On Wednesday, 11th January 2006, as usual, I was on my computer typing away for my exam project. At about 01:50am, I felt a sharp pain on my chest. It was very swift; it felt like being struck by a force as if on both sides: front and back. What followed was a crushing sensation of whatever thing (I assume the heart) is the content of the chest cave. In 10 minutes, I had run downstairs to the kitchen, drank some water. But the attack was still at its baby stage.
I had to lie down, but at this point, but almost loosing breath. Various lying position each proved to be the worst. And by about 20 minutes of this experience, I could tell I have felt whatever the dead (if at all they do) feels when they are gone, the difference being that I am still alive though. So I thought I must do something.
I immediately rang the NHS Direct. Now I must explain because this situation has made me realize that most people don’t know about the NHS Direct line. A very useful number to have on your phone if you are in living or visiting the UK, it operates 24/7 and gives advice on what to do in such trouble times. It is just like a First Aid. The nurse at the other end only takes your full name, age, phone number and address so as to be able to get to you should you portray the worst. Thus you will be told whether to take paracetamol, drink water or eat rice, pasta or lasagna (hehehee). I mean they practically attend to you as a nurse/doctor will do if you were in the hospital. By the time I explained what I was passing through, she was sure there is nothing I can do by myself. She decided to send in the emergency services but first my consent was sought and I was redirected to the ambulance services. I spoke to them but I realized that was just to make sure they know my condition while the ambulance arrives. In 15 minutes, they were banging at the door like fire fighters.
By this time, the pain has eased but then my whole body was shaking like a winter leaf. All this time, about 15 minutes into this ordeal, my body temperature has been unsteady: too cold, too hot. After they checked me up in the ambulance, they were sure I have to go to the hospital for ECG thus we went. On the way, exactly 5 minutes short of an hour when it all started, the pain came back again but for a few minutes.
At the hospital, I was connected like a new gadget being tested OK. Over 7 cables were attached to my body and watched on the screen. I hated it. Printout followed printout. My curiosity to watch the TV was snubbed by the first nurse while the second merely informed me to relax and get well. It was till about half 6 that the doctor think me fit to leave their presence with a good news that I am more than well. Well? So why have I been punished with a sleepless night? “Because we have to keep an eye to make sure you are just right”. That said, I was acquitted with assurance that my operating system is not corrupted. I hope so.
Thinking of what happened, I was dumbstruck to believe the doctor, but then, ain’t I happy to be declared well. God’s been good to me. In this year, this is the second major problem that spell death, but who cares? For me, death is entirely itself and if one must die, then he will. Nevertheless, for every breath I take, I am grateful to the one responsible. I am grateful to the NHS Direct, it is a useful setup.
I had to lie down, but at this point, but almost loosing breath. Various lying position each proved to be the worst. And by about 20 minutes of this experience, I could tell I have felt whatever the dead (if at all they do) feels when they are gone, the difference being that I am still alive though. So I thought I must do something.
I immediately rang the NHS Direct. Now I must explain because this situation has made me realize that most people don’t know about the NHS Direct line. A very useful number to have on your phone if you are in living or visiting the UK, it operates 24/7 and gives advice on what to do in such trouble times. It is just like a First Aid. The nurse at the other end only takes your full name, age, phone number and address so as to be able to get to you should you portray the worst. Thus you will be told whether to take paracetamol, drink water or eat rice, pasta or lasagna (hehehee). I mean they practically attend to you as a nurse/doctor will do if you were in the hospital. By the time I explained what I was passing through, she was sure there is nothing I can do by myself. She decided to send in the emergency services but first my consent was sought and I was redirected to the ambulance services. I spoke to them but I realized that was just to make sure they know my condition while the ambulance arrives. In 15 minutes, they were banging at the door like fire fighters.
By this time, the pain has eased but then my whole body was shaking like a winter leaf. All this time, about 15 minutes into this ordeal, my body temperature has been unsteady: too cold, too hot. After they checked me up in the ambulance, they were sure I have to go to the hospital for ECG thus we went. On the way, exactly 5 minutes short of an hour when it all started, the pain came back again but for a few minutes.
At the hospital, I was connected like a new gadget being tested OK. Over 7 cables were attached to my body and watched on the screen. I hated it. Printout followed printout. My curiosity to watch the TV was snubbed by the first nurse while the second merely informed me to relax and get well. It was till about half 6 that the doctor think me fit to leave their presence with a good news that I am more than well. Well? So why have I been punished with a sleepless night? “Because we have to keep an eye to make sure you are just right”. That said, I was acquitted with assurance that my operating system is not corrupted. I hope so.
Thinking of what happened, I was dumbstruck to believe the doctor, but then, ain’t I happy to be declared well. God’s been good to me. In this year, this is the second major problem that spell death, but who cares? For me, death is entirely itself and if one must die, then he will. Nevertheless, for every breath I take, I am grateful to the one responsible. I am grateful to the NHS Direct, it is a useful setup.
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