Right now it's raining outside... as usual. I'm sorry for my general mood of negativity toward the weather of this city- I'm trying to be positive, really, I am. It's just that it seems when it is sunny (a rarity) I am cooped up within the confines of the health science centre emergency department, and when I am off work with time to spare (such as today) the storm winds are a-blowin' and the rain is pelting. Which is all well and good for one day, it's cozy and such, but beyond that... let's just say I am prone to cabin fever.
But I should. not. whine.
This weekend, during the last couple hours of one of my day shifts, I think I can honestly say that it was the most intense experience at work I have had- ever. We got a call on the radio from EMS that there was a code 9 (cardiac arrest) coming... then as that person came in there was another call for a traumatic accident- needed to be put in one of the major rooms-- aka Rm 2, my assigned post for the day. I experienced sudden and intense tachycardia at this point- got my room ready, primed IV tubings, gathered blood tubes and syringes, sedation drugs.. then there they come in... nonresponsive, combative patient... needed to be intubated.. fighting the whole time, couldn't get him sedated... and here I am, primary nurse for this room. Flurry of doctors, residents, etc. It's just like on TV, almost. Since it was in my room I needed to write everything down and make sure everything got done and is in order... then after the dust settles I have primary responsibility for this patient... scary. But I had good help. In the meantime, there was some other serious stuff going on too. It's so weird... right in the thick of all this I wanted to a) cry and b) run away, but at the same time, there I was, had to do what I needed to do, and really, that's all you can do. The intensity of the situation is ridiculous. It's terribly interesting too though, and I can see how people become 'adrenaline junkies', so to speak. I am still too scared of it all to be at that point- but I'm learning a LOT.
We had a fire at the beach last night with a few friends and it was awesome. Not to mention freezing, but still great. The moon was almost full, the sky was clear, and although the wind was blowing right in off the Atlantic we got a roaring fire going as the waves crashed beside us. It was almost surreal. Really glad we made the effort to get out there to Middle Cove beach... and it's only about a 15 min drive from the city! Gotta love that... there's no urban sprawl here.
It's November. Oh my. 6 weeks today I'll be on a plane to Prince George for Christmas!
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