Saw someone die today in the waiting room

[theprodigalrebel]

...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. She looked pretty fine - she just sat there in her chair, just looking up at the ceiling and having a quiet conversation with her daughters. When they called her in, she got up and started walking. Barely three seconds later, she had a heart attack - right there in front of us. Her daughters went batshit, there was a huge ruckus as a dozen doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers popped out of nowhere and they put her on a stretcher and took her away to the ICU.

A few minutes later, she was dead. That's when I realized I'm ill-prepared to handle the grieving. I mean, I have been to funerals before and have seen people completely lose it when informed of their loved ones passing away. I've been to all kinds of funerals - my 18-year-old classmate that was in a fatal bike accident to my cousin's week-old newborn. But today, it just felt weird watching those two women completely psyche out and go into shock. I literally rushed towards the emergency exit and stuck my head out the window for a few seconds.

It made me wonder how I would be able to handle a situation where a loved one's life might depend on my timely (and proper) response.

 

[TehMac]

I'm sorry to hear that, I hope you feel better. That's all I can really say.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. She looked pretty fine - she just sat there in her chair, just looking up at the ceiling and having a quiet conversation with her daughters. When they called her in, she got up and started walking. Barely three seconds later, she had a heart attack - right there in front of us. Her daughters went batshit, there was a huge ruckus as a dozen doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers popped out of nowhere and they put her on a stretcher and took her away to the ICU.

A few minutes later, she was dead. That's when I realized I'm ill-prepared to handle the grieving. I mean, I have been to funerals before and have seen people completely lose it when informed of their loved ones passing away. I've been to all kinds of funerals - my 18-year-old classmate that was in a fatal bike accident to my cousin's week-old newborn. But today, it just felt weird watching those two women completely psyche out and go into shock. I literally rushed towards the emergency exit and stuck my head out the window for a few seconds.

It made me wonder how I would be able to handle a situation where a loved one's life might depend on my timely (and proper) response.

you aren't weak. you're human, and with each experience you will continue to grow and learn.

some people can handle death better than others and those people become the doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers you saw go into action.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. She looked pretty fine - she just sat there in her chair, just looking up at the ceiling and having a quiet conversation with her daughters. When they called her in, she got up and started walking. Barely three seconds later, she had a heart attack - right there in front of us. Her daughters went batshit, there was a huge ruckus as a dozen doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers popped out of nowhere and they put her on a stretcher and took her away to the ICU.

A few minutes later, she was dead. That's when I realized I'm ill-prepared to handle the grieving. I mean, I have been to funerals before and have seen people completely lose it when informed of their loved ones passing away. I've been to all kinds of funerals - my 18-year-old classmate that was in a fatal bike accident to my cousin's week-old newborn. But today, it just felt weird watching those two women completely psyche out and go into shock. I literally rushed towards the emergency exit and stuck my head out the window for a few seconds.

It made me wonder how I would be able to handle a situation where a loved one's life might depend on my timely (and proper) response.

you aren't weak. you're human, and with each experience you will continue to grow and learn.

some people can handle death better than others and those people become the doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers you saw go into action.

agreed with this post.

 

[preCRT]

Most of us don't handle death well, especially sudden or unexpected death.

Take your experience today as a gift, most of us take for granted that those we love will be around forever. But reality is that any one of us, or anyone we love, can be gone in a flash, make sure that those you love know how much you care. Don't sweat the small or petty stuff, in the end it won't matter.


How's your mom doing? [And give her a hug]

 

[Biggerhammer]

Wow. Compassionate, human, testosterone-free responses... what forum to I get to?

OP, as the above posters have said, it's not weakness to be human. I hope that it's the last death you see for a long time.

 

[jhu]

death happens. then they come to me.

 

[Eli]

Was it just like in the movies/on TV, or less dramatic?

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: Eli
Was it just like in the movies/on TV, or less dramatic?

Probably like the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique.

But seriously, that's sad. I don't know what I would do in that situation.

 

[dud]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. She looked pretty fine - she just sat there in her chair, just looking up at the ceiling and having a quiet conversation with her daughters. When they called her in, she got up and started walking. Barely three seconds later, she had a heart attack - right there in front of us. Her daughters went batshit, there was a huge ruckus as a dozen doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers popped out of nowhere and they put her on a stretcher and took her away to the ICU.

A few minutes later, she was dead. That's when I realized I'm ill-prepared to handle the grieving. I mean, I have been to funerals before and have seen people completely lose it when informed of their loved ones passing away. I've been to all kinds of funerals - my 18-year-old classmate that was in a fatal bike accident to my cousin's week-old newborn. But today, it just felt weird watching those two women completely psyche out and go into shock. I literally rushed towards the emergency exit and stuck my head out the window for a few seconds.

It made me wonder how I would be able to handle a situation where a loved one's life might depend on my timely (and proper) response.

Just wait until you have to bury your own parents ...

There's nothing quite like losing them to put you into a life-crisis. I lost my dad 4 years ago and still haven't recovered fully.

 

[ktehmok]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. She looked pretty fine - she just sat there in her chair, just looking up at the ceiling and having a quiet conversation with her daughters. When they called her in, she got up and started walking. Barely three seconds later, she had a heart attack - right there in front of us. Her daughters went batshit, there was a huge ruckus as a dozen doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers popped out of nowhere and they put her on a stretcher and took her away to the ICU.

A few minutes later, she was dead. That's when I realized I'm ill-prepared to handle the grieving. I mean, I have been to funerals before and have seen people completely lose it when informed of their loved ones passing away. I've been to all kinds of funerals - my 18-year-old classmate that was in a fatal bike accident to my cousin's week-old newborn. But today, it just felt weird watching those two women completely psyche out and go into shock. I literally rushed towards the emergency exit and stuck my head out the window for a few seconds.

It made me wonder how I would be able to handle a situation where a loved one's life might depend on my timely (and proper) response.

It could have been worse. She could have been a 60-ish woman who had a heart attack and died alone, while bunch of strangers looked on. At least she had 2 of her children with her that cared.

 

[FallenHero]

Its normal to see her face for awhile.

I still occasionally see the first guy that died on me while I performed CPR. Every so often something reminds me of that incident. It quickly goes away, and I'm not upset by it...but just letting you know, it might happen.

I think I'm 0-3 or 0-4 now. You get used to it.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: FallenHero
Its normal to see her face for awhile.

I still occasionally see the first guy that died on me while I performed CPR. Every so often something reminds me of that incident. It quickly goes away, and I'm not upset by it...but just letting you know, it might happen.

I think I'm 0-3 or 0-4 now. You get used to it.

How do you not know if you are 0-3 or 0-4 in CPR?

 

[ballmode]

if i saw somebody die I'd look around making sure it wasn't a distraction

i've watched alot of movies

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: FallenHero
Its normal to see her face for awhile.

I still occasionally see the first guy that died on me while I performed CPR. Every so often something reminds me of that incident. It quickly goes away, and I'm not upset by it...but just letting you know, it might happen.

I think I'm 0-3 or 0-4 now. You get used to it.

How do you not know if you are 0-3 or 0-4 in CPR?

We find out later if they died or not. If they died, its another loss. If the CPR helped bring them back...win!

<----Cop

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: FallenHero
Its normal to see her face for awhile.

I still occasionally see the first guy that died on me while I performed CPR. Every so often something reminds me of that incident. It quickly goes away, and I'm not upset by it...but just letting you know, it might happen.

I think I'm 0-3 or 0-4 now. You get used to it.

How do you not know if you are 0-3 or 0-4 in CPR?

We find out later if they died or not. If they died, its another loss. If the CPR helped bring them back...win!

<----Cop

I guess that makes sense. I always imagined CPR being done on someone who isn't breathing or has lost their pulse, so by the time you quit doing it I'd imagine you'd know it was a loss. I've heard CPR very rarely works but here is to you getting your first W :beer:

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: FallenHero
Its normal to see her face for awhile.

I still occasionally see the first guy that died on me while I performed CPR. Every so often something reminds me of that incident. It quickly goes away, and I'm not upset by it...but just letting you know, it might happen.

I think I'm 0-3 or 0-4 now. You get used to it.

How do you not know if you are 0-3 or 0-4 in CPR?

We find out later if they died or not. If they died, its another loss. If the CPR helped bring them back...win!

<----Cop

I guess that makes sense. I always imagined CPR being done on someone who isn't breathing or has lost their pulse, so by the time you quit doing it I'd imagine you'd know it was a loss. I've heard CPR very rarely works but here is to you getting your first W :beer:

Thanks. I think the AED is making the difference at this point more than anything.

As for the success rate...I think its only like 10% or some ridiculously low number.

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. ...

60 is old???

 

[beat mania]

Originally posted by: RKS

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. ...

60 is old???

Since her heart doesn't work anymore, yeah, she's old.

 

[Narse]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: FallenHero
Its normal to see her face for awhile.

I still occasionally see the first guy that died on me while I performed CPR. Every so often something reminds me of that incident. It quickly goes away, and I'm not upset by it...but just letting you know, it might happen.

I think I'm 0-3 or 0-4 now. You get used to it.

How do you not know if you are 0-3 or 0-4 in CPR?

We find out later if they died or not. If they died, its another loss. If the CPR helped bring them back...win!

<----Cop

I guess that makes sense. I always imagined CPR being done on someone who isn't breathing or has lost their pulse, so by the time you quit doing it I'd imagine you'd know it was a loss. I've heard CPR very rarely works but here is to you getting your first W :beer:

Thanks. I think the AED is making the difference at this point more than anything.

As for the success rate...I think its only like 10% or some ridiculously low number.

Just went through an AED class for my Rescue Diver Cert. They told us CPR alone was about 5% effective.

 

[jds2006]

haha wrong thread sorry.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: RKS
60 is old???

About three times older than me is old.

Originally posted by: preCRT
How's your mom doing? [And give her a hug]

My Mom is fine. She's just been incredibly stressed with my sis's wedding coming up next week - had an incident the previous night where she almost fainted. There have been a few instances in our family where people waited too long before they saw a doctor. It turned out to be just muscle pain - nothing related to her heart - but she's become pretty cautious these days. I'll give her a hug when I see her.

Thanks for the responses guys. I thought it was strange to feel so awkward about a stranger's death. I guess it is normal.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: ktehmok

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
...and I felt a little whoozy. Man, I'm weak.

My Mom needed to have some tests done so I took her to the hospital. We were in the waiting room along with this old lady (mid-60s) who had come with two of her daughters. She looked pretty fine - she just sat there in her chair, just looking up at the ceiling and having a quiet conversation with her daughters. When they called her in, she got up and started walking. Barely three seconds later, she had a heart attack - right there in front of us. Her daughters went batshit, there was a huge ruckus as a dozen doctors/nurses/other hospital-staffers popped out of nowhere and they put her on a stretcher and took her away to the ICU.

A few minutes later, she was dead. That's when I realized I'm ill-prepared to handle the grieving. I mean, I have been to funerals before and have seen people completely lose it when informed of their loved ones passing away. I've been to all kinds of funerals - my 18-year-old classmate that was in a fatal bike accident to my cousin's week-old newborn. But today, it just felt weird watching those two women completely psyche out and go into shock. I literally rushed towards the emergency exit and stuck my head out the window for a few seconds.

It made me wonder how I would be able to handle a situation where a loved one's life might depend on my timely (and proper) response.

It could have been worse. She could have been a 60-ish woman who had a heart attack and died alone, while bunch of strangers looked on. At least she had 2 of her children with her that cared.

I think I'd rather not put my kids thru what those daughters had to go thru. I hope when I go, I go quick.

 

[skyking]

I'm sorry you had to experience that. I did when my dad died, and I was lucky there was a couple there who were respiratory therapists. I did not have much of a chance to fail at the CPR, they were right there.
I never got a chance to thank them.