medic_cosmas

So I was working my normal day but I had a student with me. Now I"m one of the few medics that loves to answer and ask questions. Well this student was asking tons of quetions about cardiac rythems and monitors. So when we got paged out for a 16 y/o male that was having a reaction from an H1N1 vaccine I figured this would be the perfect case to show the student the many things about cardiac monitoring. My early dx was anxiaty or a mild allergic reaction. Either way the kid was fine when I got to him. BUT when I ran a 12lead on him it came back positive for the early signs of a heart attack. I almost shit myself but at the time he was S/S free. I didn't really thing much of it until we had a 17y/o girl that started to throw PVCs after having a reaction from the same lot number of H1N1 vaccine. Well after some propting from friends and other medics I turned him my findings to the Heath department.

Well I spent the first part of the day answering questions that I didn't have good answers to like "Why the hell did you even do a 12 lead on the male pt?" the next part of the day we spent confirming that I knew what I was talking about like explaining how I hooked the 12 lead up and than it was fallowed by the worlds biggest thank you from one of the nurses that was giving the vaccine because she knew that the kids that had reaction were having cardiac reaction not just anxiaty. Finally the day ended with a cluster fuck or moral and ethical questions that were based on whether my findings were strong enough to discard that lot of H1N1 which would leave the county unprotected for months(lots of schools and praggers included) or go ahead with the vaccine and you the edict "the needs of the many out way the needs of the few"

So here I sit waiting to see will my findings and report of the findings save lives of God only knows how many children or will this mean that H1N1 will run wild through the county hurting/killing 100s because I couldn't keep my mouth shut.

I NEED TO GET DRUNK!!

I know the answer to the question I'm about to ask but maybe someone has new insight. Why the hell do people that are involved in a trauma indecent always want to touch you? It amazes me that here is someone covered in blood and instead of telling you where they are bleeding the touch your body to show you or they are always grabbing your arms, hands, legs and head. Do you know how hard it is to wash blood out of your hair without getting it exposed to mucus membranes? IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE.

I totally understand that touch is a way for some one to be comforted and wanted to touch or be touched when you get injuried goes back to the time when you were taught as a child if you get hurt run to mommy or daddy they will give you a hug and a kiss and make it all better. So I can understand that kinda, but I really don't like it.

BUT WHY MUST YOU USE MY BODY AS A VISUAL AID TO MAP OUT YOUR INJURIES. I HAVE TAKEN GOD ONLY KNOWS HOW MANY ANATOMY CLASS I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE FROM AN ARM AND A LEG AND A LOWER BACK AS COMPAIRED TO THE NECK

I mean NO disrespect or lack of caring but PLEASE STOP TOUCHING ME!!!

So the last few weeks have been busy and nonstop. Lets have a review......I found out my son not longer is hearing impaired, I'm now a year older, the operation manager was finally named(it's not me), the person that was named OM is already becoming power crazy, their was until recently snow already on the ground, I had a kick ass zombie costume for halloween, my brother-in-law is now the emergancy manager or the tri-counties and sadly my kinda sorta boss thing, H1N1 it the area hard and resulted in a huge run value(main reason for me being busy), we had a vaccine simulated diseaster drill that failed horrably because the deseaster manager went on vaction (if this had been a real emergancy we would all be dead!), I didn't get the vaccine and I have not caught H1N1 (the you God), we are getting 3x the totaled value of the ambulance I crashed (for one it can be said that insurance companies are awesome), my normal partner had to have shoulder recontruction put him 10-7 for 8 weeks this mean I'm working with the "B Team" partners for 8 week (not fun), I have had 3 exposure to bodily fluids in just as many weeks (so long work-mans comp high scores), I have the second semester slow down and I"m have trouble getting motivated to finish my homework (but for some crazy reason I have signed up for a 3rd semester this year), I got a lovely note from my prof telling me that I have been going off the wrong course calander for the last 8 weeks and have 6 chapter of work I have to redo, and finally my mother is on the edge of breaking because of stress from moving.

But enough about me how have you been :-D

So I'm a believer that sometimes there is a force that will help people in their time of need (God angle saint) Well not to mention me surviving my little MVA. I have proof from a call I went on.

I will set the scene a mother is at the top of a bleacher with her 1y/o and some how the baby kicks free of the mother's arms and the baby falls 25ish feet straight down. I had the pleasure of being on duty that day. (of course) I was amazed to find the baby in the mom's arms and it wasn't crying it was actually cooing and appeared happy. I did a very in depth assessment and ran every test that I have at my disposal on the baby and found nothing wrong. NO bruises, cuts, scraps not even a red mark on the baby any where. We got to the hospital and after countless test and poking and prouding 3 different doc came up with the same conclusion. The baby was perfectly fine and had NO injuries. I was more than a little amazed. Last time I check in on the kid she was till doing just fine.

I know babies bounce and that they bend instead of breaking but really 25+ feet and not a mark. I mean think of the physics 25pound kid falling at 9.8 m/s2 falls 25+ feet that is almost at a rate of 30 m/s she was traveling when she hit. (if I remember my physics)

All I can say is WOW

So I was in a motor vehicle accident at work yesterday. A lady pulled out in front of me and I had to swerve to miss hitting her. In the process I struck a telephone pole and fire hydrant. I totaled the unit I was in and had to be back boarded and taken to the hospital. I got a MRI, x-ray, blood work, drug tested, and a lot of worried looks. I'm alright nothing is broken although today it feels like it but that is normal for me after an accident.

The worst part of the accident is that my wife called the station looking for me because for what ever reason I wasn't answering my phone. Well the guy at the station started off with "Look if there is anything I can do let me know and how sorry he was that this happened" Well my wife didn't know what he was talking about and the guy had to tell her what he knew which was I was in an MVA and was taken to the hospital. My wife was shaken but this wasn't the first time I had been in an accident although it is the first time I was taken to the hospital for it. She is tough though instead of breaking down she started calling people to find out what really happened. She finally got a hold of me and I could tell her for myself that I was alright.

Both of us would have been ready to go but an EMS thing is to share stories of similar events like the one I just had. Needless to say both me and my wife were reminded about how horrible this could have been. JOY

I'm back at work today a lot of people told me that I should have taken the rest of the week off but I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that this is just part of the job. It is understood that when we put on our boots we except the fact that this stuff happens. It's a powerful point that I'm trying to make but I also feel that I need to prove to myself that this didn't affect me and I can still do the job. So far it's working despite that constant pain. Oh well the price we pay.

Here is another reason that obama is fucking the small guy. I love shooting but I can only afford to do it so often so I buy when I need it. But thanks to obama he has everyone so scared that he will take their guns that people are buying up ammo at a rate that has never been seen before. 9 BILLION ROUNDS A YEAR that is the jump from the 7 billion before shit head was in office. I don't know if you under stand this or not but that 2 billion difference is more ammo than most branches of the armed forces have on hand at any given time. Shit, fuck approval ratings there is a clear sign that we don't trust or like obama but if you don't believe me read for yourself.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_re_us/us_ammo_shortage/print
America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded
By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer Mary Foster, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 23, 2:51 pm ET

NEW ORLEANS – Bullet-makers are working around the clock, seven days a week, and still can't keep up with the nation's demand for ammunition.

Shooting ranges, gun dealers and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages. Bullets, especially for handguns, have been scarce for months because gun enthusiasts are stocking up on ammo, in part because they fear President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass antigun legislation — even though nothing specific has been proposed and the president last month signed a law allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks.

Gun sales spiked when it became clear Obama would be elected a year ago and purchases continued to rise in his first few months of office. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System reported that 6.1 million background checks for gun sales were issued from January to May, an increase of 25.6 percent from the same period the year before.

"That is going to cause an upswing in ammunition sales," said Larry Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association representing about 5,000 members. "Without bullets a gun is just a paper weight."

The shortage for sportsmen is different than the scarcity of ammo for some police forces earlier this year, a dearth fueled by an increase in ammo use by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We are working overtime and still can't keep up with the demand," said Al Russo, spokesman for North Carolina-based Remington Arms Company, which makes bullets for rifles, handguns and shotguns. "We've had to add a fourth shift and go 24-7. It's a phenomenon that I have not seen before in my 30 years in the business."

Americans usually buy about 7 billion rounds of ammunition a year, according to the National Rifle Association. In the past year, that figure has jumped to about 9 billion rounds, said NRA spokeswoman Vickie Cieplak.

Jason Gregory, who manages Gretna Gun Works just outside of New Orleans, has been building his personal supply of ammunition for months. His goal is to have at least 1,000 rounds for each of his 25 weapons.

"I call it the Obama effect," said Gregory, 37, of Terrytown, La. "It always happens when the Democrats get in office. It happened with Clinton and Obama is even stronger for gun control. Ammunition will be the first step, so I'm stocking up while I can."

So far, the new administration nor Congress has not been markedly antigun. Obama has said he respects Second Amendment rights, but favors "common sense" on gun laws. Still, worries about what could happen persist.

Demand has been so heavy at some Walmarts, a limit was imposed on the amount of ammo customers can buy. The cutoff varies according to caliber and store location, but sometimes as little as one box — or 50 bullets — is allowed.

At Barnwood Arms in Ripon, Calif., sales manager Dallas Jett said some of the shortages have leveled off, but 45-caliber rounds are still hard to find.

"We've been in business for 32 years and I've been here for 10 and we've never seen anything like it," Jett said. "Coming out of Christmas everything started to dry up and it was that way all through the spring and summer.

Nationwide, distributors are scrambling to fill orders from retailers.

"We used to be able to order 50 or 60 cases and get them in three or four days easy, it was never an issue," said Vic Grechniw of Florida Ammo Traders, a distributor in Tampa, Fla. "Now you are really lucky if you can get one case a month. It just isn't there because the demand is way up."

A case contains 500 or 1,000 bullets.

At Jefferson Gun Outlet and Range in Metairie just west of New Orleans, owner Mike Mayer is worried individuals are going to start buying by the case.

"If someone wants to shoot on the weekend you have to worry about having the ammunition for them. And I know some people aren't buying to use it at the range, they're taking it home and hoarding it."

With demand, prices have also risen.

"Used to be gold, but now lead is the most expensive metal," said Donald Richards, 37, who was stocking up at the Jefferson store. "And worth every penny."

So the letter is written and I will be turning it in tomorrow now it is just a throw of the dice. If I get the job than I get more authority, money and headaches. If I don't get the job and the person I think will get it than I have to get fired and find a now job. It's a turning point to say the less.

Michigan this week who knows the next

Well that is if your in a sauna, which I was. I have said it before and I will say it again saunas save lives and help you live longer and healthier. I have come down with the normal fall cold this years had a surprise of heavy conjestion and fever. Well I was dying when a fellow medic and really good friend as if I wanted to go take a sauna with him because he was sick too. I said OK and now I'm feeling great I can breath and the shit coming out of my nose has went down. I really just need to break down and build one at my place.

Oh well until then God Bless The Local Sauna

In ways that my parents would call sleep and even stupid. I have Stock that although they took a hit this last year I understand that the stock market is contray to populer belief is about waiting. Yes the company is down now does that mean you sell NO buy more when the price is good than when they price is high you sell even if it takes 20 years. Next $50 ever two weeks goes into an account that I have burned the count number for most of the time I forget I have it (a very good thing). I have a hand full of collectables but that is like playing the lotto sometimes you win sometime you loss. Of course I have a retirement plan through work with a healthy mix of high risk and low risk opions. Of course arm loads of CDs and Bonds somewhere in my house I think the fire safe. Plus I'm working towards a zero loan plan that should be finished in 6ish years. Oh and I'm learning how to control my unlimited wants instinct and replace it with an overwellming happiness with fulilling my pressing needs.

If that isn't diversifing I don't know what is!

So we have a new job posting for Operations Manager. It involves more money (about 1$ more an hour), Authority, responsibility, more work and more headache. But it would help me get a job else where and it is one of the few promotions that a paramedic can get. This is going to take a lot of thinking/drinking/meditation to get through.

What the hell does this mean. After a summer of run and 50s it finally warms up and now the Fall colors are starting to show. First they are a month early, Second ITS 80 OUTSIDE. This is the first colors walk that I have taken in shorts and tee shirt. This has been a weird year for weather.

GREAT NEWS. A good friend of mine just emailed me information on a high-bread IC class. Half is online and the other half is weekend practical stuff. I have heard that these instructor are alright. But I can live with alright considering my other opion for getting my IC consists of 8 hours round trip twice a week for 8 weeks I will pick the alright program. It's going to be hell stacking my already online stuff with this as well but getting my IC is something I have wanted for so long it's worth it.

So I have been helping a friend get her money issues under control with a budget, Direct Deposit, CDs and other measures. Well last week she found out that she has to start paying for her kids PT and was insurance it still cost her $100ish a week. While talking to the pt clinic they informed her that her kids condition would qualify him for SSI and that might off set the cost. So she started filling out the paperwork. Now she has been saving money for her kids college fund and her emergancy/retirement fund for a while now. Well after a quick interview she was told that she has saved WAY TOO MUCH MONEY and unless she went and spent it she wouldn't get SSI. Than she was warned about saving money.

All I can say is WHAT THE FUCK. Is that what we are teaching SSI people that the need to spend money to get out of their money problems!! That is just wrong in so many ways!!!

So I took a week and than some off to travel to see some friends, family and some $hitty ass doctors. See the friends was great when we weren't drinking we were planning on what to drink the next night. The family was alright mother has went from a clinical hoarder to a dumper. It is just scary. Finally we get to the doctor part of the vacation. There are good doctors and there are bad doctors and then we have this guy instead of making a mis-dx he chooses to use a caught all dx that is bullshit. If you don't know what is wrong than just say that, don't use a fad dx to cover up that you don't have a FUCKING CLUE. I get home from all this only to find out my brother-in-law moved in next door, my niece is staying with us for about a week because my other brother-in-law is getting his face removed and to top it all off just before I had to sign into work and deal with that SHIT I got stung by a BEE. So now my arm burns like hell I need booze and I need it fast

So I got plans all of a sudden for the weekend. One of my friends that use to fight pro MMA but had given it up to train MMA fighters called me up. Turns out he feels like he has one last fight in him and he wants me to be his fight side coach. It was a weird request see that I have never done that before. Turns out I wasn't his first pick but he figures with my medical back ground in both EMS and athletic training I was better than having his wife do it. It should prove to be a good time. But now it's all work for me I have to review my athletic training skills and freshen up on MMA grappling. Yeah it's a tough job but seeing this guy kick ass (or get his ass kicked) is worth it.

Love what you do and do what you love

Alright I forget that not everyone spent more time in the woods than in doors while growing up. Plus the medical training helps too. But here is what you do if you get stung by a bee, wasp, hornet or flying demand.

First GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE. Head for water indoors(close the door) or a really good friend that isn't scared of getting stung (thanks Chris by the way)

NOW STAY CALM. Your next few moves can be the different for death(or lots of pain) or life (or quicker recovery). Freaking out now will just circulate what ever poison is in your body faster and depending on the insect my attract more bees to sting you.

SCRAP DON"T PLUCK. Now depending on the insect a sting my not be a sting it maybe a bite and a sting may not have poison. Now if you see that you have a little fleshy bag hooked to your arm what ever you do RESIST the urge to squeeze it and pull it out. You will be pushing all the poison that is in there into your body. Instead scrap it off with a credit card or a knife(be REALLY CAREFUL with this one)

WHEN IN DOUGHT US THE KID DRUGS. Now if you start feeling itchy, short of breath, nausea, stomach cramps or see start to see swelling in the neck or face CALL 911 than find liquid Benydral and take 50mg of it. Why liquid? very quick to be absorbed and easy to swallow. Now what?

STAY CALM STAY CALM STAY CALM STAY CALM!!!!!!!!! Relax remember the more excited you get the first that poison will circulated your body and the more harm you will do. Concentrate on breathing slow deep breaths. When EMS gets do you they have a minimum of 5 quick uses fast acting drugs YOU WILL BE ALRIGHT

So remember STAY CALM!

So I was at the report desk finishing some paperwork and telling my student some improvements he need to work on in his pt care. A medic friend from a different company slid in next to me and we started bull shitting. In the course of our chat the student informed us that he was getting married this summer after he finishes the medic program. The other medic and I started warning him of all the trouble he was in for and how he needed to step carefully with what was to come. At this moment the other medic told us the story how is wife got revenge on him one day when he was called in on his day off.

(...Back ground information: To make good money in EMS/Fire you need to work over time it doubles your check. But it put tons of stress on an already stress relationship. The argument is always time with family vs. money for wife to spend. to continue...)

While at the mall the medic got a call asking for him to come in on his day off because there was a BIG FIRE and they need more personnel. The medic asked his wife if it was OK for him to leave her at the mall while he went and fought the fire. She (to his surprise) Was more than happy to let him leave her there. He knew something was up when she almost rushed him to the door.

When the all clear was sounded the medic went back to the mall he was met by his wife pushing 2 carts full of stuff. He was about to lay into her about her wasteful spending but before he could she just smiled and said "I figured since you were getting all that over time I could spend it... like we'd agreed." The medic knew he had lost the fight long before it started.

Don't feel bad for the medic though he got her back next time that happened he lifted her wallet while giving her a longer then normal good bye kiss.
(I have a feeling he lost that fight too.)

This is funnier if you have used a Lifepack 10 or less.

<"http://www.youtube.com/v/sao-uEKgJ6Q&hl

Last week a Friend ask for help for a friend that had a dog that broke it's leg. I gave my advice and offered some seguestions. (I have yet been able to find out if they help but I'm sure I will find out soon). All the advice came from my youth. I grew up poorer than the dirt I helped farm. We barely had enough money to pay for our family to go to the Dr. (I also have a HUGE knowalge base for home cures for people too) so we would find ourselves becoming the vet. Doing everything from delivering, casteration,  wound care and more. After giving the advice I sat back with a pipe and remember stories from the farm. I even found myself wanting to call my Dad just to talk about those days (something we havn't done in years) I miss the farm. I wasn't your typical farm boy. No flanal or contry music for me. ACDC, KISS, DOORS and the lot were on the tractor radio. There is something simplier and zening when your out in the field sweating your a$$ off just to make sure you end up old, broke and battered while the whole time listening to Paridice City. One day I will get my farm back....

...One Day

Being a hardcore dislexic that almost dropped out of school because I just couldn't handle all the English classes I had to take. I'm now one bad a$$ paramedic and in secrete I'm working on getting the first of my books published  that I have written after my wife gave me the motivation to write them. Far cry from the guy that had test read to him, books on tape, and someone to dictact my papers.

Prima Non Mortis