ICEdot

      So, when I attended the EMSToday conference in Baltimore with Double D, we stopped at this booth for a service/product that is called ICEDot.  

      Have you heard of the idea of I.C.E.?  It stands for In Case of Emergency.  Simply put, it is a list of emergency contacts and information such as your name, age, address, medical conditions, medicines, etc. Most of the time, ICE is put into your cell phone as a contact, so EMS crews, Police, etc. would know which of your contacts would be an emergency contact, should you be unable to give them that information and should they look in your phone to look for someone to contact for you.  Usually this contact is simply labeled "ICE".  Most EMS, Police, Fire, knows what this means.  I have had an ICE contact in my phone ever since I learned of the idea.  Now that I have a smartphone, I have an app for that! :)

      Well, ICEdot came up with this wonderful concept of a centralized database for ALL EMS crews to be able to use.  So, even if you are vacationing in Nevada but your home is in Maine, the EMS/Police crews can still find out your information.  

     Basically it works like this: You go to ICEdot.org and fill out a free profile.  Then you can print out the profiles and put them in your glovebox.  Then you send for a free sticker that you can put on your vehicle so that it is known that you have an ICEdot profile.  And DONE! Any information like medicines, contact people, address, doctor, etc is able to be known if you are incapable of giving that information.  Of course it is always best to purchase a premium membership for $10, which is good for a year, because that gets you a personal ID number and worldwide coverage.

      I'm ordering the Band for myself and Widget.  My 2 favorite products are the Snap and the Band because they are items that you don't have to worry about carrying anything.  You can leave your ID in the car, plus the Band would be good for swimming.  The Snap is good for hiking, jogging, etc because you can attach it to your clothing and it stays put, as it is not easy to get off by accident.  

     Please check this product out.  I would like so see this spread across the country, it doesn't cost much for that little piece of mind..... In Case of Emergency....

I.C.E. 

I could not be....an EMT

      As I listen to Double D tell the stories of his day, I realize I could never do what he does.  It's not because of the blood, or guts or anything, that doesn't bother me.    

      It is the way the patients treat the EMS crew that is there to help them.  

      When YOU are the one that called for THEIR help, don't fight them, hit them, not listen to them, etc.  You obviously needed their help at the time, so why are you fighting with them?  

      If that were me, I'd have thrown my arms up, and said fine, I don't care that you are losing a pint of blood a minute, I'm leaving!  

      I couldn't take the abuse they take.

      It takes a special person to be able to help people even when "the people" don't seem to want their help.

      I just don't understand how someone can want the medical help, and then when the help gets there, they start hitting or bad mouthing or not listening!  If you are going to be that bull-headed, why even bother?  I could understand if it wasn't the patient that called but maybe a family member, but lots of times it was the patient that called!!  

      At my job I deal daily with customers, and sometimes patients(they are the worse!), over the phone trying to fix the issues they are having with their software, and occasionally I get a few that think they know how to fix the issue.  Luckily, I have a mute button that I can push and complain or curse at them, and still retain my kindness to them.  Then there are the times that they argue with me with what is the correct solution to their particular issue. And regardless what I say, I'm wrong.  Of course, that's when I start explaining something to them and then WHOOPS! the line goes dead! or I just shut up and stop trying to help and just wait for them to end the call.  

      See, I would NOT be cut out to be an EMT!  

      I wouldn't want the help either if an Ambulance was called because someone thought I needed one called.  But, in the same note, I wouldn't fault the EMS crew for wanting to help me.  They are just answering the call for help.  

      The only EMS crew I would fight with would be Double D, and our friends, whom are also EMS but that's just I know them and because Double D knows how I feel about having an Ambulance called! ;) and because he'd forgive me.  Plus, he would know that I'd eventually see(ok, that might take awhile, just because I too am bull-headed!), that he did it so him and Widget wouldn't be without me....

      But I still could not be an EMT.....

Poem - The Demons within me

Author - Rich Mosher 

We got to work and try our best to fit the roll of EMS.

From the simple allergic rash to the double fatal vehicle crash.

From taking granny to the doctor, to pulling junior from the water,

And a frantic Mother screams as her child fails to breath,

Then first on scene to an MCI, and having to decide who lives and who dies.

**

The ones we save, we love to rant; but say nothing at all about the ones we cant.

The humor we find from call to call, is just a way to hide it all.

A way to hide the pain that will swell, I feel so alone in this my prison cell.

I find it funny, yet find it sad; that the dreams where... I am dying, are the best I've ever had.

We try and act like it was Gods will; but we blame ourselves, for the ones we kill.

Every time I close my eyes, I see the face of those who have died. Was their illness just too much...

or was I not good enough...

The decisions were made, no time for regret; but the terrors at night won't let me forget.

**

Will I ever be free of this guilt and pain. Free me from this binding chain.

There is nothing anyone can do... or say... to make this go away.

I just bury it with the fear... the fear that turns to tears.

Though I am in agony, with time I will heal... At least I know that I can still...feel.

**

But I’ll lace up my boots and gather my gear,

As I wait for the tones to bring back the fear.

The fear of losing, as her breathing gets weaker…

As I’m once again racing the Reaper.

Are my knowledge and skills enough to see her through?

Or will this Demon claim another… just like the other few. 

New blog address

As of tonight, March 17, 2012, my blog will have its own domain.  For you, the readers, that just means when you want to access my blog, you only need to type in www.mylifetheemtwife.com and NOT www.mylifetheemtwife.blogspot.com.  I have made it easier for you to remember what my site address is, so make sure to pass it on!! =)

It's not easy making green

 

      One thing that bothers me, and it really shouldn't since it does give me bragging rights, is that in my position at work, I make over twice as much as Double D.  

     Now, while most women would love the fact that they make twice as much as their Husbands do, it bothers me because of the difference between duties vs pay.

      I mean, I sit all day and talk on the phone.  I can work from home.  I can take a break whenever I want and have a lunch break.  I work 8 hours, Monday through Friday and have most holidays off unless I chose to work them.  Most would consider the job I have to be a laid back job.

      Meanwhile, Double D is on his feet all day, is lucky some days to even get 5 minutes to eat, is in the cold, the heat, and the rain and snow.  Works long hours, weekends and holidays.

      He always tells me that it doesn't bother him that I make more than him, that he chose this profession knowing that it doesn't pay that much and that he wouldn't trade it, because he likes what he does.

      But, it still bothers me.

      Double D works 2 different jobs now as an EMT, 1 a full time position and the other a part time position because he wants us to be able to do so much more.  Which means some weeks, he'll be working 60+ hours a week!  But even with the 2 jobs, he still won't be making more than me.  

      Some of the positions for EMTs at some companies only pay minimum wage! I mean come on!  They deserve more than that!

      These men and women that work day in and day out, to save our lives and the lives of the ones that we love, don't get paid equal to what they do.  They don't even get most people's respect.  There are a lot of people that don't realize that EMS workers don't get paid big bucks.  Most work 2 jobs just to make ends meet.  

      I just think its wrong.

      What would we do if there wasn't the EMS personnel, that love their job enough to accept what they get paid?  That love being able to save a life, to help someone that is hurt?  That love it enough to overlook the non-emergency calls, where an Ambulance should not have been called? Calls such as hang nails, or a toothache, or needing a ride to the hospital because they have someone that is in the hospital and didn't have a ride!  But I guess that's where an understanding significant other comes into play, because they can just unload some of the frustrations off, and still love their job!

      I think it would be nice if their salaries were closer to the amount of effort they put into their job everyday.  

      You can't put a price on a life, so how can you justify the pay for saving one?

Poem - Call Waiting

Author Unknown

I'm laying in the darkness, I cannot fall asleep. 

I wonder where my husband is, I wish he'd call or beep. 

I saw him leave this morning, the black boots on his feet. 

He said he had to run now, and I know he's on the street. 

You'll know him when You see him, his truck is very loud. 

He has no time to stop now, he doesn't want a crowd. 

A caller said "Please hurry!" Come quickly if you will. 

A young man with a motorbike is laying very still. 

A mother calls in anguish, her child limp and blue. 

HURRY! Come, I need you! I don't know what to do. 

I hear his key turning, he's coming in the door. 

I hear him drop his boots, then footsteps on the floor. 

I hear him in the kitchen, I can tell from his walk, 

He'll soon come and wake me, and ask if we can talk. 

We'll sit out in the moonlight, and listen to the night. 

He talks about a shooting, a street gang in a fight. 

A car crash, a drowning, a small child hurt at play. 

The things he needs to talk about, the things he did today. 

The old, the sick, the injured, some so very small. 

He did all he could to help them, he answered every call. 

Every day he has a mission, he knows it in his heart. 

He does everything he can and always does his part. 

If you are sick or injured and you need to reach my Hon, 

I can tell you how to reach him, his number is ......911.

Adapting to the lifestyle

        When Double D started in the EMS world, he actually started as a Volunteer Firefighter. When he first started volunteering as a Firefighter, I have to admit, I was pretty stoked!  I was in my early 20s and I was engaged to a Firefighter!!  LOL


During a couple parades:

   Here is one of the first "Fire/EMS" cakes I made for him:

    A picture of Double D dressed in his fire gear, our daughter (Widget) with her Halloween costume and Double D's vehicle with the lights on:

      A few years later after we were married and had a Daughter, we moved to a community that was needing EMT's within their Fire department (There was only Fire in the first department he started with). and that was where he became certified as an EMT.  I was so proud of him!  


      The second "EMS" cake I made for Double D's birthday:

      I soon adapted to the lifestyle of pagers going off in the middle of the night, interrupted dinners, and family times.  Sometimes it was inconvenient and sometimes I got upset about it, especially if it was a non-emergency call, such as a hang nail, or needing a ride to the hospital because a relative was there. But I realized this was the lifestyle I was in and Double D really enjoyed this career, so I knew I needed to give him all my support. I learned to adjust our schedules around the times he was on call for the department.  There were still interrupted dinners, and family times, but that just meant that the food went in the microwave, and goodnight kisses and hugs were given later. 

      After getting his EMT-B certification, he was able to obtain a paying EMT position at a private company.  With that, I quickly learned not to plan anything for after his shift was done.  Because there might be that last call before he is supposed to get off, that causes him to get off later than scheduled.  I don't mind that because that last call could be a bad car accident or maybe a young child that is hurt badly and if that was someone I loved, I would hope that an EMS crew would stay over to help them out and not just say "my shift is done, I'm going home".  All I usually ask, is that if he is going to be longer than 2 hours, if he can, call me or text me to let me know so I don't worry.  If it is longer than 3 hours and I haven't heard anything from him, that's when I start to worry.  He works in bad neighborhoods sometimes, so I do worry.  I know he can't always call, because depending on the severity of the call, he may not get a chance, so I don't get too upset that he didn't let me know what was going on, but it doesn't mean that I don't still worry!  

      Our next move was a big one.  We moved to an area that had more job opportunities for me since it was closer to a big city which meant more jobs for entry level IT, which is what I was.  He drove over an hour back and forth 3 days a week til he could find employment near where we lived.  

      That's when I realized this was the perfect career for him, in the EMS world. 

      That also meant that if I was going to support him in a field that he enjoyed, the way he supports me in my field, I would have to "not sweat the small stuff", which included not always getting off on time, being there when he needed someone to just listen, and realizing that if we come across an accident, He's going to stop..... :)


      He originally tried to join the local volunteer fire departments but soon realized that in order to be really welcomed at the departments here, you almost had to have NO life outside of the departments.  They would have weekly mandatory meetings which makes it hard to attend when you have a regular full time job outside of the volunteer position.  Many of the members would hang out at the station waiting for a call to come in.  Again, that's fine if you have no family, no job, etc outside of the station.  So he reluctantly gave up the fire part.  Though he still longs to be a part of it...


      Being an EMT is a fitting position for him though.  I feel he is very good at it, and he is happy with it.  I especially like watching him with the children.  He's so good with kids, it isn't even funny!  He knows just how to calm them down and get them laughing so they aren't scared.  


      I know, because I have seen him in action with a child that was hurt.  


      This child wouldn't talk to anyone, wouldn't even answer her Mother when asked a question on how she was feeling.  Her Mom wanted Double D to take a look at her, and asked if I thought he would mind. Of course he didn't mind, because he loves what he does!  Not even 5 minutes after he started talking to her, she was laughing! and answering HIS questions!  It made her Mother feel so much better! 


     So, it's not hard adjusting to the lifestyle of the EMS world, it's more about loving and supporting the one that is in the EMS world.....and, "Not sweating the small stuff" =) because it's very easy to live your life around the schedules and mayhem of EMS, if you truly love the person....

What made me decide to start this blog

Hello, Thank you for coming to check out my first blog!! 

         I decided to start this blog after attending the EMSToday conference with my Husband (Double D), in Baltimore.  I realized that although I am not exactly illiterate in the terms and references of the EMS world, there is still a lot that I do not know, but would like to.  Maybe not enough to become an EMT, but enough to know what I am talking about and what Double D and his Friends are talking about!  I try to keep up with some of the terms and devices that Double D uses so when he tells me about his day, I don't have to look at him like he's speaking in a foreign language! Sure, he has his EMS colleagues/friends that he can talk about his day with, but it's nice when he can turn to me for those conversations!

         So, I got to thinking, what if i created a blog that I can express my knowledge and frustrations about what I don't know and what is confusing to me and in return, maybe gain some insight from other EMS personnel? Then maybe other wives/spouses that feel the same way, can join in and benefit from this.  Wives/Spouses that want to learn more about their Husband/Wife's career, and be more involved.  Plus, it can be a learning tool to understand what we feel left out about.

         I will share stories about experiences I have had both funny, embarrassing and serious and what I was concerned about at those times.

         Now to get to where it all started.  I can honestly say that I was Double D's first patient!  This was nearly 10 years before he was even a certified EMT-B.  When we were dating, I was working in a convenience store that had a deli, and he had come up to visit me. I was cleaning the meat slicer.  Well, I thought it would be smart to have the slicer on as I held the cleaning rag on the blade. =D Needless to say,I ended up slicing 2 of my fingers, not bad, but bad enough that a band aid wasn't going to do the trick!  There was not enough first aid supplies in the first aid kit at the store that Double D could patch me up there, so I ended going to the ER!  I wished I never went to the ER though!  They really couldn't do anything for me since I basically sliced the skin right off the tips of 2 of my fingers! There wasn't anything to really stitch so, they just wrapped it up in gauze, and sent me on my way! Well, the next morning when it was time to change the gauze, it was stuck in the wound!! I had to soak it in water until it finally came loose enough to get the gauze off!   Double D could have done lots better, and I wouldn't have had the ER bill!!!  Too bad he didn't have his EMT-B then!! haha!  THAT incident started my hatred for most hospitals, doctors, etc. but, like I said, most, not all, just the ones that don't know what they are doing and/or don't care about their patients, but that is a topic for another post.....=)