I Can't Breathe

One nurse and I ran to our supply room and prepared the equipments needed for a med neb treatment. We were anticipating for the arrival of an inmate having labored breathing from his asthma attacks. The other nurse recognized the name. He just came back for the same problem from ER the previous night.

Gasping for air, it was a struggle for him to take in some air. The wheezes were so audible, I didn’t need to listen with my stethoscope. He was holding on to a couple of newly-prescribed inhalers that obviously were not working throughout the night. The med neb was not working. He remained struggling for breath. We summoned the doctor, who fortunately came in early to review some inmates’ charts.

“I can’t breathe,” he said without the words, as he coughed from having tight airways.

“Give him Epi! 1 mg!” he ordered to one of the nurses as I started the paperworks, knowing that this inmate needed to go to ER STAT! [as soon as possible]. The little glass vial of Epi was broken and after withdrawn with a syringe was given to the muscle of his right arm. Somehow, his oxygen level in the blood was at its best -100% saturation and would only drop down to 96-97%. But he remained out of breath, as his respirations became more shallow and faster.

“Doc, you want to upgrade the ambulance to code 3?” I suggested.

“I just did. You’re right. We’re not gonna’ wait for another 20 minutes with him breathing like this,” he calmly responded as he sat on a chair across from the patient, monitoring him the whole time.

“Try to relax,” I reassured the inmate. “I know it’s easier said than done, but the ambulance is on its way. Try to hang on…We’ll be here and won’t leave you until help arrives, okay?”

He calmly nodded his head. Though struggling for air, he felt reassured that many nurses and the doctor were surrounding him with his struggle. All of the staff knew, he could pass out any minute if his airway started closing in. He didn’t know we were on a stand-by because it could be possible that we might do CPR if he lost consciousness.

“Give him another Epi of 1mg,” ordered the same doctor. Still no relief. But he remained calm. Every minute felt like years. As we watched him still helplessly trying to get air despite the best efforts we could give. Suddenly, the sounds of careening wheels from a guerney came in plain view. The staff was relieved. Help finally came. So he could be transported to the nearest ER and be treated with other stuff we didn’t have and not allowed to be performed in that setting.

“I hope you feel better soon!” I waved at him.

He managed to smile. In between those struggling gasps, I knew he felt better to see that help arrived. He would make it. I knew in my heart, he would. Because he trusted us.

How could a man behind bars tell a church to rejoice, instead of panicking of what awaited? Paul said, “Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again - rejoice!” [Philippians 4:4]. Paul taught us that our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances.

As we struggle in many areas of our lives, when we accept God’s offer of help, we, too can smile and be joyful amidst the times of troubles as long as we remain trusting in Him.

Jesus is our only Savior Who can rescue us from going into panic modes because He can give anyone peace. Just have faith and believe!

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6,7

Jesus is the air we breathe when we believe and trust in Him!

Inmates singing "This Is the Air I Breathe":



This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you



This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm I'm lost without you

And I, I'm desperate for you,
And I, I'm lost without you,

I'm lost without you,
I'm lost without you.
I'm lost without you.
I'm lost without you [Jesus]

28 comments:

  1. Amen, amen. I believe sis, Jesus gives me sweet peace. I love that song.

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  2. Another beautiful video. I cried as I watched those desperate, beautiful men, seeking a Saviour. He is so awesome to meet them (and us!) right where they are.:)

    Praise His Precious Holy Name!!

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  3. This was beautiful... God is everywhere and He and He alone gives hope and Love to those who have lost their way.

    Thank you
    Love to you
    Kelly

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  4. Rosel,
    I was on the edge of my seat and I could hardly breathe myself as I read the story of the inmate suffering an asthma attack. Wow! Just the thought of not being able to breathe is frightening and I am so glad that Jesus is the AIR that I BREATHE! Thanks for sharing this with us today.

    Blessings,
    Jean

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  5. I love that song. I love that God can reach the heart of anyone, including inmates. They aren't necessarily the hardest hearts to reach.

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  6. Well, Rosel, God has done it again! This is just the word I needed this morning!

    Thank you for allowing God to use you to minister to the physical needs of the inmates and the spiritual needs of your readers:-)

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  7. What an experience! At work things are so rushed and hurry to do this and hurry to do that, I have to ask the Lord to help me breath. This video is great, thank-you for sharing it today.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  8. I so appreciate your devotionals but I can't get my mind off of the patient's breathing problem. Living with asthmatics makes me curious what they'd give him besides the breathing treatments and epi...steriods? Scary that he wasn't responding.

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  9. What a great story! Thanks for sharing.

    I hope you had a great V. Day weekend
    God bless you and have a wonderful week,
    Ron

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  10. WOW...That had to be soo scary for that inmate. My son suffers from asthma and I have witnessed MANY a scary attack. I love that you gave him comfort and hope. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that song. He IS the air I breathe. Have a wonderful day Rosel. Hugs, Debbie

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  11. Observing this video gives me chills. How beautiful are the feet of him who brings good news. God is pleased. I thank Him for rescuing me when anxiety tries to sneak in!

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  12. @ Parsley: Yes, if Epi doesn't work, they will resort to steroids given through IV for faster administration. It's better care at the hospital because they can be monitored closer. If needed to be intubated, they would do so but most of the time, the steroids help. If he passed out right there at that time, our doctor was there to intubate him. I hope my post encouraged you instead of heightening the fears as that wasn't my intention. In reality, we have help, physically and spiritually. God bless.

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  13. Rosel,

    I can only imagine just how frightening it would be to struggle for a breath. There is just something that signals to you that you stand on the edge of life and death at that moment and you have no choice in what happens.

    Yet thankfully we do have a choice over where ultimately we will spend our lives after this one and that is the choice that truly matters.

    Be sure to stop by my blog today and sign up for my giveaway!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  14. HALLELUJAH!!!!! You can't see the tears streaming from THAT VIDEO of the men worshiping the LORD so passionately. Powerful post you shared!!

    Love your heart dear sister.

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  15. Just imagining him smiling to you in relief that the help he needed had arrived brought tears to my eyes. How God uses you to bring peace to His people. Awesome!
    Wylie

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  16. sometimes I get discouraged even though God has done so many amazing things....I need to remind myself...He knows...He's in charge...He can be trusted. He is the air I breathe....thanks again for this amazing post.

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  17. I love how your stories are such vivid images for us.

    This one was such a beautiful picture (to me) of how other Christians can bless each other (and even non-believers) by praying and standing in the gap with them while they wait on the Lord. There is such peace and joy in knowing that others are there surrounding you; interceeding on your behalf. Those who speak truth and point us to the One who is able to meet all of our needs.

    Thank you sweet sister for being one of those people and for us and for those in your care!

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  18. That was a sweet healing video for me. I cried. God knew. Thanks. ~

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  19. "our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances" - I have been struggling with that for an entire year - I have NEVER been an Eeyore before but this year has been full of temptation to become so, so many changes, so many challenges taking me out of my comfort zone. I believe God has called us to a mission field and I gladly went, but that mission field has been prickly and not pretty. However, I want to serve God with a joyful heart. I'm beginning to think it has to do with "submissiveness" such as going joyfully and not looking back with longing, regret, wanting-to-return-homeness.

    Thank you for your prayers the last month through my father in law's death. And, just plain thank you for speaking the message God has on your heart - because everytime I come by, you have something for me to either help me sort it all out, or encourage or just plain be inspired beyond myself.

    Be Blessing:)

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  20. Adore this account and the video; I'm with Lisa in appreciating watching how God meets these prisoners (and us) right where they're at.

    I never cease to be amazed when I read the book of Philippines; joy in the midst of adversity. It's a book I find myself needing to read over and over again.

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  21. What a blessing to see those broken men sing my favorite song! Thank you Rosel for sharing and the post and scripture!! What a blessings.

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  22. Oh my goodness! I can not breathe right now! That was just beautiful Rosel!

    I have a little token of friendship for you over at my place. :)

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  23. Wow, what a chilling story, and made even more so by the message. I loved this video! How beautiful to see these men singing about their love for God!

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  24. our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances...

    I felt so sorry for the inmate who was out of breath...and waiting for what seemed like forever before help arrived.

    You and the rest of the staff were so compassionate to this man, reflecting the heart of Jesus.

    We are all like this man, actually guilty and convicted of wrongdoing. And yet Jesus had so much love and compassion for us that he would take our death sentence upon Himself so that we would not have to go through it, and instead, BE FREE!

    Your story moved me, but even more so the way you connected it to Paul, whose external condition did not dampen his inner resolve to be an apostle of joy and hope to us who are in dark prisons!

    I cannot express all that my heart is feeling right now at the reading of your post.

    Even the song, Breathe, one of my all time favorites...

    Oh dear Rosel, you are in that prison as an agent of God's love, and I know it is not easy. Each day you must have to battle defiling, tormenting, mocking, prideful, even lustful spirits... and I know you understand about continually going to Jesus for His cleansing that none of this spiritual filth touch you in anyway... BUT what an awesom opportunity you have to be an eyewitness to God's grace at work!

    Your blog is such an inspiration to me each time I visit.

    I thank God for you. (I have decided to add a link to your blog on my blog sidebar)

    Love
    Lidj

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  25. Rosel,

    By the way if you have a moment, I have an award just for you on my blog today.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  26. Beautiful story! He is truly the air we breathe and He is our peace.

    Love the song. Thank you for sharing.

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  27. That is one of my favorite songs. Great post! You are so good at finding spiritual analogies for the events that happen in that jail. Very inspiring.

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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