Written From the Other Side
A Cautionary Tale51 total reviews
Comment from Irish Rain
Oh, how I wish I'd saved a six.
Thank God you are still with us!!
What a way to go...not EVEN fair.
I often wonder that with my meds...
I have 5 big ones and 5 small.
I nonchalantly toss them all in my mouth,
and just know fate's on my side.
How stupid.
THANK YOU for this warning...and this is
a beautiful entry.
I'm sorry you went through that, so
scary...the least you can do is win!!!
Blessings...
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
  |
Oh, how I wish I'd saved a six.
Thank God you are still with us!!
What a way to go...not EVEN fair.
I often wonder that with my meds...
I have 5 big ones and 5 small.
I nonchalantly toss them all in my mouth,
and just know fate's on my side.
How stupid.
THANK YOU for this warning...and this is
a beautiful entry.
I'm sorry you went through that, so
scary...the least you can do is win!!!
Blessings...
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
Don't ever worry about the sixes. Mine are gone by Sunday. Judy, please don't risk it with a mouthful of pills. I've convinced Barbara Wilkey to cut her huge potassium pill in half, or thirds. Thanks for taking the time on my story. Blessings,
Jay
-
You are most welcome, and my pills are getting chopped!! Thanks for your life-saving advice!!
Comment from juliaSjames
Oh Jay. What a fright you had. And what a hair raising tale you told. My dear friend, please take necessary precautions since you live alone.
Cut pills if appropriate and/ or opt for liquid medication
Wear one of those alarm bracelets. The good thing is that you can attach more than one person to the emergency call. So if you can't speak they will call a family member or friend
Be in touch with a family member every day.
Clear your home of tripping hazards
Make a list of your prescription meds to keep in your phone and to pin to your wall
Pray
I'm now in the habit of taking my cellphone with me whenever I'm outside, even to take out trash. Because I fell one early morning and in our usually busy street there was no one around to help. I live with my son and his family and nary an adult or grandkid was peeking out the windows.
I got myself up after a struggle. Adrenaline is useful.
Best of luck in the contest. I think this will end up on the podium.
Stay safe safe safe and blessed
Julia
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
Oh Jay. What a fright you had. And what a hair raising tale you told. My dear friend, please take necessary precautions since you live alone.
Cut pills if appropriate and/ or opt for liquid medication
Wear one of those alarm bracelets. The good thing is that you can attach more than one person to the emergency call. So if you can't speak they will call a family member or friend
Be in touch with a family member every day.
Clear your home of tripping hazards
Make a list of your prescription meds to keep in your phone and to pin to your wall
Pray
I'm now in the habit of taking my cellphone with me whenever I'm outside, even to take out trash. Because I fell one early morning and in our usually busy street there was no one around to help. I live with my son and his family and nary an adult or grandkid was peeking out the windows.
I got myself up after a struggle. Adrenaline is useful.
Best of luck in the contest. I think this will end up on the podium.
Stay safe safe safe and blessed
Julia
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
Julia, thank you for your love and support. Your list of suggests is priceless. I will follow each and every one of them. A few years back, I was urged by a writer here on FS to get a First Alert. I checked the consumer reports for the best rated and called them. The problem was that the price they quote initially is stripped bare, and to get the features that automatically call 911 for you was double the cost: almost $90 a month. I hate false advertising and immediately hung up. Of course, it sounds cheap after the other night.
-
You've got this Jay
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Very nicely told, good work.
You did a very good job painting a picture with your words.
Yes, life is fragile, and suffocation seems like a slow, slow process.
I once dove into a deep lake from a high board. Somehow I got turned around and swam down, thinking it was up. I was very close to passing out before finally reaching the surface.
Now I'm old, you have convinced me to cut large pills in half. Thank you.
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
Very nicely told, good work.
You did a very good job painting a picture with your words.
Yes, life is fragile, and suffocation seems like a slow, slow process.
I once dove into a deep lake from a high board. Somehow I got turned around and swam down, thinking it was up. I was very close to passing out before finally reaching the surface.
Now I'm old, you have convinced me to cut large pills in half. Thank you.
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
Thank you, Wayne. You are about the 5th person who told me they were cutting their pills in half. My God! It must have been horrible to think you're breaking the surface when you crash into the lake bottom. Talk about confusion!
Comment from Spitfire
No sixes left, but I'm betting this will at least place in the contest. I suspected you were having a health problem as your next post hasn't shown up yet.
You learned the hard way to split an uncoated tablet in half. I don't think magnesium pills come as a smooth capsule.
I suffered with you as you described your physical discomfort and panic as to death. Throwing in your last minute thoughts on your wife, son, and cat add realistic touches. I too wonder if anyone here would find me if I unexpectedly die. Eventually, a smell would leak out into the halls, I suppose.
And Rosie is a big concern. If a cat gets hungry will he/she eat human flesh? My son says so.
I have choked up at times and put a finger down my throat to vomit whatever is lodged in my throat. Sometimes, chewing a piece of bread and trying to gulp it down. The thing is, it happens so fast. I think I wrote that my husband chocked to death on a piece of pulled pork that the paramedics pulled out of his throat. Those who witnessed the incidence said his death was quick like ten seconds maybe?
Anyway, I'm glad you're still with us.
Affectionately,
Shari aka Spitifire.
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
No sixes left, but I'm betting this will at least place in the contest. I suspected you were having a health problem as your next post hasn't shown up yet.
You learned the hard way to split an uncoated tablet in half. I don't think magnesium pills come as a smooth capsule.
I suffered with you as you described your physical discomfort and panic as to death. Throwing in your last minute thoughts on your wife, son, and cat add realistic touches. I too wonder if anyone here would find me if I unexpectedly die. Eventually, a smell would leak out into the halls, I suppose.
And Rosie is a big concern. If a cat gets hungry will he/she eat human flesh? My son says so.
I have choked up at times and put a finger down my throat to vomit whatever is lodged in my throat. Sometimes, chewing a piece of bread and trying to gulp it down. The thing is, it happens so fast. I think I wrote that my husband chocked to death on a piece of pulled pork that the paramedics pulled out of his throat. Those who witnessed the incidence said his death was quick like ten seconds maybe?
Anyway, I'm glad you're still with us.
Affectionately,
Shari aka Spitifire.
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
Yes, Shari, I know your husband died from choking. In fact, I thought about you and him as I wrote my story. No, I was planning to post the next scene from the Fanny play tonight, but the other one snuck up on me and I needed to get it posted before tonight. So watch next Saturday for the next scene (that is if I have enough funny money). I don't post my plays unless I can get up to # 3 or 4 on first page. People just don't read plays.
Again, thanks, Shari
Comment from K. Lang-Slattery
Your story was so real and very relevant for any senior living alone. I'm 78 and my partner is 82. Luckily we live together, but before I met him seven years ago, I used to wonder who would find me if I tripped on the stairs or choked on my dinner. Your writing is excellent. It brings forward so many emotions. I like the way you end the piece, reassuring the reader it is totally true. I'm so glad you survived the incident in order to share it with us. Cautionary advice is to never watch comedy while eating or taking pills. Laughing always includes a large inhale at the end and that's the killer.
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
Your story was so real and very relevant for any senior living alone. I'm 78 and my partner is 82. Luckily we live together, but before I met him seven years ago, I used to wonder who would find me if I tripped on the stairs or choked on my dinner. Your writing is excellent. It brings forward so many emotions. I like the way you end the piece, reassuring the reader it is totally true. I'm so glad you survived the incident in order to share it with us. Cautionary advice is to never watch comedy while eating or taking pills. Laughing always includes a large inhale at the end and that's the killer.
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
So that was what happened! The inhale after the laugh. And it wasn't all THAT funny. I mean I wasn't dying laughing! Wait!
Thank you, dear, for reading and for your astute commentary.
Jay
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Wow, what a scary experience artfully told. Your words are well thought out and created great imagery of the situation. I'm thrilled it ended when it did, and you recovered to write this.
Best wishes in the contest.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
Wow, what a scary experience artfully told. Your words are well thought out and created great imagery of the situation. I'm thrilled it ended when it did, and you recovered to write this.
Best wishes in the contest.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
Thank you so much, Jan. I really appreciate you and your kind words. Thank you for being here for me.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That must have been so scary, Jay, and being along, doubly so. You should wear one of those alarm bracelets that connects to your doctor, or the hospital. My parents both had them for when one was left of his-her own. All I can say is, thank God you are alive! Good luck in the contest, my friend! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
That must have been so scary, Jay, and being along, doubly so. You should wear one of those alarm bracelets that connects to your doctor, or the hospital. My parents both had them for when one was left of his-her own. All I can say is, thank God you are alive! Good luck in the contest, my friend! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
It's a funny thing about the "first alert" type of alarms. About a year ago, someone on FS mentioned them. We talked about. She had one and tried to persuade me into getting one. Well, I checked consumer reports and went with the one best rated. When I called to inquire I found that what is advertised to be a certain price turns out to me much dearer. The advertised price was $40 a month, but by the time I had the basic gear I needed to protect myself, it doubled in cost. I ended up hanging up. Now, it sounds mighty cheap!
-
It is worth it. We don't have to pay for it here, it's free on our National Health. We do pay for it indirectly with insurance taken from our wages all through our working lives, the amount depends on your earnings, but it's never much that you would miss it. When you retire, you pay nothing more for the rest of your life. Do think seriously about getting one, though, Jay, I'd hate to think you died because no one knew you needed help. I'd miss you!!!
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Jay, that's quite an experience you had. I fish on the boat by myself and I've thought more than a few times about such a situation. I don't know if thrusting yourself against the back of a chair would serve to dislodge something or not. I've choked before, and it's scary for sure. You wrote your story well, I felt the panic right there with you. Good luck in the contest.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
Hello Jay, that's quite an experience you had. I fish on the boat by myself and I've thought more than a few times about such a situation. I don't know if thrusting yourself against the back of a chair would serve to dislodge something or not. I've choked before, and it's scary for sure. You wrote your story well, I felt the panic right there with you. Good luck in the contest.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
Thank you, Tom. I don't know about fishing alone. I think I would opt for a thermos of soup. No crackers.
Comment from Judy Lawless
Wow, you have made this a very real tale of suspense, Jay! Of course, because you were writing, we knew you'd survived, but still I held my breath. I'm so glad you are still with us. To be able to write this with so much detail shows again what a talented writer you are. I'm sorry I just used my last six, thinking I'd have more by the time you posted again. :) Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
Wow, you have made this a very real tale of suspense, Jay! Of course, because you were writing, we knew you'd survived, but still I held my breath. I'm so glad you are still with us. To be able to write this with so much detail shows again what a talented writer you are. I'm sorry I just used my last six, thinking I'd have more by the time you posted again. :) Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
Don't worry about the six. And don't save any more for me. I won't post the Fanny play until next week.
Comment from Harambe iz ur Daddy
You could also get that much magnesium from an ounce and a half of pumpkin seeds daily. Geez, that would have been an unfortunate end to the great Jay Squires. Although there aren't really a lot of epic ways to die. Thank you for sharing this warning. The moral of the story of course being, don't let animals drink from the toilet.
-Harambe
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
|
You could also get that much magnesium from an ounce and a half of pumpkin seeds daily. Geez, that would have been an unfortunate end to the great Jay Squires. Although there aren't really a lot of epic ways to die. Thank you for sharing this warning. The moral of the story of course being, don't let animals drink from the toilet.
-Harambe
Comment Written 12-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2022
-
I think I'll leave the lid up from now on. Just clean it more frequently. Thanks for reading, Harambe. Oh, yeah, pumpkin seeds slip under my dentures. Ouch!
