Off we go!

As of December 19th I was officially cleared for the road... Yay!!

Sometimes I surprise myself, and lately I've had a few of those sometimes. I made it through the orientation, and more importantly, the two weeks of training. It had its ups and downs, but I made it. And after being cleared and on the road for two weeks... I love my job.

I've been meaning to post more. Really. I keep trying to write about some of the things I've learned, some of the calls I've been on and the things I've seen. But each time I sit down and face the blank screen, words escape me.

This job is not always easy. But it sure doesn't get boring.

This year has been a whirlwind. If you had asked me in January what I thought I'd be doing in 12 months, I would never have thought I'd be where I am now. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I love what I'm doing and I can't wait to see what this new year will bring! :)

Progress

Saturday marked my official half-way point in training with this new job. A week of orientation dragged by, and then I had my first full week out on the road. It's been interesting so far, a lot of ups and downs. But I'm loving it. I don't know how you all keep up with work, blogging, reading other people's blogs, twittering, etc etc. I'm only doing 40 hours a week right now, but it feels like all I've been doing is driving, working, learning, studying maps, and more driving. The main thing I have to work on is moving patients laterally. I've got the strength, but somehow my technique is not quite right and I'm having a hard time. I have yet to have any actual 9-1-1 calls. :-\ So far I've had all transfers. I guess I never realized just how much of those ambulance companies do. Oh, and get this. I cannot, for the life of me, back up or parallel park my own tiny car. But give me a huge ambulance and I've got no problem. How does that work?

I will write more later, I'm off two days this week so I should have time to get some of my thoughts together. But I just wanted to write a short note to say that I am alive and things are moving along!

Stay safe out there.

Closer

This past week I worked my last day at the bookstore, and I can honestly say I am glad to be out of there! I also talked with someone from my EMT class who got hired by the same company as I did. They started there a couple weeks ago, so I was asking them how things were going and such.

Unfortunately, what they had to say was not good. Things about the company, the staff, the training, their policies... Granted, everything that was shared with me was from this person's perspective. So far my interactions with this company have been pleasant (for the most part) and so I was a bit shocked to hear some of the things this person had to share.

Needless to say, I'm getting a bit more anxious about Monday morning. But, alas. What can you do? I won't know anything for sure until I show up next week, go through my own orientation and training, and find out for myself. And either way, I'm still beyond excited!

Until then, any pointers/tips or words of wisdom for the newbie? :)

Also, I ended up getting a (pink) Littmann Classic II SE. Someone decided to get it for me as a gift, which was an unexpected delight!

Oh, and as you can tell the blog has got a new look. I got bored with the other layout. We'll see how long this one will last.

I got a job!!

Yupp. November 30th... The first day of my new job!!

I'm excited. And nervous. But, definitely excited. :)

I'll finally be a full-time EMT working with a good ambulance company. Yeah!

And I'll be sure to write more substantial posts in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.


Oh, and if you haven't heard about or checked out the Chronicles of EMS, you can go here, here or here. What they're doing is awesome. (Be sure to follow them on twitter and youtube too!)

Stethoscope?

Okay, so I know I asked this in one of my very first posts, but I wanted to ask one more time before I go ahead and buy something. I am (finally!) going to be getting a stethoscope [one that doesn't fall apart when you look at it] and want to know what kind you suggest?

The Littmann Classic II SE is what some people said so far. But then I've had a few people who work in EMS swear by the Littmann Cardiology III because of the acoustics. And, finally, someone mentioned Ultrascope as being a good one too.

Have you tried or do you use either of these?

Why you do...

...what you do.

What made you want to get into the field you are in today?

Tuesday

I apologize (again) for the lack of posts recently. Just been busy with work and filling out applications, trying to get a job in the world of EMS. In fact, I just got off the phone and have my first interview on Tuesday the 27th! Though now I'm super nervous. I've had interviews before, but this one is bigger. More important. Any tips or words of wisdom? :-)

The Results Are In

And... I'm a certified EMT!!

YEAH!!

Dust Collector

So originally the call comes in as groin pain. We arrive at the apartment complex on the third floor and his son answers the door. He leads us through a maze of narrow hallways lined with boxes of long forgotten items now blanketed in a thick layer of dust. As we got closer to the bedroom the smell got stronger.

According to the son, his father (age 76) had fallen on the way to the bathroom three days earlier, and now the pain was to the point that he could not get out of bed. As it turns out his father was in so much pain that we couldn't get his heart rate and blood pressure without him wincing. Poor fellow was in such pain, and we had no choice but to use a sheet carry and a wheel chair until we could reach the stretcher three floors down.

On the way to the hospital I was able to get the man talking, and I even got a chuckle out of him a time or two. Now, here's where I've got some trouble. His son said his father had fallen three days ago, and had only not been able to get out of bed that day because of the pain. But when we were walking down the hallway the smell was obvious. And when we lifted the father off his bed, the stench honestly made me want to vomit. There was no doubt that the man had been laying in that bed, soaked through with his own urine (and such things), for at least a week. And there were three other people in that apartment the entire time, who could have called for help earlier, who could have changed the man's sheets and clothes, who could have done something. Anything. Ugh!

So, questions.
Have you encountered situations like that, in which neglect is obvious?
What is your reaction?
I have heard that you should keep a little jar of Vicks Vapor Rub with you, does it actually help with the smells?

Anywho, I am still awaiting my test results. I hate waiting! But, hopefully tomorrow will be the day. :)

Getting Closer...

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Been busy working and studying. Tomorrow is my final FINAL exam - state practicals. I'm feeling pretty good about it. Pretty soon I may actually be the "East-Coast EMT"!!

I hope you are all doing well, and enjoying your weekend. :-)

It's never enough

So, I have decided that when I have kids and they decide they want a pet one day, I’m going to stick with a goldfish or something along those lines, that can be easily replaced without their knowledge. ;-) Because let me tell you, no matter how expected it is, it’s still hard losing a puppy after 14 years.

On another note.

What can you really do when someone has lost their desire to live? I am definitely not one for giving up. Though I can't help but think that if it were me in certain situations, I wouldn't want to live either.

Which brings me to another thing. This past week I had a transfer, 74 year old female going from dialysis back to a nursing home. She had undergone open heart surgery three days earlier but her vitals were stable. After I took her pulse and blood pressure she grabbed onto my arm and closed her eyes. I asked if she was feeling alright, but was answered with silence. A moment or two later she started to speak. At first it was just a whisper and I had to strain to hear her over the noisy ambulance. She told me how she wished that the doctors had let her die in surgery when she started bleeding. She said she had no reason to live, no family to visit her, no friends left to talk with. More than anything, she said she wanted to be rid of this world.

I wanted to assure her that life was worth living, that her life had worth and value, that people cared for her. But all I could do was hold her hand and give her a smile. The only words I could manage were “I’m sorry.” To which she replied, “Once you hit a certain age, there’s no point anymore. Don’t go getting old.”

Four minutes later we reached the nursing home, and she started crying. She begged us not to take her back inside. As soon as we walked in the door of the facility it was obvious why she didn’t want to be there. You couldn’t pay me to stay there.

What do you say to a patient in that type of situation?
How do you act?

Update

Just a quick note to say... I passed!!!

I aced my exam and practicals, and couldn't be more excited. :-)

Now I'll be taking my written and practical state exams within the next two to three weeks, and then I'll be official!

Texting While Driving

Anyone seen this already? My grandparents in the UK sent this along to me.



Thoughts...?

Okay, back to some last minute studying. I've got my written final tonight!

I'm Alive!

No need to worry, I'm still here. Ha!

My apologies for not posting in... uhm, 20 days?! I have written and rewritten things here and there that I meant to post, but a lot of the time nothing seems good enough to put on here.

Things have been crazy here. Stressful might be a better word, though an understatement. My classes finish next Saturday. The 26th is actually my written final, and on the 29th we are being tested on all the practicals. Then I move on to take my state exam. And so, all I do is study study study! I'm thinking about and reciting this stuff in my sleep. Quite literally. (And loving it!) Though I need to stop over-thinking things so much because it's just messing me up.

Any tips for a nervous student?!

I guess sleep would be a good thing. Once in a while. ;-)

Three Minutes Out

So my time in the ED started off at a crawl. Did lots of urine samples and EKGs. Three hours in and (finally!) there is a code 1 three minutes out. My brain tunes out everything else that was said. I sort of went blank. I knew that if CPR was in progress or needed I would be called upon. I was fine with that, just a bit nervous seeing as how I had only ever practiced on a limb-less plastic dummy.

There are two EMTs and two Paramedics wheeling the patient in. One of them is riding on the side performing chest compressions. The patient is an 83 year old male who was found pulseless and apneic by his daughter. He had been that way for at least 4 minutes when the medics arrived. By the time he was rushed into the red pod he had been intubated and had vomit dripping down the sides of his face. With each breath his stomach kept filling with air.

Within ten seconds that vacant room filled with 15 people, 1 patient, and myself. It was sudden chaos, and I was being called to the opposite side of the stretcher to take over compressions. I weaved my way over, dodged a few flailing arms, and stepped up onto the stool. Adrenaline took over and I found myself with my hands on the patient's sternum doing my first real chest compressions. It was nothing like I expected. Although, I'm not quite sure what I was expecting in the first place.

Meanwhile, doctors were shouting orders at nurses and asking the medics question after question. Three minutes go by and the nursing student takes my place. Before I even have time to try and figure out where I should stand the medic at the patient's head asks me to take over bagging. Lucky for me there was a little yellow light that blinked every six seconds, prompting me to squeeze the bag. Two minutes go by. The head doctor stops compressions, checks again for a pulse, and says to continue with cpr. It's my turn. I got out just in time. Not twenty seconds later does the patient vomit and it sprays everywhere. Specifically onto the face of the medic (not wearing proper BSI!) who took over bagging.

Another two minutes, compressions are stopped. A weak femoral pulse is felt. It is short lived. Compressions begin again. This goes on for twenty three minutes. Finally the patient has regained a pulse, at least for a short time, and the doctors kick us out to do their thing. Whatever that might be.

I don't know what happened to the man. His daughter had disappeared when EMS arrived on scene, and she never showed at the hospital.

That was 24 days ago. I can still picture every detail about the man's face, and I remember all the tattoos he had on his chest and arms. And sometimes I find myself wondering who he was, what kind of life he lived, how he ended up exposed on a backboard with a tube down his throat and me pounding on his chest.

So, that was exciting. I wish I knew the outcome, but I suppose that's just the way it goes sometimes. Time to return to my studies.

Third time's the charm

Today I get home from class, check my email, and find that I got my first comment. Yay! It gets better. Turns out it is from Medic999, and he has also given me a shout out on his page. :) I'm honored! So, thank you to Medic999 and everyone else who has already taken a look here and left comments. I know it's a small thing, but it sure means a lot.

I feel like I don't have much to write about on here just yet, seeing as how I am just beginning. But I am most definitely excited! I do know, however, that I have many questions.

Today I met with someone at the local volunteer ambulance company and finally got the ball rolling. I am looking forward to getting involved and gaining as much experience as I can.

Oh! And today I spent most of my morning and afternoon holding C-spine on Resusci Anne while the other class of EMT-B students took their final and did their practicals. Okay, so it wasn't quite as exciting as skydiving, or anything of the sorts, but at least I was able to get a feel for what the final will be like. And this Saturday I will be volunteering to be a 'victim' for the day as students take their NREMT, so that will give me even more of an idea of what to expect, at least for one station.

Other than that I'm just studying, working and house-sitting this week. And I think I have found a more subdued (somewhat!) layout. I am having the hardest time finding one that I like and that is not too flashy. And not being all that tech-savvy, this is quite a challenge!

Are you an EMT, Paramedic, or other health care professional?
Do you remember what/who your first call/patient was?
Just curious.

One Down

I completed my first ride time this past weekend. Nothing too exciting in ten hours. First we had an 81 y/o woman who had chest pain upon exertion. Though it first came in as a psych call. Hmm. Then we had a man in his late fifties who had just had a seizure. He was postictal when we got there, and relatively combative. The ativan seemed to calm him down a bit, but it didn't kick in until we reached the ED. So, that was my night, along with hours of sitting and waiting. I now know to bring a book next time, though I'm hoping for a few more calls. I'm going back this weekend, so we'll see. I'm looking forward to it.

We are studying geriatrics this week in class. Oh, the things we have to look forward to as we age. Next weekend we are doing extrication, which I am really looking forward to. And tomorrow, kinematics.

What kind of stethoscope do you use? Is there one that you prefer over another?

A Fresh Start

Today is a new day, and with it has come a new perspective.

Though, I wish I could write about more meaningful things.
Instead of a few words here and there and probably too many youtube videos to waste time with.
But I don't have the words.

I used to.
In high school I was a big writer, and I was good at it if I do say so myself.
But that was a long time ago.
And something happened between then and now.
A lot of things.
And the words don't come anymore.

But, here's to trying, right?

Other people put it so much better, though.

"Cause everything inside of me looks like
Everything I hate
You are the hope I have for change
You are the only chance I'll take"
-Switchfoot