Dear Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing to share a lifesaving situation thanks to a device that everyone should know about and have!

My husband, Arnold Begleiter, was diagnosed with an underlying condition in April , 2021. Because he is immune suppressed and has a life threatening condition, I have been very nervous about him possibly getting Covid. Arnold was vaccinated, boosted and had a flu shot.

On Monday, January 10, 2022, through a home Covid test he tested positive. His doctor immediately made arrangements for him to receive monoclonal antibodies that night. I was also given the antibodies prophylactically because of the probability that I was exposed to him and I could possibly test positive. His oxygen saturation was at 90% at the time of getting his antibodies, but upon awakening Tuesday morning I checked his oxygen level and it had dropped to 87% and thanks to the pulse oximeter that I used to check his oxygen level it revealed an unsafe level and reading in his oxygen saturation.

Without the pulse oximeter to check his oxygen level, I would NOT HAVE KNOW THAT HIS OXYGEN LEVEL WAS DROPPING.

Many thanks to Hatzalah for arriving so quickly. When they monitored his oxygen level with their monitor his oxygen level had dropped even more to 82% and he was taken to the hospital immediately for lifesaving intervention.

Diagnosed with Covid pneumonia. bacterial pneumonia and heart failure, he was placed on a regimen of drugs, IV’s, oxygen and telemetry.

IF I DIDN’T HAVE A PULSE OXIMETER TO CHECK HIS OXYGEN LEVEL, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT.

Thanks to Hashem and quick intervention, Arnold was discharged from the hospital 5 days later.

The pulse oximeter is extremely important and an inexpensive device to have to monitor oxygen levels, heart rate, and respirations, for saving a life!

Mary Begleiter,R.N., B.S., M.S. (wife of Arnold Begleiter) To submit letters to the editor, please email letters@baltimorejewishhome.com

Dear Editor,

As an avid reader of Baltimore Jewish Home, I wish to comment on a regular feature, Mental Health Corner, by Rabbi Azriel Hauptman. For some time, now, I have found myself drawn to each bi-weekly article, regardless of the subject matter. I can recall reading such topics as: Sleep patterns/dreams, Empathy, Overdependence on therapy, Hypnotherapy and others. Until very recently, I never wondered why this column resonates so strongly with me. After all, I am not the type of person who requires therapy on any regular basis. By now, I understand. Each of the topics is intended for general audiences with the goal of providing strong, relevant educational guidance. Doesn’t it make sense? Everyone appreciates the importance of attending to ones physical health. Ones state of mental & emotional health should be of no less importance.

Truly, each of these essays is very carefully crafted & delivers a big emotional boost. In addition to the referral and support functions that Relief Resource provides, the educational function herein presented serves a vital purpose which can only benefit all of us, individually and collectively. This is especially critical nowadays as we all acknowledge that whatever issues are “out there” impact frum, Jewish communities, as well, in full measure. For a wealth of additional information please visit Relief Resources’ web site.

Howard Elling

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