A life in the balance................

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Please forgive me. This is neither mundane nor pointless. But, since we both spend most of our time here, I felt it was the place to put this story. I’m telling you because he won’t blow his own horn, and he’s in the air on his way back to UAE at the moment.

On Monday, Memorial Day, we went up to a nearby lake<Canyon Lake, for you Texans> for some badly needed alone time. While I stayed in our rented trailer fixing dinner, he wanted to check out the marina. Finding it closed already, he started back, and heard someone at the swimming area calling for help. He saw someone from a nearby boat diving for someone, so he quickly drove up to the MP’s <Military Police, this is an Army area> and told them to call for an ambulance. Driving back down to the water’s edge, he got there just as they were pulling a little girl out of the water, she had drowned. He immediately started CPR on her and kept it up, with some help from someone else a few minutes later, til the ambulance got there. He came back to me very shaken and almost certain that she wouldn’t make it.

I should add that he’s an EMT and a CPR Instructor; he’s a Medical Skills Instructor overseas now. He also teaches, and has for years, many other types of life-saving skills.

We were able to find out that she did live through the night, and had been transfered to a hospital in San Antonio, where we live. So, today, before he got on his plane, we went to see her, and took her a card and a stuffed monkey with some foreign coins in the coin pocket. Turns out she’s in the Pediatric ICU, and not expected to live much beyond tonight or tomorrow. All of the family members, once they found out who he is, came over and shook his hand, and said with tears in their eyes, how grateful they were for all he had done for her. She’s 8yrs old, her name is Alison Cardenas, so please pray for her, everyone.

He did say as we were leaving that at least, if she doesn’t make it, he was able to buy the family time to say goodbye to her. That’s why he does it, on the chance that he can save a life. He’s pretty torn up about it, the young ones always hit him hard, no matter how many times it has happened to him over the past 22+ years.

I just wanted you all to know what a wonderful man I’m married to, and that I love him so much. He’ll be at his place sometime late tomorrow night, CST, so hopefully he’ll see this soon after.

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Good job!

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What a sad story. Purplebear, let us know what happens to that little girl!

Your husband is a hero.

This should be a reminder for everyone to take a CPR class (and parents should take a child CPR class.) You never know when it may come in useful.

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Purplebear, you did marry a most wonderful man.

My prayers go out to the little girl and her family, she definately had God on her side, to Have MrBear at that spot right then. At least the parents will be able to say good-bye to their little angel before she (hopefully not) passes away.

MrBear is a hero, all the way through, and we need more people like him in this world.

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Purplebear, your husband really did a wonderful thing. Little Alison is in my prayers.

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I can’t say much more than those above have said, except that he had the chance to walk away and didn’t take it.
That’s what makes a hero.

My admiration goes to him, and my congratulations to you for finding someone like him.

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I do hope she makes it, but if not it won’t be for your husband’s lack of effort.

I’m truly sorry you had to experience this. I won’t go on.

A hearty bravo to Mr. purplebear and take care, dear.

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Thank you all very much for your support and comments. Irishman, thank you.

Arnie, I quite agree. Everyone should take CPR classes, to include children’s CPR, since it is done differently.

Pipefitter, you are a dear, as always. Thank you for being such a good friend to us. I’ll miss you while you’re in Saudi for those 2 weeks.

Demo, thank you. She does need our prayers.

rjk, thank you, I quite agree on all counts. I am very blessed to have him in my life.

Thank you, beatle. You are truly kind. I am trying to do that, just have to remember to sleep and eat and take care of the kids.

I promise to keep everyone informed about her status. The family has my phone number and address, and they said they’d keep in touch. Thanks to all.

{{{{{{GroupHugs}}}}}}

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Purplebear, already know cpr, learned it in the Army, rescue breathing too, and some additional first aid and combat lifesaving courses.

for your husband…
Too many heroes go unappreciated these days
too many heroes go with their stories unsung
too many heroes we don’t hear about,
not heroes just because they served and fought for their country
not only because they were there to save a life
but because they were there to make a difference with just a simple bit of initiative and motivation
brought on by love

and you deserve what he has to offer you obviously
and he obviously deserves you.
and that little girl, bless her soul, is fortunate to have had you both in spirit for your husbands actions

glad to have people like you aboard this ship Earth. :slight_smile:
thanx

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Your husband is an excellent, caring man. I wish morepeople could be that way. She will be in all our hearts.

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soulsling, he is also retired Air Force, btw. One of the things he did was teach combat medical care, for 7yrs on Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio. I thank you for your kind words on his behalf.

On mine: :o Thanks. :o

I do agree, he is a very special man.

Thank you, Monster104.

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Hubby is definitely a hero and I’m glad you both got to meet the family as well. How very sad that this young lady will have such a short life. My prayers are with her as well.

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To my sweet friend… You are married to a wonderful man. You yourself have done a little CPR… Thank you for coming into my life…

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HI Purple,
I dont pray very often, but I have a huge respect for your husband, and my thoughts are with that child.

Thanks for the story. ITs good to see that there are people like your husband in the world.

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Speaking for everyone who has lost a loved one without the chance to say goodbye, you have given them a gift that they will find immense comfort from, regardless of the outcome. There have been many times I have longed for just one minute. Thank you, for all of us.

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You are right; everyone should learn CPR, and child CPR is different; I’ve taught both for many years, as well as BLS.

Alison is in my prayers and thoughts; Three cheers and kudos to PapaBear! I know it wasn’t easy for him; he will carry a little piece of Alison with him, as I know he does every other person he worked on in his career.

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Hello all. I just tried to get an update on Alison, but the phone to the Ped ICU was busy. I’ll try again in a little while. Thank you so much for your prayers and support, and your wonderful comments about Mr Bear.

CanadianSue, yes, I am glad we got to meet some of the family also. It was very hard, seeing her laying there like that, all those tubes sticking out everywhere. I was crying when we left that floor.

GBS, you are most welcome, girlfriend. Anytime. :o

John, thanks, I think so too.

Dragonlady, I’m so sorry that you didn’t get that minute. I know the feeling too well, I’m afraid. Thank you.

VB, my dear friend. Thank you for that. You are right, he will carry a little piece of Alison, as he does all of the people he has worked on over the years.

I’ll keep you updated as I find out anything.
{{{{{{{{{GroupHugs}}}}}}}}}

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Purplebear, my heart goes out to Alison, her family, you and Mr. Bear right now. I had the privilege of saving someone’s life with the Heimlich maneuver once. I think I was almost as shaken after the ordeal as he was, so I do know how Mr. Bear is feeling right now. Except that there is a chance that Alison may not make it and that’s surely got to be much, much worse. Bless him for his bravery and quick thinking and actions.

I know this may sound strange, but I’m getting a really strong feeling, kindof calm and peaceful but very absolute, that Alison is actually going to suprise the doctors and pull through this. She’ll regain consciousness briefly tonight and then sleep peacefully until morning. She’ll be aware of her surroundings and family by tomorrow. It will be a long recovery until she regains all her ability to walk and talk fully, but with continued therapy she’ll be as good as new some day.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} to Mr. Bear for all he did for her.

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PurpleBear…
As a mom of a 6 year old little girl, this story struck home. I am so glad there are still people out there who would jump in and help someone in trouble. So many people just walk away and don’t look back. I am so happy to know that maybe if that was my little girl, someone would have been there to pull her out of the water and help her.
As a mommy, I can tell you without any shadow of a doubt that her parents DO appreciate any extra time they have now with their daughter. Your husband is a true hero not only to them, but to me as well.

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Consider my prayers added as well.