Posted on 06/27/2007 7:43:31 AM PDT by SmithL
State Sen. Ophelia Ford dialed 911 at 6:30 a.m. Sunday from her Mud Island apartment requesting medical help, according to a tape of the emergency call.
"What's the problem ma'am? Tell me exactly what happened," the operator said.
"I haven't eaten in about a week and I can't stop shaking," Ford said. "I think I got a blood infection."
Sunday's call for help is the latest in a series of events that have raised concerns about the Memphis Democrat, including an off-topic outburst during a Senate committee meeting in Nashville, a hospital stint after reportedly falling off a hotel bar stool and frequent absences from the Senate this spring. Ford has blamed anemia for her past troubles.
In Sunday's 911 call, Ford said she was having difficulty breathing and was clammy.
When asked "Do you have any history of heart problems?" Ford said, "Yes. It's being looked at."
Shelby County Commissioner Joe Ford said Tuesday that his sister was being treated at Methodist University Hospital but he did not know any details.
A reporter could not reach Ophelia Ford for comment.
A Methodist official said Tuesday that Ford's name did not appear on a patient list, but Ford could have chosen not to have her name listed.
Joe Ford said his sister, who represents a district that runs from South Memphis to Millington, needs to start answering questions about her health.
"She needs to start being honest with everyone -- our family, the news media, everyone," Ford said.
Here are excerpts of a 911 call made Sunday around 6:30 a.m. by state Sen. Ophelia Ford.
Operator: What's the problem ma'am? Tell me exactly what happened.
Ford: I haven't eaten in about a week and I can't stop shaking. I think I got a blood infection.
Operator: How old are you?
Ford: 56 almost 57. (Her birthday is July 5, 1950.)
Operator: Just one moment ma'am ... Are you breathing normally?
Ford: No.
Operator: Are you having difficulty breathing?
Ford: Yes. I don't have any strength.
Operator: Are you having difficulty speaking between breaths?
Ford: Yes.
Operator: Are you clammy?
Ford: Yes.
Operator: Do you have any history of heart problems?
Ford: Yes. It's being looked at.
Operator: Do you have asthma?
Ford: No. I have bronchitis.
(The operator asks Ford to unlock her front door and wait for help.)
Ford: It's gonna take me a little while to get to the door.
Operator: OK, well you go on and start heading to the door. But, uh, if anything changes, you give us a call back immediately, OK. We are on the way. Thank you.
Starting with herself...
This woman needs more help than she can get from her family.
A lot more.
I heard on Rock 103 in Memphis today that Ford had FIVE packed suitcases ready when the ambulance arrived to pick her up.
So...what’s the inside story? Is she a drug addict?
The woman doesn’t appear to understand what 911 is for.
I hadn’t thought of DT’s but maybe that’s what her brother was getting at; that she needs an AA sponsor or something.
DTs are serious symptoms, she is getting beyond simply needing an AA sponser if she has this.
IF she has delirium tremors, it IS a 911 emergency.
Hmmm... if she's not showing up drunk for hearings to deliver off-topic rants, she's assaulting taxi drivers while drunk or falling off bar stools while EXTREMELY INTOXICATED. Her family is trying to have her sent to detox, but it won't help. You can't fix stupid.
Yet she managed to pack 5 bags for her trip to the hospital. Sounds to me like she has some longstanding health problems both physical and mental.
I don’t believe everything I read in the paper. The 911 call WAS the official call. I am going by that. As an EMT I would consider delirium tremors high on my list of diagnosis.
She might indeed have medical problems such as a brain tumor or dementia — these symptoms can look like symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse. Or the victims can try to cover up the problem with substance abuse. I had an uncle who started behaving strangely...he liked to drink and most assumed that his problems stemmed from too many beers. His brain tumor wasn’t discovered until it was too late.
You are exactly right. She calls 911 with honest symptoms, she deserves to get help.
I was not aware they were so bad! You’re talking detox, I suppose?
Delirium tremens can occur after a period of heavy alcohol drinking, especially when the person does not eat enough food.
It may also be triggered by head injury, infection, or illness in people with a history of heavy use of alcohol.
It is most common in people who have a history of alcohol withdrawal, especially in those who drink the equivalent of 7 - 8 pints of beer (or 1 pint of “hard” alcohol) every day for several months. Delirium tremens also commonly affects those with a history of habitual alcohol use or alcoholism that has existed for more than 10 years.
Symptoms occur because of the toxic effects of alcohol on the brain and nervous system. They may be severe and get worse very quickly. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
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