FaithManor Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 DD, the paramedic student, had a tweleve hour night shift that ended at 5:00 a.m. today. She's doing her clinicals and so she rides with a paramedic trainer and another paramedic or an E.M.T. The first call was to someone having trouble breathing, it was just a few blocks from the station and so they were there VERY quickly. She was the first out of the rig (in my mind I can just imagine how fast she bolted our of there - I hope the vehicle was actually at a complete stop!) and got to the patient several seconds before the head paramedic. She began triaging and diagnosed anaphylactic shock plus the estimate weight of the patient and was drawing epinephrine in one syringe and benadryl in another so rapidly that the head paramedic said, "you've got this one nailed; go for it!" She completely treated the patient on her own, of course under supervision, but she did everything. Shots, I.V., vitals., etc. The other two took a full patient medical history while she worked. She did not need the instructor at all but of course he was supervising to make sure she didn't make any mistakes. It turns out that the young man was getting ready for a date and put on some new cologne he'd never warn before. He immediately began itching and then started having trouble breathing. He got in the shower thinking that would help but got woosy. His mother called 911 even though he was convinced he could just go to his room and have a nap! The patient was unconcious, unresponsive, and gray. According the head paramedic, he was within seconds of cardiac arrest when they arrived. Of course, the patient was transferred immediately when stabilized and she was allowed to ride in the back of the rig and deliver all of his patient care! She was just so excited and I am sure she was running on a bit of an adreneline rush! As it turns out, the senior paramedic on her rig was the head of triage for the simulated plane crash/jet fuel contamination training event that I posted about back in April. She had volunteered to be his assistant and helped lead the triage unit that day. I guess he was impressed enough with her then to feel confident in letting her take the lead on the case. He also told her that she was an excellent mathematician to figure the weight/dosages so quickly under that kind of pressure on her very first A.L.S. run (so dh and I feel pretty good about that home school education we gave her!!!). She got a perfect review from him. The sad thing was that her friend from E.M.T. class was on the rig and he wants to get his paramedic license but needed to work for a while to earn money for the classes. As an E.M.T., he can not do the medical procedures that DD was doing as a paramedic student. He seemed a little down about that so she tried to cheer him up. The second run of the evening was to a father of the bride at a wedding. He had gotten dizzy and passed out. Turns out he was dehydrated and hadn't taken his blood pressure meds (probably a pretty hectic day for him) so dd was given the task of starting his I.V. and helping the instructor run a baseline E.K.G. The third run was to a car accident in which a drunk who may have also been under the influence of drugs, ran his car at high speed into a curb, went airborne, and hit a school building. He hit on the passenger side of his car and skimmed along the wall. It sheered the side of the car off and caved in the wall. It turned out to be the music room and a baby grand piano was destroyed along with some instruments and band supplies - police told her they estimated the damage to the school at $70,000.00. GRRR...as a music teacher, this makes me want to beat the livin' daylights out of him. He walked away from the incident....well, as far as witnesses would let him walk until the police arrived. He didn't have any major injuries just lots of cuts from the shattered glass. They doctored him up and a Bravo rig (non-advanced life support) transported him to the hospital where he will be drug tested and sleep off his hang-over so that the police can have their way with him. Fourth run was to transport an unstable, elderly gentleman from his nursing home to the hospital. He is dying of lung cancer and doesn't have long. DD got to administer pain meds and she held his hand and sang to him during the ride. I am just so proud of her! There, Faith has now exhausted her braggin'! I just couldn't help myself. Proud mamma, Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Here's to many exciting work days (nights) ahead of her! She did a great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Wow! What a night! Your dh sounds pretty special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4given Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Bravo! :thumbup::hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Only me Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 She sounds like she is doing an excellent job. She handled everything beautifully with compassion, intelligence and skill. You should be proud of her! (I must be getting old. I'm sitting her with tears in my eyes. Your daughter really did great) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 If this isn't a reason to brag, I don't know what is!!! We are all so proud of her, too, and hope that someone with her presence and skills will be there if our family needs them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted June 27, 2010 Author Share Posted June 27, 2010 Thanks everyone! I don't know if my heart could be fuller! She is just such a gem and to be that put together at 19, is something that dh and I feel so blessed by. Her birthday was last week and I can't figure out where the time has gone. Thankfully, she still lays her chin on my shoulder and says, "Food?" in her little girl way which still makes me believe she needs me even though I know she's a big, grown up woman now. Her grandma, the retired nursing professor, is going to be one happy, button-busting, proud granny when she gets home from vacation tomorrow. I may have to send dd to the airport so they can talk shop all the way home. Now, if I could just get ds 13 to think about something besides, Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and pizza, I'd feel like round two of this launching a teenager thing was going better! LOL Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Loved reading your brag! Sounds like you have much to be proud of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 DD, the paramedic student, The first call was to someone having trouble breathing,h Welome to the world of medicine. Life is a grand circus, and medicos have a front row seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 She was the first out of the rig (in my mind I can just imagine how fast she bolted our of there - I hope the vehicle was actually at a complete stop!) and got to the patient several seconds before the head paramedic. She began triaging and diagnosed anaphylactic shock plus the estimate weight of the patient and was drawing epinephrine in one syringe and benadryl in another so rapidly that the head paramedic said, "you've got this one nailed; go for it!" The patient was unconcious, unresponsive, and gray. According the head paramedic, he was within seconds of cardiac arrest when they arrived. Way to go, Faith's daughter! And as the mother of two anaphylactic children, this is a wonderful story! You're the kind of person I'd want taking care of my kids if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Mouse Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Sounds like a day in the life of a paramedic. Not everyone can stay so cool under pressure. You should be proud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 You deserve to be proud of that young woman! Amazing. I'd like her here in my neighborhood, just in case. Bravo! Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Thank you for sharing this, Faith! I'm going to share it with my dd16, who wants to become an EMT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 You should be proud! She sounds like a terrific young lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 That's awesome - way to go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Wow! Just wow! I hope this is the first of many lives she saves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 You should be proud. What a wonderful young lady you've raised! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnitaMcC Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Awesome to hear... Way to go to your DD!!!!!!!!!!! Job well done to mom and dad homeschooling her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Great job to your dd! My ex used to be an EMT and I remember how excited we would get when he got to actually DO something to help rather than just get the patient history etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Kudos to your DD, Faith. And to you for raising such a talented young lady. I wish her the best in her new career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Oh my gosh, I have a huge lump in my throat from reading your post. :) You must be so proud of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 And she should be proud of herself too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photo Ninja Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 It sounds like she is a highly skilled paramedic and the people in her city are fortunate to have her around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Goldwater Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 :thumbup1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 It sounds like she is a highly skilled paramedic and the people in her city are fortunate to have her around! :iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirch Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Good for her! That's awesome! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Fantastic! All of us can only hope that if we ever need an ambulance, we'll be fortunate enough to have someone like her in it! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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