I'll start with I'm doing okay and should be back to 100% in a day or two.

Setup:
I'm divorced after 32 years and until 16 months ago I had never lived alone.

This morning I gave blood and without all the details I passed out.  I've been poked and prodded and cut-up more in the past few years that it caught me totally off guard.

Two hours later I was getting worse and worse.  I had thrown up everything in me and barely had the strength to stand up.  I was at work which is about 45 minutes from home by public transit.  A ride share was not really an option since I knew I would be getting sick on my way home.  I have a super-duper awesome friend, my guardian angel, about 30 minutes away who came and picked me up and dropped me off at home.  They had to get back home so they couldn't stay.

At least I was safe at home or was I? I laid down on the floor and passed out.  I think it was about 2 hours later when I came to and realized I was too weak to get to the kitchen to get anything to eat.  Even if I did, there was nothing there that someone who can't hold anything down can eat.  I'm in big trouble was running through my mind.

Then a neighbor texted me and asked if I needed anything from the grocery store.  "Yes, chicken soup and some sports drink."  I have now successfully eaten something without losing it and I'm feeling well enough to type this.

If you live alone, the lesson to be learned is two-fold:  Find at least two people (a group of +3 including you) who you make a promise to each other that you are always available to help in a situation like that. The other is make sure you have something in your pantry like a can of soup, maybe some crackers and something to drink that's more than water.

I was really scared for my safety this afternoon and I don't want anyone else to feel as helpless from a medical standpoint.

Again, I'm doing WAY better after getting some soup and crackers in me.

@Denise
Dear Denise:
Wow... what your wrote is a definite tug on my heart-strings to hear your story.   Yes indeed, living alone without some close friends or neighbors that regularly check up on you without any prodding and without notice are a good thing to have for sure.

I am glad that you are OK...   besides maybe giving too much blood and perhaps not eating right well after your surgery... what do you think the cause of your passing out was?   Based on the severity of your symptoms I am very surprised that you did not go directly to the Hospital Emergency Room, but thank God your friend was aware and that your neighbor checked up on you.

I am trusting and hoping that you chicken soup and cracker solutions work for you but please if you feel weak, call your friend and neighbor and get yourself to the ER right away.

Thank you for scaring me with your posting and thank you for sharing your experience that may help others here on the forums.

Fortunately for me I have several close friends and a few suitors that are always calling on me and Ii have many regular activities and days at my office and my next door coffee shop... and if I am missing in action at my office, at the coffee shop or not answering my texts or phone I will certainly get a personal visit to check up on me.

Again, I am glad that you are OK....  please keep us updated so that I do not worry any more than I am already.

HUGS and best wishes,
Danielle

First off, let me say that I'm glad you're doing better. 

Second, your friends are wonderful, keep them around!

Third, that's a excellent idea, having friends that you can count on when you're not feeling well.  It can certainly help those that live alone to have backup when its needed, especially in a situation similar to what you went through.

Take care and be well. 

Ryuichi

Wow, I have to agree with Danielle that a trip to the hospital would have been pretty high on my list of things to do in this case.  Having people you can count on is definitely a good thing, especially when living alone. 

I hope you are feeling better Denise. Yes having friends you can rely on priceless. Having at least 3 days of food and water, supplies recommended, be able to "shelter in place".

Take care

Cynthia -

I am glad you are OK, you certainly gave me a scare and can understand how frightened you must have been.   It seems your body has not totally recovered from your surgery in December, four months is still a short time.   Coincidently I am one day behind you in GRS and my village had a blood donation drive yesterday.   I looked at the post on Facebook and said not for this girl!!   As a Jew, I certainly agree with your choice of chicken soup as a cure!   Be well!

Hello Denise

That is a scary story but I am pleased you are now feeling better.

Your advice to always have in the house some solid nutritional food and drink is very wise.

I live alone and I am moving house in June/July and I shall take your advice and attempt to make friends with accommodating neighbours aswell as hopefully maintaining my present contacts.

Hugs

Pamela   

It is scary when that happens. I am glad you are ok now. It happened to me when I lived in the California. Everyone I knew had gone back to their families for Christmas and I caught the flu. Was unable to move, had zero fluids near me, had no idea how my medical insurance worked in a foreign land, and didn't have a phone to contact anyone or anyone to contact. In the end I had to drag myself to a tap for fluids and it took me all of the day to do so. After that, I always keep a bottle of water near the bed and sleep with my mobile near by... and the first thing I did when I got back to work was ask how the medical insurance works.

I hope you get back to 100% soon. A very useful post and a fine reminder... especially for the future when transitioning. 

Take care

love
Alice

Denise, that is a scary story!  I am glad you are doing better now, and that you have friends and neighbours who can help you.

People don't just pass out for no reason.  They certainly don't stay out for two hours without a reason.  If something like that ever happens again, call 911!!

Good morning (at least here in Chicago)

Today is a fresh new day.  I didn't set my usual 4:00am alarm (dilation before work) so I'm running about 1:45 behind my normal schedule.  To all the "I think I would have gone to the ER!" I thought about it and decided all they would do would put me on an IV for fluids and send me home a few hours later.  In hind site what the hospital would have offered was someone to monitor me.  Next time I'll put it higher up on the list.

By 9:00 I was feeling 90% better (yes Chicken soup is the cure for everything) and I slept like a rock.  This morning I'm still a little weak, but drinking fluids and I feel good.  I did lose 4 pounds (1.8kg) in 24 hours.  Sadly, probably all water weight.

Thank you all for your concern...now on to the next exciting adventure of life.

Holy Syncope, Batwoman! I think I would have passed out again just due to the fear. We can be stubborn sometimes, thinking we can handle such things, but the idea of getting the pros involved when it gets that extreme has merit.

I work alone in my shop most of the time, and there's always concern that I'll get hurt while there's no one nearby. It's why I try to have my phone on me all the time. It's a little harder now, since women's clothes tend to have only ornamental pockets, if any at all, though generally while working the uniform is jeans or shorts with pockets.

I'm glad you're feeling better. Take care of yourself, and put some stuff in your pantry!


Stephanie

Glad to hear you are doing better.  Great advice.

Best regards,

Bea

Being sick and alone is definitely a scary feeling. I'm glad you are feeling better. Rest up.

Denise, Holy crap When I started reading this thread I got freaked out. I was immediately reminded about your GRS in December and was afraid something had come off the rails.

I've never passed out that I can remember? I have been so sick I literally thought I was going to die though.

Lots of love.

Lisa

Quote from: Lisa89125 on April 26, 2019, 08:59:43 PM
Denise, Holy crap When I started reading this thread I got freaked out. I was immediately reminded about your GRS in December and was afraid something had come off the rails.

I've never passed out that I can remember? I have been so sick I literally thought I was going to die though.

Lots of love.

Lisa

Lisa,

Not GCS related.  That recovery is going like gang busters.  All is good and if my libido were a little higher, I would definitely be able to reach full, ummm, let's say results.

Thanks again all.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

@Denise
Dear Denise:
            Holy Moly ...
.... hang on to your hat, you have snow coming to Chicago soon. 
I saw on the national weather forecast that you, along with other Northern States all the way past Buffalo, NY will be getting a blast of late April snow!  They are saying it might be about 5 - 7 inches or so.

Here where I live, just earlier this week on Tuesday I woke up to find that a foot or more of snow fell overnight and it snowed more for the next day or two.

I think that this may impact your Bike Riding exercise routine... perhaps an indoor gym might be in order.

If it looks like you get stuck at home, be sure to have some groceries on hand in your cupboards!

Hugs and best wishes,
Danielle

The snow is just starting.
I got home from the grocery store a few minutes ago with veggies for the next few days and a few cans of soup.
All set.

and my indoor trainer will get a workout later today.

Quote@Denise
Dear Denise:
            Holy Moly ...
.... hang on to your hat, you have snow coming to Chicago soon.
I saw on the national weather forecast that you, along with other Northern States all the way past Buffalo, NY will be getting a blast of late April snow!  They are saying it might be about 5 - 7 inches or so.

Here where I live, just earlier this week on Tuesday I woke up to find that a foot or more of snow fell overnight and it snowed more for the next day or two.

I think that this may impact your Bike Riding exercise routine... perhaps an indoor gym might be in order.

If it looks like you get stuck at home, be sure to have some groceries on hand in your cupboards!

Hugs and best wishes,
Danielle

@Denise
Dear Denise:
Thank you for your quick response.
 
I am much relieved knowing that you are prepared for the storm.
Be certain to eat regularly, stay hydrated, stay in, and stay safe...etc....

Hugs and best wishes,
Danielle

Quote from: Denise on April 27, 2019, 11:01:08 AM
The snow is just starting.
I got home from the grocery store a few minutes ago with veggies for the next few days and a few cans of soup.
All set.

and my indoor trainer will get a workout later today.

Did I miss summer?  April 27, 2019.  That's snow for those of you in warmer regions.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

Burrr. Looks cold! I remember when I was a kid living in PA and upstate NY we would sometimes get blizzards. The cold and snow didn't bother me then but it does now. I am glad I don't live there anymore. I just wish NC winters were not so damp. It just cuts straight through me.

Denise, I was worried that you had gotten some kind of infection or something from your operation. I am glad your feeling better. Hugs!!!

P.S. We need a hugs emoji.

Lisa