A Good Call (17.5.20)

Slept like a baby last night, perhaps the first time during this entire ECQ. Of course, I had a little help from a few rounds of booze but more importantly, I had a "good call" late yesterday—a geriatric woman with a history of Bell's Palsy. She was a handsome lady and I was greatly pleased that she was sitting upright and conscious. In fact, she was trying to put a sock on when I came through the door.

While most EMT/Medics live for the thrill of coming in hot with lights flashing and sirens blaring, I enjoy quiet moments with the patient: the long-drawn interviews, trying to figure out what caused what and how; checking vitals; and simply, comforting the patient—to ease and soothe any pain she's experiencing.

I like attending to a patient especially seniors. Personally, it fills that void of wanting to take care of my own folks. I like making sure the patient is warm of turning down the A/C just right. I like checking up on them, seeing if there's anything more I can do. I like explaining to relatives in a calm, quiet tone, what we're doing and what the patient's condition might be. I like walking up to a doctor or nurse to make an endorsement and it is such a joy when either one of them asks for my name!

Last night, I was addressed as, "doc" by the patient's relatives and the staff at St. Luke's and on both occasions, I proudly declared, "EMT/Medic lang po."

I do that to emphasize the disconnect between pre-hospital and in-hospital care. Although we are trained to recognize ailments, the most we can really do is manage a patient's condition while at the scene and in transit to the hospital.

I am by no stretch of the imagination, a doctor and most likely, will never be but I am proud of what I am and through my attitude and demeanor, I hope to uplift the image of ambulance crews everywhere. I do not see myself as a "direct-action" operator like a SWAT or Navy SEAL but rather, a detective who tries to solve a riddle or a puzzle. I may not be a healer but I am most certainly, an "ambularyo"! 

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