Poo.... lots and lots of poo

We've all read the blogs and "about my job" stories from medics how we've all been vomited on, poo-ed on, spit on, bled on, etc. And everyone also knows... one time is one time too many. We got dispatched to a call for seizures. We get in the truck thinking its most likely either hypoglycemic or epileptic seizures. Enroute the computer updated us that the patient was now combative, running through the house and defecated everywhere. The patient had family there who was trying to help but also stay out of the patients way while they were combative.

Leads me to think hypoglycemic. We arrive on scene and are glad there is a fresh restock of BSI gowns in the cabinet. Its a dark home. The kind of home where there is one shade-less lamp in the corner of each room. The patient is supine and postictal on the bed (thank goodness) in a back bedroom. A bedroom where the headboard is wedged behind the door so that we only have a 12-15" clearance to get in... and get him out. Quickly find he is not hypoglycemic so we throw on some O2 and cocoon him in some sheets to get him out. He becomes very combative so that the only way to get him out is to grab ankles and wrists and drag. Not a pretty situation, but one with little to no alternatives. I administer some Versed to stop the new seizure activity and restrain him to the stretcher. Poo is still everywhere and growing. We get him into the rescue and head off to the ER. He has stopped seizing but is still very combative. Finally we get the pearl of information we've been needing. He is in stage 5 kidney failure. Ding. Ding. Ding. At least we have a most probable cause. He is so acidotic that his system is not compensating at all. After turning him over to the ER, they run his blood and get him stabilized. I see a long dialysis future for him.

It was a long and *very* detailed decon of our rescue, our equipment,... and ourselves. I don't think our rescue has been cleaner since it was delivered to us. Probably cleaner. After a good shower and some dinner (although I wasn't really hungry by now)... we were back in service to wait for the next one..... Stay safe out there.

Turkey-neckers

Crazy, I know? 2 posts in one day? Say it isn't so. I'm on way home from the grocery store this afternoon and pull up on an MVC that literally just happened. At an intersection, its a cross between a t-bone hit and side swipe. One female driver not hurt but cant get out (and is on the non-hit side) and a male trying to crawl out of the passenger side. Both of his airbags deployed and has light to moderate smoke and liquids coming from the engine compartment. There are also 3-4 other vehicles that have stopped to.... not render assistance... but stand around and holler to seemingly no one, "I'm going to call the police" or just making a broad announcement like a crowded restaurant "Is anyone hurt?" Jeez folks!

So I walk up to the crawling man and introduce myself. Ya know, when someone is able to crawl out of a vehicle, walk 10-15' and sit down, that already tells some of the picture. I assess him and ask the lady who is hollering about calling the police (because she still hasn't done it yet) to please relax, call 911 and tell them we have one injured and just need a basic rescue, etc, etc.

So I'm assessing the guy who is A/O x2 and a little wobbly still, and behind me I hear this engine just scream and make an awful racket! I turn to find some well-meaning but not-so-bright older woman who had crawled into this guy's SUV and try to crank the engine and revved it all the way!!! WTH!!! I holler for her to shut the engine off and get out of the vehicle! What the hell are you doing lady? "I was gonna try and move it out of the way" Move it where?? Why? It's wedged into another vehicle and its draining a ton of fluid underneath.... ugh! Then she comes and stands over my back so much so that she leans onto me for balance. OK, I've had enough. Yes, I'm not on duty. Yes, I'm not in a uniform. I've clearly identified myself to her as well as to the gentleman I'm assessing.... walk away lady. Walk away.

As soon as the rescue gets on scene, I give the basics and get out of there. They're on duty today. Not me. Now I'm home and the milk and eggs are in the fridge. Hhmmmmmm.....

Flood of 2009

Unless you've banned watching the news for the past couple of weeks, you've seen the devastating flooding that has hit the Southeast. Atlanta is under water in many hard hit areas. Thankfully where I live has not been flooded, we've just have copious amounts of rain... therefore... mud. But the West side of the ATL metro area has been ravaged. So much so that major interstate arteries have been completely shut down after being submerged in raging waters. It was been quite a sight. So what happens when crazy weather mixes with no so bright citizens? Tragedy and Ignorant comments made on TV. I'm not saying that the people who lost their lives deserved it, I would never wish that on anyone.... but when public safety agencies and every news outlet is telling you to stay home and *not* drive into standing water.... WTH are you thinking?

And when the sound-bite hungry news reporter is sticking a microphone in everyone's face asking "How does all this make you feel?".... well.... opportunities are endless. One genius who was speaking about how he was trying to get home and every road he tried was blocked off, continued saying... "I just don't know what is going on." Did you just fly in this morning from Egypt? Its been raining for 40 days and 40 nights silly! And others who expressed frustration at fire & police for closing roads. That's our job, to protect you from yourself. And when people are told to *get out* of their homes cause its gonna flood and they refuse. They flat out refuse.... then want a big rescue when they decide... nnooowwwwww I want out. Now I want out after there is 3' of water in their living rooms. This frustrates me. A lot. Text on a screen can only convey so much emotion.

I've been off work for a bit recovering from the bug. Don't go back for another week. I'm accomplishing a lot of fall cleaning in this time off. When I get back it'll be back to the 24hr tour on our new mama-jama rescues. Our new ambulance is about as big as our engine. There are some kinks that *really* need to be worked out but I am getting a little acclimated to it. We'll see how it goes. Stay safe.