Hi Team!
Sorry I did not post yesterday. I had a very busy day and then went out with friends last night so I did not get a chance to post. Yesterday was a good day. I met Coach Alex and we had our workout-walk. We only did 2 instead of 3 miles because we both had so much else to do for the day but it was a good workout anyway. I drank 3 quarts of fluid as well. And I slept very well the night before so I was three for three for Friday, Jan 29th. YAY ME!
I met with the Fire Buff Battalion president, Cat and her husband Bob so that they could take me to the fire department to get my ID badge made. When we went to 9's, where they do that, nobody was home. Darned fire department chooses to be busy when we are available for a visit!! LOL Well, while we talked about where we would go to wait for them, she asked me if I had gotten the fire call the night before. I had not. We discovered that my fire phone had serious problems. Actually all 8 of the Battalion's fire phones were having problems. Mine, like the other seven, was going off at 3 am for no reason with a busy signal. When the phone was closed, even when it was on the charger. Nothing would shut the busy signal off except to completely shut down the phone, wait a few seconds and restart it. Weird stuff, I tell you. We took my phone back to Verizon, along with Cat's and she let them know in no uncertain terms how unhappy she was with our service. The Battalion has had 8 phones for six months and the longest that we have gone without having to go into Verizon to get something fixed was about 4 weeks! Cat kept stressing to them, we work with the FIRE DEPARTMENT, we NEED our phones to do what they are supposed to do so that we can RESPOND to fire calls. I think the phones are fixed now. At least, I HOPE they are! While Verizon fiddled with our phones, we went to lunch. After lunch we got our phones and headed back to 9's to see if we could get that ID badge. We were in luck, they just rolled in ahead of us. The door was still up when we got there.
We had to try several times to get my picture done. Digital cameras can be touchy and we had a tough time in the station finding the right lighting and background to make a decent picture. At one point they asked me to stand in front of a beige door. I was about to when I looked at the plate on the door. Just above my head would have been the words, "Battalion Chief". I laughed and suggested that perhaps that wasn't the best spot to take my picture. =D They took me in the day room and suggested I sit in one of the recliner chairs. They are huge, I am not. I said to them that I might get swallowed up in the chair. I had visions of me looking like a miniature person sitting on the furniture in a giant's living room. They decided that didn't look very good either. Eventually I got my picture taken in front of a white cabinet they found in one of the rooms. The firefighter who took the picture then inputted (is that even a word?) my picture and my information into the computer. A few more clicks of the mouse and voila! I now have an official Tacoma Fire Department ID badge with a darned good picture (W. Spencer did a great job) which is amazing because I don't generally photograph all that well. Now I can officially respond to fire calls!! YAY!!!!
Basically, that made me week!
And then there was today!
I got up and got ready to go this morning feeling a little nervous and a little excited at the same time. In order to apply for the EMT program at the college, I had to take CPR for the Professional Rescuer from either the Red Cross or the American Heart Association. As I mentioned before, (I think) I sweet talked my way into the class for today.
The class was an all day INTENSE training. CPR, Rescue Breathing and AED training for professionals is more intense and involved than the basic classes are. It was a fun, hard, intense, challenging and exciting class to take. I have to say that I am physically exhausted far beyond any level of exhaustion I have had in a very long time. I was definitely the oldest participant in the class. One of the instructors was older than me. She had been a paramedic locally for quite a while and then an injury forced her to quit. She then taught with the Red Cross for 17 years and recently took the EMT program again. She has decided to become a Physician's Assistant. We bonded instantly because we both decided to follow our dreams late in life! Anyway, I was telling you about her because, when we started doing practicals, she suggested I get some padding for my knees. She singled me out. Not because she was trying to discriminate, she just felt some sympathy or empathy because I have old knees! She would not take no for an answer and she found me some decent padding. It's funny though because it was never placed in the right position to be any help no matter what I did. Medical emergencies are not particulary predictable. LOL It was okay with me though because I really did NOT want any special considerations. In fact, she told us if our wrists hurt we could take it easy, etc. I told her I would not modify any thing I was expected to do because I would not be able to in real life situations. She liked that. She said to remember that in real life situations I would not feel the pain as much, and might not notice it at all even, until everything was done and over with. Adrenaline has a way of doing that. She seemed to like that I would not whimp out. I definitely felt good about it too. And it showed me a little of what I need to do to prepare for this kind of career too.
Now I am legally considered a "professional" emergency responder. I am legally obligated to respond to any medical emergency I come upon, 24/7/365 (and sometimes 366) unless someone more qualified is on scene. That is a huge responsibility. One that is at the same time a little scary and empowering. I am qualified to make a difference. I have a lot more training and experience to get in order to reach my dreams, but this was a good start today and I am proud of my accomplishment and excited to be one step higher on my ladder. And WOW... am I ever tired!!!
Next step: Monday morning I will take my information and my money to the college and apply for the EMT program. I heard from one of the other students in my class that there are 10 applicants so far. That leaves just 17 spaces. I hope he and I get two of them. He still needs the immunizations.
I'll keep you posted. In the mean time, stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 135
Hi Team!
Things are looking good for me. I still don't know if I will get into my EMT class or not, but I am looking at all the things that have happened this week and thinking, God really loves me! First, I took the intitiative to call about the waitlist and found out that everything was a mess. Second, I scrambled and located the vaccines I needed. Third I located and obtained my TB test. Fourth, I convinced the Red Cross to allow me into an already over crowded class to get my CPR for the Professional Rescuer class taken care of by Saturday so that I can then apply to the EMT program on Monday. God continues to clear obstacles as he has all along this journey. If He wants me in the class this time around, I will be there. If not, it can only be because he has better plans for me. How can I lose?
I want to thank all of you again for the prayers, encouragement and openness you have shared with me or offered up on my behalf. I am feeling much more positive, even though I have stumbled a bit. I feel like today, I could move mountains!
Speaking of today... I have had two quarts of fluids, I slept very well last night and I have had an active day, though it was not an exercise day. I am three for three. =D
I also went and got my shots today =( Both of my arms are sore. I feel like swiss cheese! I'm full of holes! The nurse was amazing. I barely felt the needle pokes. Unfortunately, the vaccines that were injected were not so subtle. They burned and smarted! But I did not kick the nurse. I didn't cry or yell even, though for one of them I did say, "Ow, ow ow!" Before I left, I told her I was glad she had poked me today! (That brought a laugh, let me tell you!) Tomorrow I get the TB test site checked and mail my transcript requests.
The first BIG step in reaching my dream is so close I can almost taste it! Almost.
And I did something fun today too. I colored my hair for the first time in 25 years. No more silver bangs peeking out when I'm not looking for them. I lightened up my hair a few shades from a medium brown to Golden Light Brown which on me is sort of coppery brown. I have natural red hilights and the red is much more prominent now. I like it though. My husband noticed and complimented me almost right away when he saw me. I didn't warn him I was going to do this. I was surprised he liked it so much. He is the type to give his honest opinion so it is really cool that he complimented me on it. =) I'll try to post a pic soon.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Things are looking good for me. I still don't know if I will get into my EMT class or not, but I am looking at all the things that have happened this week and thinking, God really loves me! First, I took the intitiative to call about the waitlist and found out that everything was a mess. Second, I scrambled and located the vaccines I needed. Third I located and obtained my TB test. Fourth, I convinced the Red Cross to allow me into an already over crowded class to get my CPR for the Professional Rescuer class taken care of by Saturday so that I can then apply to the EMT program on Monday. God continues to clear obstacles as he has all along this journey. If He wants me in the class this time around, I will be there. If not, it can only be because he has better plans for me. How can I lose?
I want to thank all of you again for the prayers, encouragement and openness you have shared with me or offered up on my behalf. I am feeling much more positive, even though I have stumbled a bit. I feel like today, I could move mountains!
Speaking of today... I have had two quarts of fluids, I slept very well last night and I have had an active day, though it was not an exercise day. I am three for three. =D
I also went and got my shots today =( Both of my arms are sore. I feel like swiss cheese! I'm full of holes! The nurse was amazing. I barely felt the needle pokes. Unfortunately, the vaccines that were injected were not so subtle. They burned and smarted! But I did not kick the nurse. I didn't cry or yell even, though for one of them I did say, "Ow, ow ow!" Before I left, I told her I was glad she had poked me today! (That brought a laugh, let me tell you!) Tomorrow I get the TB test site checked and mail my transcript requests.
The first BIG step in reaching my dream is so close I can almost taste it! Almost.
And I did something fun today too. I colored my hair for the first time in 25 years. No more silver bangs peeking out when I'm not looking for them. I lightened up my hair a few shades from a medium brown to Golden Light Brown which on me is sort of coppery brown. I have natural red hilights and the red is much more prominent now. I like it though. My husband noticed and complimented me almost right away when he saw me. I didn't warn him I was going to do this. I was surprised he liked it so much. He is the type to give his honest opinion so it is really cool that he complimented me on it. =) I'll try to post a pic soon.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 134
Hi Team!
I have worked very hard today at being active. I got my three miles in with Coach Alex this morning and I was on my feet much of the day as well at work. I am a little behind on my fluids but will catch up by bedtime to 2 1/2 quarts. I got plenty of sleep last night and have felt pretty good most of the day. Yay ME! 3 for three (I promise to finish the fluids so I don't have to report back about that).
I have had a pretty productive day. I discovered I could not get my TB test with my immunizations because they are not open on Saturday and that is the day they would need to check it but I was able to obtain it elsewhere today and will have it checked on Friday. :) Tomorrow I will be the human pin cushion :( The best thing that happened today though, was that I was able to convince the Red Cross to let me into an already OVER capacity Professional Rescuer CPR class for Saturday. I was polite but persistant and even asked what the odds of getting in would be if I just showed up and hoped somebody else didn't. The lady I spoke with, Catherine, took pity on my and spoke with the instructor about the situation I was in and I was allowed in! THANKS CATHERINE!! By Monday, I should have everything I need to go register for the class! With any luck ( or better yet, divine intervention) I will get in.
I have also hit a bump in the road. My recent lack of discipline has caught up with me. I weighed today, finally. I regained 5 pounds! I am back up to 194. This is my first relapse I think and I can beat it but I will have to be on top of things. I have to be careful about emotional eating and remember to watch how much junk I eat. There has been more around the house lately, post holiday stuff so it has been a little challenging. I was at first very discouraged even though I suspected the outcome. But then I remembered some kind words from a Crusty Jake that I posted a while back. I will post them again because they still apply and I find them to be an encouragement.
nwfdcap26-respectdajob wrote:
Having a dream is the same as having a goal. Accepting that it may take some uneven roads, and a few bumps, and maybe even a wrong turn or two are just part of the journey.
I had a dream too. I dreamed it everyday. Conscious and subconscious thought. Day dreams....it was all-consuming. I hit a few snags along the way too. But in the end, what I thought was almost impossible became a lifestyle that I KNEW I wanted, but wasn't sure I would obtain.
Now, sometimes I have to look back at it all to stay grounded, and realize what it took to get here.
You'll do fine. If it was so easy it wouldn't be worth it.
Thanks for the lift, brother! (again!)
I'll blog at you later but stay safe in the mean time!
Hotflash out.
I have worked very hard today at being active. I got my three miles in with Coach Alex this morning and I was on my feet much of the day as well at work. I am a little behind on my fluids but will catch up by bedtime to 2 1/2 quarts. I got plenty of sleep last night and have felt pretty good most of the day. Yay ME! 3 for three (I promise to finish the fluids so I don't have to report back about that).
I have had a pretty productive day. I discovered I could not get my TB test with my immunizations because they are not open on Saturday and that is the day they would need to check it but I was able to obtain it elsewhere today and will have it checked on Friday. :) Tomorrow I will be the human pin cushion :( The best thing that happened today though, was that I was able to convince the Red Cross to let me into an already OVER capacity Professional Rescuer CPR class for Saturday. I was polite but persistant and even asked what the odds of getting in would be if I just showed up and hoped somebody else didn't. The lady I spoke with, Catherine, took pity on my and spoke with the instructor about the situation I was in and I was allowed in! THANKS CATHERINE!! By Monday, I should have everything I need to go register for the class! With any luck ( or better yet, divine intervention) I will get in.
I have also hit a bump in the road. My recent lack of discipline has caught up with me. I weighed today, finally. I regained 5 pounds! I am back up to 194. This is my first relapse I think and I can beat it but I will have to be on top of things. I have to be careful about emotional eating and remember to watch how much junk I eat. There has been more around the house lately, post holiday stuff so it has been a little challenging. I was at first very discouraged even though I suspected the outcome. But then I remembered some kind words from a Crusty Jake that I posted a while back. I will post them again because they still apply and I find them to be an encouragement.
nwfdcap26-respectdajob wrote:
Having a dream is the same as having a goal. Accepting that it may take some uneven roads, and a few bumps, and maybe even a wrong turn or two are just part of the journey.
I had a dream too. I dreamed it everyday. Conscious and subconscious thought. Day dreams....it was all-consuming. I hit a few snags along the way too. But in the end, what I thought was almost impossible became a lifestyle that I KNEW I wanted, but wasn't sure I would obtain.
Now, sometimes I have to look back at it all to stay grounded, and realize what it took to get here.
You'll do fine. If it was so easy it wouldn't be worth it.
Thanks for the lift, brother! (again!)
I'll blog at you later but stay safe in the mean time!
Hotflash out.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 133
Hi Team!
It is good to be back and I have a fresh attitude and I am ready to dig in and climb hard! Last night I slept very well! YAY ME! I drank 2 quarts of herbal tea today and I was very active and on my feet for most of the day. Yay ME! 3 for 3!!
I still haven't heard from the college about registration for the EMT course. I called them today and was shocked at what I discovered. Apparently whomever I spoke to in September, or October, whenever it was that I called them, did not know what they were talking about and misinformed me. I don't know if I ever was on the waitlist or not. Apparently I was supposed to fill out an application for the program already. I don't know how long ago the applications for the spring class became available but if I am not one of the first 27 to complete all the requirements and turn it in, I don't get into the class. *&^$!!!!
The nice lady I spoke to today e-mailed me the application. I need transcripts, (official ones, mailed directly to this college from the other colleges -which takes as long as two weeks) which I expected, but I didn't know I needed them right now! I need a whole mess of immunizations, which insurance won't pay for of course: TB test, MMR, Diptheria/Tetanus, Hep B series (must be started to apply for EMT program), Flu shot, H1N1 shot (note from doc will suffice since I had it, I checked on that) and chicken pox! I have an appointment tentatively scheduled for this thursday at 11:30 (if the doc can get the vaccines in by then) and I will leave there looking like swiss cheese!
As frustrated as I am about the crunch to get this done and be one of the first 27, I have to realize that this was not a suprise to God and trust that all will work out in HIS timing, remembering that his timing is always perfect. I am doing my best to consider that and keep a good attitude. Nonetheless, for you prayer warriors out there, please pray for me to get everything in quickly and get into the program this spring. If I do, I will be hirable by summer and since I don't have a job in the summers with my current employer, that would be especially helpful!
In other news, Cat (Fire Buff Battalion President) e-mailed me today and wants to get together to get my fire department issued Fire Buff ID badge at which point I will officially be designated Canteen 7 (not 6 like I had been told earlier) and be able to run calls when needed. =D Yay ME! We also finally launched the Fire Buff Battalion website. If you are interested in taking a look it is still under construction but the address is: http://www.tacomafirebuff.com/
Now, I am late on this but as promised, it is time to start meeting the team (for those who chose to participate). Team, meet Coach Alex: (Giving me a cheesy smile)
Coach Alex is my very best friend in the whole wide world! Alex is the kind of friend that can kick your butt and still make you smile and say thanks! She will not hesitate to administer a good butt kicking when needed and that is exactly why I chose her as my coach. She is positive and always speaks the truth, even when it is something you might not want to hear (but need to).
Alex and I met at work at a Christian School where she was the playground supervisor and I was a Camp Counselor in the summer. She was determined not to like me because I came across to her as a know it all in a meeting when we first met so she kept to herself mostly. One day, she and the children were out on the playground chasing an escaped rabbit around a small fenced in portion of the playground. The kids were trying to help her catch it but they kept getting excited and running and shouting. None of which are conducive to capturning a scared bunny rabbit. Finally one of the kids said, "Mrs. Hecker, just sneak up on it!" to which she replied, "There's no sneaking in gravel!" Well, the sing song way she said it sounded exactly like Tom Hanks (albeit with a higher toned voice) in the movie "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN" when he said, "There's no crying in baseball!" and I said that out loud because it struck me as funny.
Alex heard me. She and her husband had recently had a conversation that only 1 per cent (or maybe it was 3, I never can remember) of the population regularly quotes movies. Right then she discovered that we were BOTH members of the one per cent club. We have been inseparable ever since. We have since discovered that we are so much alike it scares our kids (and our husbands). They all say when we are together it is scary because it's like having two moms/wives at once. We laugh so much together that my face often hurts when we spend much time together due to the big smile that attaches itself to me.
There you have it. Coach Alex, you are amazing and I love you!
I'm getting off the computer to get some dinner and get to bed at a reasonable time (at least that is the plan) so stay safe!
Hotflash out.
It is good to be back and I have a fresh attitude and I am ready to dig in and climb hard! Last night I slept very well! YAY ME! I drank 2 quarts of herbal tea today and I was very active and on my feet for most of the day. Yay ME! 3 for 3!!
I still haven't heard from the college about registration for the EMT course. I called them today and was shocked at what I discovered. Apparently whomever I spoke to in September, or October, whenever it was that I called them, did not know what they were talking about and misinformed me. I don't know if I ever was on the waitlist or not. Apparently I was supposed to fill out an application for the program already. I don't know how long ago the applications for the spring class became available but if I am not one of the first 27 to complete all the requirements and turn it in, I don't get into the class. *&^$!!!!
The nice lady I spoke to today e-mailed me the application. I need transcripts, (official ones, mailed directly to this college from the other colleges -which takes as long as two weeks) which I expected, but I didn't know I needed them right now! I need a whole mess of immunizations, which insurance won't pay for of course: TB test, MMR, Diptheria/Tetanus, Hep B series (must be started to apply for EMT program), Flu shot, H1N1 shot (note from doc will suffice since I had it, I checked on that) and chicken pox! I have an appointment tentatively scheduled for this thursday at 11:30 (if the doc can get the vaccines in by then) and I will leave there looking like swiss cheese!
As frustrated as I am about the crunch to get this done and be one of the first 27, I have to realize that this was not a suprise to God and trust that all will work out in HIS timing, remembering that his timing is always perfect. I am doing my best to consider that and keep a good attitude. Nonetheless, for you prayer warriors out there, please pray for me to get everything in quickly and get into the program this spring. If I do, I will be hirable by summer and since I don't have a job in the summers with my current employer, that would be especially helpful!
In other news, Cat (Fire Buff Battalion President) e-mailed me today and wants to get together to get my fire department issued Fire Buff ID badge at which point I will officially be designated Canteen 7 (not 6 like I had been told earlier) and be able to run calls when needed. =D Yay ME! We also finally launched the Fire Buff Battalion website. If you are interested in taking a look it is still under construction but the address is: http://www.tacomafirebuff.com/
Now, I am late on this but as promised, it is time to start meeting the team (for those who chose to participate). Team, meet Coach Alex: (Giving me a cheesy smile)
Coach Alex is my very best friend in the whole wide world! Alex is the kind of friend that can kick your butt and still make you smile and say thanks! She will not hesitate to administer a good butt kicking when needed and that is exactly why I chose her as my coach. She is positive and always speaks the truth, even when it is something you might not want to hear (but need to).
Alex and I met at work at a Christian School where she was the playground supervisor and I was a Camp Counselor in the summer. She was determined not to like me because I came across to her as a know it all in a meeting when we first met so she kept to herself mostly. One day, she and the children were out on the playground chasing an escaped rabbit around a small fenced in portion of the playground. The kids were trying to help her catch it but they kept getting excited and running and shouting. None of which are conducive to capturning a scared bunny rabbit. Finally one of the kids said, "Mrs. Hecker, just sneak up on it!" to which she replied, "There's no sneaking in gravel!" Well, the sing song way she said it sounded exactly like Tom Hanks (albeit with a higher toned voice) in the movie "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN" when he said, "There's no crying in baseball!" and I said that out loud because it struck me as funny.
Alex heard me. She and her husband had recently had a conversation that only 1 per cent (or maybe it was 3, I never can remember) of the population regularly quotes movies. Right then she discovered that we were BOTH members of the one per cent club. We have been inseparable ever since. We have since discovered that we are so much alike it scares our kids (and our husbands). They all say when we are together it is scary because it's like having two moms/wives at once. We laugh so much together that my face often hurts when we spend much time together due to the big smile that attaches itself to me.
There you have it. Coach Alex, you are amazing and I love you!
I'm getting off the computer to get some dinner and get to bed at a reasonable time (at least that is the plan) so stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 128-132
Hi Team.
I'm back. The last week or so has been long and hard, but I am amazed at how much love and support I have received from friends and family, from God, from strangers even. Today I layed my grandpa, George Blue, to rest. He was buried with full military honors and Portland Fire and Rescue attended to pay tribute to a wonderful, compassionate man who loved deeply and shared his love and compassion with all he came into contact with. Grandpa served 30 years in the fire service and never tired of talking about his passion for helping others and of telling great stories about his work. He was a wonderful man, an awesome grandpa and I will miss him very much. Rest in peace Grandpa.
I learned something this week that perhaps deep down I knew all along, but now I have to face. I am an emotional eater. I eat for comfort. And when I am sad I eat anything and everything. I fear I may have a lot undoing to to do. And I didn't drink enough either. And because I wasn't sleeping much, I didn't exercise much either, though I DID make my friday workout with Coach Alex.
I realized, too, that I have not fully gotten back into the swing of things since November when I had the swine flu. I need a swift kick in the axe to get back in the game, and prayers for some strong will power to do what needs to be done, no matter how I feel. I DO want this for myself. I WANT to live this dream and I have been letting life drag me down. It's time to toughen up and buckle down and get to work! The way I see it, I've been climbing this ladder for four months and I've made progress. Now I've misstepped and slid down a few rungs but I'm back and it's up, up, up I go from here.
Thanks so much for your support. You'll never know just how much it means to me.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
I'm back. The last week or so has been long and hard, but I am amazed at how much love and support I have received from friends and family, from God, from strangers even. Today I layed my grandpa, George Blue, to rest. He was buried with full military honors and Portland Fire and Rescue attended to pay tribute to a wonderful, compassionate man who loved deeply and shared his love and compassion with all he came into contact with. Grandpa served 30 years in the fire service and never tired of talking about his passion for helping others and of telling great stories about his work. He was a wonderful man, an awesome grandpa and I will miss him very much. Rest in peace Grandpa.
I learned something this week that perhaps deep down I knew all along, but now I have to face. I am an emotional eater. I eat for comfort. And when I am sad I eat anything and everything. I fear I may have a lot undoing to to do. And I didn't drink enough either. And because I wasn't sleeping much, I didn't exercise much either, though I DID make my friday workout with Coach Alex.
I realized, too, that I have not fully gotten back into the swing of things since November when I had the swine flu. I need a swift kick in the axe to get back in the game, and prayers for some strong will power to do what needs to be done, no matter how I feel. I DO want this for myself. I WANT to live this dream and I have been letting life drag me down. It's time to toughen up and buckle down and get to work! The way I see it, I've been climbing this ladder for four months and I've made progress. Now I've misstepped and slid down a few rungs but I'm back and it's up, up, up I go from here.
Thanks so much for your support. You'll never know just how much it means to me.
Stay safe!
Hotflash out.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 127
Hi Team.
I just want to start by thanking you all for the tremendous support you have been and continue to be during this hard time I am going through. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the outpouring of love and support. I am SO blessed.
Today was a little better day. I was a zombie for the better part of the day because I had only about 2 1/2 hour sleep. I drank 2 1/2 quarts of water and tea today and I was very active at work! That makes me 3 for 3! I guess I had better figure out how to sleep under stress or I'll never make it as a paramedic! Today was an extra long day at work so after the first few hours I was really wide awake and doing much better than the beginning of the shift. When one works with kids it is kind of a sink or swim kind of deal. Either I had to pull some strength out of my pocket and get it together or I'd have been eaten alive! I chose not to get eaten!
My assistant (the rock of my staff) was out and will be all week because her grandmother is very ill. My substitute is a wonderfully nice person but pretty much useless. She takes no initiative and when given directions and asked if she needs clarification or assistance with anything she says no. She talks as though she understands what is expected and then does nothing! I'd almost rather be a staff person short and over the legal ratio of staff/kids than have to deal with that. The kids are always rowdy and squirrelly when they get out of school early so that can be challenging and today was no exception. On top of it, one of my 4th grade boys really slammed his thumb in the door (heavy metal school doors). He had a small cut or puncture, hard to tell which, on the outer thumb next to the thumbnail and it stubbornly bled. I applied pressure for about two minutes and checked it but it didn't stop. It finally took about 10 minutes of pressure and elevation to stop it. It wasn't a lot of blood but it didn't want to stop. He got upset and started to get nauseated and a stomach ache, pale and generally not looking so hot about the time I got the bleeding stopped and a bandage on his thumb so I took him inside and had him lie down, elevated his feet, kept him warm, I got an ice pack for his thumb and I talked to him as I monitored him for the next 10 minutes. While I dealt with the minor medical emergency my childcare program fell apart and my teacher and the sub did not communicate or effectively handle the 28 kids that were there. Now the teacher is a good teacher and works wonderfully well with me ordinarily, but she was trying to deal with the group with the sub as her back up and nothing was happening. I could see it all falling apart but I could not leave the inured boy. It was very frustrating.
After monitoring the boy for 10 minutes he seemed to be doing better. His color was back, he was talking and animated but still not his usual self and he insisted that his stomach still really hurt and he felt like he would be sick. At this point I managed to get the staff to get all the kids inside from the playground so we were all in the cafeteria. I had the injured boy away from the group and mostly out of site of the kids. He was visible enough that I could monitor him while assisting my staff in getting control of the group again, which I did. Within the next 10 minutes, my injured boy was smiling most of the time he was talking and he was telling me about his dad's previous injuries of having impaled his arm with some part of a broken bicycle one time. I figured this kid would be okay now. Somehow during all of this I had called my boss to inform her of the situation and called the kids' parents. Sadly, mom's work phone went straight to voicemail and the home phone and dad's cell phone, (which were supposed to be emergency back up numbers) gave me a recording of having been disconnected! It was another 40 minutes before his mom called me back and I filled her in. I let her speak to him and it was decided that his dad would come and get him and they would go home. By the time he got picked up he was complaining to dad that he wanted to stay and have a corn dog for snack! It was a very long day!
Once home for the evening I discoveredt that My grandpa's service will be on Monday so I will be taking the train Saturday to the station nearest my brother and will stay with him for the weekend. My husband will drive down on Monday, attend the services and bring us both home. I also found out, however, that my sister, whom I haven't seen in probably 10 years, will be coming from Nebraska and staying with my mom for a week -a mile from my home. I am so excited and happy that I will get to see her. My mom is happy that she will have all her children in one place for the first time in decades!
As I said, I am doing a bit better for now. I'll try to keep current here as much as possible.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
I just want to start by thanking you all for the tremendous support you have been and continue to be during this hard time I am going through. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the outpouring of love and support. I am SO blessed.
Today was a little better day. I was a zombie for the better part of the day because I had only about 2 1/2 hour sleep. I drank 2 1/2 quarts of water and tea today and I was very active at work! That makes me 3 for 3! I guess I had better figure out how to sleep under stress or I'll never make it as a paramedic! Today was an extra long day at work so after the first few hours I was really wide awake and doing much better than the beginning of the shift. When one works with kids it is kind of a sink or swim kind of deal. Either I had to pull some strength out of my pocket and get it together or I'd have been eaten alive! I chose not to get eaten!
My assistant (the rock of my staff) was out and will be all week because her grandmother is very ill. My substitute is a wonderfully nice person but pretty much useless. She takes no initiative and when given directions and asked if she needs clarification or assistance with anything she says no. She talks as though she understands what is expected and then does nothing! I'd almost rather be a staff person short and over the legal ratio of staff/kids than have to deal with that. The kids are always rowdy and squirrelly when they get out of school early so that can be challenging and today was no exception. On top of it, one of my 4th grade boys really slammed his thumb in the door (heavy metal school doors). He had a small cut or puncture, hard to tell which, on the outer thumb next to the thumbnail and it stubbornly bled. I applied pressure for about two minutes and checked it but it didn't stop. It finally took about 10 minutes of pressure and elevation to stop it. It wasn't a lot of blood but it didn't want to stop. He got upset and started to get nauseated and a stomach ache, pale and generally not looking so hot about the time I got the bleeding stopped and a bandage on his thumb so I took him inside and had him lie down, elevated his feet, kept him warm, I got an ice pack for his thumb and I talked to him as I monitored him for the next 10 minutes. While I dealt with the minor medical emergency my childcare program fell apart and my teacher and the sub did not communicate or effectively handle the 28 kids that were there. Now the teacher is a good teacher and works wonderfully well with me ordinarily, but she was trying to deal with the group with the sub as her back up and nothing was happening. I could see it all falling apart but I could not leave the inured boy. It was very frustrating.
After monitoring the boy for 10 minutes he seemed to be doing better. His color was back, he was talking and animated but still not his usual self and he insisted that his stomach still really hurt and he felt like he would be sick. At this point I managed to get the staff to get all the kids inside from the playground so we were all in the cafeteria. I had the injured boy away from the group and mostly out of site of the kids. He was visible enough that I could monitor him while assisting my staff in getting control of the group again, which I did. Within the next 10 minutes, my injured boy was smiling most of the time he was talking and he was telling me about his dad's previous injuries of having impaled his arm with some part of a broken bicycle one time. I figured this kid would be okay now. Somehow during all of this I had called my boss to inform her of the situation and called the kids' parents. Sadly, mom's work phone went straight to voicemail and the home phone and dad's cell phone, (which were supposed to be emergency back up numbers) gave me a recording of having been disconnected! It was another 40 minutes before his mom called me back and I filled her in. I let her speak to him and it was decided that his dad would come and get him and they would go home. By the time he got picked up he was complaining to dad that he wanted to stay and have a corn dog for snack! It was a very long day!
Once home for the evening I discoveredt that My grandpa's service will be on Monday so I will be taking the train Saturday to the station nearest my brother and will stay with him for the weekend. My husband will drive down on Monday, attend the services and bring us both home. I also found out, however, that my sister, whom I haven't seen in probably 10 years, will be coming from Nebraska and staying with my mom for a week -a mile from my home. I am so excited and happy that I will get to see her. My mom is happy that she will have all her children in one place for the first time in decades!
As I said, I am doing a bit better for now. I'll try to keep current here as much as possible.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Report From Ladder Company 40 Day 126
Hi Team.
Simple report is all I have the energy for. I am not really sleeping but I have remembered to drink my fluids. I was busy today and therefore pretty active so I guess that is 2 for three. Just functioning at minimal levels today. Sorry this post is such a downer. I'll climb back out of this hole after I've had a few days to deal with things. Thanks for caring.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
Simple report is all I have the energy for. I am not really sleeping but I have remembered to drink my fluids. I was busy today and therefore pretty active so I guess that is 2 for three. Just functioning at minimal levels today. Sorry this post is such a downer. I'll climb back out of this hole after I've had a few days to deal with things. Thanks for caring.
Stay safe.
Hotflash out.
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