Something wicked this way comes

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:47 am

Since there is so much turmoil of the recent case with Terri Shiavo, I thought I would share something I wrote a few years ago. I'm the therapist in the story, and I wrote it to excorcise some demons. Its a true story of what goes on inside an ER. The language is graphic, but true. (at least in that ER) It might give some of you a little insight into what and why we do the things we do.

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SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

In the darkest corner of the mind, lurks an unknown ancient phantom of 'man'. Come with me as I take you to a 'dreadful place'. The last few minutes of life. You're in a van full of happy people coming back home from a trip to Busch Gardens. As you look over your shoulder, all you see is headlights at first. When, as you realize what you see, it's too late! You've just been hit by a drunk driver. The van rolls three times before plunging nose first over the guard railing onto the interstate below you. Were you wearing your seat belt? No? Then you are the one that will be paralyzed from the neck down for the rest of your life. The next one is the lucky one. He is pronounced dead at the scene. You cant live if you're head is sheared off from twisted metal. That leaves just one more. Cut to ER. A respiratory therapist and her RN chum are each having a late shift smoke, outside the er doors. Quietly beginning to celebrate an uneventful night. ........The site is still breathtaking to behold no matter how many times you see it. An ambulance with all of it's eyepopping strobes piercing the dark,and it's siren screaming to all who will listen. The squawk box coming to life with resentment. crackling over the radio is a frantic emt who states the seventeen yr. old is not responding. "continue cpr and transport!" whats your eta? 5 min. out, the radio cries back. Behold the blur of bodies and the sound of a thunder roll as the call over head demands "ALPHA TRAUMA ER 5 MINUTES!" Then immediately following is " RESPIRATORY THERAPY ER STAT!" I drew the short straw along with the neurosurgeon for er call. I push a 200lb. state of the art pb7200. The cadillac of ventilators to the trauma suite. Out comes an ambu bag and hooked to the o2 running at 15lpm. Next is the suction, probably going to be messy. The vent is plugged in. "ANYBODY KNOW HOW MUCH THEY WEIGH?" No answer. 700litres is dialed in. (volume of breath i'm about to deliver.) "how old?" JESUS CHRIST! 17? It just got kicked up a notch. Auto pilot. Ah i'm in the zone. Pulling out the laryngascope,metal clicking into metal as the little light comes on so i can view vocal chords. White tape pulled around my head as i 'measure' the 'lasso'. Now i'm ready. Gloves and Gown. In runs the gurney with 5 emts one pumping the chest, one bagging for all they are worth. Mom and Dad rush in right behind. The patient advocate gently shows them the 'crying room.' They of course dont know its the'crying room'. The special sound proof room inside every er in the country. Can't let the grieving upset other patients now can we? The head tilt is friggin difficult with this c-spine collar on. "TUBE!' DAMNIT! I NEED THE SUCTION!" as the last thing you've ate, drank for the last 8 hrs comes up, out and down. "TUBE!" This kid is tough! Firm muscle. C'mon just a little more.....THERE! I've just inserted the tube that i'm going to deliver your last few breaths through. "The rib splitter!" CLEAR! 350J'S just went through your body, and you jump like a horse just kicked you."GET A f*&!ing LINE IN!" EPI...BOLUS ATROP[INE].....EPI......LIDOCAINE....sh*t ANOTHER EPI! pupils sluggish and slow but reactive...good you're still with me. HANG ON DAMNIT! CLEAR!450J'S .....WAIT ...HOLD CPR! ..DAMN C'MON KID! GIVE ANOTHER ATROPINE...CONTINUE CPR.......how many epi's have we given? Is it time? bolus epi.........a .....faint......rythm.......small......hope...'ASYSTOLE ,CONTINUE CPR' The skin splits as the scalpel drives between the5th and 6th ribs and a tool that came from a hardware store (we just make it sterile.) is pushed into the intercostal space. CRACK! The two ribs are removed and replaced with someones hands groping inside your chest cavity. 'AH, THERE IT IS'. If you could see right now.. the tears on our faces, as we openly grieve over you. We who are fighting for your life dont even know your name. Yet we all know you. Yours is a life lost prematurely, before you even knew what it was. And we mourn that loss. You see, that crying room is for us too...........'HOLD CPR'.... If you could feel your heart in my palm...gently squeezing..willing you to come back......The dreaded words come from what seems a great distance......'Does anyone object?' ...I want to scream YES!!!!!!!!!!! HE WAS ONLY 17! Yet i remain silent.......here it comes........OK, note the time..Then the doctor looks at me.."DISCONNECT THE VENT." As I look at you laying there, a pale grey against the white starched sheets, stained with your blood, I, the last one in the room with you whisper...'may flights of angels wing you to your rest'..i turn the toggle.......off. The drunk driver just had a broken arm.

(in rememberance of the young man whose life this was.) :yh_flower

Bothwell · Post by **Bothwell** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:01 am

Raven- Outstanding

Bullet · Post by **Bullet** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:33 pm

:-1 ...

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:04 pm

I hope everyone thinks of this the next time they are getting behind the wheel after drinking. You wrote an excellent piece there Raven.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:03 am

Thank you very much. This happened around the fourth of July, 2002. I still remember it, like it was yesterday. I dont know why this particular one haunted me so. But I felt very strongly at the time, that this young mans story must be told. I just hope folks realise the precious life they have, can be lost so quickly. Hug your loved ones. Tell them you love them. The world we live in is an unpredictable place. And lets all be a little more responsible with our drinking. Dont be afraid to take away the keys of a friend who has had a bit too much.

minks · Post by **minks** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:05 pm

beautiful piece girl, such a shame mind you

I have been known to take a few blows for taking folks keys away when they have been drinking.

Bless you Rave, it sure hits home.

capt_buzzard · Post by **capt_buzzard** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:10 pm

Excellent Raven

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:34 pm

I'm very, very glad you shared that.

Impressive.

Thank you.