Last box on planet!

Breaking NEWS!! SELF CPR does not work!! Whoda Thunkit?? However PRECORDIAL THUMP (the ultimate Paramedic Ninja Skill) is still APPROVED!

Self CPR is a coughing procedure that has been widely publicized on the Internet since 1999 and was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1976. Since it is widely publicized, it needs to be mentioned by well-known CPR authorities - see the American Heart Association's stance and the American Red Cross's stance on this topic. Both of them acknowledge that self CPR is possible, but limited to clinical situations.

The thought is that forceful coughing puts pressure on the heart, forcing it to pump blood. This may work for a few seconds while an abnormal heart rhythm passes, but only on a conscious, responsive person in specific situations. This topic is not taught in CPR classes for the simple reason that CPR intervention is based on a victim's unresponsiveness and coughing CPR would just be additional data to remember with virtually no application in the field.
This may change as more is learned over the years, but for now the best thing a person can do when he begins to experience cardiac arrest or heart attack is to call 9-1-1. If there are any people around, get their attention so they know you need help too.


On a serious note....well sort of serious PRECORDIAL THUMP is still recommended by the American Heart Association for Witnessed Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia when there is not a defibrillator immediately available (keep in mind it may take forever...like a whole 15 seconds to charge!)

What does this mean??? Go out there and practice your ninja skills!!!!

Doing the Right Thing....

You have heard the saying before....you should "Do the Right Thing", but how do we know what the right thing is? Over the last few weeks the public service profession has had to endure many tragedies. We have faced them as a united front-standing shoulder to shoulder supporting each other. We all know that we each handle these things differently. Some mourn publicly, some privately, and each in our own special way. We have all done the right thing. No one person can point out what the right thing is, but we do know how it makes us feel. That sense of a centered self. The calmness in your spirit. The relaxation of the mind. In short, it makes ya feel good.

You will always know when ya do the right thing....you can feel it in you soul and all those we have lost smile down on us.

Doodles

Pieces of Me

I think that as we travel through the journey of life, people come along and leave their mark on us. As we age and grow we collect these marks and they come together to make us a whole person. Over the last couple of days I have done some thinking about those who have left a mark on me- On all those people that have made me whole. So I will start from the beginning...

Mom- My mom taught me determination. If I want it, I had better get off my ass and go get it. Everyone always asks me, "How do you do all that you do?" It's because my Mom instilled in me the toughness to get through whatever is thrown my way.

Dad- My dad taught me that sometimes its fine to just shake your head and say Ok. When I was a little girl (not so long ago) I brought home every stray cat, dog, pig, bird, squirrel, raccoon, and armadillo. I told my daddy that some horrible circumstance had befallen the poor misfortunate animal and that I absolutely must take care of it. He would always shake his head and say "Okay, Boo Boo". Sometimes that is necessary. What I learned as a consequence to all my animal rescue missions is that it is a good thing to show caring and compassion to everyone. Not just the people you like, but also to the raccoon that is trying to take you fingers off while you bandage its wounds. Sometimes people fight kicking and screaming until they realize I am there to help, not hurt.

More to come later on the people who made me- Me!

Fun-Ness Is an Important part of Becoming the Best!

Occasionally there comes a time in everyone life that they must consider the possibility that a little fun may come into play. There is a league of people that believe that fun has no business in education and we should always look professional, act professional, personify professionalness (is that a word??). I do not subscribe to this belief. I want to make it clear that I am committed to the education of each of my duckies...er...uh students and that I will see them all succeed even if I have to drag there ass to class. I will pile up in my PJ's on your couch and help you study for your National Registry exam. I will answer every last question that a ducky may pose-even if I already explained it 25 times. I will bug the (explicative) out of you until you sign up for your test. I will push you to your limits. I may actually make you cry and not feel the least bit bad about it. I may make you mad. I may make you not like me. But, that's ok. I will make you the best. I will ensure that you will not have to worry about being a duck after you finish the class. No calm on top and ducky legs racing under the water. You won't need that. You will be confident and you will be prepared. I will teach you things that you technically don't need to know like- how to figure out your own axis within 10 degrees without looking at numbers on your 12 lead print out and EVEN how to find Z Axis! I will teach you this so that you will know why, and how, and what will happen if you do this, and how will this affect that, and other cool tips and tricks. I will also teach you that it is important to have fun. This is just as important as immune response and permissive hypotension and all the other technical junk. Fun comes in many forms, but mostly it is the fellowship that we get with each other. It is ALS relays....bet ya never thought you could make a race out of intubations and IO's. It is silly string and water balloons. It is a game of Shock vs. Not Shock!! It is duckies letting their stress wash away into the laughter of class mates. Yes I do know that Paramedic class is stressful, and hard, and long, and sucks sometimes. I know and all the other paramedics know because we have been where you are. We also know something else...IT'S WORTH IT! So, to all my duckies- Hang in There!! You will make it! It is my promise to you! Until then...relish the fun times!!

Teambuilding for the Basics!!!

Up close and personal Cardio/Pneumo Pig Lab with Intermediates!!

LIT Paramedic Class First Megacode!!

Spring 2011 NEMSA Paramedic Class

Fall 2010 NEMSA Paramedic Class

You just gotta love her...

Doing inventory for class is always fun when Loni helps!!

Heaven Needed a Hero

Jason Parker died last night. Think. Repeat. Nope still doesn't work. Still doesn't make sense. The only thing I can figure is that Heaven needed a Hero. Though I only met him about a year ago he definitely made an impression on me. Never has someone tried so hard to conceal their absolute enthusiasm for healing nature of our calling as much as him. Even though he tried to hide it he could never quite get that crooked grin off his face and you just knew he loved it. You don't see that fire burning in everyone ya know!

Last week he told me that he finally loved his job again because he felt like he made a difference in people lives. He loved the feeling- the feeling that we all know- the feeling when we do make a difference.

When you look back on our history in EMS you remember the great ones. The ones that trained us, helped us, yelled at us, cried with us, and celebrated when we earned our stripes. Then we look towards the future....towards what Jason represented.

It is my goal as a paramedic, instructor, mentor, and friend to light the fire in others that burns in me. I want to replace myself and the others with a future generation of medics that can carry on the tradition of family, unity, love, and support that we have established here in our little corner of the woods.

Jason Parker was the future star. He had that spark going that would turn into a brilliant blaze to light up his future and all it held for him.

Now though, things have changed.

I would give anything if I could walk in my office and find him sitting in my chair with a stack of ECG's and 12 Leads to interpret or to go over a call with him. But I know that is not going to happen. Things change, things don't go our way, sometimes we understand it, often times we don't. But we accept things because we have to. We say that there must have been a reason for it. Here is my justification...

Heaven needed a Hero.

Journey to Joplin

It seems every week we hear of another tornado, another flood, another tragedy that we are almost immune to the emotion these disasters bring. It is important that we don't lose our humanity and caring when traveling the hard roads that our career brings.

This past week medics from all over southeast Texas gathered supplies, clothing, and other needed neccesities to bring to the Tornado savaged victims in Joplin, Mo. The donations were tremendous and just kept coming. The outpouring of love and selflessness warmed our hearts. We packaged more than 400 boxes to be transported in a 26 foot truck to Joplin. Scott Tomlin , myself, Cohen Hudson, Jesse Crocker, Monica Wright, and Kacey Sammons traveled to the stricken city. We began our journey with a light-hearted road trip kind of outlook. Once we arrived in Joplin and met the people that live there our hearts felt the pain these people are going through. Many times we can look at disasters through distant eyes, but sometimes you can view it from your soul. All of us have a greater appreciation for the little things in life and hope that you do to.

Adorkable Penelope

Grown up?

Are we ever grown ups?  Do you remember being a child and thinking your parents were grown up?  Do you reach a certain age and then you are a grown up?  I guess I should outline my problem....I am not sure I am grown up yet?  I am 34 years old.  I am married.  I have 3 daughters.  I have a good job.  Does any of this make me grown up.  I don't feel grown up...I don't feel finished.  I still have goals.  I am back in school working on two bachelor's degrees.  After I finish those, I will be moving on to a Master's Degree.  These goals of mine may take a long time to finish.  I think this makes me unfinished.  I may not grow up until I am over 40.  Oh Gosh- 40 seriously...that's only 6 years away...well really 5 years and 4 months. 


Small heart attack just occurred.  I was just wondering does anyone else feel like that haven't grown up yet?  When I was a child I pictured my parents as grown up...now that I am that age I still have questions.  I am still figuring out how to navigate through life.  How to make the best decisions for my children, my family, and myself.  I am not sure I want to be grown up....I am pretty happy in my current state.  My current state is still a transformation that is taking place, I guess you could say I am evolving.  Who know what I will be when I grow up.  I plan on moving up and on to better places.  I want to make my mark in this world and leave a lasting impression on all the people I know.

Live Like You Were Living....Not Like You Were Dying.

This morning on my way to work I passed an accident.  A car and an SUV with severe damage.  I thought ...that one looks bad.  EMS, Fire, and PD were already there.  I kept going and grabbed a CD I burned a couple of years ago.  It just said Christie's music.  I skipped the first 12 songs...old stuff....wasn't really interested in Black Eyed Peas...then I came to "Live like you were dying" by Tim McGraw.  As soon as the song started playing I got a text from the TV station, that said "Two killed in collision on Hwy 62".  Odd coincidence...made me feel wierd, and made me think. 

The theme of the song is a guy finds out he is going to die so he goes out and lives like he was dying.  He skydives, rides a bull, and climbs a mountain.  He pays more attention to his family and friends.  So here are my thoughts.  I want to live like I am living....not so much like I'm dying.  I think of dying as a sudden event or wasting away in a hospital bed in the back room of house.  If we all lived like we were living all things would go better.  If you made sure everyday that you told everyone you loved them.  That you truly were the wife/husband you should be.  That you were truly there for your children.  That you still talked to your parents and told them that you love them.  That you still told your brothers and sisters that you love them.  That you give all that you are into everyday that goes by....Then you Live like you were living!!!

Five Stages of Grief

A new leaf....or My road to prison!

Amidst all the New Year's Resolutions I try to dodge the inevitable question of what is your resolution.  I refuse to make resolutions...I try to be "good" all year long.  I pride myself on making good decisions and traveling through life without many bumps in the road.  This has worked for me very well over the years.  However this year I made a resolution. I am going to quit smoking.  Yes, I will...I am committed-there is no turning back. 


I started smoking when I was 16 years old...because of a boy on a skateboard! 

I remember my first cigarette.  My mom had gone to town for groceries and I stole one of her cigarettes. Now, I had "smoked" before with this boy.  One thing I did not know was the difference between inhaling and faking it.  I was about to find out.  So, as I sat there on our front porch smoking my cigarette and not realizing I was doing it wrong- in the distance what do I hear....oh its a car coming down the road.  Now my mom was not due home for quite some time so I should have been safe.  But NOOOOO...it was Mom.  You know the moment that you realize things have gone horribly awry and you suck in your breath really deep in your lungs....yeah that moment.  Well I did that...I think of it now as a Power Inhale!  I threw down the cigarette and hopped up to my feet.  About this time half of my world became darker and swirly.  I had to make it to my bedroom before she got to me.  It was only about 10 feet between me and the door but by the time I could reach it all I could see through my dimming vision was the bottom half of the door.  For those of you who don't smoke- the first time you inhale will damn near make you pass out.  

Back to the story- I turned the knob as my mom says Oh..honey did you fall.  I manage an answer- No just tripped and beat feet to my room.  That was my first time.  After that experience I am not sure why I kept smoking....probably something to do with looking cool.  That was 20 years ago.  Wow-what a long time.  To say that I have been smoking for 20 years scares me.  Soon I will be able to say I quit smoking after 20 years!  That will be awesome.  My kids will be proud of me too.  They know the dangers of smoking and never fail to let me know.  This is one resolution I plan on keeping.  Now some warnings.  I would avoid me...say for the next two weeks.  I may be in a less than pleasant mood.   The Nicotine monster will be affecting my behavior as well and not so for much for the benefit of your health!!  I wish you all luck in this little game of Survivor Christie! 

With that being said, soon all of you will see a new me....or you will all have to come and visit me in prison because the Nicotine Monster made me kill some one.  I really don't think I would do well in prison.



Alter Ego on the Loose!

Voodoo Who

A little Private Time!!

I know, I know- I told you guys I would write everyday, and really I have tried.  The thing or actually three things that stand in my way are named Penelope, Emberlee and Atalyn!  I go to work and come home...before I get past the kitchen I hear MOMMIE MOMMIE MOMMIE MOMMIE!! There are three children clinging to three of my four appendages. The weight of the work day is gone, but replaced by approximately 150 lbs of kids. They all want something too.  Penelope wants to go to her boyfriend's (OMG), Emberlee wants to paint something (anything), Atalyn want me to hold her.   Suddenly, I have to switch roles from...Education Coordinator to MOMMIE MOMMIE MOMMIE MOMMIE...sometimes its hard. 

When I get home I just wanna sit for a minute...enjoy some chill time.  Through the wiggly path of parenthood- I am no longer allowed this small luxury.  Don't misunderstand me- I love my three little girls with everything and all of me, but MOMMIE's needs some down time.

The MOMMIE ATTACK continues throughout the evening- even Eros and Madison (my German Shepherd and St. Bernard) get into the act.  I sit in my comfy recliner for a few...then maybe I have to go to the bathroom...so this is what happens.  I arise out of the recliner...leaving my snuggie behind.  First all is well as I make my way down the hallway. That's when I hear it...click click click...big doggie paws coming down the hall...they peak in the bathroom door like its a dimension to another world...for the dogs its the 7th level of Hell- also known as the DOGGIE BATH TUB!  They don't break the threshhold of the bathroom door, but the do just stand there and STARE....makes things difficult sometimes. 

Then comes the MOMMIE, MOMMIE, MOMMIE...the two little ones have now joined me.  Really?!? can't a girl get a little alone time...I have now amassed a crowd...2 dogs, 2 kids!  GRRR! 

Now, say I wanna take a bath..a hot, relaxing, quiet bath- where I can read my book..Currently Under the Dome- Steven King.  I go in- run my bath water...I think I have made a clean break...water is nice and hot...Im ready to get in.  Then here it comes...MOMMIE!  They don't want anything, they just wanna sit in there and tell me random stuff about random stuff.  Atty Mae wants to get in....so I let her...now Im reduced to a Barbie swim party for a bath.  Not exactly what I had in mind, but oh well.  If she wasn't so dang cute...I might have told her No.  In the midst of our Barbie Party she announces I gotta Poo Poo....Now nothing can really clear out a bathtub like that statement!

I know what your going to say...shut the door- in fact lock the door!  I have tried this.  The result- children on the other side of the door talking to me with their little mouths at the bottom of the door.  With every other sentence, "When ya gonna get out?"  I ignore them...then they start whispering...then it's fingers under the door.  HI MOM!  Can you see me, MOM?  MOM?  MOM! MOM!  AHHHHHHHHHH  WHAT!!  Oh, just making sure you didn't drown.  I know CPR MOM!  You taught me in class!  MOM?  MOM!  I'M ALIVE!! GO AWAY!!

So, whats the point of all this-I am going to revise my previous statement of writing everyday....I will make it at least once a week.  The only way I got away with writing this much is by putting Blue's Clues on the TV and giving them a bag of chips to eat.  I think I'm pretty much done with this sooooo I'm off to play MOMMIE MOMMIE MOMMIE MOMMIE!! I would not have it any other way!  They are my life, my light, my thin grip on sanity!

Only way to keep em quiet...feed em!!

How to Make it Thru Life ALIVE in 2011!

2011 is here!!  At this time of the year, we are all supposed to think of how we are supposed to change our lives for the better.  You know- lose weight, eat healthy, quit smoking.  Yes, I plan on doing all three of those and suckering as many people as I can to do it with me!  I do think there are more important things that are the keys to a happy life!  There are 5 things that need to happen everyday of your life!  These things will make all the difference.  You don't really have to do anything to accomplish them.  They are small thoughts that you have to acknowledge and tune up every single day the planet rotates around the sun. 


1.  KNOW THAT ALL PEOPLE MATTER!  Every last one of them.  In our line of work, we tend to only pay attention to either the really sick or the really funny patients.  Some of our colleagues view all the other patients as annoyance to the "woo woo" lifestyle.  Every last person we come into contact with has the power to change our lives.  Sometimes through a simple statement, sometimes through their rugged silence- they should all have some impact on our way of thinking.  Our treatment of others defines us as a person.  If we ignore, mistreat, or villify a person it leads others to believe that we are cruel, hateful, and rude. On the other hand, when people see us treating people with compassion, kindness, and with a smile on our faces it inspires them to continue the kind acts.

2. FIND YOUR SPIRITUAL SPOT.  It really doesn't matter what religion you are or what beliefs you have.  You must be able to find your inner zen- so to speak.  Sometimes this is found in a church, with a trusted friend, or working out at the gym.  Each of us must be able to identify, process, and overcome the obstacles placed before us in our line of work.  Without this simple stress relieving process, we become the cynical burned out medic we all talk about.  Whether you are at the beginning of your career or you are a dinosaur of EMS...you must find your spiritual spot.  A place where you can know that in the end everything will be alright!


3. CHARITY IS IMPORTANT!  Now that you know people are important and it's a good thing to alleviate stress, let me tell ya about charity. In modern usage, the practice of charity means the giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.  Here is the thing about Charity.  It makes you feel good.  It makes stress go away.  It shows you are compassionate about your fellow man.  All of us are able to contribute in some way.  Many of you have recently participated in charity events for someone who is close to all of us.  Mostly charity reaffirms the fact that we are all a family.  We are truly in it for the long haul together.  Most of us would neglect ourselves if someone genuinely needed our help.  Charity doesn't have to involve money- it is whatever is needed at the time the need arises.  Remember to be their for your family, friends, and the needy.

4. FAMILY IS IMPORTANT!  I know this one kind of goes without saying, but sometimes with our hectic lives we tend to forget.  Family is who we must be most transparent with.  We cannot hold back, we cannot hide, we cannot lie.  It is as simple as that!  We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life- we begin to forget to talk to those who mean the most to us.  We should set aside time each day to make the point of speaking and LISTENING to our husbands, wives, children, moms, and dads.  Don't take these moments for granted, we all know they can be taken from us in the blink of an eye.


5. YOUR WORK IS IMPORTANT!  Aside from our family, the majority of our time is spent at work.  If you are not happy at work, it affects your entire life.  Too many times I hear or read on facebook about how miserable people are at work.  Yes, I know a lot of it is venting, but it's the same people people over and over.  I want them to find their love for this job again.  What makes them miserable?  I think it is probably that they have lost sight of why they do the job in the first place.  Maybe if they remember 1. All people matter, 2. Spirtuality is important, 3. Charity makes ya feel good, and 4 Family is important they would have better coping skills at work.  Happy home life = Happy work life.  You chose what you do for a reason.  Dig deep find your reason and if it still lights that spark in you...then continue on with your work.  If not- maybe you need to find work that is important to you!

Well, there ya have it.  My secret to a successful life.  No, I am not saying my life is always perfect...or even close to it.  One thing I do know is that when I consciously make an effort to accomplish all of these above my life seems to be easier.  Things just roll along- no big deal.  Thats the way I like it...no sudden turns.

What it feels like...when a student becomes a colleague!

I know they get nervous, and anxious, and probably a case of the bubble guts-as seen below:

But what they don't know is that I do too!  I want them all to pass so badly.  To begin the journey that I started so many years ago.  I was just shy of my 19th birthday (and we won't discuss my current age) when I started...I basically grew up in EMS.  I am so proud of my little ducklings.  I don't remember when I started referring to them as my little ducklings...but it sort of fits.  They follow me around for months then I push em out into the world.  They appear calm- but we all know their little duck legs are paddling like mad underneath the water to learn all they can, to keep up, to find their way.

They come to the first day of class---well completely clueless. Then they begin to learn!!  In such a short amount of time they learn a lifetime of skills!  Even if they took the class for fun, or for fire, or on a dare- I know that they will use what they have learned for good and for their whole lives!!  Even if it is criticizing the writers of all those EMS/Hospital dramas on TV.  Welcome to your new world little duckies!! Have a BLAST!!

BTW- Here is what I look like when they pass!!

Releasing Super Heros into the Wild World of EMS!

Last week I completed teaching my eighth EMT Basic class.  This week many of them are testing for National Registry and a couple have already passed.  Several of my students from previous classes are completing their Paramedic class and soon will be testing.  I am beyond elation that these folks are beginning their entry into the wild world of EMS.  However, it made me think about a few things. 

Sending out new Basics in to the world is like releasing baby Super Heros into the wild. 
They are entering a world where sometimes the logic is a little skewed.  They will encounter situations I could never create in the classroom environment.  They view themselves as heroes and haven't quite grasped the concept of humility and humbleness.  While I think it is an awesome thing they have accomplished, I do wonder how I can better prepare them for what they may face.  How do I take the "Super Hero" concept and not tarnish it, but make them realize that this job is one of the most difficult and life consuming jobs.  I imagine this is what they envision as soon as their certification shows up on the computer.

What I want them to know is that they will experience things most other people will never have the opportunity to.  Some of these will be awesome and some of them will be tragic.  I want them to maintain their sense of wonderment at the thought of this job.  I know that some of them will go on to be great- You know- like the old timer medics we talk about with such reverence.  Many things will happen to them along this crazy messed up path we walk.  They will have the high moments of -" Yeah, I saved that guy!" or "If I hadn't been there he would have been talking to Jesus."  They will have their low moments of doing compressions on a chest that barely accommodates two fingers, of explaining to husband that his wife of 50 years is gone, of holding the sobbing mother after another teenage drunk driving incident.  I try to prepare them for these situations,  I have them close their eyes and think of what they would do in that situation.  I know that will never be enough.  On the first day of class I ask all of them- Why are you here?  Nearly all of them say "I like/want to help people."  A few are a little more honest and say "I wanna drive fast and run red lights".  I know that many of them have the hero concept built into their heads. Pumped up by media and portrayed in interesting albeit mostly inaccurate probabilites- these students are excited about the class.  I don't want them to lose that- I just want them to realize we deal with real life.  Real life is raw, it hurts, it elates, it stabs, it steals happiness, it provides hope. 


Some time in the future I hope all my students look back and see how far they have come.  Most of them are very young and lack the life experience to accurately judge how beautifully cruel life can be at times.  For those that choose to remain in EMS, there will come a point of realization.  For some it won't take long and for others it will take a lifetime, but they will know that heros are for movies. They will take their Super Hero cape and put it away.

From that point on they will realize, that it's just a job.  A job that counts.  A job that is important.  A job that makes a difference.  A job that gives us fulfillment.  A job that dishes out disappointment.  What I want from them and you at this stage in their career is to pay it forward.  We must always look to the future.  We know we cannot last forever.  We must pave the way for future EMS generations to go forth and SAVE!!  Yeah I know- still get a little excited sometimes!!  Seriously though- We have been tasked with continuing on the way of EMS.  For those of you who take the time to show the "new guy" a few tips and tricks, Thanks!  Sincerely, I thank you for taking the time to invest in the future.  Too often I hear people talking about all the "rookies" or "newbies"- If you are one of these people who will take the time to point out what they are doing wrong instead of taking the time to show them the right way- maybe its time to find a new line of work.  We should all remember where we came from.  We all made mistakes, and learned from them.  We should all take the time and make it a priority to pass on our experiences and our mistakes.  For every student that comes out of my class, I hope that someone will take them and continue the process I have started. 

So, Good Luck my little super duckies... I wish you well.  There will be tough times. There will be great times. Don't lose the greater vision.  Find yourself a mentor.  And when you have served your time don't forget to pass it on.