New Zealand Local Weather Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sara on August 02, 2012, 06:56:49 PM

Title: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: Sara on August 02, 2012, 06:56:49 PM
Hey, I am still alive. Amazing. After getting sick on Sunday night, on Monday early hours I really got bad and could not get enough air into my body to make it work. The cell phone was in the other end of the house with no hope of getting it. I didn't have a contingency plan.

It is funny what things go through your mind when it is getting starved of O2. Things that normally you would never think of at all.

Several times I tried to get to the phone but the effort of moving was draining everything out of me. To say that I was scared is an understatement. I was bone chilling terrified. I could not yell or scream. Just didn't have the strength. I was so tired from fighting for every breath and I was ready to give up. That gave me a reality shock. Can't turn the switch back on. Last effort I got the phone. Don't really remember how i got it. Txt my son and they were here in no time. They gave me fluids and food and cleaned me up. After all that I seemed to be better. I think it was the fluids.

Wednesday I was up in the morning and stayed watching TV all day not doing much else at all. Breathing was easier while resting, but I still could not move too far without running out of air. Made an appointment with Doc for Thursday.

Saw Doc today. He took one look at me and told me he was sending me to hospital and that I was really bad. "No, I am much better, you should have seen me 2 days ago."

Needless to say I am still at home but with a chemist shop by my side and neighbours on watch. Doc said I have the viral chest infection that is the bad thing the docs have been expecting. Very easily caught and transmitted. I have got masks for those that come into my house as a precaution. I would hate to pass this thing onto anyone. It is dreadful and very very scary.

I fought hard so I can finish my bucket list.

Just a thought; Please keep an eye on anyone who lives alone near you. Notice if their curtains are pulled open, paper collected, no mail in the box. In fact anything unusual. Know your neighbours and their habits. That way you will know early if things are not right. People have been know to die in highly populated places and are not found for weeks. I think it is just that people have forgotten how to care for each other.

Anyway, that's my opinion.
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: gabba on August 02, 2012, 07:09:41 PM
Wow. Glad you are feeling better Sara. Take care of yourself and make sure you have the support you need.

Sent from my Ideos using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: OhauitiWeather on August 02, 2012, 07:34:33 PM
Scary Stuff Sara but pleased to see that you are on the mend now and were not sent to hospital, hate those places.

As you have so correctly pointed out we all need to have a strong support network around us for the times when we really are unable to cope.

Kind regards and all the best for a speedy recovery.
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: JennyLeez on August 02, 2012, 07:37:59 PM
What a dreadful week you have had Sara. I think the one big thing you should now realise is you need a phone plugged into your bedroom by your bed. Then you could have called for help much sooner.
Nothing worse than not being able to breath. Extremely scary. But the will to live is strong and I think you have proven this to us all this week.
You are correct about your neighbours. I was forever ringing and getting mum's neighbours to go and check on her for me. In the end I convinced her to get one of those St Johns thingies. I dont worry so much now. She is safer.

You take real good care for the next few days. Keep warm and keep drinking.
Hugs Sara :)
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: Babs on August 02, 2012, 08:17:55 PM
oh my goodness Sara thank heavens you are still with us, rest and get well, your wild birds will be missing you
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: Sara on August 03, 2012, 05:19:14 PM
Thanks everyone. I would not wish to go through that again.
Jenny, I have no landline and cell reception is vurtually non existant. Thats why it is in the craft room as that is where I get some reception.
I have learnt from all this though. Haver a plan and ask for help sometimes. I have great difficulty with that. I am always there for others but find I cannot really justify help for me thinking that I would always cope. I think it is called "#&@% minded, stubborn" and all those other words.
Anyway, up and about but still have air intake probls.
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: Rwood on August 03, 2012, 07:19:43 PM
Well fought Sara. If you are moving house, has the new place got a landline? - or are you already there?

I have a notion (in a small way) of your breathing crisis and the fear it engenders from an incident a few years ago. We had just returned from an overseas trip. A few days later I started to get episodes of throat constriction that came from nowhere when I was quite relaxed. These would worsen to the point where breathing was difficult and swallowing even any water impossible. This happened a number of times over a period of about 3 days. I went to casualty once in the worst attack and was under a watch for a couple of hours. After the last event I had a check with my GP, who said it was brought on by panic, but I know he was wrong. I have no idea what caused this, but think it was some kind of bug or virus.
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: iomkiwi on August 03, 2012, 09:23:59 PM

There are now landline phones available that will take the calls from your cellphone via bluetooth. This means you get the benefits of a landline without having to have a landline. You can leave the cellphone where it has reception and the normal phone will ring when a call comes in.
I will check out some models, if you are interested send me a PM as I can get them cheaper than retail.
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: Sara on August 04, 2012, 10:10:33 AM
Thanks iomkiwi, would be interested.
Rupert; you must have felt terrible. Nothing worse than not being able to get enough air in. I wonder what was causing that.
The new house I will be going to will have a landline and also my family to look out for me. After this episode I just can't wait until we are all together. My daughter-in -law is just awsome. We are more like sisters than anything else. We have lots of laughs together. What else could I hope for.
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: Weather Display on August 04, 2012, 12:05:54 PM
is your family close by?
(instead of phonning 111)?
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: MumCarrot on August 04, 2012, 12:18:36 PM
Sara - this is MumCarrot, AKA Alan's mum.  What a horribel experience for you - glad you will be closer to family.   Best wishes
Title: Re: Are we not caring enough?
Post by: Rwood on August 04, 2012, 09:10:46 PM
Good to hear that about the new place Sara. Your daughter-in-law sounds like a real treasure. Will be great for you!