Have you or a loved one ever had to deal with a medical crisis? Lucky you, if you haven’t. Most of us older citizens have had this experience.
Mine was when my husband awakened me early one morning to tell me that he was suffering severe chest pains. He was already dressed and told me that he was driving himself to the emergency room.
We all know that the ONLY way to handle this situation is to call 911. Never, under any circumstances, should the patient or spouse to do the driving. Unfortunately, my husband had a very strong will and away he went. The good news is that he arrived at the hospital safely, but later admitted that it was all he could do to keep the car on the road.
Where was I? Scrambling to get there as quickly as possible. He survived after having angioplasty but it could have been a very different ending.
My own medical crisis was when I learned that the biopsy report from an earlier surgery indicated that cancer cells were present. The oncologist recommended a second, much more invasive surgery.
That’s when I began my investigation about where to get a second opinion and what were my other options. Again, a happy ending. No more surgery but constant vigilance and check-ups.
So far, so good.
Preparing for potential crisis includes keeping your will and power-of-attorney updated and having a friend or family member who can help in an emergency. Emergencies happen when we least expect them and they require quick thinking and immediate action. Consider taking a CPR or First Aid class at your local EMS department. Remain calm so you can talk to the person in crisis and get information from them. Call 911 if you think you need immediate help.
Also remember to be vigilant about your health. Get routine exams, eat right and exercise.