Everything was going in a normal way. I had already passed the security controls. I sat and waited for the boarding call. I was relaxed, as I normally am during these transatlantic trips.I took out of my backpack, the small book my SO gave me when he proposed and started to read it. It was hard to stay focus: People were not longer speaking german or english, everything I heard was spanish and pretty loud, as is typical in some latin people. That's when I realized I was going home.
We boarded the plane. I had chosen an aisle seat because that way I feel more "freedom" and can stretch my legs or stand up and walk, go to the toilet, etc., without bothering my neighbors. A dutch couple in their late 50's was sitting next to me. They seemed nice and we had some small talk here and there. I also helped them figuring out how to use the entertaining system and how to put their crazy headset on.
I checked which movies were available and I was so happy to find out they had movies I was interested in watching; like frozen and 12 years a slave. I started with 12 years a slave. I was eating one of my favorite german chips and less than an hour into the travel journey, I started to feel sick. Scary sick: My heart was racing, difficulty to breathe, a burning feeling on my chest and my left arm was so heavy I had the feeling I couldn't lift it up. I took my headset off, got up and told the couple I was feeling weird. I walked to the nearest flight attendant and told her I was not feeling well. She told me to go back to my seat and wait for her colleague, who was going to come to check my blood pressure. I did so, but it got worse, it was worse when I was sitting, so I opted for walking until she came.
She didn't bring anything to check my blood pressure. Instead she asked me a bunch of things and she said she was more than sure it was my back. -at that point I had not told her I have experienced back problems in the past-. What she said made sense to me, but I was still not getting any better. I looked at the time and there were about 9+ hours left to reach Panamá. I just thought: this is going to be the longest flight of my life, what if I die here? what the heck is wrong with me? I couldn't understand why I was feeling the way I was, what exactly was causing it, and I of course was pissed at myself because if it was emotional, there were not really reasons to cause such drama. It was not my first time on a transatlantic trip and I normally have good control of my emotions. Maybe I am just getting old
The thing is, it indeed didn't get any better with the pass of the minutes and two more weird things added up: the need to go to the toilet and the need to throw up. The senior flight attendant came to check on me, and I guess she saw me yellow or in a pretty bad condition, because she said: "don't worry, I will take you to a comfier place because I am sure is your back. I will take your blood pressure to show you everything is alright". I picked up my backpack and followed her. She took me to business class, took my blood pressure which was 126/76. She said that's normal, but to be in a resting position, that was high for me. She said she would call a doctor, even though she knew there was nothing wrong. Minutes later I heard: "ladies and gentlemen, we need a doctor!. If you are willing to help us, please come to the front". It was said in dutch, english and spanish. How freaking embarrassing is that? :-o
Short after that, there was a female doctor right next to me. Her name was Dr. Elena Ceuca from Romania. She talked to me, asked -again- a bunch of things and she concluded it was emotional?!?. She was very sweet and nice, as well as the senior flight attendant; but I disagree with her that it was emotional. I am more inclined to believe it was my back problems. Dr Elena came to check on me twice. Both times we talked about different stuff and she gave me her email address. she was going to a Congress in Panamá and after that wanted to go with her husband -she brought him along- to either Colombia or Costa Rica. I of course emailed her giving thanks for her help during such a scary moment.
Traveling first class was great and way comfier than economy. My back and I sure thank that senior flight attendant and all the flight crew on that day, because they were very helpful, quick to react, and lovely. Although, I must say I felt a bit weird being there, like probably the other passengers that paid so much to fly first class were pissed I got to enjoy all the 1st class privileges, having paid an economy class fee -which btw, was also not cheap-. But who knows if later on I will get the bill?
Yes girls, I am also glad I got home safe. Panamá was the first stop. Then came a 60+ flight to Bogotá and a week later a 55mins flight to my hometown.
It sure was a scary experience and something I hope doesn't happen again, specially because I know that once Daniel and I are married, I won't be flying to him, but to my relatives. At least once a year. Imagine if that happens again? heck no!!!