The weirdest thing happened yesterday while I was at work. Overall it had not been a great day. DD left her car lights on and needed a jump and she had a not so great experience with our new optician...how can use possibly pick out new frames when your eyes are dilated and somewhat crossed???
I was taking my 15 minute break at work and settled down with my nice big red D'Anjou pear. I cut off a piece and took a bite and before I knew it, it slid right down my throat! I knew right away, crap, that damn thing is stuck in my throat! At first I thought I could just swallow and get it down and tried to drink some water. The water just flowed back out!
Well, I admit I started to panic. Though I could breath OK and could talk, I didn't know quite what was happening and asked for help. My coworker wanted to slap me on my back but I told her to do the Heimlich. I guess the Heimlich doesn't help when something is stuck in your throat and not your airway but I wasn't sure where the pear was stuck. Then the store manager tried it to no avail. After trying to cough it up and trying to make myself throw up (ick, I know, it's disgusting) it still wouldn't come out.
I told him to go ahead and call the EMT's because I didn't think I could handle going home myself and there was no way I was going to be able to work. I couldn't even swallow saliva! 3 nice guys showed up and encouraged me to go with them to the ER just in case. So we all walk out of the store (I'm sure it's the talk of the day today) and off we go to the hospital.
I got settled in at the ER and after taking my vitals, I reclined on the bed and felt that darn piece of pear gently make it's way down my esophagus! I was relieved, but I couldn't help but feel embarrassed because of all the hoopla. I did have to wait for the registration lady and then the doc so I could be discharged and they let me go.
Had to walk home because my car was at work. We only live maybe 5 blocks away so it was a pleasant walk home in this nice spring like weather but I did find out how little the sidewalks were cleared of snow.
Today my throat is a little tender and it still feels like something is there, most likely because there may be a little swelling. One thing I can tell you is that if you are choking, make sure that the people you are with are aware of what is going on and not making fun or joking about it. It can happen so fast, and if something really cuts off the airway, you need to take immediate action.
DD tells me that one of her eyes is still dilated today. She has lazy eye and after the dilation drops, her eyes went a little nutty. She was seeing double for quite awhile. She has used contacts since she was 12 (she's 18 now) and hasn't had a pair of glasses for years but she really should have a pair. The optician assistant told us she can get lenses that aren't coke bottle thick if she chooses the right frame. I'm not so sure I like the new optician but our previous doctor doesn't accept the vision insurance that we added on this year. I can't figure that out, because he accepts the state insurance plan (same insurance company) but not the federal plan. All this insurance stuff is so baffling.
Hope to get some stitching in today and no pears for me thank you!
8 comments:
I think I would have been scared to death! Glad you are okay though.
Oh my goodness, that was a scary moment Barb! Glad you're ok. So does that mean one should just relax and let the obstruction go on its own way? It doesn't sound like the ER guys did anything, right?
OMG Barb, how freakin' scary was that? I am SO GLAD you are okay...that could have turned out BAD!
That is so frightening, Barb. Makes me wonder how safe it is to eat alone even at home! So glad you're okay :)
Oh my gosh, what a frightening experience. I have never had a choking incident, but I did have to go to the ER from work one time. It's such a mix of pain, embarrassment, fear etc. Hope your doing better soon.
Barb, thanks for visiting my blog and offering your words of encouragement. I appreciate it! I'm very glad you're ok. How scary to have something stuck in you throat like that!
Your daughter should be able to find some frames where the lense doesn't stick out. I have a high prescription and just get the thinnest polycarbonate available and you wouldn't know I was blind as a bat! That didn't work so well with prescription sunglasses though. Those are hard to hide if you're vision impaired.
Can't wait to see your progress on the Friendship Sampler. I'm #7. No rush! lol :)
Wow, that must have been some scary time for you. Glad to hear that it turned out ok. And I, like you, would be leery about eating another pear.
Oh Barb, that must have been so frightening for you! At least you were able to let someone know what was going on. I had a friend who was choking and left the table for the washroom without telling anyone. Fortunately someone found him in there and called for help.
I am so glad that you're alright.
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