September 20, 2014
3:21 p.m.

Today I am finally going to share a story with you. This happened on September 9th, and I've been going back and forth in my mind about sharing it, because I didn't have a conclusion. Now, at last, there's an "end" to it.

No excuses for my silence in between now and my last post. I'm sick. That's all I know, and it will have to be enough for now, since those answers are as yet unknown. Just tired out and typing hurts. Sorry! (I'm about to make up for it somewhat, and pain be damned.)

So, here's my little story:

On September 9th I had my first physical therapy appointment. I'd called the day before to have our local Call-N-Ride bus pick me up and take me. Due to their schedule, I was slated to arrive about an hour early, but I didn't mind that. I figured I'd get myself a fancy coffee before the torture commenced,

About 10:45 a.m. I received a phone call from my driver, who confessed that he was a little lost. I gave him detailed directions, figuring I'd have a few more minutes to goof off before he got here.

But for some reason, I decided I'd grab my bag and go outside to wait for him. Detailed directions from me might not be the greatest directions, I thought.

I went outside, and decided to go to the front of my house to watch for him. As I was walking around, I noticed my neighbor across the street struggling with her garbage can. It looked like she was trying to wrestle it back up on the curb.

I called to her to wait and I'd help her. Just as I got to her, she went down on all fours.

"Oh, crap!" I cried, rushing to her. "Are you alright? Let me help you up." I offered my hand and she took it, hers feeling damp and limp in my own. "I won't pull," I told her. "I don't want to hurt you." I braced myself to help her pull herself up. She gave a weak tug. No way was she getting up.

Okay, so this was not a simple fall. This was a collapse. Oh, dear.

"Is anyone home?" I asked her. I knew perfectly well that I couldn't pick her up.

"My brother," she mumbled.

"What's his name?"

Unintelligible answer.

No problem. "Hello. the house!" I called. "Hey, anybody home? Hello?!"

Nothing. In my defense, I'm not a great shouter. Also, no one was home.

I asked her name and she told me. I noted bruising on her arms, and the tell-tale leavings if band-aids, and asked her, "Have you been in the hospital?"

"Yes," she said. "I got out yesterday. I'm fine now. You can go."

"Nope, don't think so. You got out of the hospital yesterday?"

"Yes, Sunday."

"Okay...? Today is Tuesday."

"Oh. I'm fine. You can go. I'll get up in a minute."

"I'll stay with you. Want to try again?" I was still bent over, holding her hand.

Weak tug. Not happening. No way was I leaving.

I heard a vehicle and looked up hopefully. Great! It was the park patrol truck. I waved to them. They drove right by us without even glancing at us.

That reminds me--gotta complain about those guys when I pay the rent. Look out, patrol guys. You suck!

I saw my neighbor who lives on the other side of me, and waved at him. He walked into his house. I don't know if he saw me or not. Jeez, Louise, what a world.

"Why were you in the hospital?" I asked. "Did you have surgery?"

"Yeah."

"Have you had any bleeding?"

"Uh...yeah?"

Her words were slurring now. Where were all the neighbors? Why did the patrol truck just drive on by? My cell phone was in my bag, but I was afraid to let go of her, afraid she'd hit the ground.

Then, oh thank God, my ride appeared. He'd gone down the wrong street and come back up and ended up right where I needed him. I waved and yelled out "Here! I'm your rider! Help us, please!"

He put his vehicle in park, got out and helped me get the woman to her feet. "Oh!" she declared. "I feel better already! You may go."

"Nope." That was me and the driver together. If we hadn't been there holding on to her, she would have gone right back down.

"Hold her," I told him. "I'm going to see if anyone is home." I ran to their front door and banged on it, calling out for anyone to come to the door, Nothing, Not even the dogs. Hmmm.

I went back to the woman and driver, put my arm around her to support her weight, and said, "Call
911."

"I'll call 911," the driver said simultaneously. We smiled tensely at each other. He made the call. then he called his dispatch to let them know he'd be running late.

I knew that my neighbors had chairs in their yard, as I can see them sitting outside when I'm at my desk, so I sent the driver around to fetch a chair and we eased her into it. I rubbed her back and we waited for the ambulance.

I continued talking to her, but could no longer understand any of her answers.

The police arrived first. I told him the woman's name, showed him where I lived, confirmed that we were in the driveway of the house where she lived and that no one else was home. I told him she'd said she was just out of the hospital and had had surgery. EMTs arrived, and things were getting crowded.

My driver moved his vehicle across the street, in front of my house. I took my leave of the scene once the police told me it was okay to go, and the driver took me to my appointment.

Whew! What a morning. I felt like I'd already had a workout. But I still had an appointment to keep.

Well, physical therapy isn't fun, and it was my first appointment with them, so it was all about testing. Whee. Apparently my hip mobility on the right is pretty bad, and on the left couldn't even be measured. Always good news. Arthritis is not fun, my friends.

I could barely pay attention, though, because I was still preoccupied with my neighbor. Was she alright? Did they take her to the hospital?

After therapy I had to wait for my return ride, so I text messaged my son. He and his significant other had been out when all this went down, so I wanted to know if they'e gotten home in time to see anything. (I'm so nosy!)

He told me there'd been an ambulance there when they arrived home minutes after I'd left, and that our neighbor looked like she was awake and aware. They came inside the house and put things away and when they looked out again everyone was gone.

When I was picked up for my trip home, it was a new driver. I praised his co-worker to the skies and got his name.

Once home I went to the neighbor's to see if anyone was home. Nope. So I watched throughout the rest of the day until I saw someone and ran out to ask about her condition.

He told me she was doing well, but she had stopped breathing in the ambulance! Then he thanked me so much for looking out for her. Well, that was a stroke of luck, no lie. I would never have been outside at that time of day, and certainly not in front where I could have seen her, on any other day. I'm so glad I was!

I'm happy to report that today I was able to speak with her, and she is much better. Apparently, she'd taken her medications on an empty stomach and they overwhelmed her. She said she woke up in the hospital, intubated and pissed off.

When I went out to get today's mail she hailed me from across the street, saying, "I hear I have you to thank for saving my life!" Her brother had told her that Paula had helped her and she said "Who's Paula?" Then she laughed and said it was good to meet me.

I told her I was happy to meet her under better circumstances, and glad to see her looking and sounding so well.

Then she told me how thankful she was that I'd called such handsome paramedics! She's kind of a hoot.

Life can be good, folks. Happy endings are always nice.

To Hector, at Federal Heights Call-N-Ride--you're my hero!

To Federal Heights Police Department, Fire Department, Ambulance Service--You're the best!

To all of you who read my blog--Have a great evening!

Bye!