As many of you know, I’m living back “home” with my parents. You may also know that I’m currently the daytime caregiver for my father, who had a stroke in March 2007. And if you’ve read my blog much, you know how frustrated I get sometimes with my dad. But today I feel its fortunate that I am living here.
At about 6:40 am, Mom came into my room to let the dog in. (He likes to snuggle with whomever is still in bed.) Less than two minutes later, I heard her call my name in a strangled voice. I jumped up, ran down the hall and found her sitting in the kitchen. She was having a hard time breathing, and managed to say “911.” I called them, and they got here in less than five minutes. But in that short time, her oxygen intake had dropped drastically and she was getting mottled. From her toes to her knees, and from her fingers to her elbows was all purplish-gray. At this point, the EMTs arrived, and were trying to get her to respond. Her downturn happened so fast. I was holding her head, as she was lying on the floor. The EMTs were putting oxygen on her, and taking levels for blood-sugar and blood pressure. I had the presence of mind to lift her graying eyelids to see that her eyes were beginning to dilate.
As they placed her on the stretcher and took her out, Dad was in the livingroom which they had to pass through to get to the door. He called her name a couple of times, but I told him she couldn’t answer because they had an oxygen mask on. In reality, she couldn’t answer because she had passed out. I didn’t dare voice my fears. And it took soooo long for the ambulance to actually leave. At least it seemed it. It was really only about 5 – 8 minutes, and I know they were getting an IV started, as well as trying to keep her stable.
I called my brother Jason, and told him what was going on… he called our brother Garrett, who is a night-shift LPN at the hospital. He was just getting out of work, and went right back inside to wait for her to arrive. Then I called our other brother Ted and got him informed. He also went to the hospital to be there with Mom. All three of my brothers are Licensed Practical Nurses, and “speak doctor talk”. I didn’t finish my nursing classes, but I still can understand 95% of what’s being discussed. But I stayed home with Dad and my two youngest boys.
I really thought I was watching my mother die in my arms…
