I have been off the grid since Thursday evening.

For the first time in my life, I passed out.

I was at work about 7:45 p.m. Thursday working on some motions in a federal criminal case.  I hadn’t been feeling good all week.  Thursday, I had been coughing like a maniac.

After finishing my latest coughing fit at about 7:45 p.m., I noticed that either I had been out cold or was about to go out.  It was like I was either about to enter or had just left some major tunnel vision. 

Then I was sweaty, felt like throwing up and filling my pants, and was light headed and confused.

I grabbed my cell phone, made my way to the front office door, unlocked it so someone could get in without busting it down, laid down, then called my wife Donna to come and get me.  I thought about calling an ambulance but then I also thought about the high cost of the ambulance ride.  (I hope my conservative critics will give me points for saving on unnecessary health care costs.  But believe me, I was tempted.)

Donna arrived about 8:15 and hauled me into Avera McKennan’s ER where I underwent a bunch of tests.

I was treated extremely well by the McKennan staff, who were all very polite, efficient, and professional.  My ER visit was a very good experience.  If you think you are near death, I highly recommend the Avera ER.

Fortunately, I had only irritated some nerve that runs up the stomach and it had put me down for the count.

If you’ve never blacked out, I don’t recommend it.  I spent most of my time in the ER afterward in a sort of time warp where I was about :30 behind everyone else.  My wife said it was the first time she had ever seen me at a loss for words.  I really couldn’t say what I wanted to say.

I spent all day Friday and most of today sleeping and trying not to cough.  I still feel like crap and plan on spending most of Sunday in bed as well trying to beat this crud I have.

But at least I’m keeping the shiny side upright.  And I’ll write more once I feel better.

Technorati Tags: Avera McKennan, fainting, black outs, ER, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Powered by ScribeFire.