Saturday, February 10, 2018

ALMOST DIED RECENTLY! CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

YOUR PRAYERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT ARE CRITICALLY NEEDED-
I ALMOST DIED



By Pamela Rae Schuffert presenting investigative journalism from a Biblical Christian perspective-

I ALMOST DIED THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 3rd, 2018, WHILE MAINTAINING A DEFECTIVE WOOD STOVE ON THE JOB!


On the night of February 3rd, 2018, I was providing home health care for a senior citizen. His family, and my agency, requested that I maintain the wood stove for the client.

THEY NEVER WARNED ME THAT THIS ANTIQUATED WOOD STOVE  WAS DYSFUNCTIONAL, and even the FLUE PIPE HAD PROBLEMS. 

And following company orders, I built a fire in the wood stove and sat down to next to it in the patient's recliner to monitor his safety in the home, as he slept in the back bedroom, away from the wood stove.

A few hours later, I awoke from a semi-sleep that was undoubtedly caused by the deadly build up of carbon monoxide fumes and harmful wood smoke particulate matter accumulation as well, by the need to use the restroom. THIS HELPED TO SAVE MY LIFE! 

(I want to give all GLORY TO GOD for HIS divine Hand in waking me up JUST IN TIME!)

As I came out of this state, I discovered to my horror that my LUNGS WERE FRANTICALLY GASPING FOR AIR, and my heart was pounding frantically and erratically, as if each beat were to become it's last. 


From prior research, I recognized all the classic symptoms of CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING that were now appearing in my body: mental confusion, dizziness, heart and breathing problems, and more.

I immediately staggered to my feet to use the restroom. Then, I rushed down the long hallway to a back bedroom, AWAY from the living room and deadly carbon monoxide fumes. 

Slamming the door shut, I went to the window. Discovering it was broken, I had to force it open and prop it as well to allow fresh air to come pouring into the room.

Weak, I then collapsed on the bed, terrified of what was happening to my body..and SAYING A PRAYER from deep within that THIS WOULD NOT BE MY FINAL DAY ALIVE! 

I recognized from the severity of the symptoms I was experiencing, that I had entered into what frequently becomes THE LETHAL STAGES of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

I am certain I would have lapsed into unconsciousness and died, had not the urgent need to use the restroom arisen that night...and had not GOD BEEN WITH ME!

I SHOULD HAVED CALLED AN AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY! But in my confused mental state (typical of later stages of carbon monoxide poisoning) all I could think was, "...I can't leave my patient unattended...I cannot go...."

Had I been in my right mind, I would have called an ambulance, and called my company to send out a replacement worker AFTER THOROUGHLY AIRING OUT THE HOME and dousing the wood stove fire. BUT I DID NOT. I remained dangerously weak, confused, and very afraid.

However, as morning arrived, still weak and in shock from the event, I finally called my office, told them of my terrifying experience, warned them about the dangers of the wood stove and that it should NOT be operated, and left to return home when my replacement worker finally arrived...having spent all night in the back bedroom where it was safe from the deadly fumes.

Of course, I will never work for such an irresponsible company again. They FAILED to properly access the potential safety hazards in that home, EVEN THOUGH it was apparent that one door on the wood stove was slightly broken, allowing deadly woodsmoke particles to enter the air. And by the patient's own admission, the flue pipe did not work properly(!)

And this health care agency's FAILURE to detect this, PLUS their written instructions to MAINTAIN THE WOOD STOVE, almost cost my life!

I have already reported this deadly health hazard to the city fire department and several other agencies as well.

I also had to see a doctor the following Monday, 02/05/2018, and have lab tests for blood gases as well. I remain weak, periodically struggling for breath, my voice still sounding abnormally husky from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide exposure.

This outrages me, because I entered this home with NO pre-existing health conditions, NO prior smoking, NO heart or lung conditions...and NOW I am struggling to overcome the effects of the smoke and carbon monoxide exposure that almost killed me.

I am now without a job or an income, too weak to return to home health care and the stressful demands such work requires continually.

I live in an RV 5th wheel trailer at a local RV park here in Montana, near Missoula. 

Every month, $600 must be paid to park my RV on their property. I must also provide approximately $150.00 monthly for propane for heating against the bitter Montana cold and winters.

I now am not able to afford EITHER, due to this tragic event. There are many more needs besides.

In more recent times, it has become rare when I have to do this, but I feel in this desperate situation I must NOW ASK FOR COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE due to my circumstances BEYOND my control.

My longterm goal is for my health to sufficiently recover, so I can then resume the joys of providing quality healthcare for the elderly in their homes. 

I love working and being independent, and in a position to give and help others! This has been my lifestyle for 46 years, ever since becoming a committed Christian at the age of 18.

Throughout my 46 years of Christian outreach and ministry, it has always been my joy to give to others in times of need and crisis. 

Thankfully, God enabled me at times to be able to give thousands of dollars to many in need throughout the years, even able to donate two cars and one RV trailer as well to people in need. Countless bags of groceries have been provided to those in need as well. 

Plus, I have donated my services in health care freely at special times to those who could not afford to pay for my services. Loving and giving has always been a part of the life of every follower of Jesus Christ!

But now, I have unexpectedly found myself in great need of support from others. Without the ability to pay my RV park site rental for the month, I will be evicted. 

My RV trailer would regretfully have to go into a local RV storage facility several miles down the road, and I will be compelled to live in my vehicle at a local truck stop...not by any fault of my own. 

Winter in Montana is a terrible time to have to survive in one's vehicle. 

But I have been forced to do this previously, when my formerly owned RV trailer and truck were stolen from me when I traveled to Germany for six months, ONLY TO RETURN and find everything MISSING and stolen from me! 

I was then forced to live in donated "junker" vehicles, with a WALMART parking lot or truck stop my only "home" for several years. 

Yes, such dire circumstances DO serve to draw you CLOSER TO GOD...but they also bring great grief and suffering as well, including the dangers of a woman living this dangerous lifestyle in today's world.

I AM PRAYING THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ME ONCE AGAIN! JOIN ME IN PRAYER OVER THIS!

PLEASE, CONSIDER DONATING AT THIS CRITICAL TIME IN MY LIFE. My goals are to recover COMPLETELY, and to THEN be able to resume my Christian outreach and ministry to others in need, and return to health care once again.


JUST HELP ME THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME,
until I can ONCE AGAIN resume my independence,
and be able to SHINE FOR JESUS back on the job!

Thank you for taking the time to read, to pray, and to consider giving as well.

"BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY."

-Jesus Christ

"Blessed is he that considers the poor, for the Lord will deliver him in times of trouble."-Proverbs

-Pamela Rae Schuffert-
You can contact me on TWITTER.COM :
@truthreporter

My FACEBOOK page is:

https://www.facebook.com/PamelaRaes 
********************
God Bless You ALL..
and THANK YOU FOR CARING!

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