Catshanghai

I passed out in Century Avenue Metro Station on Sunday afternoon after feeling light headed.

I’m not sure what triggered the episode. We had been walking around Century Park on a fresh autumn day whereas the metro station was piping hot, stuffy air. I had little warning. After feeling a little weak and light headed, I stood by Jenny hoping for the feeling to pass or for the train to arrive. Then everything went black for a minute or two. It was like falling asleep.

Jenny said that the colour drained from my face as I slumped to the floor. I remember having vague dream like thoughts before coming to and standing up. I opened my eyes, but I couldn’t see anything for a few moments until vision gradually came into focus and colour. I tried to reassure Jenny that I was OK, but then I passed out again.

This time I was more aware and the fainting episode seemed briefer. By this stage a gang of people apparently gathered to look at this foreigner falling down, but someone was very kind in getting help from the station staff who came to my side with a wheelchair.

I remember coming to again and not being able to see. As my sight slowly returned, I remember seeing the train leave with the thought that we should have boarded. I couldn’t really move for a little while so the staff put me in a wheelchair to help me out of the station.

I had recovered from the fainting episode by this stage and I kept telling Jenny and the station staff that I was OK. Passing out left me feeling weak and slightly feverish. We got a taxi home and I spent the evening recuperating. I was still feeling fragile yesterday and I should see a doctor to investigate further.

This is not the first time I have passed out. It happened three years when I first knew Jenny. On that occasion, Jenny saw me fall down in a poorly ventilated bathroom. She said that it was terrifying to see me look like I was going to die going to die. I’m still here, but Jenny told me that the fear of losing me helped her decide that she wanted to stay with me for the long haul.

We cannot take our health for granted, especially in Shanghai. I am still shocked by the sudden death of Jolly who recently died after a brief illness. She suffered multiple organ failure as a result of blood poisoning. She was only 34 years old.