So after the last blog, things were not as hectic, but yes I still have lots of stories. First off, it neared the end of my program and so we had one final trip with everyone before people started to head home again or do whatever they had planned next.
I decided to get in as many shifts at work as possible, as I knew I would miss it a lot. The shifts were just as typical as the others, but this last week the shifts got interesting again. I did one last intensive care shift this week, and we had another unsuccessful cpr. It still was rough, but I have come to be able to deal with it a lot better than the first few I saw. I also went to a fire by a building where a car burned and the fire was raising into someones home. There were pictures of me from this on one of the Israeli news sites.
Then, we got called to a person who overall wasn't feeling well, and had chest pains. When we got there we met up with the regular ambulance, and started attaching the monitor and everything else to do an EKG. As I was putting stickers on the guy, I saw his eyes roll in back of his head and heard a snoring sound. The next thing I know I heard the sound of an alarm on the monitor, and the paramedic that was with me said get the guy on the ground now and be prepared to shock him, he was in V. Fib (Ventricular Fibrillation). Within seconds we had shocked the guy, and were prepared to intubate and begin cpr, only he was still alert and responsive. We continued treatment, and quickly moved him to the ambulance. As we arrived at the hospital and went thru the security check point, we saw his blood pressure changing, and within a few more seconds as we pulled up to the front of the emergency room he went into V. Fib again, and we shocked him right before taking him out of the ambulance and into the ER. He was still conscious at this point, which was fascinating in itself, and when we wheeled him into the ICU Emergency Room, he was talking to us. What I was watching and learning about on this call was actually a heart attack occuring right in front of my eyes. I had patients with chest pain but to see him having the attack right there, it was so interesting, and an amazing learning experience.
The next and last 3 shifts were on the regular ambulance, and I had the usual car accidents, and sick people, but my very last shift, which was in fact done on the same day I was due to fly home, I got a call for a person in the road. We arrived on the scene, and yes it was our typical homeless/drunk person, but the difference with this was that it was a deaf person. It was so exciting because again, I got to be the interpreter between my driver, and the patient. It was so nice to know that I was able to help them communicate.
Anyway the 2 nights before my flight home, I went out to dinner with friends. We had a lot of fun, and I got to say goodbyes as time passed. The last dinner with everyone was so sad, as three of us were about to head to the airport. Dinner started late and so I was a bit nervous about time, but I got to the airport and got on my plane, and am now home safe.
These past 6 months included the most amazing experiences of my entire life, and I will always remember what I learned and experienced while in Israel. I made lifelong friends and memories to last me a liftetime. I do in fact miss Israel already, but I know in my heart that it wasn't the last time I will be there in my life because I ambsolutely feel as if its my other home.
<3
Thursday, August 7, 2008
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