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 The little glass vial of Epi was broken and after withdrawn with a syringe was given to the muscle of his right arm.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]