Wow, this
week has been crazy. I had probably what will be the most scary event on my
mission. It’ll probably be the entire letter. It’s something I believe I was
prepared for.
So
this past Thursday during our weekly planning session, some hermanas
in a different area called asking Elder Dahlin why the zone leaders weren’t
answering their phone, because they had an appointment with them. Elder
Puerto and Elder McCubbins (zone leaders) said they were sick and that Hermana
Whitehead (mission pres. wife) told them to sleep. The Hermanas sounded worried
but Elder Dahlin told them they probably were asleep and didn’t hear their
phone.
About
45 minutes later, the APs called and said they wanted Elder Dahlin and I to
check on them with the hermanas because we were the closest elders to them.
They wanted to make sure they were okay. When I heard all this I instantly knew
what was wrong. We got a taxi and went to the other elders’ area. We ran to
meet the hermanas to go to their place. I just had this feeling to prepare
myself for what to do. I almost even told everyone what we were going into
wouldn’t be what you expect. I had the same feeling as five years ago... I
didn’t say anything though because I didn’t want to be thinking the worst.
We
ran up to the door and Elder Dahlin rang every doorbell. Some workers on the
roof looked over and we told them to open the door. We ran upstairs and pounded
on the elders’ door. There was a blanket covering their bedroom so we couldn’t
see them. I opened a small window in front but it was too small to get into.
Elder Dahlin and I climbed a ladder on the roof of their place and I reached
down and opened the bathroom window which was also too small. Elder Dahlin
climbed on the back of their apartment and a window in the kitchen was
unlocked. I climbed down while Elder Dahlin climbed in the window and I
followed. In their bedroom, Elder Puerto was lying on the floor and Elder
McCubbins was between the beds on the floor as well. I yelled to Elder Dahlin
to open the door and get them out. He grabbed Elder Puerto and I grabbed Elder
McCubbins. They were covered in throw up that seemed like spit.
Elder
Dahlin was taking care of Elder Puerto and I was taking care of Elder McCubbins.
I gave a priesthood blessing right away. I told him that “you have enough
faith, and I have enough faith, and that you will be healed”. Still nothing.
They were completely unconscious. It was like they were in a deep sleep
breathing really deeply. I was completely terrified. The hermanas were crying
saying their names over and over again. I felt so alone trying to save his
life. The hermanas called 066 (911 here) and they took forever to come. Every
7-8 seconds Elder McCubbins would breathe again and when he wasn’t breathing I
was worried he wouldn’t respond. I felt so lost, not knowing if CPR or
something would help. There was a pile of wet cement out on the roof where we
were that was getting everywhere. It was simply chaotic. We put them on their sides
to make sure they didn’t choke on their throw up. We then put them on their
backs and their feet on chairs and wrapped them in blankets to make sure they
didn’t go into shock. At one point I just cried out “I don’t know what to do.”
Every time Elder McCubbis stopped breathing I would panic and kind of shake him
to breathe again.
Elder
Dahlin then said that Elder Puerto was responding a bit. He could hear us and
was trying to move. Elder McCubbins was still in the same state. I just kept
thinking, "Not again. I can’t lose someone else to this." Finally the paramedics
showed up. They seemed like they were moving so slow. Elder Dahlin was on the
phone with Hermana Whitehead and he said that the elders were doing okay, but
the paremedics weren’t. She was like “What!?” haha. They took over
at Elder McCubbin’s side and sometimes would leave. I would go back over and
just tell him it’s going to be okay, and just keep breathing. They put him on
oxygen and then put him in the ambulance. Elder Dahlin went with them and I
stayed with the hermanas and Elder Puerto. About 4-5 minutes later
another ambulance came. We decided to go to Toluca Centro hospital. They got
Elder Puerto and they wanted me to go with, but I can’t speak spanish, so he
went solo. I felt so helpless and frustrated because I wanted to help.
The
hermanas and I took a taxi to the hospital and met Elder Dahlin. I just started
crying there realizing what had happened. All of the memories of that day
with Clayton just came to me. Waiting in the hospital with Mom, hearing them
trying to save Clayton. Luckily I didn’t hear the same sounds as I had before
and they were in a different area. The AP’s and President and Sister Whitehead
showed up. We all just cried and prayed in the waiting room. President went in
and Elder Puerto was fine, but they were worried Elder McCubbins had permanent
brain damage. President gave them each a blessing. We just kept waiting to hear
some news. President told us 2 by 2 any updates. When I talked to him, I told
him that this is how my brother died. Then Hermana Whitehead came over and
president told her about Clayton. They apologized that I had to go through this
again. Then the doctor came over and said there is nothing more we can do but
wait till tomorrow. He said he thinks he will be okay, but we need to
wait. I grabbed my bag and some members took Elder Dahlin and me home.
We
returned home and cleaned up (it was about 5:00 pm). Then Hermana
Whitehead called Elder Dahlin and said Elder McCubbins was starting to respond.
Elder Dahlin and I were so happy and we cried and hugged each other. We each
prayed to thank God for saving them.
We
saw them yesterday at church. Elder McCubbins was back to himself. He still
feels a little light headed and it hurts to breathe because his lungs were
burnt. There were so many miracles that saved them. If we showed up 10-15
minutes later they would be dead. Also when we opened the windows, the pilot
light was still on to the boiler. The mixture of the oxygen, carbon monoxide
and flame should have caused the place to go up in flames. Maybe it was the
order of opening the windows because the last window we opened was the one
right next to the boiler. What caused it, was where a stove should be, the
switch got turned on by accident. I am so grateful that God was able to save
the two elders. I have been reminded that we have a purpose here on earth. For
Clayton, his time was then. He was needed on the other side. I am so grateful
that through everything our family has stayed together.
That pretty
much was a big part of my week. Thanks everyone for your prayers. I miss you
all and love you!
-Elder
Thomas
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