In May of 1989, I came home early from school one day not feeling well. As I lay on the couch, my fever climbed and I got progressively worse very quickly. My parents took me to the ER at Memorial Baptist Hospital. It was there that I was admitted to the hospital with my first bout of pneumonia. [I do not remember most of the rest of this story so this is my mom's recollection of events.] I could not go to sleep and yet I was so tired. At about 2am, the nurses or doctor decided to give me a little bit of oxygen. I went to sleep immediately. After about 30 minutes, my mom had a feeling that she should wake me up to check on me. This was the 'God thing' moment because she should've been asleep herself and she had no cause, other than the feeling, to wake me up. Normally, I wake up at the slightest noise or interruption. This was not the case here. My mom pushed the nurse call button as she struggled to get me awake. When I did come to, my eyes were rolled back in my head. I tried to talk but couldn't and whatever I did say made no sense. The nurse ran in and then out to get help. By the time they came back, I was coming around. They removed the oxygen and the next morning the doctor drained over a liter of fluid off my lungs.
So what happened? We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Because of the neuromuscular disease, I don't breathe out sufficiently to get rid of the carbon dioxide and that leads to poisoning. Carbon dioxide build up puts you to sleep and turns off your body's natural response to wake up. It's very dangerous. The oxygen level in your blood will be fine but without a blood gases check of your blood, it can go unnoticed. It can cause brain damage or death without intervention.
So don't ignore your gut feelings, it could be God nudging you. The results could be life-saving.
So now we know who is in control, Is is not the doctors or nurses at the hospital,,,,,any other guesses? Dad
ReplyDeleteWow, what a story!
ReplyDeleteMary
This was definitely a God thing. All reason told me you needed your rest and let you sleep but I had this overwhelming urge to make sure you were ok. This experience was how I first learned about the carbon dioxide poisoning build up--at the time I didn't even know it could happen. I thank God that he urged me to wake you up to make sure you were ok. If He hadn't, I feel sure you would have not made it through the night. I have had several 'nudge's' like this from God in my lifetime. Mom
ReplyDeleteHow I thank the Lord that you have parents who were willing to listen to the "still small voice" of the Great Physician. God has so blessed me with your friendship that I cannot imagine life being complete without having had this precious gift.
ReplyDeleteGod has surely put an intuition into mothers. One of the many ways he protects us.
ReplyDeleteDitto, Gloria....so very thankful for your life and for your parents who listen and heed the Spirit's direction. You are truly a gift, and God has brought you through so many trials in order that you might continue to bless others. So thankful I am one of those who receives that sweet blessing. Love you, T.
ReplyDeleteI also am grateful for what God did - what a precious example of how He works through us and for us. I've only been to see you twice but everytime I go, I am blessed. More than you know. LY.
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