EPTHello, Teamliquid.
I would like to talk to you about an event that occurred in the middle of September in 2013. It was quite shocking and disturbing for me personally, so please be warned this won't be the most pleasant read. With that being said, I learned quite a few things from this experience that I would like to share with you.
That day one of my friends from high school, Jay, invited me to go out to lunch with him to Buffalo Wild Wings. One of Jay's friends, Chucky, whom I had never met but had heard much about had returned from an extended stay in the Phillipines, which was the reason we decided to go out. A mutual friend of the two of them, Bob, wanted to join us with his new girlfriend, Gina. Jay and I had arranged it so that we would pick up Bob and Gina and then meet up with Chuck at the restaurant.
It certainly was a hot day. Even though the air conditioning was turned on in the car, I remember the sun was quite overbearing. We picked up Bob and Gina at a park that was on the way to the restaurant.
A lot of the conversation was baseball-related. Jay and Bob were talking about how some team coaches lacked basic sportsmanship. I made a few comments here and there despite not having much of an interest in baseball, but Gina was a quiet lass, only laughing a little when something funny was said. I really didn't think much of it. Alas, Bob tended to date the quiet ones.
We arrived at Buffalo Wild Wings and met up with Chucky. Needless to say, Jay and Bob were ecstatic to see him again. It filled me with joy seeing everyone so happy; reunions are always the sweetest. I introduced myself to him, and after exchanging a few more words, we went inside and sat down at a table in the bar. The table and seats were actually a little tall for me, so I had to climb onto the chair, which was quite funny. One thing that has always amazed me about that place is the fact that there are high-definition televisions everywhere, showing professional games from all kinds of sports.
As we were waiting for our waitress to come to our table, I was asking Chucky about his adventures in the Phillipines. At the same time, though, I noticed that Gina still wasn't talking much; she was saying a few words to Bob every now and then. I got the impression she was a little shy, and I totally sympathized with her. If I were in a similar situation with four members of the opposite sex I didn't know too well, I probably wouldn't say much either. But then it happened...
Her eyes slowly closed, and her body went limp as if she were fainting. At first I thought she was just pretending--that it was just a dramatic way to get some attention. She was about to fall out of her chair, but Bob caught her in time and brought her to the floor, yelling her name and trying to shake her awake. I wanted to call for help, dial 911, or just do something. The breaths I was taking in were shallow. All I could do was stare at the event taking place in front of me, and ask myself many questions. Is this really happening? Will she wake up in a few moments? Does she need help? Does she need an ambulance?
Someone close to me (I didn't notice who) said to dial 911. I had my phone in my pocket, and I quickly took it out. I tried to speak out loud, but no noise came out. I wanted to punch in the numbers, 9, 1, and 1, but I couldn't because I couldn't speak. I was literally stunned. I'm not sure how much time passed since she fell, but eventually the manager came rushing to our table, asking us if we needed an ambulance. I nodded my head violently, making sure to get some message across.
Gina woke up before the paramedics arrived, but she looked as if she were really drowsy. Bob ordered some water and put some sugar in it and had her drink it. Was it safe for her to be drinking? Was her swallow reflex working properly? Should we be doing anything when professional help is about to arrive? I felt bombarded with questions and overwhelmed with anxiety. All I could do was watch...
The paramedics arrived roughly ten minutes later, at which point I finally calmed down. They examined Gina and asked us questions about what happened. My friends suspected it was mere dehydration or perhaps low blood sugar levels. The paramedics put her on a stretcher and carried her out to the parking lot of Buffalo Wild Wings. I told Bob he should go with her to the hospital if she has to. Bob told me adamantly that neither of them would be going to the hospital. I then told him to go out to the front and make sure Gina is okay. He went.
So, it was Chucky, Jay, and I who were left seated at the table. All of us were quite shocked at what had just happened. As the minutes passed, we slowly found ourselves making conversation about what had happened. The waitress came up to us and took our order. I just had a cup of water because my appetite was completely lost after that. After my friends finished our meal, I told Jay to call Bob and ask him where he was. My friend complied and found out that Bob was on his way to the hospital with Gina.
After my friends paid for their food, we walked out to the parking lot. We were trying to decide whether to wait for Bob and then go pick him up at the hospital or if we should just leave. Jay had to go to work later in the afternoon, so the logistics would be difficult to arrange if Bob was going to be a while. Eventually we decided that he would have to be on his own. Indeed, he was at the hospital with Gina for many hours. Surely, there must have been bigger health complications involved than the ones my friends suggested at the table.
Once I got home I started thinking about what happened and why. I was really disappointed in myself for not being able to act as I wanted to and to this day I still am. I'm not sure if anyone remembers the old horror television series, Creepshow. My parents used to really be into that show when I was a kid. I had a lot of nightmares, but I eventually grew up to enjoy that kind of thing as well. Anyway, there was an episode called, "Father's Day," and in one scene there was a man who was about to get crushed by a tombstone in a graveyard. All he could do was watch as it was getting closer and closer to falling over. Many ridiculous things were happening around him as this was happening, and I used to criticize this as a kid. "Why the heck isn't that guy getting up and running away?" But now I finally understand this phenomenon, as I have experienced something very similar. Luckily my life was not in danger, but I'm crossing my fingers that I will just breathe next time and take action.
I learned something about relationships as well. Choosing a partner means you will have to bear the burden of all his or her problems. That means you will suffer from whatever health problems your partner carries as well. Since this event took place in 2013, I have made better choices in my diet, I am more active, and I have a better appreciation for life. Those of us that do not have health complications and rarely or never have to go to the hospital are blessed. We should do whatever we can to keep it that way and live a long healthy life.
Sincerely,
Shalashaska_123
dat reference- but it was "no big deal" (3 days in hospital XD)
hopefully you keep it up and the next time you'll be able to react when someone needs your help.
