. I have never seen someone so flushed. I asked her sit down and fortunately EMS arrived in minutes. Hooray for them!

While others tended to Bob, I asked another to take Judy's b.p. because I feared a stroke or heart attack. Her b.p. was high but not alarmingly so. Next day I learned she flushes easily but I’d never seen another so startlingly red.

Judy was in such shock that she couldn't give EMS information...his cardio's name, which hospital, what medicine's Bob takes. I reminded her that Bob had a pacemaker, named his cardio because he was the one I'd rec'd to them a few yrs ago and which hospital Bob had put his brother in.

The EMS team were great; it took 4 of them to lift Bob onto a guerney while a 5th one and I tried to get info from Judy.

I told her I couldn't drive her to the hospital because I am still out of commission with my back. She was in such shock she couldn't remember how to get to the nearby main street that would take her straight down to the hospital. I wrote directions for her, told her to take Bob's billfold, ins info, his glasses,her billfold, a mask, her glasses and more. Was there someone she could call to drive her or follow her to the hospital? No, she could do it. She called me about 10 minutes later to say that she had gone to the wrong hospital, much farther away! I asked if she had GPS on her phone or car and she did.

Incredibly there were no broken bones but a cut on his head and his glassy stare as they carted him to ambulance made me think maybe a stroke or heart attack.

A brain scan revealed a tumor on the brain which caused a seizure leading to his fall in the bathroom. Determination for surgery has not yet been made.

Living alone, I'd earlier prepared a folder "For Emergency" and have it on credenza by front door. It contains:

1. "Vial of Life" emergency info sheet (americanmedicalalarms.com);

2. Medical Directive Concerning Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (includes DNR) (don't have web site) Orders differ per state in U.S. and this lists for each.

3. List of doctors; 4. List of medications; 5. copy of insurance card and driver's license & location of hidden house key

In sharing with another single friend later about this and how Judy was in such shock she couldn't answer EMS questions or think about what she needed for the hospital, my friend had never considered making this emerg. info. readily available in case of emergency.

Medical emergency information may have been shared and discussed earlier on forums but witnessing first hand how neither the patient nor partner could not provide information to EMS alarmed me so I'm sharing my experience here.

It might be worth a few minutes of preparation to have this info. handy. Best to all.

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FlowerPreciousLover profile image
FlowerPreciousLover
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8 Replies
HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

This is really good information. Could I share this on a couple of other communities I follow? (Bone Health, PMRGCAuk, Osteoarthritis Action)? I would just link to your post, not copy it.

FlowerPreciousLover profile image
FlowerPreciousLover in reply toHeronNS

I am honored that you would wish to, Heron. By all means share in whatever form you like. We are all in this adventure called "life" together and sharing, encouraging and supporting one another helps us all.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply toFlowerPreciousLover

Done! Thank you!

Mark_ABH profile image
Mark_ABH

That's a good idea. Thank you for sharing this story!

FlowerPreciousLover profile image
FlowerPreciousLover in reply toMark_ABH

You are welcome. Thanks for reading the post, Mark.

A very good idea. I have been 2 largest hospitals to see Drs. Interestingly, they don’t seem to talk to each other, different computer programs. Crazy! So a sad story and a solution for others in future. And yes you are right. For some reason, I keep forgetting which of 2 meds my spouse is allergic to. Always forget the second one and for her, if I was in similar situation, I too would be confused 🤷‍♂️. Now, going to ask her to write down. Thank You

FlowerPreciousLover profile image
FlowerPreciousLover in reply to

Glad it might help you or another! My friend had a severe reaction to a med given Sat. night and had to go into the intensive care unit.

We gathered up the meds we found for Bob the day of his fall but I guess there was no way of knowing at the hospital that he was terribly allergic to a different med given him there.

A couple of friends are highly allergic to different meds and that might be another good item to put on med sheet list going to a doc or hospital. He may have been asked at the hospital but might not have been able to think clearly enough to respond.

Thanks for your response. I'll suggest this to my two friends.

in reply toFlowerPreciousLover

Absolutely, I just asked my wife again. It should be in her records but EMT’s as you called, would not have that & if by chance they brought her to a local smaller hospital, they would not either. Their systems do not speak to each other-2 major, 2 smaller-great, really great 👍 suggestions

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