It's that time again folks!
Head on over to Medic999's blog
and read up on some fantastic stories.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Handover
It's that time again folks!
Head on over to Medic999's blog
and read up on some fantastic stories.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Cuteness Defined
27 years ago today, my mother experienced a whole new version of childbirth. Her stubborn "Steven" wouldn't budge. When that baby decided SHE wanted to make her debut she arrived sunny side up.
You know, just to be different.
Of course she didn't always resemble a primate so much.
Eventually she got even more adorable.
She had a few more trips around the sun - made her fair share of mistakes and perfected the eye-roll. But she has always done what she wants...
Wait for the singing? No way!
This child was not only cute as a button, she was a budding artist. Sharpening her mad pig sculpting skills. Making her parents very proud.
So come on folks... Celebrate this painfully adorable genius child's birthday!
I know my momma is.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Routine.
What the….? Oh yeah, that’s a pager. My pager. Ripping me out of my precious and much adored sleep.
Feet on the floor. Shirt over the tank top. Swap jeans for pjs. Shake the cobwebs from your brain.
Phone… check. Radio… check. Pager… check. Shoes?! There they are…
Pause at Jo’s door. Detect no movement or light.
Grab car keys and boots. Don’t forget to lock the door.
Wipers on to clear the fog on my window. Window down to allow the cool air to chase out the spiders from my brain.
Updates… location change… doesn’t sound good.
Pull in. Phone into the pocket. Pager and radio on my hip. Grab your helmet. You always forget your helmet.
Into the ambulance and off we go.
Ration out gloves and talk game-plan. Right there. See the squad?
Wow! That looks like it hurt… don’t cringe on the outside. Gloves on… Jump kit… check. Spinal board… check.
Crap, I forgot my reflective vest.
Blood. Lots of blood. Music is blaring. Odd thoughts of musical notes floating upside down out of the car on it’s roof. Dancing to the beat on the inside. Hands are steady holding c-spine.
Frustration mounts… my questions are more important that yours. I’ll get you his info in a minute.
What? Trauma shears? Right pants pocket. Oh wait… left. Speaking of spiders, please shoo that one off my leg.
Ants? What’s with the bugs? Ick. Can’t let go. Kinda itchy.
No-Bama. Funny even in pain.
Whoa. That looks like it hurts. I’m intrigued. Memories in check. Stay there please. Thanks.
C-spine kit in a giant ant pile. More itchy. Yuck. Tease new guy about placement of gear. Surprised it wasn’t me this time.
Check the back. Roll him on my count. Straps and backboards. Out of Bug Central.
Wow… things are going smooth as silk.
Big needle… giggle. All before the BP cuff deflates. Booya. One shot. Go me.
Wait. He just asked that question 2 minutes ago. Here come the 11’s... Put your thinking cap on.
Okay, time for the mental checklist…
Anyone else? Any changes?
No, don’t get mad at us. We are helping you. I’ll smile. You take deep breaths.
There. That’s better.
What’s that? I can’t tell you one way or the other. Yes, I was holding c-spine. Sorry it’s not the answer you want to hear but I can’t say yes or no. Sassy man with a star…
Helicopter is here.
Nice Flight crew. New partners to dance with. They join effortlessly.
Recap and recheck. Switch monitors. Pack up IV’s. Pain meds mean a happy(er) patient.
Personal items nestled in between his legs.
Off to a hot load. Man… that never gets old. Rush of cool night air as they ascend into the black. Straight up sure is impressive.
A blinking star takes off into the night.
Disaster in the squad. Gloves. Blood. Wrappers. Remnants of a shirt.
Clean it up. Back to the station. So tired.
Paperwork. Restock. Clean. Don’t look at your watch. The watch I get teased for. Happy thoughts.
Windows down. Music up. Need to stay awake for 5 more minutes.
Hot. Sweaty. One hour until daily beeping.
Fan on high. Beg for sleep.
Pillows to the floor. Pillows on the bed.
Right side. Left side. Flop like a fish.
Forget it.
Time for a shower.
Feet on the floor. Shirt over the tank top. Swap jeans for pjs. Shake the cobwebs from your brain.
Phone… check. Radio… check. Pager… check. Shoes?! There they are…
Pause at Jo’s door. Detect no movement or light.
Grab car keys and boots. Don’t forget to lock the door.
Wipers on to clear the fog on my window. Window down to allow the cool air to chase out the spiders from my brain.
Updates… location change… doesn’t sound good.
Pull in. Phone into the pocket. Pager and radio on my hip. Grab your helmet. You always forget your helmet.
Into the ambulance and off we go.
Ration out gloves and talk game-plan. Right there. See the squad?
Wow! That looks like it hurt… don’t cringe on the outside. Gloves on… Jump kit… check. Spinal board… check.
Crap, I forgot my reflective vest.
Blood. Lots of blood. Music is blaring. Odd thoughts of musical notes floating upside down out of the car on it’s roof. Dancing to the beat on the inside. Hands are steady holding c-spine.
Frustration mounts… my questions are more important that yours. I’ll get you his info in a minute.
What? Trauma shears? Right pants pocket. Oh wait… left. Speaking of spiders, please shoo that one off my leg.
Ants? What’s with the bugs? Ick. Can’t let go. Kinda itchy.
No-Bama. Funny even in pain.
Whoa. That looks like it hurts. I’m intrigued. Memories in check. Stay there please. Thanks.
C-spine kit in a giant ant pile. More itchy. Yuck. Tease new guy about placement of gear. Surprised it wasn’t me this time.
Check the back. Roll him on my count. Straps and backboards. Out of Bug Central.
Wow… things are going smooth as silk.
Big needle… giggle. All before the BP cuff deflates. Booya. One shot. Go me.
Wait. He just asked that question 2 minutes ago. Here come the 11’s... Put your thinking cap on.
Okay, time for the mental checklist…
Anyone else? Any changes?
No, don’t get mad at us. We are helping you. I’ll smile. You take deep breaths.
There. That’s better.
What’s that? I can’t tell you one way or the other. Yes, I was holding c-spine. Sorry it’s not the answer you want to hear but I can’t say yes or no. Sassy man with a star…
Helicopter is here.
Nice Flight crew. New partners to dance with. They join effortlessly.
Recap and recheck. Switch monitors. Pack up IV’s. Pain meds mean a happy(er) patient.
Personal items nestled in between his legs.
Off to a hot load. Man… that never gets old. Rush of cool night air as they ascend into the black. Straight up sure is impressive.
A blinking star takes off into the night.
Disaster in the squad. Gloves. Blood. Wrappers. Remnants of a shirt.
Clean it up. Back to the station. So tired.
Paperwork. Restock. Clean. Don’t look at your watch. The watch I get teased for. Happy thoughts.
Windows down. Music up. Need to stay awake for 5 more minutes.
Hot. Sweaty. One hour until daily beeping.
Fan on high. Beg for sleep.
Pillows to the floor. Pillows on the bed.
Right side. Left side. Flop like a fish.
Forget it.
Time for a shower.
Friday, August 14, 2009
One of our own...
For those that are in the field of EMS we often wonder where all the "good" people are. Stuck with partners that don't care or just don't get it, we dream every day for the elusive soul that is not only good at what they do, but you know they have your back no matter what. The same holds true for people not in EMS. When you find yourself dialing those three numbers for yourself, your mother, your friend, your child - you want someone there who can connect with you and earn your trust in seconds. So what are we to do when that person everyone wants to come running when they call 911 can't? What are we supposed to do? Well folks, this is your chance.
There is one such woman who puts her heart and soul into the job day in and day out. Her heart takes permanent residence on her sleeve while she cares for you physically and emotionally. This woman has worked her butt off to attend medic school. And wouldn't you know it has been faced with a barrier I hope we can all help her overcome. Epi has become like a sister to me. She is strong, passionate, loving and one of the coolest people I know. And she needs our help.
I know money is tight. I know we most of us don't "know" her, but I dare you to take five minutes and read through Epi's blog and tell me she doesn't deserve a chance to make her dream come true. She has worked so hard to get where she is today only to be stopped in her tracks.
I'm challenging all of you to three fives. Give five dollars, tell five friends and take five minutes to stop by Epi's blog and give her some words of encouragement.
I have put a donation button in the sidebar. Every last penny goes to Epi and getting her to medic school. I HATE asking for money but I can't think of anyone else that deserves this as much as she does.
Thank you all so much!
UPDATE: Epi gives a bit more of an explanation here. There have been several people wondering why I have been so vague as to why we are helping her out financially as well as with as much love and support we can muster and frankly as much as I would like to remove any doubt from your mind as to why she needs us, I don't want to cross lines of revealing more personal information than she is comfortable giving out. The bottom line is we have all been there at one point or another. When everything seems to fall apart and the one good thing you had your sights on gets taken away. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. But as I said before, I'm not sure how much I can truly share beyond what she has already.
Thank you for your understanding.
There is one such woman who puts her heart and soul into the job day in and day out. Her heart takes permanent residence on her sleeve while she cares for you physically and emotionally. This woman has worked her butt off to attend medic school. And wouldn't you know it has been faced with a barrier I hope we can all help her overcome. Epi has become like a sister to me. She is strong, passionate, loving and one of the coolest people I know. And she needs our help.
I know money is tight. I know we most of us don't "know" her, but I dare you to take five minutes and read through Epi's blog and tell me she doesn't deserve a chance to make her dream come true. She has worked so hard to get where she is today only to be stopped in her tracks.
I'm challenging all of you to three fives. Give five dollars, tell five friends and take five minutes to stop by Epi's blog and give her some words of encouragement.
I have put a donation button in the sidebar. Every last penny goes to Epi and getting her to medic school. I HATE asking for money but I can't think of anyone else that deserves this as much as she does.
Thank you all so much!
UPDATE: Epi gives a bit more of an explanation here. There have been several people wondering why I have been so vague as to why we are helping her out financially as well as with as much love and support we can muster and frankly as much as I would like to remove any doubt from your mind as to why she needs us, I don't want to cross lines of revealing more personal information than she is comfortable giving out. The bottom line is we have all been there at one point or another. When everything seems to fall apart and the one good thing you had your sights on gets taken away. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask. But as I said before, I'm not sure how much I can truly share beyond what she has already.
Thank you for your understanding.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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