You know it's going to be a long night...

It's hot out here. I'm sitting in front of my AC and fan getting ready to go to work (ok, it's not technically work, it's a shift with my mentor on the ALS truck. But it is 12 hours, and I am expected to lead the calls, so I can call it work if I want to.). Doing my usual pre-work routine, making some snacks, making sure my uniform is ship-shape, etc...

Then I realize, as I'm running around in my t-shirt and pants, I've already sweated through my shirt. I haven't even left my house yet! I can only hope we get some good storms tonight that cools things off, or we're going to spend our evening treating heat exhaustion and dehydration again. For once, I'm actually looking forward to the cold temperatures of winter.

Father's Day

So, today was Father's Day. Sunday, June 17th.

Here's to all you men out there that stepped up and were "dad" "papa" or "daddy". By blood or by choice, you have my utmost respect. Here's also to all you mom's who worked two jobs, stretched the dollar and were both "mama" and "daddy" to your little bundles of joy. You only have to look at smiling faces to realize what a priceless job you have.

It's been four years (I think...maybe it's been longer, but who's counting?) since we talked, but...Happy Father's Day, dad. I hope the kids are keeping you entertained.

Reincarnation

I swear I was a cat in a previous life. All I want to do after I eat is sleep. Eat, sleep. Eat, sleeeeeeeeeeeee...

I do not like...

Drunks puking in my truck.

Scheeze.

Uhuh...

I like lights and sirens.

Drifting along with the tumbling tumble weeds

I got assigned to a mentor today, and assigned to an ambulance service! I'm so excited (terrified) to start. I'll be meeting my mentor next week and working 12-16 hour shifts for the next foreseeable future.

The best thing about it? I'll be working afternoon/night shifts. I HATE early mornings!

Oh, and another great thing that happened today. Someone I have never met (and only contacted through my official email) got my nickname right - spelling and all - without being prompted! That never happens. It's a fairly common nickname for my name, but most people don't spell it right. I am quite thrilled.

Real World Experience

Last Thursday I received an email requesting that the summer internship class help the EMSSA (Emergency Medical Service Student Association) as they were lacking volunteers for the weekend. So, I offered to help out - and nudged a classmate into coming with me.

So, Sunday I spent 12 + hours running the First Aid Station at the local soccer tournament. My area was four fields of games, with new games starting every hour. Let me tell you, that is a LOT of soccer, teams, kids, parents and flying balls.

And I was the only medical type person there. Granted, this is what I've spent my last year and a bit training for, but the first time I was called out to check on one of the players, my heart rate sky-rocketed, my palms got all sweaty and I was probably paler than she was. The idea that -I- was supposed to know if the kid needed a real doctor (she didn't...I hope) was like a drop kick to the stomach.

Luckily there were no major injuries, though I did advise (strongly) a couple parents/coaches to take the players in for a proper evaluation (possible concussion, twisted knee with impressive bruising, twisted ankle that could not bear weight and an awesome, fist sized bruise/lump to a player's elbow).

All in all, it was an invaluable experience. I would do it again. Though, I'm thinking that my internship (starting in two weeks!!) is going to help me a lot more, because I'll be able to watch my preceptor evaluate the injuries/medical issues -and- I'll get feed back when I do the same evaluations, instead of making my eval's and hoping I did it right. But I had fun, I learned a lot, and I like to think I helped the soccer kids...and the two crowd people.