ok I didn't want to sound dumb

[MariB]

But I was joking around through email with the program director and told him that being that I'm his top student that maybe he should pull some strings and get me some free A&P classes .

He replied "How about free paramedic school?"

I was kind of taken back, he knows how bad I want to do that and how I can't pay out of pocket for a volunteer squad with a couple hundred dollar a year stipend.

Our college does not have a paramedic program. Is there scholarships available out there or was he joking around?

I just replied " I would love that, of course, but unfortunately we don't offer that here "

Our area is in EMS provider crisis . Some towns of 5000 having 3 EMTs and out of service several days a week so surrounding towns are all covering each other.

Edited March 28, 2013 by MariB

[paramedicmike]

Did you ask him what he knows about that could help you achieve that goal?

I would have.

[MariB]

We have talked before off and on about it. I simply stated if my squad would pay, I would do it. Well my director does not feel the city would pay for it being we are within minutes of a hospital. Several years ago a grant was offered and a couple took it and we had nurses bridge over. That's how we got the ones we have now. However, one is moving away, another is in a different town now and only does short shifts leaving 2 available who work full time. I work in the education system. Summers less hours, nights, weekends and holidays off. Some extended holidays. Plus I can leave if I really have too.

I am holding a 95% this semester in a college level converted EMT program. I don't think I'm a bad candidate .

I'm still considering it in the back of my mind, but if I am to do it on my own, I'll need the help of financial aid. That would mean an associates. 2 years full time, giving up my job now, driving an hour to class every day and I will not remain on just this squad. I would then have to start commuting after to a paid service.

[scubanurse]

You either want to do it or not. Every post on here is about how badly you want this to happen... so sounds like someone is offering you a chance...why not ask him about it?

[island emt]

If they are willing to work on finding funding for you Take the jump. You have exhibited the kind of thinking needed in your posts here.

[paramedicmike]

I'm still considering it in the back of my mind, but if I am to do it on my own, I'll need the help of financial aid. That would mean an associates. 2 years full time, giving up my job now, driving an hour to class every day and I will not remain on just this squad. I would then have to start commuting after to a paid service.

You're saying all of this like it's a bad thing.

Do you want it? Or don't you? It really is that simple.

Besides, what's wrong with financial aid? What's wrong with earning an associate's degree? What's wrong with two years of school? What's wrong with getting a job to work as a medic? Isn't that what you've been saying is what you want for almost the entire time you've been posting here?

If you want it as badly as you say you want it then do it. It might not be an easy transition. It might not be an easy two years. You might have to make some compromises along the way. If this is really what you want, though, then it will all be worth it in the end.

Nothing worth doing is going to be easy. Just keep that in mind. And certainly nobody is going to just hand it to you.

Edited March 29, 2013 by paramedicmike

[MariB]

I do. But I would have to give up work. That's the hard part. The problem with financial aid is I will not pay for a degree to work for free if you know what I mean.

I haven't posted anything about this, but my daughter is ill. I don't know for sure how sick until the surgery tomorrow.

[paramedicmike]

First off, best wishes to your daughter. I hope she is ok and that she is not seriously ill.

I had to quit a job I *loved* for grad school. I'm in debt up to my eyeballs for it. Best decision I've made so far (and I've made some doozies in my time). I wanted it. I made it happen.

So can you.

I do know what you mean about paying for a degree to work for free. Funny how that works, eh? So you have to get a paid job working as a medic. Again, that's what you want, right?

Seriously. I hope whatever is ailing your daughter is minor and that she recovers quickly from surgery.

Edited March 29, 2013 by paramedicmike

[MariB]

Well, obstruction in the lung. Dang it, I am trained to keep the airway open. Hers is obstructed and I can't help her.

You will know a lot more than I. I am losing a lot of sleep over this, lack of answers is eating me up.

OK, patient scenerio? Very important, special patient.

18 year old girl presents with lump on neck. Not painful. Rubbery feeling but does move.

Doctor does CBC with differential and tests for mono, and cat scratch fever and looking for red flags of lymphoma.

Tests show anemia, and low lymphocytes, but otherwise normal. States daughter may just be fighting a bug.

A few weeks later daughter gets influenza despite flu shot.

Annoying hack lingers, repeat trip to doctor, doc tells her its viral and to rest.

Patient allergic to guifisen making congestion hard to clear

Daughter spikes fever and returns to doctor, cough dry and severe chest pain no wheezing or crackles.

Chest xray diagnoses pneumonia. Daughter put on antibiotics. No steroids given due to pulse being 160

Next morning I wake up to something wrong. Instinct? I hear grunting. Patient in severe distress. No cyanosis. However patient altered status.

I know from experience I can get her to hospital in less than three minutes.

Daughter spraying blood with cough.

In er nebulizer, codiene and zofran given. Pulse 150 bp 140/90. Pulse ox 98%, wbc upper 20s

Released with script for neb, codiene, rescue inhaler.

Follow up reveals Wbc in normal range, pulse 140 , severe chest pain now diagnosed as pluersy. No repeat chest xrays done.

Chest pain not subsiding, cough still continuing. Patient goes back to doctor. Xray shows pneumonia . Fever, severe pain. Script for stronger antibiotics. Blood shows wbc within normal limits, low blood glucose of 65 , anemia and low lymphocytes.

[MariB]

OK adding more but it just keeps adding to post above.

After 10 days of antibiotic patient not improving, mother calls doctor demanding pulmonary specialist . Specialist is filled for 3 months. Strings are pulled, patient now able to get in within week. Mother wants her seen anyway due to pain and fever.

At office patient now has fever of 102,7. Wheezing and severe palpable pain to upper abdomen. Doctor concerned as abdomen is tender and patient guarding.

Severe right chest pain. Pulse 150, respirations 20 and shallow.

Patient admitted. Ct of abdomen reveals normal finding

Wbc 20s , glucose 60, 160 pulse bp 90/60

Positive d-dimer. Clot buster injected and tests for clots later negative

Transfer to higher level care hospital considered

Mothers and patients usual doctor visits, she's been booked and hears of issue. Asks if patient wants her to take over care. Patient unable to respond from morphine

Patient later says yes, mother finds doctor in nursing station with patients records open and studying them

More tests ordered. Ct with contrast this time as other one earlier of chest didnt. Cultures done.

Patient quarantined , ct shows fungus possible

Mycoplasma culture positive

Patient treated with antifungal. Zyosin, levoquin

Fungal culture also positive.

CBC shows glucose 60, Wbc 20s , anemia, low lymphocytes

Doctor consults with pulmonologist.

Patient improves after 5 days, released for appointment

Pulmonary specialist states he wants a bronchoscope done, under general anesthesia.

Large lymph node closing off bronchi and causing obstruction

Wants to do biopsy. Possible stint or removal of node to open airway

Irreversible lung damage, unknown to what degree.

Believes patient has suppressed immune system and may have had damage before, or visa versa. Wants to see.

Believes putting her under, even with pneumonia benefit outweighs risk at this point.

Patient still has extreme chest pain. Pulse 140s , shallow respirations

History of latex allergy, hives from sun exposure, premature lungs when born

This all started a few months ago. I had to go mama bear on them and take over and start demanding specialists and stuff. At first she went to appointments by herself, she's an adult and didn't want Mommy, but she realized something's wrong and I stepped in after her second pneumonia infection