If a family member suddenly is sick and acts strange

[nitpicked]

Insist they get towed to the hospital.

On Sunday, after breakfast, someone suddenly felt lightheaded, could not get up on the bed, insisted on getting on the floor, then couldn't get to the bathroom in time.

Did I mention the heaves and vomiting?

After some of the mess was cleaned up, there was an alternating insistence on being helped to the living room, then the bathroom, then repeat, insisting on assistance with backside-down movement.

Eventually the person wedged themselves into the bathroom, kept insisting on assistance to sit up ((straining my back and wrist)) ((and an argument for more than one towel)).

Insisting on no medic help.

Finally, I refused to do any more that evening.

5 am, rinse and repeat.

Finally, acceptance that I could NOT do heavy lifting and so I called our area's finest, who managed to do close-quarters extrication.

Scans at the hospital showed brain bleeding, probably from an earlier fall. The person is now in the ICU.

Please keep this in mind as a possibility.

(NOT how I had planned to spend the last warmer day in a while...))

[Maraya1969]

1. I'm glad they are in the hospital and that you are getting the rest you need after that night.

Emergency services here in Florida has a thing where they will just come over and pick someone up even if they don't have to go to the hospital. I called them several times when my mom lived here.

[nitpicked]

4. I initially chose the pick-up option

But then more strangeness happened, so I altered that to call for medics.

First the husky firefighters (complete with big rig) did the extraction, then the ambulance crew showed up...

[Karadeniz]

2. Our local clinic says to never even try to pick up an adult... you can damage yourself. Call. 911

and let emt handle it. They're trained.

[nitpicked]

6. Ow Ow Ow

But when one is begged, one can do too much.

Especially if the back was non-standard to begin with...

[pnwmom]

3. Yes, if there's any question, anyone can call 911 and get their advice on whether an ambulance

needs to come -- even against the wishes of the sick person. They can help you work through a stressful decision.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, nitpicked!

[nitpicked]

5. I did call the medical plan

Who recommended calling for the medics.

[Riverman100]

7. My girlfriend of 18 years

Had that happen to her 5 years ago.So since then I've been visiiting her in a nursing home. BUT this was a MASSIVE brain bleed (aneurysm). But she was talking crazy to me on the phone before I found her the next day. I'd have been there sooner, but the police welfare check told me she answered the door and was fine.................... idiots

I hope since it was a minor bleed I hope all turns out well for your person.

My Lady, RIP 1-4-23

Sorry for the whining

[pnwmom]

8. I'm so sorry for your loss, Riverman100. And sorry that the police check failed to help her. nt

[Evolve Dammit]

10. It's not whining. It's truth. Very sorry for your loss Riverman.

[Rebl2]

11. You aren't whining

I am sorry you had to go through this and for your loss.

[Duppers]

13. So sorry here too.

We older folks need to educate ourselves on the risks we face on becoming older...& older.


"Old age isn't for wimps." - Katharine Hepburn

[keithbvadu2]

9. Same same for a UTI. Especially for older folks.

[AllaN01Bear]

12. good on you . i have afib, (rapid heart rate .) when heart takes off doing 140

150 beats per minute , i aint messing with it at home . full stop

[Warpy]

14. There are times to call the paramedics no matter what the other person says

like when they go to ground and can't get up. Or they're talking ragtime. Or there's a huge change in their behavior from the previous day. All of this comes into play especially if they're 60 or oder. Ignore them. Call 911. That's what they're for, to load the person onto a gurney and take them in where they can be evaluated.

I think you know that now.

Damage from a bleed into the brain varies with the size and location of the bleed. Some of them can resolve on their own. Some require a hole in the skull with the blood sucked out. They all require close observation.

Go out and enjoy the January thaw. You've earned it and there's nothing you can do now but wait. Oh, and ice that back. It's the only thing that really works.