That time I almost choked to death

I seriously could have died!

Last Thursday I was casually eating a baked potato. Okay, it wasn’t like a super healthy meal- I can admit it. The baked potato was filled with pulled pork (don’t judge me). I had taken a normal bite and then realized I couldn’t swallow the bite – it was literally lodged in my throat. Now, I don’t think I can fully articulate how terrifying this was. It happened at a moment that I was about to take a breath, so my lungs were basically empty.

Thank God The Mean Man was home and in the kitchen. I jumped up from the couch and ran the few steps to the kitchen, frantically signaling to him that I could not breath. Thinking back, I probably looked like a wild animal; at least that’s how I felt I must have looked. I gotta give The Mean Man so much credit. He looked at me with a voice filled with concern yelled, “You can’t breath?!” As I tried to take a breath, he quickly turned me around and magnificently administered the Heimlich Maneuver. It just took one upward thrust and my airway cleared.

The Mean Man literally saved my life.

So I’m offering this PSA. If you don’t know how to administer the Heimlich Maneuver to another, learn here. It’s very important for you to know how to do the Heimlich on yourself as well in case you’re alone and this happens. Learn this process here.

I’m so grateful for having someone nearby who knew what to do. He definitely kept his head and didn’t panic, he just did the job. I’m feeling so blessed just to be alive. He also gave me a “I don’t need you dying on me.” I told him, “Thank you, I didn’t want to die tonight.” I’ve never been more honest.