It was about 18.30 the familar bleep bleep of the ambulance phone disturbed a rather big family debate.
I had borrowed 2 kids on the promise of a quiet sleepover!!
ummmmmm in my eyes there is never such a thing!
" female and fitting"
Phoned control and they would like me to attend
The dog runs for cover under the table after the previous experiences, at last he has learnt!
"where are you going mum", "whats happening?" "What about tea?"
"For goodness sake kids your mum is going out on a call" that was the last comment which fainted in the distance as my car fired up and we were off through the remaining rush hour traffic.
I knew roughly where the street was and it was in a reasonable area only a mile and bit from where i live.
I managed to park just next the property, grabbed my green bag.
Two things surprised me on entering the property, one was a sweet but chokingly strong urine smell and the other was the tired but grand decor in the property.
The patient was in a downstairs room, a makeshift bedroom,cluttered, dirty, but it was obviously, once, a happy joyful room. She lay on her side, on her bed, on a bare matress. Letters, empty coke cans, envelopes, clothes, dirty laundry not to mention fluids of all discriptions seemed to be her make shift bedcovers.
I managed to get a mask on her and administer oxygen. I was joined by a paramedic who was able to put a line in and adminsted vital drugs to bring the fits under control.
The oxygen cylinder was just about on empty when the crew arrived. The paramedic handed over and although it was a struggle to negiotiate the numerous feline residents the patient was finally wheeled on board the ambulance.
When we were walking out with our patient I couldn't help but feel that I am in a very privillaged position.
I complain about money, the kids and dog making a mess of the newly washed kitchen floor, untidness, all the usual family stuff ....but.... I have nothing to complain about.........
I live a blessed life .....
I have a loving family, I have a great job and I am so fourtunate being allowed into and be a brief part of our patients lives no matter what walk of life or what their circumstances are...........
"There for the grace of god go I"..........................................
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2 comments:
Hi,
Yours is the first Responder blog I've found - great stuff.
I'm a Responder in the Midlands.
I know what you mean about seeing how other people live. Some places you want to wipe your feet when coming out of the door!
There are others though. This week I was called to an 80yo lady (yes, LADY - she was lovely) with chest pains. Her husband was standing at the garden gate as I arrived. He was probably a year or two older than his wife.
Their house was small but very comforting and homely - and was immaculate.
I got a bit of history as I applied the O2. They had been out that day for a walk and, unusually she'd had to rest a bit often as she was out of breath. She was generally fit.
From one or two other hints, it seemed that the chest pains may not have been cardiac. When the crew arrived, about 10 minutes after me, they confirmed that there was no ECG abnormality. Also, I must have had some special O2 in the bottle as her chest pains had gone.
The crew decided to take her into hospital to get her sorted properly. She then apologised for wasting our time!
They were a great couple; she, slim but not skinny. He, a little portly but with a very erect stature (as if on parade) and a glorious handlebar moustache. They were both initially worried that she was having a heart attack but kept a great humour and a cheerful face on things. They'd lived through a World War and nothing, but nothing, was going to get them into a flap.
They're the people who make everything worthwhile.
Markuk,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment and sharing your story. I am so glad you like my blog.
CFR
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