Be Faithful Unto Death; Day801; 14-Hour Family Ordeal

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelations 2: 10 […read more]  [full chapter]

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PLAN:
Monday:
Daily Bible Devotional
Journal
40Mile Cycling
Read for 1 hour
2-Minute Ping-pong Drill
2-Minute Stay Ball Exercise
2-Minute Sword Practice
1-Minute 15-lbs. Dumbbell

READING LIST:
Book-Permanent Innovation p72

TIMELINE:
14-Hour Family Ordeal
My daughter is attending college [year#2] at UTSA, University of Texas at San Antonio. San Antonio is 90 miles south from where we are.  She lives with 3 other new roommates at Hill Country Place near UTSA.  She drives a black 2009 Colorado Pickup truck and her apartment is self sustaining [first aid kit, supplies, tools etc.] and she is also highly trained by me.   There was a reason why I created a Go-Kit backpack for light travel and I never expected that the day will come that I will have to use it.  Well, today, my daughter called from her apartment crying and in pain.  I had to make a few critical decision on the fly including deciding to call 911 and letting her go to the emergency room by herself.  As a parent who has no control of the situation, you learn how to use pure wisdom and hoping that whatever you do or say will not complicate things.  Ninety minutes on the road seems like a long time for us who were eager to know if our daughter is safe or not.  Fast forward 14 hours and the ordeal was over.  This is my account on what transpired today 20120910, a day after my 46th Birthday.

Many thanks to Claudia [Brittney’s roommate]

1232, Received a call from my daughter in San Antonio [90miles away from Round Rock], she is in great pain [pt=8, pain threshold] and cannot move. The event happened while she was in the shower. Able to get dressed but unable to move or walk back to bed due to sharp pain in her lower back.
1235, Asked the following questions and her responses: [Brent beside me, Britta was at work]
1. Can you wiggle your right toe? Yes
2. Can you wiggle your left toe? Yes
3. Can you touch your feet and feel sensation? Yes
4. Chest pain check? No chest pain.
5. Breathing check? Breathing fine.
6. Can you raise your right hand? Yes
7. Can you raise your left hand? Yes
8. Can you take one more step? No, pain threshold=8 very unbearable

1237, Fired up WebMD and looked for symptoms “sudden lower back pain”
Result: http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/understanding-back-pain-symptoms

Symptoms of lower back pain:
1. Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the tail bone
2. Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity. (Pain in the upper back can also be a sign of a heart attack or other life-threatening conditions.)
3. Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods
4. Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes
5. Inability to stand straight without having severe muscle spasms in the low back

Call your doctor  about back pain if
1. You feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs. This may signal damage to the spinal cord.
2. The pain in your back extends downward along the back of the leg. You may be suffering from sciatica.
3. The pain increases when you cough or bend forward at the waist. This can be the sign of a herniated disc.
4. The pain is accompanied by fever, burning during urination, or strong-smelling urine. You may have an infection.
5. You begin to have problems with your bowels or bladder.

Other "red flags" that could point to a serious problem include:
1. A history of cancer.
2. You have been losing weight without trying.
3. You have been on steroids or medication that weakens your immune system.
4. A history of trauma.
5. Pain that is getting worse and does not get better after you rest.
6. A history of IV drug use.

 

 

1240, Told her to call 911. I did not want to gamble her health by my “Army combat lifesaver training”  Although she had all the mobility of her toes and fingers and was talking to me on the phone, I had no medical experience to diagnose her and to tell her to sleep on it with anti inflammatory. [I would if it was me]
1246, EMS arrived. Brittney called and asked for final confirmation of ambulance transportation to ER.  EMS declared her non-critical.  Told her to continue transportation to ER
1250, Prepared my Go Kit backpack for light travel and waiting for “Mother Hen” [Britta] , she was working and she wants to come with me.
0100, Talked to EMS tech. Was told formally that daughter is not critical. En route to Methodist Hospital in San Antonio
0110, Britta arrived from work. Packing
0115, Left Round Rock home [Brent staying behind by himself]
0300, En route to San Antonio, Britta talked to Brittney and ER diagnosed her with Lumbar Strain and dismissed her.
0330, Arrived at Methodist Hospital. Brittney waiting at lobby still in pain but was dismissed.  She received a few dose of Motrin and release paper with prescription.
0335, Brittney still in pain and can hardly get inside the front seat.
0345, Drop by at Whataburger.  Hungry! and in Pain!
0400, Back to Brittney’s apartment at Hill Country Place.  Eat then she slept.
0500, Sleep
0600, Sleep
0700-1000, Organize paper works. Planning to leave her at 1400.  Britta has to go back to work tonight.
1. Found Urgent Care nearby; instructed to use Urgent Care first before going to the ER

Texasmedclinic.com 
http://texasmedclinic.com/locations/locations.php?uid=1489
Loop 1604/Bandera
9207 North Loop 1604 West
San Antonio, TX 78249
Phone: (210) 695-4884
8am-11pm

2. Printed her insurance card from United Healthcare website
3. Called Methodist Hospital and updated insurance information
4. Pickup prescriptions at nearby Walgreens
Motrin 800, 1 tablet every 8 hours, 30 qty.
Flexeril, 10mg 1 tablet 8 hours, 20 qty.

ER Doctor:
Dr. Sumeru Mehta
FM0261482
40142495
Diagnosis: Lumbar Strain
5. Gave stretching demo to relieve pain
6. Gave 2 gel ice packs to be rotated every 20 minutes

1100, Nap
1200, Slightly mobile but pain remains at 5
1300, Gave final instructions-“Survive on your own”. Use Motrin 800 and muscle relaxant.  Asked mental questions: ie anxiety and thoughts.
1. She’s worried about missing school.
2. She feels bad that we have to be bothered.
3. She’s worried about the medical expenses.

I told her that a parent will do anything for their children and assured her that this event does not inconvenience us.  This is our job and we are there for her.

1400, Left UTSA for Round Rock
1430, En route to Round Rock halfway, Britta’s Run Flat Indicator was alarming.  Stopped by the gas station and air up all 4 tires. Right rear was –4psi lower but not flat.  I remembered that I don’t have a functioning spare tire.  Took a gamble and drove Toll 130 at 80 mph for 30 minutes to reach Round Rock on time.
1545, Arrived safely.
1600, Drop off Britta so that she can go to sleep.  I drove to Round Rock Outlet to pickup Brent’s clinical uniform.  Also, contacted Mercedes Part/Service, they ordered the missing 4 lug nuts for spare.
1700, Back at home. Waiting for Brent. Unpack
1800, Pickup Brent. Britta left for work
1900, Called Brittney, I was surprised!  She was at Culvers eating ice cream.
2000, Cook for Brent [actually, just reheating some left over pork with cooking oil, scored 10 on the taste]
2100, Writing this journal and listening to Spotify Freedom Is Here by Hillsong United in repeat mode.

Freedom Is Here
By Hillsong

The future comes alive
You speak Your word and I
I’m running into Your hope
Because I’ve seen Your light
You bring my world to life
I’m coming after You love
 
I’m not shaken
I’m not letting go
And everything comes alive
In my life as we lift You higher
Let Your freedom arise
In our lives as we lift You up
Sing it out
Sing it out
Your freedom is here
 
So take the limits off
No matter what the cost
I’m running after Your call
And I will run this race
See You face to face
So let Your power overflow
 
I will not fear
I will not hide You love
You love
All of my life
I cannot deny Your love
Your love