FRIDAY NIGHT I DIED
It was a Friday night family "Shabbat" dinner, not initially notably different from Sabbath dinners and accompanying prayers we enjoyed each week throughout our marriage. This night, I felt a call to the restroom, responded, and soon found myself unable to stand, as the room spun and the floor became unstable. Recognizing that I was in serious difficulty, I used my hands to protect my head from hitting the cabinetwork and fell. I must have made enough noise because one of my sons recognized that something was wrong and with his brother entered the bathroom where they found me crumpled, not breathing, unresponsive, cold, clammy and without a pulse. I recall sensing my two sons' strong arms enfolding me, followed shortly by the sounds of the competent paramedics who came to my aid. Rapid emergency evaluation and transportation to El Camino Hospital's Emergency Department followed. There, expert evaluation and care led to a confirmed diagnosis of a massive pulmonary embolism and a recommendation by the ER physician that family members be warned of my precarious situation.
This event occurred a little more than 48 hours ago. Luck, genetics, excellent medical and hospital care, modern technology, and advances in medicine have allowed me to survive this feared complication of malignant melanoma.
Stay well.
It was a Friday night family "Shabbat" dinner, not initially notably different from Sabbath dinners and accompanying prayers we enjoyed each week throughout our marriage. This night, I felt a call to the restroom, responded, and soon found myself unable to stand, as the room spun and the floor became unstable. Recognizing that I was in serious difficulty, I used my hands to protect my head from hitting the cabinetwork and fell. I must have made enough noise because one of my sons recognized that something was wrong and with his brother entered the bathroom where they found me crumpled, not breathing, unresponsive, cold, clammy and without a pulse. I recall sensing my two sons' strong arms enfolding me, followed shortly by the sounds of the competent paramedics who came to my aid. Rapid emergency evaluation and transportation to El Camino Hospital's Emergency Department followed. There, expert evaluation and care led to a confirmed diagnosis of a massive pulmonary embolism and a recommendation by the ER physician that family members be warned of my precarious situation.
This event occurred a little more than 48 hours ago. Luck, genetics, excellent medical and hospital care, modern technology, and advances in medicine have allowed me to survive this feared complication of malignant melanoma.
Stay well.
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