Nurse Linda had a new patient late afternoon, August 24, 2016, who’d just had hernia surgery. She noticed that her oxygen level was dangerously low, so she used another machine, which read the same.
Linda hit the “code” button on the wall while she began meds (a shot, I think) to rid the patient (me) of pain meds and worked with a rebreather, trying to get me to respond. The room quickly filled up with hospital personnel, including the chaplain, with more in the hallway. I remember Linda trying to get me to wake up, to open my eyes.
After listening to the assistant surgeon ask the nurse several questions, Guy heard him tell her, “Nice save.” Thank you, Almighty God, for my life. . . . and for Nurse Linda, 8th Floor south, Mercy downtown. She later told us she’d never had a patient measure that low on oxygen and make it out alive!
I’d had a much more serious surgery that January, which set me up for this one, but had not been overdosed with pain meds while still in the ICU.
When I had a shoulder replaced in 2020, I had no pain meds in the hospital. A “neck block” took care of the pain until I was home, lucid, and could take care of my own meds.
I’m very thankful for modern medicine, and very thankful to still be useful this side of heaven!
And that happened right at the start of the pandemic!! You were very lucky indeed!
The shoulder replacement was one of their last before Covid took hold! But Guy and I both had nightmares about that earlier surgery so were thankful I wouldn’t get any pain meds while still in the hospital.
So glad it all worked out!
Oh my goodness, Joy. Angels around you! ❤️
Yes! The first thing I wondered about what did I still have my brains! Isn’t that weird?
❤️❤️❤️
Wow! What a scare and what a blessing! I’m thankful for Nurse Linda too.
Thank you, Elaine. It certainly makes a person even more thankful for life!
Wow!
I usually handle hospital stuff well, but not opioids. I dislike the way they make me feel at all, even without the overdose possibility.
I’m not a fan either. make me feel disconnected.
Yes! I switch to Advil as soon as possible, then just ice and napping.
What a scare! Wow!
It sure scared my husband! By the time the narcan worked, I was miserable again. I’m certainly thankful now!
What a scary thing to happen! Thank goodness for nurse Linda’s quick thinking.
She said she’d never had a patient with oxygen as low as mine walk out of the hospital!
How’s your shoulder? I may have one looming close. May I be as blessed with my health care providers as you were. Praise the Lord for professionals like Linda!❤️🙏
It depends on which type of replacement you need. Mine was a total reverse replacement, which is tricky. I couldn’t reach behind my back at all for two years. It’s better but you lose quite bit of motion. It still doesn’t like it when I use the computer mouse on the right, so it’s on the left! But that arm sure is handing when putting a dish or cookie sheet in the oven, etc. Just ordered not to lift more than 35 pounds. With “normal” replacement, there are more options. If you having something done earlier, you’ll have more options! Best of luck with yours. (I’m just so thankful to have the original pain and electrical shocks gone!)
I understand pain and electric shocks, believe me. My pain comes mostly from reaching forward and across my body. Because I have a narrowing in the spinal column in the area of C5 and 6, the shocks are usually across my shoulder blades on my back!
I pray you get relief soon!
Thank you, Joy. Your story is frightening for anyone contemplating surgery. I’m grateful that you’ve been given the opportunity to share your stories and your faith.❤️🙏
You are so right, Gail!
What a frightening situation! I’m sure you’re greatful to be alive. I have to imagine you feel you’ve been given a second chance and appreciate the gift of life just a little more.
You bet, Pete! I’m so humbled and thankful for these “bonus years.”
I appreciate being able to read this. Thank God for your life, indeed!
Bless you, Annette!
Absolutely no surgery is routine. Even a simple surgery can leave the body open to a staph infection. Praise the Lord for Nurse Linda and her quick thinking and for your Guardian Angel who likely kept you breathing! 🙂
You are so right, Nancy!
Wow that was a close call. Gotta wonder who was watching the dosage. So glad you came back. Thanks for sharing.
I was Nancy’s intake, so the overdose happened in recovery! As soon as I was settled, my oxygen reading was so low that she later told us she’d never had anyone with that reading be able to walk out of the hospital! Oh, I’m so thankful!
So are we.
Thank God!
Amen!
Amazing, Joy. Evidently your tolerance for opioids is low. I’m so thankful that the professional nurse pulled you out of the low oxygen situation. ❤ 🙏
After the harder surgery (diverticulitis) earlier the same year, the opioids made me feel paranoid and so strange. I very much dislike taking them!
I understand that. It does weird things to one who takes it.
His eye really is on the sparrow & I know He watches you.
Amen, Alan!
Oh my goodness! What a harrowing experience! Thank God for Nurse Linda! So glad you are “Joy-fully” with us!
Thank you so much. I’m thankful as well!
How scary, Joy, but so thankful for Linda! ❤️
Thank you, Lauren. At the time, it was scarier for my Favorite Guy (who watched it happen), but since then I’ve been so thankful!
That’s understandable, Joy. My family has dealt with a few scares, so knowing everyone is healthy really is a reason to feel grateful. And my sister is a retired nurse, so I have great respect for all who are in the medical profession. Take care xo