medik8

Juice...I think you did a fine job. :thumbup: Especially considering your patient's lack of cooperation. lol. I wouldn't have razzed you at all. Don't freak out about this. Volley Bob is obviously a nimrod. :knob: :wink: 8

I got a 21! :lol:/ I submitted my name on the high score thingie. I think I was #2169. Do a search on Medik8....and I'm listed there. When you get past like 12, the green area goes wide and thin, wide and thin...so you can hit the red easier. :shock: It makes it a little harder. Addictive...

Unbelievable. Now, that's beyond laughing about. :shock: That's just sad.

Ummmm....kidding....of course... :roll: I'm not touchin that.... :shock: LMAO

Aaaawwwwwwwwww...ca'mon honey....You don't want to add catheterization to our list of skills? It could be fun....LMAO.... :wink:

LMAO @ Nate and "follow the rainbow"... =D> :wav: xoxoxo 8

We don't use it, and therefore I can't give an educated answer to your question. I know that depending on how it's given, it has the possibility to cause intracranial pressure, as well as elevated BP, HR, and RR. And of course, little facts like rapid correction of hyponatremia with hypertonic solution = myelinosis =yikes... :shock:

OMG....Wanker with a capital W..... A Sunoco Mini Mart T-shirt with EMT embroidered on the SLEEVE? LMAO!!!!! #-o Geez....some people don't get it...do they? Tinman....no, it's ok to have pride in your work. I have a ballcap that I wear sometimes when I run, because I like the cap. It's no big deal. I also have EMS plates....but I like the way they look. That's about it for me. I don't think any ONE of these things makes you a wanker...it's more like, a multitude of these things, a pattern.... It's obvious. Wearing a jacket is no big deal... It's when you have the boots on, the jacket, the hat, an EMS ring, jewelery, EMS/Fire plates, stickers on your car, you constantly talk about your job, offer to help at every accident scene there is to the point where you are late for work, miss your dental appointments and your kids are getting tired of sitting in the car on the side of the road. LMAO! I would say you are just fine.... :wink:

I'm very very proud to say that I've never done any of those. lmao. You might be a wanker if..... 1. Every conversation you have is about EMS, your job, etc. 2. You find the need to tell everyone, everywhere that you are an EMT/Medic... (I see this all the time and it drives me nuts!) 3. More than 80% of your wardrobe consists of articles of EMS clothing. 4. You wear your EMS boots with your jeans. lmao 5. The stickers all over the car.......*EEK* 6. The interior of your car looks more like an ambulance than a car. Can you say, "RAH...RAH"..? Geez............. :roll:

:oops: Ummm....yeah....I have. I ended up with someone's spaghetti-laced vomit in my HAIR, as well as other lost bodily functions surrounding me in the middle of a NASTY code. :roll: Literally....turned to the side...threw up in the trash can about 3 times, :pukeleft: wiped the mouth on the sleeve, and continued with compressions. :dontknow: Whadd'ya gonna do? It's part of the job. I also had someone in ER with a HORRIBLE anal abscess that had to be drained. I've never seen anything quite so gross...or smell quite so bad. (It was worse than an GI bleed, as far as I'm concerned.) :shock: I puked on that one too....but made it to the bathroom in private. lol. On that note......YIPPEE!!!!!!!...........I can't wait to go to work! lmao 8

:thumbright: Well said, Doc!

:wink: Not a dumb question at all, Dwayne. In fact, very incredibly smart, as Dust said, to explore what you are getting into before you spend all the time and money on school, and make life changing decisions. Any way we can help you....we will. I wish you the best of luck and happiness. 8) 8

What is your day/week/family time like? Being brutally honest here...not much time at home. One typical week may go like this...I have a couple jobs and teach (because it's necessary salary wise... :roll: So...again...typical week for ME... Work Monday (not at home) Off Tues during day, work Tues night until wed morn, leave for wed day job...(not at home), off Thurs day, work thurs night until fri morn, leave for Fri day job (not home) work Sat/Sun night possibly, throw in teaching where available... Rarely eat dinner at home, have some time on 2 off days, depending on what days they fall on. Still manage to handle everything...you adapt...you learn to make it work...that's about all I can say. :roll: What kind of schedules are to be expected as a "green" medic? ?? Depends on where you work. What is the availability of jobs? Again, depends on where you work. Check the market in your area before you jump in. Can you make a living? Depends on your needs. I get by just fine, but as I said, I work several jobs. Not just one. Are you Happy? Satisfied? I can't ever imagine doing anything else in my life....ever. Be prepared to make sacrifices...talk it over. It wasn't good for my marriage... :? but that is not the case for everyone. Don't get discouraged. Just talk it over with your wife. It's important for her to understand what you are getting into. Will she be supportive of you, will she be supportive of your bad days?... Also, if you are able to stick to one job, it's not bad. It's when you work several that things get rough and require more sacrifice/understanding. Job market and salary are very important. Just be cautious... I wish you luck. :wink: As I said, I love my job. It's truly made me a better and happier person, despite what I've had to sacrifice. It's not for everyone...really, only you can decide. 8

I have to say that I completely agree with AK here :wink: I would have done the same exact thing with the baby. If that is what brought that mother comfort in her difficult time, then so be it. Something that simple could have made all the difference in her having or not having difficulty accepting her baby's death. It's all about my patient in these situations. I may not share their beliefs, but I will put aside my own to do the job that I so love to do...and that is making people feel better, whatever that may take. I am not part of any "organized" religion, but I do have beliefs of my own. I am a good person, and I care. Just because I don't go to church on Sundays, doesn't make me heartless. I cannot count the number of times that scared patients have asked me to pray with them. Patients who knew they were going to die...and in some cases because I knew also, and was honest with them and they obviously could see it in my eyes. I will put my whole heart into making that dying person feel some sort of comfort before their last breath. In many cases, I didn't share their religion or their beliefs. But, I choose to do whatever it takes to bring comfort to my patient. I have been asked to hold hands, recite the Lord's Prayer, to say a prayer for their family left behind to find strength and comfort during the loss they are about to go through, or just a prayer so that they are not scared and "praying" as they die. I've hugged family members, and I've had sobbing wives and mothers put their heads in my lap and hold on for dear life. Whatever works. I'm not the best at praying, not being an active part of church. But I've found, it doesn't take much. When patients are in that situation, a few words and they look at you like you are an angel. I've had someone cry and profusely thank me for being "their angel" before the last breath was drawn. I took that one home with me...and think about it more than I care to. But, I'm honored to have been a part of that delicate time in that person's life. Sometimes we are all they have. I always ask myself this...if my child, husband, boyfriend, mother, etc...loved one, were dying, and I couldn't be there with them...what would I wish for? Would I wish the only person with them be tight lipped and closed minded and "sterile"...or would I find comfort in finding out that that stranger held my loved one's hand, and honored their simple wishes and that they died in peace. I'll go for the latter. It's a decision, and a choice...and I certainly won't be judgemental of anyone here for their beliefs...but I ask that you try to understand mine. Mutual respect...that's all... :wink: xoxoxoxo.... 8

Yes....as a matter of fact, I have jumped into water like that. Naked. :shock: The person below me likes to eat Chocolate Chip Cookies in bed, and then frequently wakes up the next morning with crumbs stuck all over their body, including the butt crack. YEEKS... The catcher here is....they LIKE the rough sandpapery feeling. :dontknow:

Death sucks. Truth is....usually it doesn't bother me. As we all know, you get hardened to it. The thing that kills me is kids, or a really anguished spouse. :roll: I deal....sometimes it's harder than others. Sometimes I forget and eat my cereal, go on with my day. Sometimes not. Usually things are fine. Lately, been having a hard time. Can't get a certain someone out of my head, or my dreams.... Like I said....kids are tough.

I hear ya, Race.....and I understand what you are saying...

Ugh....I've got one of THOSE.....and thank goodness he doesn't work often, but when we are together...I feel like this...>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> :director: :roll:

I have COMPLETE faith in you, Rid. Go get 'em!! :wink: xoxoxo 8

I've never "refused" to take anyone to the hospital for anything...regardless of how stupid. However, I'm not beyond scolding a little [-X and properly educating the "stupid" portion of the public on what a "true emergency" consists of.... :roll: and furthermore...quite possibly what could be happening at that very moment that cannot be taken care of because I'm dealing with their bruised finger. Most of the time...not always...you see that look of "awww crap" on their face as they are imagining my scenario of a baby not breathing, and subsequently dying because of their nonsense. For those that have no reaction...well....you can't fix stupid, or selfish for that matter.

Weeeelll....I for one hope no one has a problem with age limit (max) for medics. I'm sure as hell not gettin any younger...and I'm NOT planning on quitting for a LONG time...so the world is stuck with me. If that should include wrinkles, glasses, saggy body and sarcasm, so be it. Good GOD I hope that never happens to me! :shock:

LMAO...Dust...what ARE we going to do with you?... :wink: xoxo 8

Oh...and I absolutely agree with you, lp...they do have their place...but I prefer the alternative for a BP reading. Machines are great for a quick reading, an I DO use them, but usually follow them up with a manual BP. Same as a pulse ox, and I've mentioned this before. I use it, but not until after I get a good look at my patient and assess their overall appearance, color and breathing on my own. Then, depending on what I think, I do, despite what the machine tells me. Just how I am...that's all... :oops: As for the optional talking...yeah...lmao....I remember those old movies. The "scoop and go", white, horrible outfits. I laughed so hard I almost peed the other day. Just imagining the outcomes. Woulda sucked to have been a patient back then. "I'm having chest pain...and I can't breathe...." :shock: Oh....just "ride" it out. :dontknow: lmao...

:roll: Sorry...but I hate machines. This is a little straightforward and harsh (forgive my current mood), but if you can't take a manual BP and get a good reading....then forget it. It's just an opinion...but I don't trust machines. I want the crew to take a REAL blood pressure, listen, learn, and give me the number. If you're not sure, or it's hard to hear...so be it. I'll give it a shot...but in this world of automated, robotic, cash-registeric, repetitive, brainless work......don't get me started. Nobody can hold their own anymore. Machines do everything for us. Now, that can be a good thing, but here....I prefer the cuff and scope. Just my opinion...not trying to offend. :wink:

Alco....You are absolutely right..there IS a difference...and I wish to apologize for the way in which MY post was worded if it offended you in any way. (I'm only speaking for myself here). I think it's important that you pointed this out. I always did say...that if I lost my foot (or similar appendage) in an accident tomorrow...that I would cry, grieve, go to therapy and get back on the damn truck. Nothing would stop me. I guess the situations are not much different. It would still be a handicap if I didn't have a foot, but that doesn't mean I couldn't do the job. I have to applaud your persistence and initiative to achieve your goals/dreams. A lot of people wouldn't try. Please know that our responses are not personal. But, that said...this is the reason for these opportunities for people to talk. So that we can all learn from one another. I won't lie and say I have absolutely no problem with it. It may not be a desirable situation, however, there are obviously those of you who have learned how to make it work, and for that I respect you. Maybe you've changed my mind a little. Completely deaf....no...I still have to stick to my initial thoughts. But hearing loss.....meh.....lots of firefighters, etc. have hearing loss. I can see how the job may still be done and done to the best of your ability. Thanks for your story. :wink: 8