Michael's Story
May 10, 2008 Mike, his mother, and family friends went to a local upscale Korean Style Sauna. At 9:45 Mike & his mom parted ways, agreeing to meet in the lobby in a couple of hours. After a final cellphone check, Mike's mom gave him 2000 won for drinks or a PC bong should he want to leave earlier. This was a routine family activity, as Mike has lived in Korea for nearly 4 years and frequented jimjilbongs (Korean Style Saunas) numerous times. At 11:45 Mike's mom was notified by the Sauna staff that she needed to take Mike to the hospital. Thinking he needed stitches, Mike's mom tried calling his cellphone at 11:47 and got no reply.
Rushing out to the parking lot Mike's mom saw what no mother ever should~ Mike lying unconscious in the back of the ambulance with one EMT worker doing chest compressions. After an initial scream, she quickly regained composure thinking Mike's color looks good, there is hope. She and her friend climbed into the back of the ambulance.
Sitting at Mike's head, she immediately began to adjust his head to give him breath. The second EMT told her "NO". Thinking there may be something she didn't know, she stopped. Her hands on his head, she felt the warmth of his body, so hot she thought, there is still hope. Looking at her son's mouth she saw the bloody foam, thinking, a botched CPR, we must drain his lungs, there's still hope. If only the EMTs and ER staff had thought so too, Mike had a strong chance to be with us today.
Here is a podcast interview with Mike's mother. May 21, 2008
Second podcast interview with Seoulpodcast June 25, 2008 |
