The reason for my hookup to a machine, however, was something I now realize was preventable & I feel a bit foolish for not being more careful to do. That reason was dangerously low potassium levels, which had dropped as a direct result of my not having replaced sufficient electrolytes in my system after being in & out of extreme heat for the past week plus--including having mowed our lawn at "off" hours (evening around sunset & before 9:00 a.m. to AVOID being in those 100+ degree heat indices!). The lovely folks who took care of me in the ER, aware of my family history of type 2 diabetes, were kind enough to recommend a Gatorade substitute with far less sugar (that'd be Propel for those interested).
My brother greeted this news with, "Eat a banana, you banana!" Great advice, except that my potassium was low enough that the ER doc informed me I'd need to eat POUNDS of them to restore it unless he prescribed some (which he has for a week). So to all those who've said the above over the years (especially in our high school cafeteria--you know who you are!!!), you're very right!!!
