Welcome to Milkweed and Monarchs. I’m Dawn Klem, and today, I take you back to a moment that tested my instincts, my training, and my ability to stay calm under pressure.

In my second year in San Diego, I had started to branch out, forming friendships with colleagues from the hospital. One of our favorite weekend activities was horseback riding in the mountains—an escape from the intensity of our work. But one particular ride turned into an emergency I’ll never forget.

What started as a beautiful morning quickly unraveled when John, a man my friend Liz had met the night before, began acting strangely. His movements were erratic, his speech slurred, and something felt undeniably wrong. When I pressed him for answers, he finally admitted—he was diabetic, had taken his insulin that morning, and hadn’t eaten anything.

Suddenly, we weren’t just on a leisurely ride—we were in a race against time. With no food, no supplies, and no easy way down the mountain, we had to act fast. What followed was a desperate attempt to get John to safety, involving quick thinking, teamwork, and a life-flight rescue that I still replay in my mind to this day.

Join me as I recount this harrowing experience, the lessons it taught me, and the importance of staying prepared—even when you least expect an emergency.