Soap opera drama spills into real life for “Days of Our Lives” star Greg Vaughan! The 50-year-old actor took to Instagram to share his harrowing experience with altitude sickness during a family ski trip to Breckenridge, Colorado.
Mountains of Misery: Vaughan’s vacation took a turn for the worse after just one day. He started experiencing shortness of breath, congestion, and headaches – symptoms he jokingly compared to the dramatic situations his character might encounter in a soap opera.
DIY Disaster: Thinking it was just a minor cold, Vaughan tried to tough it out with hydration, Pedialyte, and even NyQuil. Unfortunately, his condition worsened overnight, leaving him with a bad cough, nausea, and a splitting headache.
Taking a Breather (Literally): Vaughan decided to rest up for a day, hoping to recover. However, his symptoms continued to escalate. After two miserable days, he finally surrendered and sought medical attention.
A Shocking Diagnosis: A visit to urgent care revealed the culprit – severe altitude sickness! Vaughan’s blood oxygen level had plummeted to a dangerous 54% (with a healthy range being 95-100%). His lungs were also filled with fluids!
Hospital Hookup (Not the Fun Kind): Vaughan received several bags of IV fluids and spent time on oxygen. Doctors advised him to immediately descend from the mountains, but being a trooper (and wanting his sons to enjoy their trip), Vaughan opted to stay another day – with a portable oxygen tank in tow!
Lessons Learned (the Hard Way): Vaughan’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for anyone venturing to high altitudes. He emphasized the importance of taking altitude sickness seriously, regardless of age or experience.
Healthy and Homeward Bound: Thankfully, Vaughan made it home safely with his family. He’s currently on the mend and using the hashtag #recoveryinprogress.
So next time you’re planning a mountain getaway, remember – “take a breathe and smell the roses!” as Vaughan advises. And maybe consult your doctor beforehand, especially if you’re heading to higher elevations.
