A few years ago I was at a Christmas party with my wife. She wasn't feeling well and we went outside for some fresh air. She was sitting on top of a low wall, and she started to get up and fainted. With the assistance of some friends, we got her into the car and I drove her to a nearby hospital - where my family doctor usually worked.

We went into the Emergency Room and the E.R. physician examined her. A while later, an associate from my doctor's office met with her. Blood work was done. It was decided that she should be kept overnight for observation. They did not have a bed due to being overcrowded, so she had to spend the night on that "very comfortable" gurney. There were three (3) other people in that room. I went home.

The next morning I went to get her and brought her some fresh clothes and her toothbrush. We had to wait for the discharge papers. They could not find anything wrong with her.

While we were waiting, a man of about 70 was brought to the Emergency Room via ambulance. He said that he had pain in his chest and it was going into his arm. He was at his doctor's office and they called the ambulance for him. As the nurse was taking a history, he said that he was taking heart medication. When asked what kind and the dosage, the man said "I don't know - my wife takes care of that." Here was a man with a heart problem and he didn't even know the name of any of his heart medication!

Rule #1 - Protect yourself at all times. You MUST be aware of what you put into your body - especially medications. If you know you eat spicy food and you get heartburn or diarrhea, but you don't know the name of the medications that help you stay alive - you may want to rethink your plan!

If you are taking any medication, you MUST know the name of the drug, the dosage and how often you take it.

It is essential that you are aware of your medical conditions, and that you keep them well documented and available in case of an emergency. Every time you see a doctor, get a copy of the office visit note. Make a copy of all prescriptions. Record you medical information so it will be available to EMS and hospital personnel.

The treatment to the man in the hospital was delayed until the E.R. people found out what medication he was taking. They could not risk giving him something that would cause a negative reaction with his pills. If he only kept his medical records with him, the E.R. people could have started treatment immediately, and not waste precious minutes. His story ended well this time, but was it worth the chance?

Remember: You are in charge of your life - take charge - today!!!