Who here, has saved the life of another?

[Hey-O]

He (God) puts us where we need to be at times - it's why we're here on the planet, after all.
He's done so with me several times and I've written "Ed stories" about a few of the more memorable ones
right here on FBBO.
A fella feels pretty dang good after heeding the call, eh?

I just wanted to wait till later in the thread , you're right and he's wrong, period. I get it and you and I have talked about this kind of stuff before. I still question some things God seems to do, but he knows best. I hope he and I can have that talk when he comes for me one day ................ Hang tight!!!.......... Ulli

 

[SteveSS]

Oh man, it's hard it's keep my mouth shut about the God stuff! One word, Uvalde.

Thank you guys SO MUCH for the things you did in this thread. You are our heroes.

 

[1STMP]

I haven't saved anyone, but I have been on the receiving end. Today, actually. 7/16/08, what I call my "second birthday". I remember dinner the night before...then, nothing for over 2 weeks. Apparently I went to work, was demo riding a new motorcycle on my normal demo route (I knew every pothole, dip, seam and stripe)...brakes failed, and I went through a T intersection, into a cattle fence made out of telephone poles. I have zero recollection of anything - as I said, I remember dinner the night before, and that's it until 2 weeks later.

According to my surgeon (who I visited a year after, to say thank you), I'd died twice on scene; twice in the helicopter; and three times on the table.

"We kept at it because we're a teaching hospital (Johns Hopkins / MD Shock-Trauma)...but every one of us in that room figured you were going to leave in a bag."

Shattered L femur (17 pieces; now a titanium rod wrapped in regrown bone); compound fracture R tib-fib (also a rod now); broken left hip (titanium plate and hinge); lacerated liver; collapsed lung; bruised heart; 4 broken ribs; 4 broken vertebrae; severely torn R rotator cuff; and 2 closed-head brain traumae. Out of 26 beds in the head injury ward....I was the one who could talk to the nurses.

The only one.

And the first thought when I woke up / regained consciousness? "Where am I....and who the hell is this inside my head??" Injure your brain? You are INSTANTLY a different person. Literally. We've all known identical twins - they look the same, sound the same...well, so do I. But get to know the twins....they're different, alright. One up, one down. One relaxed, one hyper. One conservative, one risk-taker. Well, in the blink of an eye...I became my own twin. And, that was extremely hard for me to live with (took years of therapy, actually). I am not, nor will I ever be again, the person who - frankly - died in that ditch in 2008. I'm the guy who took his place. EVERYTHING is different.

I do NOT recommend trying it.

I don't have PTSD or deficiencies or anything like that (thank God)...but I am not who I was for 35 years. I was - emotionally - an infant while I was in that hospital, learning not only my physical injuries but also who I was on the most basic levels. I was a new person, and my formative years...were in a hospital bed, in a TBI ward.

I worked my *** off in PT, because I wanted my life back. I learned to walk again (muscle wraps to hold the rods in place meant muscles that had done one job for 35 years, were now tasked with another, completely different job) and was back at work (wearing a plastic torso clamshell, so my ribs and vertebrae set correctly) on January 2, 2000. Less than 5 months - and the docs told me as I was wheeled out of shock-trauma "sorry, but you're gonna have to get used to this chair, and will likely use a cane for the rest of your life".

I'm 6'4" tall. I was 154 lbs at discharge.

I walked through that entire hospital a year later, in 2009, thanking everyone I could find, whether they were there when I was or not. The ones who were, were floored that I was walking around. One of my PT's actually cried when she saw me walking. Another slapped me in the head when he heard I had showed up on my motorcycle that day. And grinned from ear to ear.

ANYONE who saves a life, is an angel.

Period.

Whether you performed CPR and literally saved a life, or whether you worked with a patient through a heavy rehab and helped them get their life BACK instead of being an invalid for the rest of their days...you are an angel. You were sent to that place, at that time, with that person, by someone greater than all of us (insert religion if you want; insert your secular deity if you want), to do the greatest, most selfless thing possible.

Nothing compares.

To anyone who has delivered when called upon at that crucial time? Thank you. You may never hear from your "patient", so hear it from me.

Thank you.

We - quite literally - could not do it without you.

Triplegreen500,
You're to be commended for your courage
and tenacity. PT after traumatic injuries
requires a strength seldom held by others.
I can relate to your experiences
as I too suffered a similar fate. Angels truly
do exist, as there's one on your shoulder.

 

[Ron H]

Some might not like what I’m sharing here, but part of my work was risk mgmt consulting involving liability, work comp, and safety reg’s for mfg, construction, schools, etc. policy stuff and training. Independent being retained by companies and insurance companies. Longer story – but with schools had investigated fatal accidents involving traveling school staff, visiting nurses, etc. So, doing my diligence, the policy drafts recommended prohibiting school staff riding their motorcycles on company business as most had available fleet cars or pickups they could use. Sometime after, a maintenance employee going btw schools was killed using his cycle. He was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. Had he been in a car/truck it likely would have been a fender-bender. Meeting with the board about this guy’s death, they had deleted this part of the policy. Aside from this guy losing his life, a fatal work comp claim where the family gets nothing other than a crappy death ‘benefit’ and burial pay, the gist was simply risk management to – reduce ‘risk’.

Something similar that evolved was cost/budget cutting, no longer providing fleet (pool) vehicles to staff to borrow for business travel having them use their own vehicles. The problem or risk though remains the same: If an employee is injured/killed it’s STILL work comp for the employer plus liability (if the employee caused the accident). A 22 year old rotating nurse was killed driving btw schools on a bad weather day. Her car was a POS with bad brakes and bald tires. Some rural districts have schools 20-30 miles apart driving on windy two-lane roads, was the case here. It’s sad when viewing how a life is lost that ya can’t get back and how it might not have happened.

 

[Ceedawg]

Some might not like what I’m sharing here, but part of my work was risk mgmt consulting involving liability, work comp, and safety reg’s for mfg, construction, schools, etc. policy stuff and training. Independent being retained by companies and insurance companies. Longer story – but with schools had investigated fatal accidents involving traveling school staff, visiting nurses, etc. So, doing my diligence, the policy drafts recommended prohibiting school staff riding their motorcycles on company business as most had available fleet cars or pickups they could use. Sometime after, a maintenance employee going btw schools was killed using his cycle. He was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. Had he been in a car/truck it likely would have been a fender-bender. Meeting with the board about this guy’s death, they had deleted this part of the policy. Aside from this guy losing his life, a fatal work comp claim where the family gets nothing other than a crappy death ‘benefit’ and burial pay, the gist was simply risk management to – reduce ‘risk’.

Something similar that evolved was cost/budget cutting, no longer providing fleet (pool) vehicles to staff to borrow for business travel having them use their own vehicles. The problem or risk though remains the same: If an employee is injured/killed it’s STILL work comp for the employer plus liability (if the employee caused the accident). A 22 year old rotating nurse was killed driving btw schools on a bad weather day. Her car was a POS with bad brakes and bald tires. Some rural districts have schools 20-30 miles apart driving on windy two-lane roads, was the case here. It’s sad when viewing how a life is lost that ya can’t get back and how it might not have happened.

they go with the easy way out or no payout at all, ‘costs to much’

 

[Triplegreen500]

courage
and tenacity.

nah...just too stubborn to quit, and too dumb to know any better

 

[Ceedawg]

nah...just too stubborn to quit, and too dumb to know any better

Like you said, only ‘still breathing way’ was to go was up

 

[Ron H]

they go with the easy way out or no payout at all, ‘costs to much’

This is off the post's rails; but your note reminded me about representing the ‘client’ regardless. I helped two HS buds who were injured on the job getting screwed by the work comp carriers. One of them had an attorney worth his weight in turds. Knowing the game well and by qualification, could act-legally as their representative under the state WC laws. They received what they should have after the fiasco of the insurer’s screwing around with them. One got an $18,000 check. Could write a book on this knowing how claim managers and lawyers think. It is a game, not unlike what some of the lawyer shows depict. Opposing insurer's and their lawyers make 'deals' based on what they think is easiest and cheapest...for them and then sell it to the poor schmuck as the best deal = bullshit. Apologies for taking this off the track. Back to your regularly scheduled program.

 

[Budnicks]

I was maybe 10-ish she was 11-12-ish my older sister
on Mt. Diablo getting stung by yellow jackets/hornets
we were just runing around as kids & she kicked/tripped over riled up
a yellow jacket hive
they swarmed on her immediately
I arn over &dragged her away, she got stung like 200 times
I then helped her back to the campground where my parents were...
They rushed US to the ER, in Walnut Creek
she got it bad, started going into shock
I got stung but like 10-20 times don't remember exactly how many
but she was in there for a couple days, deadly allergic today now too...

the ER lady/nurses said; "I saved her life"
I just did what any good brother (or human) would have done

 

[Budnicks]

I was back packing by Mirror Lake in the Sierras, with my family
I was in HS IIRC, we did these trip often when I was a kid
we all were all accustomed to these hikes/campouts etc.
all of US even the youngest, were old hats to it...
My youngest adopted sister Brenda, she like 10 y/o at that time
was right in front of me
we were walking packing along a steep ridge, narrow trail
with a steep drop-off, down to the water, over a granite face...
Brenda stumbled & went/fell over the edge,
all I remember really is;
Me having her by the backpack
& trying to pull her back on up to the trail,
the rest of the family was oblivious to it...
Adrenalin took over...
I got her back up & brushed her off, we were on our way again
she was still scared, I just had her by my side,
until we caught back up to the rest of the group...
I was at the very back of the line, I'm the oldest...
My 2 younger step bros. my 2 younger adopted sisters
my Dad & his 3rd wife/bitch stepmother...

Again
I just did what comes naturally...
"what any good person, human would have done, if they could/should"
I do think I saved her life, probably...
"I was not even thinking that at the time"
it was a couple of hundred feet down that slab/face
then a 100ft more drop to the water/rocks etc.
I was just being the big brother...

she's gone now
she died young at 39, like 15+ years ago now
she was hanging with the wrong crowd & a POS doper truck driver
that was bad news
anyway RIP Brenda

 

[Don Frelier]

I was maybe 10-ish she was 11-12-ish my older sister
on Mt. Diablo getting stung by yellow jackets/hornets
we were just runing around as kids & she kicked/tripped over riled up
a yellow jacket hive
they swarmed on her immediately
I arn over &dragged her away, she got stung like 200 times
I then helped her back to the campground where my parents were...
They rushed US to the ER, in Walnut Creek
she got it bad, started going into shock
I got stung but like 10-20 times don't remember exactly how many
but she was in there for a couple days, deadly allergic today now too...

the ER lady/nurses said; "I saved her life"
I just did what any good brother (or human) would have done

I nearly died from a white faced hornet.
Stung in the forehead coming down the ladder.
Severe anaphalactic shock 5 minutes later. Woke up nearly a day later in the ICU with all kinds of machines and IV's including a big one in my groin.
God and the medical people saved me.
I promised at that time I would be thankful every day.
Unfortunately humans break their promises.

I went for venom shots every month for 3 years.
Started with the smallest shot possible and I became a little dizzy.
Over time they increased the amount of venom.
My arm would be hot and sore for about 3 days and I would be quite tired the first evening.
Towards the end of my treatment just a little warm until the next morning.
I've been tested and have sufficient anti-bodies for bee venom and have been stung by yellow jackets since with little adverse affect.
So it is possible to overcome a natural allergy to stinging insects.

 

[Budnicks]

I have 1 more that's relevant...

I was leaving Concord Honda Pontiac dealership one afternoon
about 4:30, heading to the next job long day...
A biker on a rice rocket 90's Ninja IIRC
was weaving in & out of traffic, an unknowing lady driving a station wagon
pulled out of a adjoining business driveway quickly to merge into traffic
it's usually going along like 40-45mph most days, Concord Ave. busy road...
He turned in right in front of her, he was doing 40+
she was just getting up to speed...
She hit him & drove over his leg (IMO not her fault, he was being stupid)
his leg was mangled badly, compound fracture, bleeding like a MoFo
he was shoved up against the curb on the center island
I saw the whole deal...
I stopped my truck & blocked that lane, put on my hazards
all sort of second nature, got out to see the guy, see if I could help
I knew a bit of emergency medical aid/first aid,
from other of my life experiences...
I immediately saw his leg was mangled crushed beyond repair
he was going to bleed out, already a huge puddle of blood
I yelled to the people around 'looky looing'
call 911 or the Police...
I took my belt off & made a tunicate above his knee,
above the severe injury...
Held it there & tried to calm him down some...
He was in obvious pain & going into shock...
Tried to keep him as calm as possible, telling him it will be OK...
The ambulance & police showed up rather quickly, maybe a couple of min.s
from just up the street...
I let them take over, let the EMT take control of the turnicut

They/cops/emts asked me for my name & address etc. for the police report...
I was just in the right place at the right time...

I was only doing what a good person/human should do,
for another human in dire needs...

I told them exactly what I saw...
It wasn't the lady's fault, she was very distraught
thinking he will die, it was a crazy scene...

A few months later, the guy contacted me & wanted to give me back
'my belt'
they told him I save his life for doing what I did...
He didn't remember much of it...
He kept thanking me...
He said that he was 'kind of a changed person' after that...
That his leg was amputated just above the knee, but he was still alive
thanks to me acting quick & he didn't bleed out on the spot...
He was on the mend...

I was just doing what someone should do

 

[1STMP]

Wow, Bud.
3 lives saved. I would say that is a little
above "doing what someone should do."
And please excuse me if it sounds like
I've discounted those in the medical
fields that work tirelessly to save lives
as well.
Thanks for sharing your stories!

 

[Budnicks]

Wow, Bud.
3 lives saved. I would say that is a little
above "doing what someone should do."
And please excuse me if it sounds like
I've discounted those in the medical
fields that work tirelessly to save lives
as well.
Thanks for sharing your stories!

not trying to gloat or brag
I have 1 more even (of many I could share)...

I'm not sure I'd call it "saved a life",
It stopped him for getting a really bad burn
& more smoke inhalation...
He did get minor burns on his feet
a bit of smoke in his lungs...

I did pull a guy (someone I knew well) out of a burning racecar
at Fremont raceway, mid 80's NHRA point meet
after a bad pass, his caught fire, kicked a rod IIRC
in a door car (S/C 8.90 'cuda, Dave)
he was struggling to get unbuckled,
Fire wasn't too bad yet, an oil fire got to the headers...

I was wearing a 3 layer F/C firesuit driving my 23 altered
I was pretty well protected,
Nomex underwear, fire gloves & fire boots, helmet, with a Nomex sock etc.
I just reached in helped him unbuckle, & then helped/pulled him out
the Safety Safari got there in about 15-30 seconds after that...

I just did what he'd probably do if it were me instead...

(my car had 2 fire suppression Halon systems, for such things,
I had been on fire or oiled down a couple times, better safe than sorry)


---------------------------------------------------------------------

it's stuff you do if you are put in that situation
I think it's more adrenaline than anything else
'being in the right place, at the right time',
with the right mentality or training maybe (?)

I was National Ski Patrol, for years when young
(had been trained elsewhere too, for something else)
I did some hairy rescues doing that stuff too...
I'm not sure I'd say life-saving either,
I think it was just my natural instinct/training to stay calm
knowing what to do, more you do it more it becomes natural (?)...
I'd assume...

maybe I was used to helping people that got hurt
seems I was around it a lot when younger

maybe I was bad luck

 

[1STMP]

"maybe I was bad luck"
I'd say quite the opposite. There are souls
still of this earth due to your actions.

 

[Roger63]

The 2 times I might have been able to help I got there a minute or 2 to late.

 

[1STMP]

The 2 times I might have been able to help I got there a minute or 2 to late.

I hope this hasn't swayed your faith in angels.

 

[Roger63]

I hope this hasn't swayed your faith in angels.

Never sir, I'm not sure what it means or if I'm supposed to know.

 

[1STMP]

I just wanted to wait till later in the thread , you're right and he's wrong, period. I get it and you and I have talked about this kind of stuff before. I still question some things God seems to do, but he knows best. I hope he and I can have that talk when he comes for me one day ................ Hang tight!!!.......... Ulli

"I hope he and I can have that talk when he comes for me one day"
I'm not an overly religious person. I rarely
attend services, instead, rely on integrity,
honesty, and trust. Those three should bring
about that talk. Just my opinion of course,
as I'm not a devine spirit posting responses.

 

[1STMP]

Never sir, I'm not sure what it means or if I'm supposed to know.

You're to know when you're there at the exact moment when a life is saved due to
your actions. In my case, I asked for no
praise.
I didn't consider myself to be a hero, or angel. And without a thought for personal
safety, I had to do something. (Just as
Budnicks pointed out).
A little girls life hung in the ballance.
What drove that instinct to react?