Know Your Numbers—It Could Save a Life
We’ve all been there—when a loved one falls ill and the world stops turning. But what if I told you that something as simple as knowing a few key numbers could make all the difference?
In mid-August, my family member came home from the golf course looking unusually pale. He skipped lunch, went straight to bed, and didn’t eat another bite that day. Late that night, the vomiting started, followed by diarrhea. The first thought? A nasty GI bug that would clear up in a day or two. But when seven days passed with no improvement, it was time to act. A visit to urgent care led to a hospital admission for dehydration and acute kidney injury. Ten days later, we finally brought him home, but what happened in between was eye-opening.
Here’s what I learned:
- Your Touch is Powerful: When my daughter noticed his pulse seemed off, I confirmed it with a simple pulse check—just my fingers on his wrist. The beat was all over the place—gallops, pauses, slow beats. We knew his usual heart rate, and this wasn’t it. We spoke up, and though the hospital was slow to respond, our vigilance mattered.
- Know Your Baseline: As we monitored his lab results online, something didn’t add up. His hemoglobin had always been steady despite his chronic leukemia, but now it was low. We brought it to the physician’s attention—no response. But knowing his usual numbers empowered us to keep pushing for answers.
- Weight Tells a Story: After ten days of barely eating, he’d gained three pounds. That’s not right, we thought. By the time we transitioned to home care, the gain was up to 14 pounds. We knew his normal weight, and this was way off. We alerted the recovery team, and the IV fluids were stopped. Again, knowing his baseline made all the difference.
In moments like these, when fear creeps in and the unknown looms large, it’s easy to feel helpless. But there’s something powerful we can all do—know our numbers. Blood pressure, pulse, respirations, weight—these simple metrics can guide critical decisions.
So next time you’re at the doctor, ask about your baseline numbers. Write them down, keep them handy, and share them with your loved ones. You never know when they might save a life.
Take a moment today to check in with your loved ones. Knowing these simple numbers could be the key to a healthier, safer tomorrow. And if you’ve had a similar experience, I’d love to hear your story—together, we can spread awareness and keep each other safe.