Orangeous Dailies

I was on my way home after dinner when my mum called. Her good friend’s husband had passed away 4 hours ago, and she badly needed a lift to her place. So I picked her up from the hospital and we both went over. Mum told me what had just happened, during the journey there :

Mum received a call late afternoon from her friend. Her husband had a heart attack, collapsed at home, after complaining of chest pains. She called my mum who was at work. Crying over the phone, she wasn’t sure what to do. Mum told her to get an ambulance. By the time they had arrived at the hospital, it was too late.

It was 11pm when I arrived. The lights in the house were still on. And I was greeted by a lady and her three children. All of them had swollen, puffy eyes after a huge bout of crying. I felt depressed seeing them. I didn’t know what to say, except for I’m really sorry to hear about what happened, and I sat there on the sofa, silently observing everything that was going on around me.

Her husband’s wallet was lying on the table. I recognized the typical huge bulgy worn-out black leather wallet my Dad always carries around. His handphone was switched off.

Mum and her friend, with her other friends, were in a room, discussing about casket services, insurance and autopsy procedures. He had his own business, so they were also discussing on issues relating to company accounts. Mum assured her that she would talk to the coroner. They picked out a suit for the deceased to wear, during the funeral.

I leaned back on the sofa, and thought of how sad it would be for me to lose my dad all of a sudden. I spoke to her daughter. And this was what she told me :

I had just finished my test. The results were instantly displayed on the computer and I had gotten full marks. I was so happy and I wanted to go home to share the news with everyone. Then my mum called and told me to come down to the hospital immediately. I rushed out of the lab. One of my friends accompanied me to the hospital, while the rest helped me pack up my belongings.

I felt so sad after hearing those words, and the only thing that came out of my mouth was :

You have really good friends.

I wished I could have said something which sounded better.

It was midnight when mum finished consoling her friend, who looked distraught and weak, we headed back home. Mum was hungry, so we stopped by the roadside for some prata. And we had a short conversation about the whole incident.

Me : Do you think anything could have been done after he collapsed?

Mum : CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). But she was crying and in a shock.

Me : Could it have saved him?

Mum : Yes.

Me : How sure are you on that?

Mum : I’m a CPR trainer. What do you mean I don’t know? It’s been proven many many times.

Me : Then what if you’re not sure on how to do that.

Mum : Just keep pumping away. Four-second interval. Now they are debating over whether it is possible to keep pumping away at the chest, without the need to blow into the mouth.

Me : So if auntie administered CPR, would he have had a second chance?

Mum : Yes, most likely.

If you’re unsure of how to perform CPR, I suggest you learn it today.

http://globalcrisis.info/cpr.html

CPR might just make the difference between life and death, and one day, you might need to use it.

If you’re skeptical about this, I’d suggest you jolly-fucking-well listen up. Don’t ask me to touch-some-fucking-wood or any of those superstitious crap. Shit happens all the time, and when you would least expect it. It’s how you deal with it that makes the difference.