Filler Post

Just to let the people who still look at this know that I'm not dead. State exam on Sunday--nervous but feeling okay. On a bit of a posting hiatus for the time being for a few reasons, but will be back here shortly.

Special Blog Update

Hi everyone!

Work finishes in two days and I am so excited. Going out with a bang--meaning that I am going to spend as much time sitting in the office or the library, reading things. Today's entry serves as a poke for those of you who read here for the EMS parts and not the "what crazy shenanigans are Mariah up to today?" parts. I'm not really and EMS blogger. I'm an EMT-B-school-graduate who's waiting impatiently to take her exams so she can play with all the other EMTs and not feel like so much of a whacker. If you're looking for serious EMS blogs, take a look.

A Day In The Life Of An Ambulance Driver
Probably my favorite EMS blog. Written by Louisiana NREMT-P/CCEMT-P Kelly Grayson, it's personal and very real. Frequent updates, ranging from funny work stories to EMS news to heart-wrenching entries to stories about his family (namely, his adorable daughter). I read this every day, sometimes going into past years to find more to read. He's also a columnist at EMS1, which I link to in my link box. He's published at least one book, which I'm in the process of borrowing a copy of. Even if you're not an EMT, you'll be able to find something that you can appreciate and relate to.

Siren Voices
This is some heavy stuff. Written by London EMT Spence Kennedy, there are days where I can't read it for fear of being covered by a little raincloud for the rest of the day. It's powefully well-written, and is very much isolated incidents often posted months after they occur. It reads more like a book of short anecdotes than a blog. Also, frequently updates.

Street Watch: Notes of a Paramedic
Finally, a novel I can read. Due to a variety of issues, I've been having difficulty reading longer works for a few years--but I had no difficulty with this. Written by Peter Canning, it is a mix of EMS blog and Paramedic novel Mortal Men. The (most recent?) blog entries are easily accessible in the side bar, and I recommend reading those first, because once you start the novel, it's difficult to stop. Mortal Men is the fictional account of area EMT Lee Jones, the stunning medic Troy Johnson, and the rest of the people at Capitol Ambulance. He posts chapters daily, each interesting in it's own way.

There are others that I've been told to read, but can't access on office computers, so they'll have to wait for later. In the meantime--if you don't already--go read these!

NREMT Apneic Pt Ventilation Simulator

So, calling it a "simulator" is a bit of a stretch, but I'm not sure what else to call it.

http://www.emt-national-training.com/bvm-practical/index.php

It's unclear as to what they want you to voice and what they don't (selecting mask size vs. assembling the BVM), but for a brief review, it's not bad. It can be done my clicking on the items or by typing instructions into the text box. I recommend trying both, just for kicks.

And it gives me something to do at work.

12 August, 2009. 8:21 AM.

I finished class (two weeks ago). Ignore the huge time gap--in spite of being done with class, I've still been busy, among other things.

Firstly, the night before class ended was ambulance night. I knew that Dan was going to be there on one of the trucks, but when we went outside to go to our assigned vehicle, I didn't expect to be assigned to his! The battery died, so we were sitting in the back of the ambulance, with no lights and certainly no AC. Howwever, that didn't stop us from getting a flashlight tour of the back, and it certainly didn't stop Dan from making jokes about Matt and I in front of my group. Being the attention whore that I am, I got a kick out of it. In a few words, we joked about getting the 'DEAD' triage tag for me to put on the doorknob of my room for certain situations. I was amused.

Flash to the next day! Exam time! I got a 100. The instructors were "not surprised" and did a little excited dance after they graded my exam. My comments sheet was all good things--I was very happy. Christine said that if I want to be an instructor, I should talk to her about getting into training. I'm definitely thinking about it--especially if BU comes to teach at Brandeis, which they should.

Went across the street to Sunset after with my classmates. Jesse and Brittany and I decided to start an EMS-themed bar, with drink sizes being No Neck, Short, Regular, and Tall. That was basically as far as we got. I left before the instructors came--needed to drive home and didn't want to fall asleep doing so.

So, I thought that not having class would make my life easier--wrong. I miss class. When I had it to look forward to, a bad day at work could end quickly. A few tears in the little park down Commonwealth and I'd go to FitRec and it wouldn't matter anymore. I could, strangely enough, be alone during lecture. I didn't have to interact with people.

Now, I go home, see my family (but lots of them are travelling), walk the dog, talk to Matt online, go to sleep. I know I've said this a million times, but work is killing me. I never used to have bad days like this--last night, for instance, I went to bed at 9:30 just because I wanted the day to end. I consider it a good day if I don't break down into a puddle during the day. And my family either doesn't care or doesn't understand. Like I'm making this up. Yes, I know we've all had bad summer jobs, I'm not saying that I'm the only one who's had this happen. But it's still made my significantly less happy. I feel like that should count for something.

Enough whining--I go back to school in 13 (!!!) days. I see Matt this weekend. I am done with this summer. I quit.

26 July, 2009. 5:21 PM.

I am exhausted. Constantly. I sleep less than I did in high school and way less than I do in college. I'm awake at 6 AM weekdays, and on weekends if I have class, anywhere from 6:30-8. I haven't seen my family or friends for more than 6 hours at a time since May. I see Matt when I can, which is about every 2 weeks.

But hell, this is great. I took my class practical exam today. Passed everything on first try except KED, and I know what I did wrong. Assessments were stressful but straightforward, and everything else was cake. I love CPR, by the way.

Tuesday we have emotional well being of the EMT-B and special operations. Wednesday is ambulance day and lifting and moving day. Thursday is final written exam.

This past Saturday was extrication day--play with damaged cars and practice getting people out. I was the first one KEDed and taken out--the bruises on my hips aside, it was fun. And really good motivation for me to not get into a car accident. After being KEDed three times in two days, I'm all set, thanks.

Going to lie down. FOREVER.

9 July, 2008. 11:26 AM.

At work now, taking a break and figured I would update whoever is still reading this.

Had exam 4 last night, on (get this): OB/GYN with a focus on childbirth, WMD/terrorism, poisoning, drug/alcohol use/abuse, allergic reactions, environmental emergencies, acute abdomen. Such an odd mix of things. Got a 95. Still amused at how I'm doing better in this than in all of my academic classes this past year.

Observation hours at the BI this friday, and hopefully Armstrong ride-alongs next weekend. Then class on Sunday, then the 25th is extrication and 26th is our practical. This will be over and I will have to find something to do with my weekday nights.

Work is still excruciatingly boring, and class is still making my days worth it.

I've lost contact with most everyone--this whole "not being home" thing is taking its toll. If you read this, drop me a line, let me know how you are, and if you're an area friend, let's make plans to hang out in August.

I'm a little displeased with how this blog is turning out--in the beginning, there were more stories and less "blog-type" entries. Might fix that once I start doing things again. At this point, there's nothing poetic or romantic to write about. Going from work to class to sleep doesn't lend itself to dramatic writing.

I miss Brandeis. I am, however, very glad that I took this course. I might have died by now. Boredom is definitely worse that not having time to sleep.

3 July, 2009. 12:12 AM.

Sorry for the lack of updates. Life is insane, as I expected. Work is soul-crushing and more motivation to become and EMT so that I don't have to do the same job again next year.

Class is going well--we did childbirth tonight. Might add pictures, the manikins (mannequins?) were pretty cool. Grade-wise I'm doing well.

Some people are idiots, and some people really shouldn't be in the class for other reasons.

I'm so tired. I'm going to bed. I'll make a real update sometime, I promise.

For anyone who's considering taking a course--Boston University's program is fantastic. I'll rave more when I'm conscious.