I was working with a tree/brush clearing crew when one of the climbers quickly came down from a tree and staggered to his truck.

As I stood there watching, one of the other workers explained in broken English that the first guy would be OK in a little while – “He get very bad headaches” so I was to just leave him alone.

Watching him holding his head, rocking, moaning and trembling gave me a sick feeling in my stomach. I grabbed one of the better English speakers and explained that I get the same headaches and that I could help him with the E tank in my truck. 

It only took about 15 seconds of rapid fire Spanish from my interpreter before the sufferer started sucking O2 at 25 lpm. At first he couldn’t keep up, but once he sat up straight he was flattening the bag.

You never, ever forget the expression on someone’s face when O2 opens the drain and the pain flows away for the first time.

He is now successfully using a welding O2/regulator setup with the hose duct taped to a big baggie that he breathes from. His rig isn't pretty to most people, but it's about the most beautiful thing he's seen.

Great job Marc....

You done good my friend.

You know the "sick" feeling I'm talking about when you see another person get hit. No CH'er can just stand there and watch when you know you can help.

Unfortunately the guy is really a jerk, but CH's tend to bridge gaps....... At least he doesn't give me shit for being old and slow now.

Well, you certainly weren't "old and slow" when he really needed you!
I admire your 'pay it forward' attitude, Marc. You KNOW, firsthand, the exquisite pain, and cannot stand the idea of anyone.....including jerks-suffering at the hands of the beast.
Perhaps this jerk will remember your kindness and quit being such a jerk.

Now, how's the biz going??
LYM! :P

Cathi

   The story gave me goosde-bumps Marc..and I know exactly the sick feeling you're talking about.  :'(


  Ya done good my friend. :-*

Yep Marc, you did what you had to. I know the feeling. You can't watch someone being attacked by the beast when you have the gun in your car. Even if he is a jerk.

Good job!

Good on ya, Marcus Welby.

Brew wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 12:37pm:

Good on ya, Marcus Welby.

ROTFLOL!!!  He's not THAT old!!!!  Close, but not quite!!!
[smiley=slowlaugh.gif] [smiley=slowlaugh.gif] [smiley=slowlaugh.gif] [smiley=slowlaugh.gif] [smiley=yikes.gif] [smiley=yikes.gif] [smiley=yikes.gif]
Thanks for the chuckle, Brew!
:D

WOOHOO!!!  How kewl is that?

I have passed the info about oxygen on to a few clusterheads that I have discovered, but never saw one with an attack.

That is SO awesome to pass the info on, and SEE it work its wonders!

The only thing close to that, that I have experienced, is when I had Linda and Barb try my demand valve, and watch them each drop their drawers jaws in shock at how quick and effective the demand valve worked.

Ya done goot, laddie!

Chuck

Any one of us with an E tank nearby couldn't stop themselves from trying to help when we see a big hit in progress.

My point is to keep an eye out. I'll bet there are many more of us out there suffering needlessly.

I won't even try to count the number of people this site has helped to see the light, but many don't make it here.

Years ago, I was on a flight and got hit (one of many times). The flight attendant brought me a bunch of ice wrapped up in paper towels and asked if I was having a CH!  Turns out that her brother is a CH'er.

Pay it forward.

Awesome!!

Brew wrote on Aug 21^st, 2009 at 12:37pm:

Good on ya, Marcus Welby.

[smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif]

Dr. Welby, you have my utmost admiration!  Good job.

When I went to my first OUCH convention in Milwaukee, I saw several people abruptly leave the room we were in, knowing they were getting hit, and running for privacy to do whatever it was they needed to do to abort it.

But, I did see my first ever clusterhead getting hit, too far away from her room to make the run.  It gave me that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  But know what, within seconds, there were other clusterheads bringing oxygen, ice packs, water, trex, the whole nine yards to help her. 

Seeing that, made me realize what a great family this is.

Sandy

Marc,
that is amazing story. I'm so glad that you got the chance to help another clusterhead and did just that. I'm very fond of these "pay it forward" - examples and stories. :)

Sanna

Bueno Amigo!

Major Kudo's Marc !!!

It warms the heart to read and hear stories like this one.

If I could hug you I would!!  I wish more people in the world were like you!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Great Job Marc...Even Jerks do not deserve CH

Great Job Mark.  Makes me happy to know you're the CH superhero out there, E-tanks ready to go with high flow regulators!! Need to get you an Ecto-1 and have you set up a 1-800 number!

I can't describe how thankful I'd be if someone with 02 came by ME during a hit!

Really great story! I've never even seen another clusterhead (that I know of), let alone one getting hit, but I can imagine how I would feel if I did... just awful.
But the chance to help someone in such agony must be just awesome!

[smiley=thumbsup.gif]  Lottie

Well done Marc.  There is nothing quite like being in the right place at the right time.

-Dennis-

Great catch Marc...That guy will probably name his next kid after you, even if it's a girl...!


Lefty..!

How good is that!!!!!! [smiley=sayyes.gif]

Way to go, Marc..... [smiley=bow.gif]

Satbir wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 4:00am:

Great Job Marc...Even Jerks do not deserve CH

Very true!

Great job Marc!

I'm uncomfortable with the comments here because I didn't do anything heroic or special. My point was that we need to be aware. There are CH'ers out there who just don't know about us. I happened to see a person acting in a way that affected me at a very base level, and I reacted. That's all, nothing more.

ANY real Clusterhead would do the same thing. In fact I know many, many who have done soooo much more that I'm now embarrassed for posting this.
In case some of you haven't noticed, I'm kinda fond of O2.  ;)

Based on my personal experience, there  are many, many people who are suffering needlessly because they just don't have the information.

Pay it forward.

Don't be uncomfortable. You are doing what we all I am sure, expect a person to do~ help. We don't ask for drugs just to trip, just to fly~ but ask to be out of pain. And to be Believed. Its not just a headache, its an attack. You provided a blessing. That is worth commending. Take it in honor.