How do you get over something awful? ***UPDATES*** page 3 & 5

[mickeylove2]

So, I came into work at 5am because, well, I haven't slept since Saturday night. A good friend of mine was out with buddies and got trashed Saturday, I had friends over and we were drinking so I was up late anyway. Well, his friends stopped by my house and he was passed out in the car, he lives a few houses down from me and they couldn't find his keys. I've known him for years, we're really close, and the guys he was with are friends of mine too. They ask if he can sleep it off at my house I say no problem, they carry him into my living room and lay him on the couch.

It was about 1am. My company started leaving and I was alone by 2am. My roommate was away this weekend and my girls were at a sleepover. He was passed out on my couch and I went to bed up stairs. Around 5am I woke up really thirsty...which NEVER happens! Once I'm asleep I'm out! So, I go down stairs and I hear a gurgling sound.

I throw on the kitchen light and see that he has not moved an inch. I go over to check on him and turn on the lamp by his head and his face is so gray and he's chocking on his vomit. I slid him onto the floor and cleared out his mouth and called 911. He completely stopped breathing and I had to do CPR. A police officer arrived on the scene 1st, I had been doing CPR for about 10 minutes, he started breathing on his own once then stopped again. He started to swallow his tongue and then he started seizing.

The police officer didn't even have a chance to help with CPR he just got on the radio and started yelling for the ambulance to get there, he ran out to his car and came back in just as the ambulance got there. They intubated him and took over CPR. He is currently on a ventilator completely unresponsive in ICU at a great hospital.

He overdosed on pills. They are not sure if he is going to make it or not. I have been at the hospital on and off. I cannot sleep or eat, I'm so upset. I just can't help thinking that I should have done something to prevent this. I feel so helpless and hopeless. Anyway, I just needed to get that off my chest. Sorry it was so long.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You are in shock right now. I would not worry about getting over anything at this point.

You had no way of knowing he OD'ed.

I am so sorry....

 

[wdwmom2]

He overdosed on pills. They are not sure if he is going to make it or not. I have been at the hospital on and off. I cannot sleep or eat, I'm so upset. I just can't help thinking that I should have done something to prevent this. I feel so helpless and hopeless. Anyway, I just needed to get that off my chest. Sorry it was so long.

If it weren't for you, he would probably be dead now. So don't blame yourself. You are the reason that he made it to the hospital, ALIVE!!!! YOU saved his life.

to you. Just know that you did the right thing. Hope your days to come are better!

 

[Robinrs]

There was nothing more you could do. Just be glad you were awaken and you were there.

I agree with Mystery, you're in shock. There is no easy way to just get over something that traumatic. Just don't get hung up on guilt because you did all you could do and you did the right thing. He, unfortunately, made all the wrong choices, not you.

Hang in there....

 

[Drew Sailbum]

You did exceptionally well under the circumstances.

In my experience as a 9-1-1 supervisor only about 1 out of 3 people (in my jurisdiction) will even attempt CPR when it is needed. That drops off when the patient is vomiting.

You are one of the rare ones who decided to get actively involved and help.

You didn't panic- but it sounds like the police officer might have. Yelling into a radio has NEVER made an ambulance get there faster. The ambulance crew already knows CPR is in progress and they are already responding with utmost haste.

You did not make this intoxicated guy overdose on pills. No way. No how.

You quiet apparently followed instructions and/or previous training and saved this guy's life. CPR does not work in the vast majority of cases.

You will be able to sleep, and soon. The adrenaline high will wear off and you need for sleep will take over. Give yourself time. you just went through something traumatic.

Thanks for being there and getting involved.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

WOW, this must be so scary. You really did a great job with CPR and getting help right away. I sure hope he is OK.

 

[mickeylove2]

You are in shock right now. I would not worry about getting over anything at this point.

You had no way of knowing he OD'ed.

I am so sorry....

If it weren't for you, he would probably be dead now. So don't blame yourself. You are the reason that he made it to the hospital, ALIVE!!!! YOU saved his life.

to you. Just know that you did the right thing. Hope your days to come are better!

There was nothing more you could do. Just be glad you were awaken and you were there.

I agree with Mystery, you're in shock. There is no easy way to just get over something that traumatic. Just don't get hung up on guilt because you did all you could do and you did the right thing. He, unfortunately, made all the wrong choices, not you.

Hang in there....

You did exceptionally well under the circumstances.

In my experience as a 9-1-1 supervisor only about 1 out of 3 people (in my jurisdiction) will even attempt CPR when it is needed. That drops off when the patient is vomiting.

You are one of the rare ones who decided to get actively involved and help.

You didn't panic- but it sounds like the police officer might have. Yelling into a radio has NEVER made an ambulance get there faster. The ambulance crew already knows CPR is in progress and they are already responding with utmost haste.

You did not make this intoxicated guy overdose on pills. No way. No how.

You quiet apparently followed instructions and/or previous training and saved this guy's life. CPR does not work in the vast majority of cases.

You will be able to sleep, and soon. The adrenaline high will wear off and you need for sleep will take over. Give yourself time. you just went through something traumatic.

Thanks for being there and getting involved.

WOW, this must be so scary. You really did a great job with CPR and getting help right away. I sure hope he is OK.

Thanks for all your kind words. I really do know that I did what I could to help him, his family keeps telling me not to blame myself, the Dr. at the ER said that this is the worst case that they have seen where the person lived! My grandmother is a certified CPR/1st Aid instructor and an RN, so I've known CPR for years but I've actually never had to do it.

I'm just so glad that I got up when I did, although I wish I had woken up sooner. And I had been drinking, but I tell you what, I've never sobered up so quick before, it didn't even seem like I had a drink and I was wide awake. I didn't even think about him having been vomiting, I guess instinct just took over and I think that the police officer (small town older gentleman) went out to get a face mask, I'm sure he was gonna help me but didn't get a chance to since EMS was right behind him. I'm so worried about my friend, I can't stop crying about it.

I went to the hospital last night and he had so many tubes sticking out of him, it was really scary. They left my house at 5:30am and didn't even let his family back to see him until about 3pm yesterday. He was really bad. His pulse ox was only at 76 (I think) and his heart rate was like 180 and his BP was something really crazy. I'm running on fumes so I may be off a little but I'm pretty sure that's what it was when EMS hooked him up.

I was just soooo determined that I was NOT going to let him die in my house, I honestly don't know what came over me. The paramedics were really shocked that I was still doing CPR and had to pretty much pull me away from him so they could take over. All I remember is sitting there shaking and the cop asking me a bunch of questions. When we got to the hospital and I called his sister and his dad, I just lost it. The Dr. told his dad that he most definitely would have died if I hadn't gotten him help when I did. All of that makes me even sadder because if I had woken up an hour before, I could have helped him then and he might not be in the situation he's in now.

Even now, I'm just sitting here and I can't stop crying. Just please pray for my friend. Thank you.

 

[anniemae]

you are an amazing person, many would not have gone so far above and beyond. I hope he will be okay. Stay strong.

 

[dislaney]

Prayers being said!

 

[*BTMRR*]

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Don't blame yourself. You did great in the circumstances.

 

[Heidict]

I can imagine that what you have gone through is very traumatic. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[4nana]

How very sad , thank God you were there! I am so sorry you were put in this position, you are indeed a hero and very kind hearted person who went above and beyond the call of duty . Sending prayers your friend survives and you get some much needed rest to help ease your mind and heartache. Wondering if his party friends have been questioned or will bear any responsibility for dropping poor guy off unconscious.

 

[KadysMom]

You did something truely heroic. I know you are in shock and wish you had woken up sooner, but you saved his life. I hope he recovers and that he can tell you the samething

 

[focusondisney]

The Dr. told his dad that he most definitely would have died if I hadn't gotten him help when I did. All of that makes me even sadder because if I had woken up an hour before, I could have helped him then and he might not be in the situation he's in now.

Even now, I'm just sitting here and I can't stop crying. Just please pray for my friend. Thank you.

You know, I don't think this is true. If you had woken up an hour before, your friend would probably still have been passed out, not vomiting yet. You would have been back to sleep just when he needed you most. You woke up when you were meant to. You woke up & saved him. You did more than most people would have been able to do. And if you hadn't let him stay at your house.....

Hugs & prayers to you the friend. And his family. I hope things start to look better soon.

 

[minniebeth]

My prayers are with you and your friend.

 

[Planogirl]

How wonderful that you reacted like this. I want you around if I ever have an emergency.

I hope that this fellow pulls through somehow. I also hope that you feel better and better as the day goes on.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Sounds to me like you were "meant" to wake up at that particular time AND be unusually thirsty! Incredible what you did. Not many people would have been able to do what you did. I agree with others that you're a hero and kept him alive. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. It must be terribly traumatic. to you.

.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I think it's amazing that you woke up when you did. You did everything you possibly could have. Don't blame yourself.

I'm praying for your friend's recovery.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm sorry.

I will keep your friend and you, in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your friend makes a full recovery and will know and appreciate what you did for him. Don't be hard on yourself. You did great.

Please keep us posted.