05 December 2008
Emergency Department
Well, a day or two ago I spent a few hours in the emergency department of my local hospital.The diagnosis: near-syncope.
I could have told them that.
For those who don't know, I work full time as an EMT-Paramedic (as opposed to an EMT-Basic).
My partner and I had actually just saved a life... that doesn't happen all the time; many who activate EMS (the Emergency Medical System) really aren't having a life or limb threatening event... At any rate, we were headed to the fuel yard when my cell phone began to feel heavy in my hand.
...When my 'heavy feeling' didn't go away, and light-headedness began, I checked out my pulse and decided I wanted to put myself on a heart monitor so I had my partner pull over (and we called the other crew, as nothing like this had ever happened to me before). I was in my 'normal sinus arrhythmia' as usual, but there were some variations the other medic got excited about, and I decided were worth checking out (considering my symptoms).
So, I got my second ride -- for myself -- in the back of an ambulance.
Out of the 5 ED physicians on duty, I was assigned the one who has been my medical command physician at a volunteer squad for some 14 years... Funny.
Vital Signs:
BP up initially
HR Normal for me (under 60bpm)
SpO2: 97% (over 95 is a passing grade)
R Normal LS CTA
Still felt lightheaded/ heaviness for several minutes in ED, especially w/quick movement.
The most stressful part was that my books were back at the station, and they wouldn't let me on facebook to catch up even though there was a computer in the room! I had to watch Law and Order after an hour of nothing...
At any rate, I had a 12-Lead ECG, heart monitoring throughout, blood tests and a CT scan (yes, I now have proof I have a brain). The long and short of it is the discharge diagnosis was: NEAR SYNCOPE (almost fainting). Really ppl, srsly.
I have a follow up appointment next week w/my PCP to review the bloodwork, etc., and schedule specialist's appointments (yuck).
Well, hopefully this will limit some questions about my ER visit, but feel free to ask anything, and PRAY. It could be dehydration (most likely in my mind), a blood sugar problem (least likely in my mind) or a cardiac problem (possible, as my heart beats pretty slow for a big guy).
In case I haven't told you in a while, I love you, and Jesus does too!
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
PS: If this is disjointed, I apologize. It was not written in one sitting. :-]>
Labels: ambulance, cardiac, ED, Emergency Department, ER, facebook, God, sugar, vital signs
30 June 2008
Nothing to Say
Is it wrong to post when you've nothing to say?
Is it possible to have nothing to say?
I'm listening to "Overwhelmed" by Jimmy Robeson as I sit at work trying to remember why I'm in the profession I'm in.
This morning was so so frustrating. The rig was OK, but no linens, and paperwork was missing. Even though we were second up, the Supervisor made no effort to respond to her call when dispatched so we had a delayed response, and were sent to the wrong entrance of the extended care facility (I hesitate to refer to it as a Skilled Nursing Facility). The staff were no where near the 'unresponsive' patient, then it seems they made up information in their report (nope, she doesn't appear dead to me (should the eyes look around or arms move on a dead person?)). Maybe it's just me.
It's probably a good thing there weren't many vehicles on the road to fail to yield to our emergency vehicle.
The internet connection here at work is sporadic, as is the air conditioning (that's ok, it won't hit 90 until tomorrow, again).
I'm sorry, what, Lord? Is that You? What do you mean what did I used to tell people my favorite verse in Scripture was?
That's not fair, Lord. Hmm. "Lord."
Thank You, You're right, of course.
Allow me to leave you with that much repeated verse: "And it came to pass...".
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Is it possible to have nothing to say?
I'm listening to "Overwhelmed" by Jimmy Robeson as I sit at work trying to remember why I'm in the profession I'm in.
This morning was so so frustrating. The rig was OK, but no linens, and paperwork was missing. Even though we were second up, the Supervisor made no effort to respond to her call when dispatched so we had a delayed response, and were sent to the wrong entrance of the extended care facility (I hesitate to refer to it as a Skilled Nursing Facility). The staff were no where near the 'unresponsive' patient, then it seems they made up information in their report (nope, she doesn't appear dead to me (should the eyes look around or arms move on a dead person?)). Maybe it's just me.
It's probably a good thing there weren't many vehicles on the road to fail to yield to our emergency vehicle.
The internet connection here at work is sporadic, as is the air conditioning (that's ok, it won't hit 90 until tomorrow, again).
I'm sorry, what, Lord? Is that You? What do you mean what did I used to tell people my favorite verse in Scripture was?
That's not fair, Lord. Hmm. "Lord."
Thank You, You're right, of course.
Allow me to leave you with that much repeated verse: "And it came to pass...".
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: ambulance, And it came to pass, bad, Jimmy Robeson, job, nothing to say, nursing home, Overwhelmed, verse, work
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