# What a Week I'm Having... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 18, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871 "2013-07-18T18:30:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/1 "2013-07-18T18:30:55Z")
Yesterday, I did some yardwork. Trimmed this and that, cut the grass, etc. Nothing unusual. I parked the mower in the driveway, and got the hose to clean it off. I bent over to hook up the hose, and saw sparkles. Then darkness.:eek: Woke up sometime later with my wife yelling & slapping me while Jr. called the amberlamps. I was out of it for a while, then my buds from station 3 showed up to make fun of me. After verifying I didn’t have a stroke, of course. “Someone hand me a screwdriver. Get that FD plate off his truck!” And here I keep them supplied with baked goods and steaks all the time! Heat stroke. Dehydrated. 90 degrees out. Mrs. keeps saying “I thought you said you were smart.” I thunk I was. Went and sat in the pool to cool down for an hour. Remember to drink your [del]Ovaltine[/del] Gatorade So, I’m resting today and check my email. A city bus backed over my wife’s car, and she didn’t even have the presence of mind to grab her neck and fall over screaming in soft tissue damage pain!:smack: Great. All I see on TV during the day is personal injury attorneys, and now I can’t even use one! Tomorrow I go to the dentist to fill a cavity. So I’ve got that going for me, which is nice. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/2 "2013-07-18T18:52:44Z")
Here’s hoping your summer only gets better from here. Glad you’re OK. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/3 "2013-07-18T19:05:34Z")
Heh - I was digging in the sun yesterday (I dig all the time; it’s my summer hobby), putting in some patio blocks, and every time I stood up, it took a little longer for the fog to clear. It occurred to me that I should go sit in the shade and drink something for a while. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/4 "2013-07-18T19:17:49Z")
Look on the bright side, at least a cow didn’t fall on you … yet. ---
**Author:** ![bartleby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bartleby/32/10491_2.png) [@bartleby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bartleby)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/5 "2013-07-18T21:27:16Z")
Holy cats, you sure you want to go to the dentist tomorrow? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/6 "2013-07-18T22:29:17Z")
It’s not too late, **ducati**. In fact, delayed onset of 12-36 hours is a classic hallmark of cervical spran/strain. Takes a while sometimes for adrenaline to go away and inflammation & muscle spasm to set in. She might have a (legitemate) claim yet. But stay away from the TV attorneys. Their primary function in to enrich themselves and the doctors they refer clients to. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/7 "2013-07-18T22:36:08Z")
Tuesday, I repotted a plant on my porch, which took about 5 minutes, and I was dripping wet. I can’t imagine having to work outside in this weather. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2013, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/8 "2013-07-18T23:50:19Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Tuesday, I repotted a plant on my porch, which took about 5 minutes, and I was dripping wet. I can’t imagine having to work outside in this weather. Tuesday I unscrewed the hardware for my curtain rods and moved them a couple of inches. Took less than 10 minutes and I was slick with sweat. I can’t imagine working outside for 5 minutes to pot a plant in this weather. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/9 "2013-07-19T01:10:59Z")
I got a call yesterday that my 86 year old dad collapsed in the middle of his small town. Luckily my brother lives nearby and was able to attend to him. Apparently he locked himself out of his car, trudged the 2 miles home in the extreme heat and humidity, trudged BACK, and collapsed of probable heat stroke about 10 feet from his truck. Of course he refused an ambulance, so last I heard he was drinking Gatorade in front of his air conditioner. Glad you’re okay! You’re never going to live it down, though. My ex is a paramedic–those types have very long memories! ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/10 "2013-07-19T01:22:22Z")
About a year ago I was in DC with my son and his team for a lacrosse tournament. Similar to this year it was over 100 with close to 100% humidity. Another Dad and I and our sons went into the city to see the sights. I carried a couple of water bottles because I was really concerned that my son remain hydrated for his games the next day. We had been walking for a few hours and I think we were around the WWII monument when my son asked me if I was ok. I told him I just wanted to sit in the shade for a couple of minutes. While I was sitting, the rest started walking on their way to the Jefferson Memorial. I didn’t want to be left behind so I followed them and met along the reflecting pond (empty at the time). Next thing I know I told the other son I couldn’t focus my eyes and then the sparkles. A bit later, I’m on my back (fortunately on the grass) with the other dad over me shaking me. He said my eyes rolled back and I then turned into a rag doll. He’s a big guy and grabbed my shirt and slowed my fall somewhat. Scary as hell. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/11 "2013-07-19T02:33:27Z")
**This** is why I don’t do yard work! I’ll tell my neighbors if they complain about the front lawn. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/12 "2013-07-19T03:45:44Z")
I was mowing the back yard on Saturday, and I heard something buzzing around my left ear. I swatted at it, and it didn’t go away - instead I got stung on the inside of my ear. Followed by my wrist, eyebrow, head, neck, and a bunch of other places. I dropped everything and ran into the house. I thought I had hit a yellow jacket nest (they nest in the ground), but when I looked out the patio door, I saw a honeybee dying on the patio. I called a bee guy, and he came over within the hour. He said “take me out to where you got stung.” I looked at him like he was crazy, and said “_I’m not going out there_ - see the lawnmower? - that’s where I got stung.” He went out, and started poking around in the bushes, and soon he was swatting at his head, and running back to the house. He got his bee suit on, and killed a hive of 15-20,000 bees (his estimate), in the textbook beehive location - a hole in a partially rotted tree. He said it’s pretty likely they were africanized. So, it’s been 5 days, and my wrist (where I got stung a bunch of times) itches like an SOB! The itching is WAY worse than the pain from the stings, which weren’t that bad. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/13 "2013-07-19T04:07:33Z")
Who the hell cleans off he lawn mower with a hose? Is it some sorta valuable mower with chrome pipes, spinner wheels and antique plates? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/14 "2013-07-19T12:06:53Z")
**kayaker** , thanks a lot man. I know what I’m doing to my mower this winter. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/15 "2013-07-19T13:40:59Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Who the hell cleans off he lawn mower with a hose? [Dragline] My Lord, whatever I done, don’t strike me blind for another couple of minutes. [/Dragline] ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/16 "2013-07-19T14:40:03Z")
Hmm does heatstroke usually strike without warning? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/17 "2013-07-19T14:45:53Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Yesterday, I did some yardwork. Trimmed this and that, cut the grass, etc. Nothing unusual. > > I parked the mower in the driveway, and got the hose to clean it off. I bent over to hook up the hose, and saw sparkles. Then darkness.:eek: > > Woke up sometime later with my wife yelling & slapping me while Jr. called the amberlamps. > > I was out of it for a while, then my buds from station 3 showed up to make fun of me. > After verifying I didn’t have a stroke, of course. “Someone hand me a screwdriver. Get that FD plate off his truck!” And here I keep them supplied with baked goods and steaks all the time! > > Heat stroke. Dehydrated. 90 degrees out. Mrs. keeps saying “I thought you said you were smart.” I thunk I was. Went and sat in the pool to cool down for an hour. > > Remember to drink your [del]Ovaltine[/del] Gatorade > So, I’m resting today and check my email. A city bus backed over my wife’s car, and she didn’t even have the presence of mind to grab her neck and fall over screaming in soft tissue damage pain!:smack: > > Great. All I see on TV during the day is personal injury attorneys, and now I can’t even use one! > > Tomorrow I go to the dentist to fill a cavity. So I’ve got that going for me, which is nice. I know what happened to you was frightening, but, you had [heat exhaustion](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-exhaustion/DS01046). [Heatstroke](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-stroke/DS01025) is a deadly condition that, once started, is very hard to reverse. The difference is, heat exhaustion causes profuse sweating, and can lead to unconsciousness, whereas, the hallmark of heatstroke is hot, dry skin and body temp rise to over 104〬F. Once unconsciousness hits with heat stroke, the chance of waking up is slim. You dodged a bullet, my friend. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2013, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/18 "2013-07-19T15:30:45Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > You dodged a bullet, my friend. Holy crap! So on top of everything else, someone was shooting at him too? ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/19 "2013-07-20T15:24:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Who the hell cleans off he lawn mower with a hose? Is it some sorta valuable mower with chrome pipes, spinner wheels and antique plates? [This one here.](http://jalopnik.com/meet-the-worlds-most-badass-130-mph-fire-spitting-lawn-814957922) You don’t leave this kind of mower out in the rain to wash it off! Actually, my Husky - and several other brands - has a [quick-connect attachment](http://cdn.husqvarna.com/dimage.axd/featureJpeg/h525-0149b/850x538/573d9524.jpg) to hook up your garden hose and run the mower for a minute, cleaning the grass and crud from under the deck. A clean mower is a happy mower. And a long lasting mower.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871/20 "2013-07-20T18:32:29Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Hmm does heatstroke usually strike without warning? Not heatstroke, but head exhaustion, yes. That is to say, it can seem that way subjectively because my observation is heat exhaustion impairs your body’s ability to recognize something wrong. “confusion” is at the top of the symptom list and will be apparent to others, but not yourself. You may not feel excessively hot at all, and you almost definitely will not feel thirsty. I ride horses which means wearing long pants, helmet, gloves and sometimes other layers of protective gear in the summer. I have seen a lot of people get heat exhausted and its happened to me once that I can think of. In my own experience I recognized the problem about 2 seconds before passing out (sit down before you fall down), and, when I’ve seen someone looking a little out of it on a hot day, they will insist they just feel “weird” and aren’t thirsty or overheated. Nevertheless they feel better after being cooled and hydrated. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-week-im-having/663871.md?page=2)