Quote Of The Day (At A DOA)

“This is so un-surreal…”

A Series Of Successes, Punctuated With A Few Failures

It was a busy 48-hour shift on the coast. 

Getting there was a battle in itself – snow falling heavily prompted everybody to slow to less than half the speed limit, even though the roads were not slippery at all.

Arriving a few minutes late, I walked in to find the entire crew gathered around a patient sitting in the office with ECG electrodes plastered all over her chest.

Transport completed, we then proceeded to run non-stop for the rest of the day.  It wasn’t until after dinnertime that my charts were caught up.

A very restless night passed at great length.  Other agencies were toned out in the darkness, keeping me on edge.  It wasn’t until 0630 that our turn came up.

It was our patient from the previous morning.  She would never need an ambulance again…

The tones continued all day long, into the late evening - not as often, but in greater quantity.

One response stands out.  I was driving the response vehicle towards the scene, when I noted that the siren was suddenly louder.

So was the road noise!

And it was getting colder…

And it was now MUCH easier to see out the rear window.

Perhaps that’s because the rear window no longer was in place.  The damned lift gate had lifted! 

Rather than risk losing the monitor, o2 & various/assorted other equipment, not to mention looking like a complete dumbass, I elected to shut down the lights & siren, pull over, and quickly jump out & slam the damned gate shut.

Then it was back to response mode.

After a few more trips to the hospital with patients, the night-time ED tech mentioned my mishap.  Apparently he lives near the area and saw the whole thing.  Even the stuff that DID fall out.  Stuff fell out?  I had looked to make sure the important stuff was still there, but a complete inventory?  Never did that.

So when that call was over, I went back to the station & sure enough, the two hand-held stop signs from my rig were sitting in the bay, looking a little worse for wear. 

The calls continued.

But in the end, everybody who needed to be transported, was transported.  I was able to solve the problems plaguing my patients.  And all my IV’s were straight and true.  100%, baby.

The trip home was interrupted with a photo shoot.  We’re working on a project with a police department and their new canine officer.  More on this project later.

Caption Contest #9

Go on, do that voodoo that you do so well…

I’m Comin’ Home, I’ve Done My Time

Less than an hour to go in this 56-hour marathon.

While the weather has been beautiful (sunny, fairly warm – t-shirt weather today -), I’m finding myself wanting to be home.

Days 1 & 2 were pretty much uneventful.  I don’t think I ran ANY calls on day 1, and only a lift assist and a routine chest pain yesterday.  Got to sleep both nights.  Nothing to complain about.

Today made up for all that.

One of the sickest individuals I’ve seen for some time.  I honestly don’t think he/she/it will survive this event.  Probable sepsis, aspiration, and rhabdomyolysis on top of the initial insult does not bode well.  I did get the tube, though, on the first try, (and the big-assed IV) and that’s buoyed me along today.

Then we ran on a spectacular car crash that amazingly didn’t hurt anyone too bad.  All was done that needed to be done, and that makes me as happy as getting a tough tube.

As Hilda would say, I got ‘Validated’ today.  Stuff like this makes me glad I’m a Paramedic and reinforces that I’m a damned good one, thankyouverymuch.

Plus, I got my computer back, with a new hard drive, and now have to build it up, close to where it was before.

Now, all I have to do is get relieved and be on my way.  Driving safely, not speeding or tailgating, of course, headed home where I’ve been promised a fire, lit candles, and an adult beverage.  Not to mention the adult, too!

See you whenever.  We may actually head back to the coast this weekend.

Oh, and I’m starting a photography course through NYIP.  I’ve actually been through all the material before during my time with EXOL#2, but I’m spending the money and taking the time to do it myself, and do it right.  Oh, and I’ll use my own images, too…

So, Cheryl.  I’m doing the course – howzabout you?