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Looking back
Hello from someone who almost wasn't here! We've all got meaningful dates in our lives: Holidays, special occasions, birthdates of friends and families, anniversaries, a survive-a-versary ... Wait. What?
I would have asked the same question before this date last year. A "survive-a-versary" marks the annual occurrence of the day you should have died, but didn't. You're probably ahead of me by now, but mine is May 2 and this May 2 marks one year since Death paused for me, but ultimately didn't stop. (Apologies to Emily Dickinson.)
To spare you several tedious details, I had an ulcer sitting like a time bomb in my small intestine. I didn't know it until, early morning May 2, 2021, it penetrated an artery and even then, I didn't appreciate what was going on.
So I under-reacted, not going to the ER for about 12 hours and then, only at the insistence of the friend who took me there. I got a helicopter ride out of the deal, about five bags of blood, endoscopic surgery, and an "emergent" transfer to interventional radiology for a coil embolism while I was out cold (and a bill for two hospitals).
But I lived, when by all rights, I shouldn't have.
I learned: People do care. I have an amazing family. I have amazing friends. There is amazing care available right in this area. And a near-death experience doesn't look or feel like you think it does.
I am still trying to match up what I logically know (the severity of the incident) with what I felt: No pain, just wonderment at all the "fuss" people were making, sheer boredom at being stuck in a hospital bed when people who "really" needed care should have been there, and, now, a relentless fascination with GI bleeds.
Myth: Stress causes ulcers. (I can confirm, however, that it doesn't help!)
Myth: Certain foods cause ulcers and milk is "good for" ulcers. They do not. It is not.
I did not have the bacterial infection. They put my ulcer down to NSAIDs, which, I was told, stripped the protective lining from around my intestines (think of the sliminess of fish scales, my gastro-doc said; it's there for a reason).
Unanswered: The reason for the prolonged pain that prompted me to take the NSAIDs. But I have not experienced much of it since.
Another tidbit: Randomly, while looking up information about my deceased great-uncle's military record, I found out he survived WWII a hero, only to die, age 39, of ... an ulcer. Specifically, after surgeries for the ulcer.
I don't offer that to suggest there was a genetic link at play. Rather, it shows what a difference even just a few decades can make in surviving a medical emergency, as the surgery available for Uncle Edward was not the same as the treatment available for me in 2021. Even with the added emergency, my time under was only about two hours. And once my hemoglobin levels were safe, I walked out of the hospital, physically none the worse for wear. Those treatment advances are why I'm still (at least as of this writing) here. If there is no other takeaway from my words, seek immediate help if you are experiencing the symptoms of an ulcer and if you are vomiting blood, call 911. (Apologies for the one gory detail.) Do not wait. As they say in Monopoly, "Do not pass go; do not collect $200." And, I'll add: worry about the bills later.
So today, I'm on a short break for reflection/celebration — a "survive-a-versary." This is Katharhynn from the newsroom, raising a glass and thanking you for bearing with me.
Quick note
Last week, I praised the massive response to the unfortunate fire at Hartman Bros.
As I feared I would, I omitted mentioning two key players: The Olathe Fire Protection District and the Delta Fire Protection District. They provided mutual aid, including coverage of other calls during the emergency. Thank you, OFPD and DFPD!
In case you missed it ...
Three Gunnison police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Gerry Cooper last year in an apartment complex parking lot were justified in using deadly force.
The skinny: The 7th Judicial District Critical Incident Team determined that Cooper, who was wanted on a warrant and heavily intoxicated by methamphetamine, resisted the officers who responded to the trespassing complaint involving him Nov. 11, 2021.
During the fracas, as the officers tried to get Cooper to step out of the stolen vehicle he was in, he revved the engine, backed up, hit patrol units, and his open door struck Sgt. Joe Engleman, knocking the man down and dragging him.
Fearing he would be killed, the officer fired twice. A second officer on scene, who saw Engleman go down, thought the same and fired three times to defend Engleman.
You can read the full story HERE.
(Screen shot shows body camera footage from the incident)
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