Jeweli39

Let's see. If I don't pass my NR paramedic testing it will really screw up my plans for the future. It is the one thing I have been looking forward to for quite a while now. After both my husband and I got laid off (it was paying for my school), he got cancer and the rest of our world came to a stand still -I need to pass the damned test. How much more stress could this woman have been under than that!?! Our brain can get away from us if we put too much stress/pressure on ourselves, and the military system for dealing with people in need of counsel is still in it's infancy. Those of us that are so 'cheerful' and 'encouraging' to the outside world are often insecure about our own abilities. I know I am. I'm thinking that there were other mitigating factors that this soldier didn't share with anyone else. Had she come to our station, anyone of us would have spoken at length with her and even helped with studying. It's a damned shame she made the choice she did.

The pharmacy on base said to boil the pills in water. I think that particular pharm tech was dippin' in the morphine or some other feel good med. For the rest of the kind offers to remove the offending meds: thank you so much for the... offers. Of course that would be for the all inclusive package with the special bonus laxatives, suppositories, enemas, stool softeners, fiber additives, colace, lomotil (makes you stop pooping) AND if you call right now I can include the limited edition donut ring butt pillow AND the adult diapers in 2, COUNT THEM 2 sizes. (lol) Not really a high demand among 12 year olds for most of this, except maybe the wrestlers and those with eating disorders. Thanks for all of the input. I'm going to grind them all to a fine powder and sprinkle them on my garden. I'll have the most relaxed tomatos in the hx of veggies.

He's not dead yet! He just never took the pills. He's done with the surgery and tx the drs gave him the pills for. The military hands out so many pills in mass quantity for everything, and I guess his dr was Timothy Leary. As a side note: I did contact the local hospice and they said if a pt who has 'passed' has medications they leave it to the family to dispose of the meds. How screwy is it trying to do the right thing? Thanks for the suggestions.

I have many pills left over from my better-halfs CA tx: hydrocodone, oxycontin, etc. Most of which he never took any of. I have asked his drs, 3 pharmacists, hospice, I even emailed the DEA as to how to dispose of these. Since we aren't supposed to flush pills anymore, what do I do with them? Even Doctors without Borders won't take them. If I had no morals the answer would be easy. Any legal suggestions?

My husband and I are looking into where we would like to move. So, what makes you town so good (include any details you feel are pertinant or interesting). On the flipped side, what about your town/city makes you want to move or not spend long term time there (again with the details). Please feel free to include jobs, enteretainment, pay, outdoor activities etc. No worries on the schools- no kids. Thanks

This may be uncomfortable for some of you to read, so don't feel like you have to. At 48 years old, my husband was passing blood and had been for 3+ months. He went to the Dr. who eventully got around to reqesting a colonoscopy. The eventual diagnosis was stage 3 rectal cancer - not colorectal that would have been easier treatment wise. Radiation, chemo and surgery followed and all the changes these tx include. He has worked out 3 days a week since we was 16 yo, non-smoker, not a heavy drinker - he was healthy. From this event he is now incontinant, can't hold his bowels, impotent, and will be having another surgery to have a permanent colostomy bag installed in two weeks. I ask you this favor: get a colonoscopy. It begs to be made fun of and we have too. A camera up your ass for a short time (they do knock you out for the procedure), or wetting the bed. The discomfort of having to drink the 'GoLytely' to clean your pipes out, or impotence. It's not a hard choice. Get the damned test so you won't have to use accessories to do things you used to do without thought. For you ladies: we get mammograms and paps, this isn't any worse. There are so many really good medics out there and we need to stay healthy. If you have any blood in your stool - get checked. If your insurance will pay for a colonoscopy prior to age 50 get one done. The military health system here is more flexible with the age thing. Please encourage anyone close to 45 yo to get it done. A hour with a camera up your butt is easier than the alternative.

Dustdevil- When you hit pious I'll post you direct (LOL). As I read the postings so many of them were from a very uninformed, never have to worry about it place. My point was this: if in a burning building no one can really tell if they will jump from a window if it might save their life. It's situational in the end. No one really knows what they might do in any given situation. Have a healthy dae. J

Okay. So, at barely 14 yo I got an abortion after being raped by an adult from the church we belonged to. My parents made this decision after meeting with the 'Woman doctor' I had been seeing since 10yo (onsent of menses). I have a congenital defect that has rendered my uterus useless. The ectopic pregnancy would have killed me had my parents not made the decision they did. So, we will burn in hell for this decision. But we will have plenty of company. I own the decisions I have a hand in. How about you? I am surprised at how pious many of you are. It must be nice being better than everyone else. Isn't perfection a pain in the #@! to maintain?

Does anyone know of websites etc that have downloads (for pda) that are EMS or medical? Preferably free since I'm still not making real money. I'm just looking for something to keep my brain moving when my partner breaks out the PS2, or when he drones on about his mommy troubles. I need a distraction... Help!

It's true. If you have a background or a knack for EMS, then by all means take the accelerated course. If many of us think back to when we new EMT's, most of us didn't feel prepared for the first real call we had to sign our names to. Yes, I took the 4 month course back in 1994. However, the words in the books were skills that needed to be practiced on pts. Not family members. Try this. Take the course, garner all the information you can from that resourse. Study your &#$@ off, take the test. If you pass the test, then go forth, young one and EMT to your hearts content. If you don't pass the test, re-take the test, etc. I'm sure I'm not the only medic in hx to take cme or training classes that I didn't need- just because I liked the topic. (if the county pays I'm there). Afterall, a better trained basic makes a better trained partner, but I digress. If you do the 18 day be prepared to study, in the bathtub, the car, your sleep. Everywhere for that 18 days. My old roommate did the 24 day class. He passed the class, and failed the test, did it over. Regretted spending the money on the accelerated but was really well prepared for the 4 month course. LOL = lots of luck (for this one at least)

One county I worked for we were told 'unoffically' any DUI/DWI wold result in UT duty. The UT was the utility truck that picked up bodies no one else wanted, or moved the 'real' medics and gear for community activities as needed. They did it too. One woman there got a DUI and she was on the UT for about 9 months until she gave up and quit. I don't disagree with this practice. We couldn't buy lottery tickets, cigarettes, etc while in uniform. To me any DUI is a mark on the people who wear the uniform. None of us is perfect true, but creating a problem is bad. Being in an accident is far different than causing one. Since part of the job is generally driving, wouldn't safe driving in our private lives be important too? We work way too hard to get the patch to screw it up by one drink too many.