A fainting episode in undesirable when you're in a country you know, but even more so in a country you are new to and don't speak the language of. How do I know, you ask. The simple fact is I fainted on my way to school today(!).
Today I left for school on my own because Marie had already left, an hour earlier, out of habit, she says. I though today was going to be great! I was looking forward to it. But no, today had to turn into a mess.
I left my house at eight ten to catch the bus that goes at 25 past. I had difficulty with unlocking and locking the door, so I was happy the bus came a little late. I got on the bus as normal and everything was going fine until the final turn to the end stop. My vision started getting hazy and everything turened into a black adn white movie right before the bus stopped. I walked forward and everything went black. Right before the blackness, I remember thinking "Shit I'm fainting!"
I woke up some minutes later to people crowding around me. You know those fainting scenes in movies where the camera angle is the point of view of the fainter? Well it felt like one of those moments. And you know there's always that one person who says "Give her some space to breathe!" Well, it makes no difference whether there are a lot of people or a few people around you. You have air to breathe. You're disoriented and confused and have no recollection of what happened! I was listening to music and had my headphones on, so I know I was gone for no more than a few minutes maximum as it was the same song playing, still, when I woke up. Plus the bus I was supposed to catch had just left.
As I opened my eyes I was laying sideways with my bag next to my head. I bliked twice, confused. It had all seemed like a bad dream. I took off my headphones and heard people asking me if I was all right. I nodded, dazed and responded "Ouaih, ca va." As the crow began to thinnen I found a bus driver and the guy that makes sure the busses leave on time makeing sure I was ok. They were very kind and made me sit in a bus to warm up a little after sitting on the cold greound for some minutes.
Some minutes later I was taken to sit on a bench to wait for the paramedics. They arrived soon after and I was questionned (in Frenglish) about the date, my name and my health normally. Of the four paramedics one spoke English so he did most of the talking. I had only my school ID on me, but it seemed to be enough, thankfully.
I was taken to the ambulance and checked over. Everything was fine to my understanding. The youngest paramedic (still learning) did the check up. It was kind of nice, really, being checked over. The paramedic was extremely good looking and very nice (we'll call him Mr. Eye-Candy). After having checked my blood pressure, my pulse and my head for any cuts an older paramedic started to try to set me up with Mr. Eye-Candy. I just laughed. In my dreams, maybe, but I doubt in real life.Oh well.
We set off in the ambulance, sirens at blaring. It was the end of the rush hour and the traffic jams were thinning. There was still a huge line when we drove past my school on our way to the children's hospital in Poissy.
It being my first time in an ambulance I was facinated. I was in no pain and I thought being strappped to the gurney was a little over the top in my oppinion. The ride WAS a little bumpy and I had to keep sliding back against the back rest in order to be more comfortable. I turned around a few times to look at where we were heading. It was strange recognising the surroundings. The ambulance in itself wasn't very interesting. There wasn't much to look at.
The female paramedic and Mr. Eye-Candy chatted about injuries (ironic, eh?). I listened to them for a while but mostly I stared at Mr. Eye-Candy or out the window.
We arrived at teh hospital some minutes later (10 maximum). They let me walk out, I was happy to find out, after being strapped to the gurney. Gurneys are awkward, I tell you! The hospital looked depressing form the outside, but inside the was clearly meant to be happy and was designed for children. The walls were bright green and the chairs a dull blue. Before the paramedics left, the one who spoke English aked me to say 'hello' in Finnish. So now he and the woman know how to say 'hello' and 'bye' in Finnish. I've also taught some Finnish to a few people in my class (beside the point but I thought I'd mention it anyway). The paramedics left me to go do their job. I actually liked having them as my paramedics! It was, which it may not normally have been, an enjoyable experience.
I was taken to the examining room after being asked a few questions. I had to undress and put on one of those robes you see in movies. They are extremely uncomfortable and your arse is half exposed. Awkward. My blood pressure was taken again. She also checked my blood sugar levels. They were a little high, but not too much so. I was left to wait for the doctor. She arrived a few minutes later. I was happy to find she spoke English! It would've been très dur tu explain what happened in French. My blood pressure was take AGAIN. She also checked my heart and lunchs and I was attached to an EKG machine. It was awkward because I had to take the robe off and have about ten stickers attached to my chest, feet and hands. Then I had to lay still for a minute. That wasn't too bad.
I got to get dressed again and that was the end of the tests. I went to the toilet while the doctor studied the EKG results. When she came back she told me I could get dressed and that everything was fine. There was no problem with anything and it was most likely just a fainting episode. Nothing serious, but if it happens again during this month she told me to search a specialist's help. I'm hoping I was just feeling stressed out or something and that it won't happen again. Fainting isn't unpleasurable in itself, but it's a little embarassing when it happens while out and about. Though it is better when it happens with people around. I'm glad I wasn't in the house when it happened! I would've been all by myself!
I had to wait an hour to get picked up by a friend of Daniéle's, Michelle. She's a nice old(ish) lady who was kind enough to come and pick me up not knowing who I was. Émilie would've been able to make it for one p.m. at the earliest, so it was arranged so that Michelle came to pick me up instead. She drove me home and soon after Émilie arrived and we had lunch together. She had to go and study, but she said to call her if anything happened or worried me. My host-mother had said the same thing. Everyone was really nice about the whole episode thing, and I even got a text form Pauline, also on behalf of Marie, about my whereabouts. I was at teh hospital when she texted so I had time toanswer and I was left in the room by myself quite a few times.
Apparnetly Marie was a nervous wreck when I didn't show up for school. I feel really bad about it! But she calmed down after she found out I was all right, I was happy to hear!
Camille came over for the weekend again. I'm guessing it's so that there's someone here to look after us, but I'm not sure.
Going to eat dessert now. Yoghurt <3
