Advice From All You Medics

[jh504]

I am still here just havnt had the time to get on in a while. We finished up our first trimester and I also just purchased a house so, I have had a LOT on my plate!! I finished with a 90% overall for the first trimester and I was very happy about that!
Congrats on your IV sticks, now you start doing the fun stuff. I keep forgeting to clamp off that vein too, when I start a line, so I have been making a few messes. I got some really good practice in the ER the other day though. I had like 20 IMs, a few SCs, and some IVs. It was more than I could think about doing in a truck. But it was standing still in a well lit room.

They taught us to piggyback dopamine becuase the 60gtt/min set isnt enough to keep the vein open. They are also teaching us not to titrate to effect due to the effects that too much dopamine can have on the heart. However, here where I work the medics titrate to effect because by the time they are hanging dopamine things are already going down the toilet. Most start with fluid.

 

[OneTime]

jh504. Man good to hear from you. Congrats on school and the house!! We are in the fun stuff after 3 months of lecture. Tomorrow we have Crics, and few other skills.

Full plate. I hear you. My wife has been bugging me for another child for a few years now. Seems the two from my prior marriage and the three from hers weren't enough. So I tell her, you get me thru medic school and we'll have another baby. She took me to heart. The baby is due to arrive two weeks after I graduate. The cool thing is she works at an OB practice and I'll more than likely get to deliever. Does that count as CE?


When do you guys finish? We finish school the middle of November and graduate the day before Thanksgiving.

 

[jh504]

Wow, your adding a pregnant wife to the list! You are a glutton for punishment! Just kidding, ha.
We graduate on the 18th of December. I am really looking forward to that day!

 

[OneTime]

Yea we had a bit of change of plans. I guess here starting nursing school will have to wait a few more years. I didnt really need that boat and 100 series. I'm really hoping for a boy. But after being in school and spending some time at one of the nations leading drowning surivors care centers, I am just praying for healthy.

Side note. I actaully got away for a day. Jumped out of school early friday after IO, Trach and more IV skills. Me and the two sons did a quick pack of the 80 and headed up to just south of Flagstaff for a overnight church father and sons trip. The 80 works great for camping with the boys. They fit just right to sleep in the back. I just did a ground cloth and camped under the stars.

Camping in Arizona is so much different from the campng a grew up with in California. Most of California camping is established sites and campgrounds. Arizona has tons of just open space and primitive camping. Also out here the ATV seen is huge!

On the way home we headed up to Flag and to a fire dirt road (Schneably Hill) down to Sedona. It was nice to get some dirt on the 80. I spent a little time too explore around our campsite. There are so many back roads to explore here in AZ.

I think the 80's days will be numbered after school. I need to reagear if I keep her. I cant handle 45 mph up the Flag anymore.

 

[jeepmedic46]

My wife got pregnant while I was in medic school and I couldn't count the births. That would have been 2. Lol. Congratulation on everything.

 

[jh504]

More power to both of you.

I would love to get out to Arizona some time. I think it will be a year before I get anywhere though.

 

[OneTime]

Today we went to a cadaver lab. We got to pratice intubations, crics, decompressing the chest, central lines etc... When I got there one of the employees had a very nice, 4Geb 3 4runner with an ARB and warn front end and swing out bumper. Tons of desert pinstripping and some decent body damage. That thing has seen some dirt.

 

[OneTime]

My wife got pregnant while I was in medic school and I couldn't count the births. That would have been 2. Lol. Congratulation on everything.

Women have incredible timing. I'm really stoked. :wings: When I was younger I never wanted to find out the sex. Now Im counting the days to find out if there is a stem on the apple.

 

[OneTime]

We started ACLS this week. I must admitt at first I was rather intimidated. So far things have been divided up. Pharm, EKG, A&P, Drug profiles, a few skills. Now it is all put to together. Though it is far from being crystal clear, it is all amazingly making sense.

My biggest hurdle continues to be drug dosages. I keep working with these untanglible numbers on paper. Hopefully it will "click" when I actually begin to administer the drugs. Seven more weeks of class.:wings: Then off to clinicals!

 

[jeepmedic46]

It will all of a sudden click. It does get better.:ylsmoke:

 

[OneTime]

I hope so. Infusions are still a little confusing to me.

 

[jh504]

Did you enjoy ACLS? We are doing PHTLS first before we jump into cardiac. The cardiac test for us is a deal breaker. If you dont get an 80 or above it is an automatic failure.
I am looking forward to interpreting strips though.

 

[OneTime]

We have Mega-Code tommorow. I'll let you know how it goes. It really only breaks down to two algorithms. V-Fib and Pluseless V-tach get: Defib, Epi, defib, Lido.. Then there is Aystole and PEA. No shocks just Epi, Atropine, Epi. The book and all the algorithms are a bit overwhealming when you start. But when you get down to it, its really not that much.

 

[jh504]

Howd the code go?

 

[OneTime]

Passed ACLS with flying colors. Peds starts Monday.