Honestly, John… it seems to me that 911 was called in a timely manner, I think your comment is a bit harsh. Yea, things might have been handled better, but your comment does nothing except to make Elizabeth to feel guilty for doing the best she could. She’ll do better next time as will Hank and Kevin
John, three things. One, it took me longer to write this out than to have Hank call 911 – we were on the phone less than two minutes. Two, given Kevin’s health problems this might not have been a diabetic issue at all – it could’ve been a Parkinson’s issue, and if so, a trip to the ER wouldn’t have helped (and yes, Kevin IS on a fixed income and uninsured–so it matters). That’s why I had him take the BG level rather than drop everything and call… it was only when he couldn’t get a reading on the meter that I knew something was wrong from the diabetes standpoint. And three, I have been told BY MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST that you tend to the low first, and that most paramedics do not know how to properly treat a hypoglycemic emergency (and that they cannot give glucagon without medical authorization–and moreover they won’t let YOU give it if they’re present). Hank was on the scene and needed information, so I gave him what I could and then had him call for help. I also know that Kevin lives fairly close to a hospital, and the medics were at the scene within a minute of Hank’s call. But even then, getting the glucose into Kevin’s mouth was the first order of business once we concluded it was diabetes related and probably a low. What if Hank had called and they HADN’T come right away? Kevin would be dead without the glucose… and maybe they could’ve revived him, but maybe not. So second-guess me if you want, but glucose comes first, not ambulance (brain cells respond to the former, not the latter).
I would perfer Elizabeth near me when I need help. When it’s known that someone has Diabetes and some of the signs indicate a hypo…attention to hypo comes first and then 911 call. I had a dear friend who died because there was no one with her when she had a hypo…hypos can kill!
Gluagon is expensive and since Kevin doesn’t have health insurance he wouldn’t be able to afford it. Last time I priced Gluagon it was in 1999 it was $90 yes I said $90. I had insurance but if I didn’t I might not be here today.
Betty,
I’d want Elizabeth near me, too.
I have been there, and I have dealt with others folks having lows. I will take Elizabeth any day.
rick phillips
Elizabeth, good job. Bless all of you for caring about each other. Even total strangers. Perhaps Kevin would qualify for disability. Then he’d have medical and Rx insurance. Sometimes when a drugstore or insurance provider won’t doesn’t cover certain things. A home medical supply will.
Actually, the guy y’all want is Hank - he’s the one who had the premonition and went over to see his pal! I just happened to be on the other end of the phone 