Most people only consider quitting smoking before a health scare when they see someone else collapse. Today, in the clinic, a routine back pain appointment turns into a life-or-death situation that will make you question your own lungs and heart:
The doctor invites you in. Her office is surprisingly large and well-lit compared to others in the clinic. On her desk sits a mountain of paperwork—reports and charts—next to a computer and a printer that seem to work on alternating shifts; whenever one is running, the other isn’t.
On the wall, among phone lists and emergency protocols, there’s a photo of two kids who look like twins—a boy and a girl about five years old. You assume they’re hers. Once you’re seated, she asks the standard question:
«So, what brings you in today?»
To grab a drink, want to get a beer? you think, but you don’t know her well enough to crack jokes. «Hi. Well, I’ve had this pain for weeks. It won’t go away with rest, pills, or anything else. I’m not just tired of it… I’m fed up.»
«Okay. Did you hit yourself or fall before the pain started?»
«No. It just showed up and gradually got worse.»
«Do you do any repetitive motions? At work, playing sports, or anything like that?»
«Not with the area that hurts. Not at all.»
«Alright. Hop up on the exam table; I want to take a good look.»
The doctor starts pressing into your muscles, and you aren’t sure if she’s examining you or moving straight to torture. At least she doesn’t linger, and you’re able to get dressed quickly. As you sit back down, Dan, the nurse, walks in and speaks to the doctor.
«Belen, hey. My patient says his cholesterol meds are giving him cramps in his calves. What do you think about switching his prescription?»
«I’ll check his chart in a second. But speaking of… how are you doing?»
«Well, I rode the motorcycle in today, you know that,» he says with a grin.
«Yeah, yeah… whatever you say. Are you busy right now?»
«No, I’m good. My last patient was a no-show. Why?»
She turns back to you. «Do you mind if Dan does a quick check-up once I’m done with you? Just the basics: blood pressure, weight, a few health questions, and we’ll see if you need blood work.»
«Oh, sure! No problem at all,» you reply.
«Great. Dan, let’s swap patients when I’m finished. Looking over his chart»—she gestures toward you—»I wanted to discuss a few things regarding his health habits, but since we work as a team, do you mind taking the lead on those questions, Dan?»
«You got it, Belen!» he says, smiling at her.
The nurse heads back to his office, and the doctor gives you some final advice: «For now, it looks like a simple muscle strain. I’m switching your anti-inflammatory. Apply some heat, and when you see Dan, he’ll show you some exercises to prevent this from happening again.»
«Perfect.»
«And if you don’t feel better in ten days, make another appointment. Deal?»
«Deal.»
You get up and walk through the door connecting the two offices, passing the older couple again.
«Look at that, we actually get to see the doctor after all…»
«And I’m seeing the nurse,» you reply.
Once you’re alone with Dan, he starts explaining: «Like Belen said»—the casual way he uses her first name catches your attention—»I’m going to take your vitals and ask a few questions about your lifestyle.»
«Fine by me. I’m not in a rush today.» As you finish the sentence, you notice a photo on the wall near him. It’s the same kids from the doctor’s office, but they look about two years old. «Are those your kids?» you ask, curious.
«Yeah, Vega and Alvaro. Cute, aren’t they?» he says, his face lighting up with joy. «They’re two there; they’re five now.»
«I think I’ve seen them somewhere else…» you say with a knowing grin.
«Yeah? I wonder where,» he teases back, glancing toward the doctor’s office. «Anyway, let’s focus. Roll up your sleeve so I can take your blood pressure, and take a deep breath…»
The Reality of Quitting Smoking Before a Health Scare Hits You
«CODE BLUE, HALLWAY 1. CODE BLUE, FLOOR 1.»
Like he’s been shot out of a cannon, Dan jumps from his chair and bolts for the hallway. As he passes you, he grunts a quick «Sorry, I gotta go.» Driven by curiosity, you follow him to see what happened.
Three doors down to the left, the man who asked you for a cigarette earlier is on the floor. His eyes are rolled back and his face is gray. A nurse is performing chest compressions while a doctor and another nurse rush over with a defibrillator.
«Hand me the pads!» «I need the bag-mask!» «Are you tired? I’ll take over compressions.» «Get me an oral airway!» «Where’s the oxygen tank?»
Orders and requests fly in a state of controlled chaos. Four people surround the man, a medical bag is splayed open with supplies scattered on the floor, and ten people are standing around watching, whispering.
«Call 911!»
«Hey! Call 911!»
It takes you a second to realize Dan is talking to you.
«What? Me? Why? What do I say?» Until that moment, you felt like there was a screen between you and the scene, like you weren’t really there. But that request makes you the center of attention instead of the man on the floor. You feel everyone’s eyes on you, screaming Call! with their stares.
«I sent Rafa from the front desk for oxygen. I need someone to tell dispatch we have a cardiac arrest. If I go downstairs to tell the others, it’ll take too long!»
«Okay… but…»
«Stay calm. Just call, give them our address, tell them we have a cardiac arrest and that the medical staff is already performing CPR.»
You call 911 and start pacing back and forth, robotically repeating everything Dan told you. When you hang up, you turn back to reality…
«CLEAR!»
A shock makes the man’s body jolt, followed by a heavy silence. The bystanders wait for the next move; the medics stare at the defibrillator, waiting for a signal. Finally, the machine speaks:
«Non-shockable rhythm. Check vitals.»
«He’s breathing!» Belen says.
«He’s got a pulse!» Dan shouts.
«Alright, let’s keep moving…» a third person says. They continue working on the man, who slowly starts regaining some color. The crowd begins to breathe again, voices returning as they talk among themselves.
«I think I’m quitting smoking right this second!» a woman next to you says. You look at her and think…
- I’m going to quit smoking too.
- This won’t happen to me; I haven’t been smoking that long. It doesn’t affect me and I’m in no rush.
- I’m not going to have a heart attack just from smoking! I only have a little cough in the morning.
- I know I’m sick because of tobacco, but I’m incapable of quitting.
- Yes, I’m sick because of smoking, but why bother quitting now? It’s not worth it anymore.
- If nothing feels strong enough yet, maybe you need to see the bigger picture first.