RENA DELBRIDGE Star-Tribune correspondent | Posted: Sunday, June 17, 2007 12:00 am
DOUGLAS - It was a pretty typical weekday morning in the Barelle household.
Mom Tammy had left around 7 with son Matthew, 4, for her job at a day care center, leaving boys Tyler Barelle, 8, and Brandon Brunner, 13, to finish up their morning routine before catching a 7:30 bus to school. Dad Steve Barelle reclined in a living room chair, suffering from tendonitis and a recent bout with his recurring bad back.
The pain was so bad that May morning that Steve could hardly move, and he definitely couldn't lift his arm. Brandon had to help Steve take his medications, rationing out the daily pills with some oatmeal.
Tyler remembers snagging a few final moments on the X-Box while Brandon waited for a second helping of oatmeal to cook. Next thing he knew, Brandon was hollering at their dad to wake up.
But he wasn't getting any response.
Tyler ran to Brandon, where neither boy could jar their dad, not with shouts, not with splashes of cold water. His head had slumped forward, making him look asleep. But this was unlike any other snooze they'd seen.
"We thought he was sleeping, but when I put my finger up to his nose, there wasn't any breathing," Tyler said.
With four blown discs in his back coupled with problematic joints, Steve suffered from chronic pain and was taking prescribed painkillers. A lump on his forearm the week before appeared to be an infection and landed him in the emergency room. That turned out to be tendonitis, and doctors put him on an anti-inflammatory drug and prednisone, to ease the pain.
That brew of medications - OxyContin, Percocet, the anti-inflammatory and prednisone - swirled together rapidly with a serious result, halting Steve's heart and his breathing.
"It was so fast," Steve said, still amazed. "It was probably 10 minutes or less, an instant reaction."
Brandon was scared, and so was Tyler. Even now, weeks later, Brandon gets quiet when his dad talks about that day. But despite the fear, Brandon knew to call 911 - although once he dialed, Brandon handed the phone to Tyler. The elder brother was so stressed, he couldn't find any words.
Tyler stayed on the phone with the 911 dispatcher for several minutes until an ambulance arrived, calmly and clearly providing critical information about medications, family contacts and the house that, emergency responders said, certainly saved his dad's life.
Brandon knew exactly how many pills he'd retrieved for his dad, and out of which of the myriad bottles he'd taken them.
"Because of that sharp response of knowing exactly, they were able to counteract it immediately," Steve explained. He regained consciousness at his home, but was taken to the hospital for more aid.
"The boys did a great job on the phone and listened to direction, providing good, clear information," Douglas Police Chief Lori Emmert said. "Without their quick thinking and appropriate response… Because of that, there was a positive outcome to the call."
Children everywhere are taught about 911, whether at school, at health and safety fairs or at home. And thankfully, most never have to put those lessons to work. Steve and Tammy agreed it's good to know how well their efforts sank in with their boys.
"We're very proud of them for knowing what to do and listening to whoever educated them on the use of the 911 system," Emmert said.
The close call jarred Steve into a new commitment.
"Five minutes is not long. I appreciate every second in life now," Steve said. "It just really, really sunk in," having this happen in front of his children.
The boys are still a bit traumatized. Brandon is quiet about his role, offering little detail. Tyler sticks close to his dad's side, with lots of hugs and clinging. But they know they helped save Steve's life, and they said they hope other kids can learn from their example.
The boys received framed certificates of commendation, signed by Mayor Jim Schneider, at a city council meeting June 11. Although a little intimidating, being hailed as heroes was "cool," Tyler said.