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The Kitchen Table

Just found out my friend had a heart attack

16 years ago

I thought I had posted this, but I guess not. If so, I can't find it, and I'm sorry for the repost.

I have a very good friend I hadn't heard from in a couple of weeks. It was strange, because we always talk at least once a week. Anyway, I left a couple of messages, and last night he called and told me that he had been in the hospital for 5 days. After literally DRAGGING it out of him, he finally admitted he had a heart attack! This man is 42 years old!

I'm just flabbergasted, and broke into tears thinking of losing him. I suddenly realized that nobody had known to call me. I asked him if he knew what an ICE list is, and he said he did not.

An ICE list is a list of people to contact In Case of Emergency (ICE). You can put it on your cell phone, which is recommended, or on your computer, or anywhere else you like, but you need to let someone know where it is. My sons both have mine. I have two...people to call, and people and places online to contact.

He promised me he would make a list today, and that I would definitely be on it. I reminded him that if he had died, I would never have known, and would have been angry at him for just deserting me without a word for the rest of my life.

I think everyone needs one of these lists. I know I've had friends online who just disappeared and no one ever knew what happened to them. Then I've had ones whose families came and told us they had passed, or whatever, because they had put us on a list. It's better to know that not to know. After 9/11, I had one online friend who I never heard from again, and I'll never know if she was on one of those planes, since I don't have anyone I can contact to find out.

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Comments (5)

bestlawn
16 years ago
The ICE list is a great idea. I had a friend, who one day told me she'd spent 4 days in the hospital. I remember feeling the same way you did. So, she told her daughter to be sure and call me if it ever happened again. One morning three weeks later after making deliveries I returned home at 8:15am to the most awful message. Her daughter had called around 7:30 even before EMS got her mom to the hospital. I was really grateful for the call, but it was already too late.

Once a year, I ask here on the forum "How would we know if something happened to you?" in hopes of putting on everyone's mind the thought of making those arrangements. I didn't ask at all this year. I guess I forgot but sure am glad you brought it up.

Also very happy your friend is back home and on the mend. Glad you will be contacted if need be in the future.
clubm
16 years ago
I just heard about ICE a week or two ago. I think its a
great idea. I plan on putting it on my cellphone.
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend but happy to hear
he is doing well at home.
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Lindsey_CA
16 years ago
Maybe we should all make it our #1 New Year's resolution to update/create (as appropriate) our ICE list.
wantoretire_did
16 years ago
junkyardgirl - In the link below from CNN are lists of 9/11 victims, including home towns and employment for most, by building and flight number.

Here is a link that might be useful: 9/11 victims lists
junkyardgirl
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16 years ago
Thank you, wantoretire, but I never knew their real name. Just the name they used online, and that they used to fly in and out of NYC a lot.

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