CHAPTER SIX

---

I'M FINE, REALLY!

---

It started as a normal day a school. As normal as life can be teaching eighth graders. I felt fine, the kids were at least trying to learn.

The classroom seemed a little warm even for a late April day. I headed towards the back of the room to turn up the A/C. I had to hold on to a couple of desks to maintain my balance.

Just the flu I thought. The kids noticed I didn't look well. I was sweating by this time. I sat on a stool in the front and made it until the bell rang.

I walked, slowly, over to the office and told the secretary I didn't feel well and I was going home, please get me a substitute. I didn't even go back to my room. I got in my truck a started the 12 mile trip back home.

Two blocks later I turned around and stopped at the local police/fire station. As I walked in they noticed I didn't look okay. Sweating bucket loads, throwing up, dizzy, I realized the parimedics - part of the fire squad - were holding me up.

An ambulance was called and I was taken to the hospital with a blood pressure reading on 210 over 150 something - needless to say, I was in trouble.

At the hospital they started pumpng me with medication and letting me just rest. Rest was hard to do when you have lots of family members coming in and out of the emergency room. I also had lots of friends on the hospital staff, with the parimedics, and on the police force. Word spread fast.

By mid afternoon I was feeling much better, my blood pressure was down - still not normal but much, MUCH, lower. Finally I got to go home.

At home I realize that I have softball tryouts and draft that afternoon. I couldn't miss that. It would be my 14th draft and only I could do it. I didn't even have an assistant coach to help yet.

My wife said, "NO! You are not going!" I said, "But you don't understand. The field is where I am most relaxed, most comfortable. I'll be okay." And I leave.

Less than eight hours after I almost passed out at school, less than three hours after being released from the hospital, I was at my favorite spot in the whole wide world - on the field with a new group of kids.

Draft went great. Another very good group. I felt good. I slept like a baby that night. Three days off from school and I was back teaching and coaching.

If only someone could have taken my BP at the field, I wonder just how low if would have been.

I've always known coaching was good for me.

�

Back to Table of Contents