The Warning

The Warning

By
DOFACC

I had business reasons to be in Denver. I had worked 3 twelve hour night shifts the nights before I left. I had slept for a few hours, and then drove over. I had been very busy all three shifts, and I was quite tired when I left. The long drive made me even more tired. Then I had to wander around Denver for 30 odd minutes, until I found Leetsdale Drive, and my motel. I did a little shopping, and then went to bed. I got up way early the next morning to get to my meetings, and had another long day.

After my meetings, I returned to my motel, and took a short nap. I have a heart condition where my heart can start to beat very fast, and pump very little. This tends to happen if I try to do too much. With that in the back of my mind, I thought a nap would be a good thing. After that, I decided to go for a walk.

I am an avid photographer. It was dark out, so I grabbed my camera backpack, added a tripod, and off I went. I didn't really have a destination in mind, just go out, and do a few photos.

I wandered up and down various streets, and eventually wound up down at Cherry Creek Mall. I took a few photos, and decided I needed to head back. I also thought I would go back a different way than I had taken coming down. Just head off this direction for a ways, turn left, and keep going until I found Leetsdale. No problem. Well, of course, in the dark, in a strange city, I got turned around. After walking for a couple of miles, I was back at Cherry Creek Mall, sigh. On the other hand, I knew exactly where I was, and how to get back to where I needed to be. Off I went.

I was moving along at my usual fairly fast pace. I was seeing assorted landmarks that I remembered, and knew I was getting close to my motel. I was confident enough about where I was by this time that I decided to take a shortcut. It worked out quite well, in that aspect. It did save me a bit, and I stepped onto the sidewalk at the side of Leetdales Drive, not far at all from my motel. The only obstacle had been that I had to climb a grass covered slope. It was quite steep, and 15 or 20 feet high. No problem, really. I zipped up that slope without any trouble, and as I say, stepped out onto Leetsdale. I set off down that street in the direction of my motel, thinking my evening was about over. I was wrong about that.

I managed to make it down that sidewalk maybe 20 yards, and then started to feel lightheaded. As

I set off down that street in the direction of my motel, thinking my evening was about over. I was wrong about that.

I managed to make it down that sidewalk maybe 20 yards, and then started to feel lightheaded. As I have already mentioned, my heart has a problem. I am on medication, and this problem has been well controlled. On the other hand, I know that the lightheadedness requires that I lay myself down PDQ, either that or fall over anyway. So, of course, I laid myself down as quickly as I could, to wait for my head to clear.

Previously, laying down had stopped the symptoms from getting worse, and after a few minutes the symptoms would subside as my heart slowed and began to move my blood more efficiently. But my head didn't clear this time. It got worse, actually. My head was spinning, spinning, spinning. I focused on my chest, trying to decide if my heart was racing, or pounding, or whatever. I found it somewhat curious that my chest seemed very still.

I was lying on my left side. I had my eyes closed. I was very warm. Very warm and cozy. Remarkably warm and cozy, actually. Even with my eyes closed, I knew there was a bright sunshine coming into my room as I laid on my bed. It was wonderfully peaceful. It was calm and relaxing, a delightful place, really. I was very happy there. I wanted to stay there, and just enjoy all the peacefulness, warmth, and sunshine. I was incredibly content.

Off in the distance, in a dark place, sort of over the horizon, I heard this awful grating, whirling wind. I hated that sound, that whirling wind. I wanted it to go away, but at the same time I knew I wasn't going to stay in the peaceful place. I knew I was going to go into that darkness, toward that hateful sound. I remember wondering with a pang of anxiety if going into the darkness would hurt. It didn't. I was pulled into that darkness, and through it. It was all very smooth, easy, actually.

I opened my eyes to see traffic hustling down a dark street. The cars were making that rushing sound like they do, but it wasn't that awful whirling wind I had just heard. Where I was started coming back to me. I was laying half on my backpack, half on my side. I managed to turn my head and see street sign above me, glowing in its green and white indifference. I was indeed laying on the side of Leetsdale Drive, weak, dizzy, and very much alone.

The traffic light changed, and more cars rushed by, quiet again, light

The traffic light changed, and more cars rushed by, quiet again, light change, cars lined up, then charged off again with the next light change. No one seemed to have any idea that I was laying there. If I was noticed, I expect they were thinking just another drunk who had passed out. Not their problem! Time to hurry by, and get on with their own lives. I don't know how long I laid there, invisible, but for some time. Slowly my head cleared and my strength returned, but I remained very lightheaded and weak.

I raised myself up on my elbow, just to see if I could. No problem. Apparently, my heart was working well enough now that I was getting blood where it needed to be. I was at this point feeling more embarrassed, than anything. I was leaning on my elbow, trying to look causal and relaxed, like I meant to by laying on the ground just off Leetsdale Drive. Somehow, I don't think I was very convincing.
After a few more minutes, I tried to stand. I was unsure if this was a good idea or not, but I tried. I stood, I took a few steps. It actually felt good to be walking. I was still very weak, but moving. I wasn't even staggering. I took some steps around a slight corner, and I could see my motel, less than half a mile away. I felt pretty sure I could make it there. I moved along at a much more slow pace than previously. A steady pace, but very measured. I came to a cross street. A car was waiting to turn onto that street. I thought they were waiting for me. I stepped into the street, I did have the pedestrian walk light in my favor, after all. I was just about half way across when that waiting car turned and accelerated directly at me. The driver managed to slam on the brakes and stop the car, but only a couple of feet from me. It was a very close call. I kept moving down the street.

I managed to make it to my motel. When going up the elevator, I started to get quite dizzy again. I was able to keep standing, and moving though. I had to walk along the third story walkway to get to my room. I stayed as far away from the edge as I could get. I certainly didn't want to stagger over the rail, not just as I was reaching my goal. I made it to my door, opened my door, dropped my backpack, and laid down on the bed. I was safe. My ordeal was over.

One of my grandmother??s had been walking through a mall, in Denver, when she had a sudden cardiac event, and died without warning. My mother was sitting in her chair at he

One of my grandmother??s had been walking through a mall, in Denver, when she had a sudden cardiac event, and died without warning. My mother was sitting in her chair at her home when she had a sudden cardiac event, and died without warning. I need to make the arrangements for those I will leave behind. Arrangements to make my leaving easier for them. After all, I have been warned.