Living Alone and Emergency Happends

[ZaireinHD]

I have once again had my "I've fallen! and I can't get up" moment again! the first time this happened to me years ago. I did stop laughing at the commercials. but at that time it wasn't that serious. {2} that is when I started thinking about Life Alert membership. But I didn't know how the emergency team gets into the home? {3} decided not to get a cat!

 

now currently February 4th. I called 911. I fell at home! I lost 100% strength and power in my legs. I was unable to get up; + I was dizzy; + shortness of breath, and could barely remain conscious!  LOL funny now! of course! but I was on the floor in the bathroom thinking OH WELL! THIS IS IT!

cut this story down - I barely had strength to craw to my cell phone to call 911. {I would love to hear that 911 recording!} my voice was nearly faint and the operator repeated and talked to me. confirming to me I was being heard. the police called me back. and asked how are they going to get in my apartment? I said call the management office. another funny thing. for us tenants! I would have to wait hours {at least} for maintenance to come unlock my door. BUT police called! WHOO - NO ISSUES!! LOL I heard the door unlock and thought thank goodness! and nearly passed out once I heard the police yelling where are you? I have been saved!

I barely got the EMT to bring my cell phone and money and ID!!! I was taken out of my apartment NAKED! they put me on a stretcher covered me in blankets. while in the ambulance. I begged to bring my charger to my cell. "is it worth your life for your charger Mr Hampton!" I was so pissed. so I didn't even ask to bring my work bag which has all my medical history! and now off to the closest hospital because I was in serious bad shape! now at the ER. all kinds of compactions, with a LOT of yelling in pain. spent a week in the hospital.

now I am discharged to return home. no one can tell me what happened? no one can tell me will this happened again? and no one can tell me the cause? I have no ride home! I have no clothes! it is winter time! I have no shoes! there is snow and ice outside. I am locked out of my apartment! and once again. it is after hours when the rental office is closed. which is the only number I have to call. {which I will now add the emergency number}. I figured all this shit out and I am back home! trying to think past outside of the box for my next emergency! but at this time. there is nothing I can do? people just expect. when living in the city people do not live alone?

Question:

those of us that live alone. How do you or how would you handle a emergency situation?   

   

[NastyWoman]

My downstairs neighbor and I are good friends. We take our cell phones everywhere so should one of us need help we call the other one. We have keys to each others' condo. Also I have several more friends who would be insulted if I did not call them for help.  I am very lucky to have this support group, I know.

ETA: I am happy that you are safely back home

[ners]

Glad you are back home.  Sorry no one can figure out what was the cause.  That would be most upsetting to me.  

No advice on what your plan should be for the next time.

It does remind me of the time my co-worker had to go in for a test I was fairly certain she would not be allowed to drive home.  I offered to drive her.  She refused my help.  Called from hospital and said she could not drive.  My GM at then had to send to workers to get her and her car from the hospital.  (Advantage of working for a small company)

[dee27]

I hope you are feeling better. Your primary doctor should get a copy of your medical condition from the hospital, but you can get a copy of the medical report after it is transcribed.  We have neighbors who have stepped up to help when needed. 

[busymom]

Holy cow Z!!  (How are we gonna keep you out of trouble?  You need a dog like Lassie, who can run for help, rather than a cat.)  

Do you have any neighbors, or coworkers that you trust?  That'd be my "go to" people in a situation like this.


I hope you're feeling better soon.  And, I'd talk to your primary doctor.  That sounds really scary, whatever happened.  

[resolution]

I think in your situation one of those life alert systems wouldn't be out of place. If you don't have family or friends that live nearby, would your coworkers help you out? There have been several times that we have helped out coworkers when they have had surgery and didn't have family nearby.

[Shooby]

Hospitals have a social service dept and for issues like this you should be able to request that abd they should have helped you with some of those issues.

[chiver78]

yikes, Z. glad you're back home and doing better now. that's some scary stuff.

I lived alone for close to a decade, but I still had family pretty nearby. in fact, one night I wound up at the ER after a hockey game and my parents had to come pick up my car since I passed out in X-ray. they were only a couple towns away, but none of my friends in town could actually drive my manual transmission.....so, um, dad....?

Life Alert is a good idea for you, I think. do you have someone designated as your health care proxy? that's another important thing to consider. you might also want to consider having that person listed as your emergency contact, if you don't already have one. 

[cronewitch]

I bought a single story house that has a combination lock on the garage. My nephew, brother and ISO can let  themselves in. I could give 911 the combination. Nephew is .9 miles away working from home. If I could get to my phone I could get help.

[plugginaway22]

Keep a 'Go Bag' near the door.  Include a change of clothes with shoes, money, extra cell phone charger, extra key to apartment, credit card for a cab/uber, copies of medical records, copies of ID/passport, some water/snacks.  This can all be organized into a backpack ready for whatever.

I would also go back to your family practitioner for a discussion about what it going on with your health, there may be some dietary or lifestyle changes that will help.  Best Wishes to you.

[NoNamePerson]

WOW Z glad you are OK. I don't have any sage advice to offer. Just glad you are OK. But I would be trying to delve into health issues further.

I keep a "Go Bag" similar to what plugginaway22 mentioned but I think of it more in case of fire.

[Shooby]

I think this is a good post.  It would be important to have a key available if you had to call 911 if you fell inside your home and your doors were locked.  And, I think having a "go bag" is an exellent idea.
  As for getting home from the hospital, i believe you could contact Health ride or something like that as well.      

[ZaireinHD]

Feb 9, 2018 22:45:48 GMT -5 resolution said:

I think in your situation one of those life alert systems wouldn't be out of place. If you don't have family or friends that live nearby, would your coworkers help you out? There have been several times that we have helped out coworkers when they have had surgery and didn't have family nearby.

Agreed! but co-workers getting involved in my personal business and my medical business makes me uncomfortable. IMHO.

{1} I do have plenty of people in my life that I can call for help. so I should rephrase! I don't have anyone that is dependable. there are plenty of people that will tell me what I now know is a expression! "if there is something I can do to help. Just let me know Zaire!"

then I call them out on their shit! actions speak louder than words - right? then I take them up on the offer and ask for help. and {1} I get excuses! {2} I would NOT ask for help from someone I feel or I know can not come through to help. I would only ask those that can help. "it doesn't hurt to ask?" oh hell yes it does hurt to ask.   it hurts my feelings!

{2} yes I could have called 6 to maybe 8 co-workers to help me. but I am 100% sure all of them would have told me some excuse, and don't help. then I am left (1) embarrassed (2) hurt feelings (3) still stuck in the same situation (4) now co-workers have something to gossip about and spread around at work.

{3} I was taken out from my apartment naked. do I really want a co-worker involved?  

[ZaireinHD]

Feb 10, 2018 0:26:15 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Hospitals have a social service dept and for issues like this you should be able to request that abd they should have helped you with some of those issues.

yes true! agreed. from my experience. I have been hospitalized every year for the past 4 years at 4 different hospitals. the key words are "should be able to request". at the two previous emergency stay. there were social workers that came to me. {1} this time no one came to see me. also actually I still want to contact the social workers for help with medical options moving forward. {2} the nurses said well they can call for a ride home and I can walk out with the hospital gown and I had on the hospital thick socks.  {3} but that is just to walk out of the hospital and get home. to home I am locked out of. which that is well beyond the hospital ....responsibility?

[ZaireinHD]

Feb 10, 2018 6:23:31 GMT -5 plugginaway22 said:

Keep a 'Go Bag' near the door.  Include a change of clothes with shoes, money, extra cell phone charger, extra key to apartment, credit card for a cab/uber, copies of medical records, copies of ID/passport, some water/snacks.  This can all be organized into a backpack ready for whatever.

I would also go back to your family practitioner for a discussion about what it going on with your health, there may be some dietary or lifestyle changes that will help.  Best Wishes to you.

yes - agreed

because my previous emergency experiences. I have a"go bag" the EMT wouldn't bring it! I was begging to bring my cell. EMT and police only brought my cell, money - cash and ID's with credit cards. my go bag was right in the living room. they wouldn't bring it. I have 3 to 4 cell chargers all around the apartment and IN MY GO BAG! I was told NO! My F-ing keys are on the wall hanging in the kitchen! NOPE  

from experience I know how difficult it is once admitted in the hospital. after my first emergence taken by ambulance is when I learned. (1) how important this stuff is. (2) if I can drive to emergency room DRIVE! (3) I have shitty medical insurance! the ambulance cost or charged $700! that first time! and my insurance paid $250! (4) ambulance will NOT take me to the hospital of choice! but for that kind of cost! they should take me out of the state if I wanted!  

[Tennesseer]

Feb 10, 2018 17:53:20 GMT -5 ZaireinHD said:

Feb 9, 2018 22:45:48 GMT -5 resolution said:

I think in your situation one of those life alert systems wouldn't be out of place. If you don't have family or friends that live nearby, would your coworkers help you out? There have been several times that we have helped out coworkers when they have had surgery and didn't have family nearby.

Agreed! but co-workers getting involved in my personal business and my medical business makes me uncomfortable. IMHO.

{1} I do have plenty of people in my life that I can call for help. so I should rephrase! I don't have anyone that is dependable. there are plenty of people that will tell me what I now know is a expression! "if there is something I can do to help. Just let me know Zaire!"

then I call them out on their shit! actions speak louder than words - right? then I take them up on the offer and ask for help. and {1} I get excuses! {2} I would NOT ask for help from someone I feel or I know can not come through to help. I would only ask those that can help. "it doesn't hurt to ask?" oh hell yes it does hurt to ask.   it hurts my feelings!

{2} yes I could have called 6 to maybe 8 co-workers to help me. but I am 100% sure all of them would have told me some excuse, and don't help. then I am left (1) embarrassed (2) hurt feelings (3) still stuck in the same situation (4) now co-workers have something to gossip about and spread around at work.

{3} I was taken out from my apartment naked. do I really want a co-worker involved?  

Wait until you have your first colonoscopy (or worse). All pride is tossed out the window.

Glad you are better.

[ZaireinHD]

don't get the wrong idea. I am a man. but I get it! I have learned and I listen to women. this "go bag" is my pregnancy bag! that I take with me everyday. when I had my first medical emergency. my stomach was cut open. I didn't ask advise from ANY MAN! I asked women that were pregnant C-Section cut. I had NO stomach muscles and was wondering how to recover; and scaring. no man can answer that?

{2} so basically people need someone? NEED someone dependable I should ask? {3} when people move across the country or out of the USA. to an area they have absolutely no one. for example: people move to NY or CA to be a star!  no family. no friends. no co workers? then tragedy strikes.

 

[toomuchreality]

HOLY MOLY, Z!

I'm glad you are okay!  Sorry to hear you went through this and that you weren't able to figure out what caused it. That's a bit scary and must be frustrating.
Did you wear a hospital gown (or 2) home?



Doesn't First Alert only contact the police, or whoever?  I thought they only contact emergency services for you. That doesn't get them into your home, or any of the other things mentioned. It certainly doesn't help you when you come home.

For years I kept an emergency overnight bag in my trunk.    -I started after losing the tread on my front tire, going 90mph and sitting in the middle of the desert all night long, waiting for the police or the hiway patrol to come. (The tire was not a retread. It took out my windshield and did extensive damage to the front of my car and my engine, so I wanted a police report.)

Occasionally, I spend the night at DD1's because I am taking care of my grand-dogs. Having a bag ready with just a few basic things (including a charger) helps with that. I have started carrying a portable charger in my purse all the time, in case of an emergency. (better than nothing and only cost $5)

Like you, I learned a lot about the things I'd want/need when I was hospitalized once in an emergency.

When I had my last heart attack and called 911, I had to struggle to get to my door and unlock it, so they could get in.
Luckily one of the emergency responders was a woman and asked if I wanted her to grab my purse and cell phone. (Unlike you)
I was SO glad I had on cute pajamas at the time!  LOL

→ Isn't there a number to call for emergency maintenance?  After hours stuff?   That's who I called when my purse was stolen at Walmart, so I couldn't get in my apt. Where I live they charge a $50 lockout fee. But it is waived if you can verify it was an emergency situation. (provide police report case number or something)

I don't have a neighbor or anyone close by with a key either. Sadly, the neighbors I know well, I wouldn't trust with a key to my place. I don't live in the best neighborhood. It's not horrible, but far from the best. I have had neighbors ask if they can leave a key with me, in case of emergency. In the past I have done this, but not now. I don't want to be accused of taking something, when they can't find it. I also don't want to be responsible for them, or to find them in a precarious situation because they didn't want to answer the door for a wellness check. 

Do you have a garage or someplace you can hide a key longterm?


Again, I'm glad to hear you are okay and feeling better!

Take care of you, Z! 

 

[Deleted]

I have a cellular enabled Apple Watch so as long as I’m awake and can talk I could call for help.

[ZaireinHD]

Feb 11, 2018 3:13:02 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

HOLY MOLY, Z!

I'm glad you are okay!  Sorry to hear you went through this and that you weren't able to figure out what caused it. That's a bit scary and must be frustrating.
Did you wear a hospital gown (or 2) home?



Doesn't First Alert only contact the police, or whoever?  I thought they only contact emergency services for you. That doesn't get them into your home, or any of the other things mentioned. It certainly doesn't help you when you come home.

For years I kept an emergency overnight bag in my trunk.    -I started after losing the tread on my front tire, going 90mph and sitting in the middle of the desert all night long, waiting for the police or the hiway patrol to come. (The tire was not a retread. It took out my windshield and did extensive damage to the front of my car and my engine, so I wanted a police report.)

Occasionally, I spend the night at DD1's because I am taking care of my grand-dogs. Having a bag ready with just a few basic things (including a charger) helps with that. I have started carrying a portable charger in my purse all the time, in case of an emergency. (better than nothing and only cost $5)

Like you, I learned a lot about the things I'd want/need when I was hospitalized once in an emergency.

When I had my last heart attack and called 911, I had to struggle to get to my door and unlock it, so they could get in.
Luckily one of the emergency responders was a woman and asked if I wanted her to grab my purse and cell phone. (Unlike you)
I was SO glad I had on cute pajamas at the time!  LOL

→ Isn't there a number to call for emergency maintenance?  After hours stuff?   That's who I called when my purse was stolen at Walmart, so I couldn't get in my apt. Where I live they charge a $50 lockout fee. But it is waived if you can verify it was an emergency situation. (provide police report case number or something)

I don't have a neighbor or anyone close by with a key either. Sadly, the neighbors I know well, I wouldn't trust with a key to my place. I don't live in the best neighborhood. It's not horrible, but far from the best. I have had neighbors ask if they can leave a key with me, in case of emergency. In the past I have done this, but not now. I don't want to be accused of taking something, when they can't find it. I also don't want to be responsible for them, or to find them in a precarious situation because they didn't want to answer the door for a wellness check. 

Do you have a garage or someplace you can hide a key longterm?


Again, I'm glad to hear you are okay and feeling better!

Take care of you, Z! 

 

the light bulb just went off? or just now clicked on after reading this post!

which I am now unable to stop from a small laugh!

all Life Alert is or does is call 911 for me! I have NO idea why I didn't realize that?

+ with that said. that is a hesitation I have for becoming a Life Alert member. I am too young to be in these situations where I am unable to move. and with that said. LOL if I did have life alert. to have someone call for help for me. that would have been great! because I wouldn't have had to help myself. so, currently, it would have been beneficial to be a member. sorry for laughing again at the updated Life Alert commercials. because now they are of older people pressing the button when they are in the park, and out and about.

[Artemis Windsong]

This was a worry for me for years while H. "traveled".  I could have been dead for weeks before anyone would have checked on me.  At that time I had a son and daughter in town.  If I lived alone, it would be the same as before. 

I'm glad you are okay now.  I have no additional ideas to help you.

My brother is in that worry place in another state.  He has 2 sons who don't check on him.  Neighbors are worn down with his alcohol issues.  I get the text from XW in AZ that he's having trouble; and I live 500 miles away.  One of his GrD's is a CNA in nursing home and would have access to services for him.    All that can be done is a well being check that I know of. 

[Artemis Windsong]

I went to AARP website and searched living alone and medical emergency.  A few ideas did come up.

[toomuchreality]

Z, you need to practice this...     "Help!  I've fallen, and I can't get up!"     bwahaha 

And have your bag sitting next to your front door in the future.



My g-ma fell in the bathroom. My sister found her when she went to visit. (before cell phones)

I would be in trouble if I fell and couldn't get to a phone. I don't get visitors. Not even once a month.      -Yikes!  I do occasionally get phone calls, however.  

[ZaireinHD]

problem one {1} calling for help living alone

Problem two {2} being removed from home or where ever without any ID

problem three {3} the discharge from the hospital. EMT and medical people are only concerned with saving your life! no one! and I mean no one is concerned about the afterwards!

meaning you are now about to be discharged from the hospital. you were brought in with clothes on. but the medical emergency to "save your life" your clothes have been cut off. you are now being released from the hospital. without any clothes, and no shoes! the hospital did their part and "save your life" which by the way. the hospital will send you the bill for "saving your life"

the hospital is not going to provide you with clothes and shoes. you don't have someone you can call to bring you clothes and shoes.

OH my! just had a funny thought!

if a single person were on vacation. staying at a hotel. call the hotel for the rescue!

[mmhmm]

I think I'd be more concerned about why this happened and what can be done to prevent it happening again. I'd suggest a full work-up by your physician and, probably, a complete cardiac work-up (including a Holter monitor for 48 hours). I'd want to know the reason why I ended up dizzy, short of breath, and on the bloody floor! Sompin' ain't right there, youngun!

[toomuchreality]

Feb 11, 2018 18:53:34 GMT -5 ZaireinHD said:

problem one {1} calling for help living alone

Problem two {2} being removed from home or where ever without any ID

problem three {3} the discharge from the hospital. EMT and medical people are only concerned with saving your life! no one! and I mean no one is concerned about the afterwards!

meaning you are now about to be discharged from the hospital. you were brought in with clothes on. but the medical emergency to "save your life" your clothes have been cut off. you are now being released from the hospital. without any clothes, and no shoes! the hospital did their part and "save your life" which by the way. the hospital will send you the bill for "saving your life"

the hospital is not going to provide you with clothes and shoes. you don't have someone you can call to bring you clothes and shoes.

OH my! just had a funny thought!

if a single person were on vacation. staying at a hotel. call the hotel for the rescue!

I don't know, Z.  Maybe it depends on the hospital and what they have available.

Due to the circumstances, I don't remember what I was sent home in. But I do remember giving permission for them to cut my clothes off when I 'came to' briefly, after a suicide attempt. I know I've never left in a hospital gown unless I was being transferred to another medical center, by ambulance.

I guess I would have called a cab, or Uber for a ride. I would have asked if I could make arrangements for payment, based on the circumstances if I needed to.


→ What did you do?    
You've talked a lot about how no one helped you with all this stuff.   Did you go home in a hospital gown?  Didn't they provide you with pants/scrubs?      How did you get home?     And how did you finally get inside?


FWIW-  I once had a girl show up at my door. She was someone I'd met (friend of a friend), but I didn't really know her. Before allowing her inside, I told her she had to leave by a certain time. (I didn't know what was going on and I didn't want to be stuck with her.)  My guess is that she was either on drugs currently, or had been for some time previously because not long after getting inside she passed out. -At least she wasn't falling down, breaking and spilling things anymore, I thought.

About half an hour before it was time for her to leave, I began attempting to wake her up so she could make arrangements to go somewhere else. I tried and tried. When it finally got to be the specified time, I woke her up again. But this time, I told her she could either leave by herself, or I would call the police to come and 'help' her, but that she had to go!  This got her attention real quick. Within moments, she was gone. I didn't mean to be harsh or uncaring. But I had done all I could and was willing to do under the circumstances (and then some). She had pushed me way beyond my limits. Where she went and how she got there was not my problem, although she made every attempt to make them mine. 

My point is, that no matter who a person is, what the circumstances are, or how much you care (assuming you do), you simply can't be responsible for everyone's well being. Hospitals see hundreds of people every day. It would be a nightmare.


I get that your circumstances were far from ideal when you were released. But what is it you thought they should do for you after you were released?


Thank you for bringing this topic up, Z.   Like you, I live alone and need to figure out some sort of arrangements, to avoid being caught in similar circumstances, should an emergency arise.



Perhaps you should contact the ambulance service and either file a complaint about the guy refusing to get your bag for you, or make the suggestion that they be willing to grab your bag if it is readily available. Or both. 

[countrygirl2]

I worried about that for years, my husband worked away, I have the disabled DD, so if I'm gone, double worry, no one

to care for her. In Houston I was terrified. One time I had a procedure told them up front I had no one to come and

get me. What coworkers I had, lived on the other side of Houston. At that procedure I explained to the nurse, there was

no way I could drive for several hours. So they put me in a wheelchair and I slept in an alcove for hours till the meds

finally wore off then I was able to drive home.

One time I took a cab, but again where we lived no cab service, hubs always wanted to live in the country or outside

any area with services. 

I had one friend and she helped me a couple of times but it was beyond inconvenient for her, yet she did it.  It's horrible

when you have no family, no close coworkers, and neighbors that were just plain isolationists or something.  I'm like you

to be stranded with nothing, clothes or anything would scare me to death, I hope you find some answers.  Mine is better

now, hubs is home and retired, but sometimes I can't find him as our cells don't always work out here. 

[ZaireinHD]

Feb 11, 2018 19:34:04 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I think I'd be more concerned about why this happened and what can be done to prevent it happening again. I'd suggest a full work-up by your physician and, probably, a complete cardiac work-up (including a Holter monitor for 48 hours). I'd want to know the reason why I ended up dizzy, short of breath, and on the bloody floor! Sompin' ain't right there, youngun!

Busted Zaire!

I just read the original post. I did NOT mention anything about blood loss. but since you figured that out?

ok! here is some more details. my friend made a good joke when she came to visit. I had a heavy period!

>Friday, 02-02 after cooking dinner. nothing new, and something I have had plenty of times. between 12 to 20 minutes later, went to the bathroom, 100% passed blood  later I drank water to the point I felt very full. 3 to 7 minutes later, went to the bathroom, 100% passed blood. later and later, had a sandwich, NOT FULL, 7 to 10 minutes later, went to the bathroom, 100% passed blood. I didn't eat glass! LOL  why is this happening?

> Saturday, all errands got canceled and I was home all day. didn't eat and drink much. too scared! but when I did. minutes later, went to the bathroom, 100% passed blood.

> Sunday, got out of bed! stomach in pain! started to walk to the bathroom. as I stepped in. I lost 100% power and strength in my legs and I fell. then to make it worse. 100% passed blood!  managed to get to my cell by crawling and call 911.

> I spent a full week of testing in the hospital. blood transfer 3 pints and 1 pint of plates? why did this happen? ALL the tests came back with great results. no tears, no rips, no cancer, kidneys are good, no source where the bleeding came from, no answer will this happen again, no answer can this be prevented, and the bleeding has stopped.

so what the fuck!

now my body has to make my own blood. my job on day 4, and 5 was calling me aggravating the shit out of me! Pun intended!  I am very frightened to eat and drink! lastly, I have a "go bag" and the EMT and police wouldn't bring it! they didn't bring my clothes or keys to the apartment! they only covered me up in blankets and hauled my nasty naked ass out the door!

your life is more important save you Zaire!   lastly, again. I was in and out of consciousness?

> in conclusion

I am prepared for an emergency. I had things in place. but when it came time! it all fell apart!

> lets keep this between us! don't let the guy that got fired in Hawaii find out!

 

 

[ZaireinHD]

Feb 12, 2018 23:35:26 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

I worried about that for years, my husband worked away, I have the disabled DD, so if I'm gone, double worry, no one

to care for her. In Houston I was terrified. One time I had a procedure told them up front I had no one to come and

get me. What coworkers I had, lived on the other side of Houston. At that procedure I explained to the nurse, there was

no way I could drive for several hours. So they put me in a wheelchair and I slept in an alcove for hours till the meds

finally wore off then I was able to drive home.

One time I took a cab, but again where we lived no cab service, hubs always wanted to live in the country or outside

any area with services. 

I had one friend and she helped me a couple of times but it was beyond inconvenient for her, yet she did it.  It's horrible

when you have no family, no close coworkers, and neighbors that were just plain isolationists or something.  I'm like you

to be stranded with nothing, clothes or anything would scare me to death, I hope you find some answers.  Mine is better

now, hubs is home and retired, but sometimes I can't find him as our cells don't always work out here. 

yup! exactly. same boat, life raft!

lets throw some more complications with this situation.

> those EMT and police saw the condition of my apartment with all this blood! OH MY GAWD!!  LOL then I was one moment talking clear and the next moment nearly passed out! LOL

Crazy times

> previous experience with a ambulance ride. as someone mentioned in a different thread. nope! costs too dam much for an ambulance ride. I would drive myself, or call a cab! now I am going to be charged! I do understand the extreme high price of the ambulance. but with that said. only in an emergency  

[weltschmerz]

Don't you have a cat? Who fed the cat while you were in  the hospital for a week?