Breathless

1999

We had just recovered from celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in June and had decided on a tour of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. As suggested by the Tauck Tour Company, we had checked with our doctors because the tour involved stopping at many high altitudes. My doctor laughed a little and said, “Elaine, you’ll have no problems.” On the tour we were supplied with bottled water and juices and the bus stopped at many strategic restroom stops.

We enjoyed Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Geyser, Jackson Hole, and Jennie Lake. We took pictures by the Continental Divide, an elevation of 8,391 feet. We overnight-ed at a ranch and Mike took the opportunity to ride a horse – a first in his lifetime.  We attended a rodeo, and met some ladies from Richmond Heights where I grew up. We had attended the same church and grade school (St. Theresa, the Little Flower of Jesus) in a suburb of St. Louis. It was a beautiful trip and probably worth what follows in my story.

Jackson Hole was the last stop before Salt Lake City and our plane trip home. We were sleeping at the Lodge below the Grand Tetons Mountain Range. I awoke at 2:00 AM and found it hard to breathe. I sat on a chair to decide if I should awaken Mike. (Luckily I always travel with a doctor. Doesn’t everyone?) He took my pulse, looked unhappy, and decided to call the front desk of the resort. They dispatched a paramedic team and ambulance. The paramedics gently explained to me the need to use an oxygen mask and IV drip. What a relief the oxygen was! Then our ambulance headed for Jackson Town Hospital. It was a forty mile drive which allowed time to get in a few prayers to the Lord. We had to stop at the county line to exchange the two paramedics from the National Park for two county paramedics.

Upon arrival at the hospital I felt I was being filmed for a segment of ER. Out came the gurney with me upon it and into the ICU it went. The constant question asked me was, “Do you smoke?” I spent three days in the hospital, had the usual enormous number of tests and finally the doctor agreed I could go back to my home at sea level.  Arrangements were made for oxygen to be available at the airports. Not all planes allow oxygen equipment to be boarded. Denver Airport was our most difficult spot. I really needed oxygen to keep from huffing and puffing. Once on the plane I was quite comfortable with the air provided and when I got home was so grateful to be alive and at sea level.

Right now I’m sitting in my home breathing oxygen from a machine and wistfully paging through travel brochures which generally carry an addenda such as “we recommend this tour program only to in individuals in good physical condition.” Well, I guess I’ll go get a travel video and pretend I’m young and well again.

[ed: A note from Mike – “Eventually a cardiac angiogram diagnosed pulmonary hypertension with a poor prognosis, but oxygen and medication by her doctors kept her going for 18 years.” ]