The Flight Home

It is great to return to sunny, blue sky, non humid, Seattle – thanks for the warm reception Seattle.

Our adventures didn’t end when we boarded the plane in Kuala Lumpur.  During the security screening, it was found that Aaron was carrying a bottle of liquid and upon inspection it was his prized and brand new bottle of Sour Sop concentrate.  The guys had taken a liking to the fruit so this was going to be Aaron’s supply for now.  However, while packing, it didn’t occur to him that he shouldn’t hand carry the bottle on the flight, instead he should have packed it into his suitcase.  Big bummer.  Oh…but there’s more “drama” installed for us on this ride home which we couldn’t predict.

Peter and Aaron chumming it up with Buzz Light-Year at the KL International Airport.

After taking those shots we proceeded to look for a quick bite before going to our gate to board.  Peter and I scrounged up whatever Malaysian currency we had left not converted and decided to split a sandwich and chips from O’Brien’s Irish Cafe.  On our flight from KL to Taipei, Peter and I again chose the same in-flight meal; the fish option.  After about a 5 hour flight we arrived in Taipei where we just lounged around until our connection flight to Seattle.  It was about a 2 hour transit.

When we finally made it on to the plane, we were all too tired to stay up for too long even though we wanted to try and adjust back to local time.  Our bodies were tired and so we all fell asleep.  Peter and I were seated next to each other again on this leg and I had the aisle seat.  Mid way through our flight “drama” unfolded.  This is the kind of stuff your hear about or watch in a movie but you never think it happens to your friends or even yourself.

While sound asleep I was suddenly awoken by Peter jumping over me to get to the aisle.  I figured he really need to go and couldn’t wait, so I dozed off again but not for long partially because we were encountering turbulence.  I opened my eyes shortly and realized that the attendants had gone by with our food and since we were asleep they left Peter and I a sticker giving us instructions on what we needed to do to get our meal.  Still in a daze from waking up, I tried to read and focus on the sticker.  Just then I get a tap on my shoulder from a flight attendant and she says, pointing to the back, “is this your friend?” and the only friend I knew who might be back there was Peter and when I turned back to look I didn’t see him standing there and Peter is a hard guy to miss especially in a flight full of Asians.  I figured she got the wrong person.  Then she taps me again and says “is this your friend?” this time point to the ground.  As I turned around, still in a daze, I see a pair of legs and a person lying on the ground.  To be honest, at first I thought it was a joke that Peter was playing on me, then it hit me, he was lying there motionless.  I quickly jumped out of my seat and ran back.  I didn’t even think to alert Aaron and Bryan.

When I got to Peter, the flight attendants were tending to him.  I was then told that he just collapsed while walking towards the lavatory.  I quickly got up close to Peter and started calling his name.  After a minute or two, Peter tries to open his eyes and manages to say to me that he just wanted to puke and then he was out again.  I wasn’t quite sure what to do but I knew I need to get him in a comfortable position to ensure proper blood flow if anything.  I was comforted by the fact that he managed to respond to me and was able to tell me what he was trying to do so I knew he was somewhat coherent.

The attendants then spotted that Peter was bleeding on his forehead so they started wiping the blood away and stopping the blood.  One of the chief attendants then asked if we should raise the alarm and announce that we were in need of a doctor’s help if there was one on board.  Now we got the attention of the whole plane and people started to peer around from their seats.  By this time Aaron and Bryan and had come back as well and before long we had 2 medical professionals show up.  I am still not sure if they were doctors or what (one Chinese and one American), they quickly attended to Peter.  They tested for this oxygen level and also his heart beat to ensure it was normal and he was.  After a few more minutes Peter slowly came around and was able to fully communicate.  The guys treated his head wounds and talked to him for a bit and then we finally pulled him up.

At this point, Peter still needed to use the restroom and us 3 guys helped him in and everyone went back to their jobs and seats.  As we were waiting for Peter outside the lavatory and were talking, something came over me and I started to hyperventilate.  I just knew I need to breathe in and out deeply.  Aaron and Bryan started to get concerned.  I then told them that I was feeling the same thing Peter did and I might be passing out too.  Not sure what  I was thinking but I tried to take a few steps towards somewhere and just then my face turned ghostly pale, eyes rolled and I started to fall over.  I remember hearing Aaron and Bryan calling out to me and I remember starting to give instructions while falling how to treat me then I was out.

Thankfully I only blacked out for a few seconds and the guys were there to catch me.  By the time they laid me down I was awake again and able to direct my immediate treatment.  I quickly asked Aaron to grab me a cold towel for my forehead and for Bryan to lift my legs so blood would flow back to my head.  Right away I felt back to normal.  The Chinese doctor again came back and decided to test my oxygen levels and heart beat and I registered the same readings as Peter.  He asked me a bunch of questions and determined I was all right.  I told the doctor that I was really hungry and so I felt weak.  He asked the last Peter and I ate and I told him.  The funny thing was when Peter came out of the lavatory while this was happening and had to do a double take because I was the one on the floor now.

After getting up I went back to my seat and requested for my lunch which helped me and I felt normal after.  I thank God that nothing really bad happen to us and also for the miracle of where Peter actually landed when he passed out.  Being the big and tall guy he is he could have been pretty banged up if he didn’t fall in the right spot.  But because he was on his way to the lavatory, he fell right at the opening of the aisle way leading to the galley and lavatory so he fit in there perfectly.  So apart for a jammed ring finger and cuts to his forehead, he was all right.  And also thankfully Aaron and Bryan were there to catch me as I fell over so I didn’t have a scratch on me.

It was definitely a long and very eventful return trip home and a good story to tell for a while.  We truly thank God for His hands on us even in our crazy circumstance; Peter and I were able to walk off the plane on our own and make it home.

Very grateful…