Something happened this week that I haven't told a soul. Sadly I am a person who has to tell all but my family doesn't read my blog so here goes. It was a recent close call when I fell out of the attic but this was worse. I choked on my oatmeal. I could not breathe, swallow, speak or cough. It was a horrifying experience and I was going to call 911, knowing I would be dead before they could arrive. I leaned over the couch arm rest and tried to clear the blockage myself but it didn't work. Suddenly my airway opened and I thanked God. I have had a number of near death experiences in my lifetime, plus I actually died once for 30 seconds. This had to be the scariest. I could only think of Mama Cass of the Mamas and Papas who supposedly died alone from choking on a sandwich. What should I have done? What would you have done?
Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year
Saturday, March 13, 2021
CONFESSION TIME
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This is very scary. I am not sure what I would have done, but your daughter cannot move to your property fast enough!
ReplyDeleteI guess I agree but I hate to think that I'm needing help. Surprised you remember my kids are moving here.
DeleteYikes Annie! Maybe you should mention this to your Dr. Have you ever had a swallowing problem in the past? I think using the arm rest to put pressure on the diaphragm is what I would do too. How scary! Take Care!
ReplyDeleteActually I go to my doctor next week and I think I'll print this little post for him.
DeleteHow scary, I'm really glad you are okay.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much I am too.
DeleteThat would have been terrifying. I am glad that you are going to take it up with the doctor - and even gladder that you are ok.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm still wondering if this has happened to anyone else.
DeleteGlad you are okay!
ReplyDeleteHow soon is your daughter moving there? Would be interested to hear what the doctor tells you.
Daughter and son-in-law will be building here in June of 2022. Meanwhile I'm on my own. I'm in pretty good shape though unless I do stupid things like choke on my oatmeal.
DeleteHow very scary for you, Annie. Such a feeling of helplessness, too. It proves just how quick something like that can happen...without warning.
ReplyDeleteA couple of weeks ago...I almost chocked on something...my experience was far minor to what you describe here, though. But it sure was a wake up call for me....to be careful in the future.
Take good care...I'm glad you're okay.
Yes Lee it was scary. I wouldn't have thought I could choke on oatmeal but I hadn't added enough liquid to it. I will definitely be more careful about that.
DeleteHow terrifying. Thank God you were able to help yourself. I think what you did was right. I have heard to use a chair top to push on your fist but I have never practiced this. We who live alone really need to understand what to do so that it is reflexive. Actually even if you don't live alone, there will be times when you are. Please do check with your doctor so he can walk you through the procedure. I plan to ask my Dr also. So glad you are OK and thanks for the wake up call.
ReplyDeleteI hope it'll help somebody. I sure learned a valuable lesson And will be very careful going forward. I will report back about what the doctor says.
DeleteI have very close neighbours, I could run for help. Hopefully one of them would know the heimlich manouvre or at least be able to thump me on the back to dislodge anything.
ReplyDeleteOr I could hang upside down and hope gravity takes care of it.
I have near choking experiences where I'm eating or drinking something and suddenly my throat will close and I spend a good half hour coughing. I try to make sure I'm not breathing in as I'm about to swallow.
P.S. Glad you're okay :)
ReplyDeleteThanks:-)
DeleteI'm glad you are okay. How scary! But thanks for sharing as it's a good reminder for everyone to refresh on the Heimlich method for both self and others.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere to try and swallow Coke. I sure couldn't swallow water. Wonder if that would have worked. I don't have a bit of pop in my house but I will get some.
DeleteWhat a ordeal, so glad you are okay.
ReplyDeleteHow awful!!! I tend to get bits of food into my wind pipe and start gasping for air. Scary! The wheezing stops and I then drink water and it all returns to normal. I simply must watch what I eat and how I chew.
ReplyDeleteWith lupus I choke a lot. Not quite as bad as you, but I was told to stand tall and raise my arms up over my head and breath in. That seems to help me. Glad you are OK.
ReplyDeleteHow terrifying!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are supposed to try to do the Heimlich maneuver on yourself over the back of a chair or couch to clear a blockage when you are alone, and i'd add dial 911 and open the front door of the house if you can so they can get to you.
Oh, and Mama Cass did not die of choking on a sandwich, it was a heart attack in her sleep.
While you may be totally against it, there are those alert necklaces, they can come in handy if you live by yourself, and here's a good example of why.