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Sometimes you can not run fast enough
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Yesterday I went hiking with a group of women only one of who I had met previously. It was a beautiful spring day and we were a collective of like minded ladies who like to hike with our dogs. I was delighted at the opportunity to make new friends and to learn trails and terrain from the locals.
We left at 8:30 and after a flat straight stretch we headed up a small hill, normally I hike up front but one of the ladies was a little slower so I fell back to keep her company. I glanced up and realized the woman in front had fallen so I hollered at the others and ran up the hill. When I got there she was unresponsive so I tried to get her pack off and roll her over. The next two woman to get there were nurses so I passed the task to them and called 911. Fortunately there was cell service and I had a phone but not knowing the area as soon as I told them emergency and ambulance I passed the phone to another woman. The nurses found a pulse and started CPR . The only thing I could do was tell the group I would run back three kilometres to meet the ambulance otherwise they couldn't locate us. As I ran downhill I shucked clothing items on trees to mark the trail because I knew I had to be able to guide the paramedics back to where we were. I ran as fast as I safely could on the trail and managed to get back to the flat stretch in time to hear the ambulance on the road below. I actually overshot the ambulances because I did not know there was a private access road that they could come up. I shouted at a young woman that was walking her dog to check if she could see the ambulances at the trail head and she shouted back that they were behind me. I threw my dog's leash at her and asked her to keep my dog who had followed me down the mountain so I could guide the ambulance back. Sadly the trial we were on has concrete barriers so the ambulance had to try to get through on some old ranching roads to reconnect to the trail. It seemed like forever as we made our way back. Once we got to the hill one of the woman was waiting to point where we could head up and those ambulance crews drove through washouts and a very narrow trail to get to the scene.
The paramedics took over and I just stayed out of the way. I gathered up all the dogs and headed back down the hill so that the three women could stay with their friend. The sweet young woman was kindly waiting for me with my dog, concerned and not knowing the gravity of the situation. After a while the ambulances went past and I waited for the group. We all knew that it wasn't good.
This lovely lady who I had just met was 69 years old, she hiked every day and was in good shape. Her best friend of 40 years was with our group, it was a beautiful spring day and the butterups were blooming.
I came home and cried because sometimes you want to run fast enough to save a life but sometimes it is just not meant to be. I am a BOP but I did my best, the nurses performed CPR on their friend and they did their best, everyone remained calm and did their best. The doctors said she would not have made it no matter where she had been and I know that to be true but sometimes you just really want to run fast enough..........
Thank you for letting me put my heart on paper (or whatever the online equivalent is)
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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Heartbreaking to read and I hope you can find peace in the fact that this woman died doing something that she loved and brought her joy. That is not so terrible. But I can't imagine how you and the rest of the friends in your group feel. Thoughts and prayers to everyone.


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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [lilpups] [ In reply to ]
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Thank you for your kind words and I do agree with you. I do feel very sad for her best friend...forty years of history together leaves a big void and a deep grief.
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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i am so sorry. that must have been very traumatic for everyone involved.
grief comes first, acceptance comes later - yes, she was doing something she loved when she left.
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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To echo what others have said, I hope I go that way. It sounds as though everyone, including you, did the best they could.

No coasting in running and no crying in baseball
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you are able to find comfort in knowing that she died doing something she loved, on a beautiful day, with friends. That is a lovely thing.
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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I am sorry for your loss. You really did do the best you could. Many ((((hugs)))).

maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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Really sad storry. :( Be strong!
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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Oh wow. So sorry for that.. goodness.. You did all you could do and more than some would do. Bless you for being the type of person who lays it all on the line for someone you barely knew.



Tiger for Life -- War Eagle!

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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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You did an amazing job. You did all the right things. I'm so sorry your friend passed, but she did pass doing something she loved, and outdoors. I'm a nurse. I REALLY hope I don't die in a hospital. I know that's not very helpful when you've been through so much. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [nad] [ In reply to ]
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I agree with everyone that has commented on my post that she did pass doing something she loved. I made a point of going to her funeral service so I would learn more about this wonderful woman and not just remember her for the way she died. She lived a happy purposeful life, traveled extensively, rode horses, hiked and laughed and laughed. She had many long friendships and she was loved very much. Her children knew her as a friend, traveling companion and someone that was always happy to take on adventures. Her death was unexpected but dignified and quick and those that loved and knew her are grateful that she got to leave in such a manner. We do not get to choose how we die but I sure hope I get to leave like she did.
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for the update. I think going to the funeral was a really good idea - smart thinking on your part.
How are YOU doing?

maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [tigerchik] [ In reply to ]
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I am doing well. It was helpful that the tests they did at the hospital confirmed it was a massive coronary and no matter what we had done or how quickly it would not have made a difference. I have always taken to heart that every second counts in an emergency so I was feeling sad that collectively we could not have done more but as it turned out we truly did everything we could and it was not meant to be. At the funeral I was able to speak with all the women that were there that day and it was definitely a bonding experience above and beyond just a bunch of dog owners getting together for a hike. I am new to the community where I now live and I have to say that the women in this town truly always have room for one more new friend. I prefer running on my own but hiking is better with a friend especially as unexpected things can occur . .......and I get lost on new trails so hiking with locals is wonderful.

I just really needed to write out my sadness that day and the Woman's forum was a safe haven to do so and it helped me a lot.
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Re: Sometimes you can not run fast enough [carlsomi] [ In reply to ]
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I'm so sorry. You did your very best, and that's all you could do. How heartbreaking for everyone.
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