Last night I went to a going away party for an old partner of mine. I was glad there was a good turnout.
In EMS people work at a place for years. They come in to work everyday, work long hours, and give it their bes. They become a part of the life, of the city they serve. Then they quit or they get hurt, or in rare cases retire. The next day the work goes on, and it is if they were never there.
My old partner worked the city for 14 years. We were full-time partners for maybe two or three, but over the last six worked together occassionally on overtime shifts. We have many stories between us. Many of which we retold last night.
Life hasn't been the greatest for my friend in recent years -- he had an MI, and has been going through a divorce, which is almost final. As soon as it is, he is leaving for Florida. He wants to work an ambulance job, but says he'll get a Home Depot job if neccessary. He likes the sun down in Florida and knows some people there.
Like I said, I was glad a lot of people came out to pay their respects.
At work they'll cross his name off the books and write in someone else's.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Friday, March 04, 2005
Escaped Mental Patient
A guy escapes from a mental hospital, hitchhikes to his friend's house, then sits on the porch waiting for the friend to get home. Suddenly, he starts to feel his neck tighten up, and his face and arms. he can't move them. Panicking, he staggers out into the road, lurching in and out of traffic, trying to get someone to help him. He thinks he is dying.
Finally someone calls 911 and reports a crazy man wandering in and out of traffic who appears sick or deranged.
When we get there he is very scared and anxious. I ask him what meds he is on, and he says he has been on Haldol for the last four days.
That's the answer right there. Haldol can cause dystonic reactions, which produce symptoms just like the man is having.
I give him 50 mg of Benedryl IV and within minutes he can move his neck and face and arms.
"I thought I was dying," he says. "I can't believe no one stopped to help me. Aren't people supposed to help others in distress."
"They probably thought you were an escaped mental patient," I say.
"I thought I was going to die," he says.
Finally someone calls 911 and reports a crazy man wandering in and out of traffic who appears sick or deranged.
When we get there he is very scared and anxious. I ask him what meds he is on, and he says he has been on Haldol for the last four days.
That's the answer right there. Haldol can cause dystonic reactions, which produce symptoms just like the man is having.
I give him 50 mg of Benedryl IV and within minutes he can move his neck and face and arms.
"I thought I was dying," he says. "I can't believe no one stopped to help me. Aren't people supposed to help others in distress."
"They probably thought you were an escaped mental patient," I say.
"I thought I was going to die," he says.
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