Later today we I visited the CTC in Aquin with my EMT Charissa with the purpose of administering more Drip Drop.  Once again, the patient response was great!  It was especially a hit with the younger children.  (I'm thinking that I should be a spokesperson for Dr. Dolhun).  Anyhow, after watching an older gentleman pass in front of my eyes, Charissa and I immediately were focused on a little 7 year old girl who resided next to her mother.  I gave her some of the drip drop, but she later threw it back up and suddenly became evident that her illness had become more sever.  Her veins had mostly collapsed, so the nurses had a hard time setting the IV.  She needed fluids VERY badly.  Charissa stepped in to assist.  Myself and three nurses had to hold the poor little girl down as Charissa worked her magic.  During all of this, I decided to start massaging the girl's head gently; her poor sick mother could do nothing to help. The next thing I know, the munckin tilts her head back, stares at me with her big brown eyes, drops the nurses hand and grabs for mine.  I almost melted.  Soon after Charissa found a vain and began an IV and almost immediatelt became alert.  Once again, I had to take a walk....... 

 

After the chaos subsided, we sat down on a curb outside the CTC and reflected about what had just taken place.  She said we made a great team; I agreed.  A few minutes later we walked back in to the CTC as we saw that a 2 year old girl had been admitted by her brother.  He had carried her from a great distance to seek treatment.  She was clearly in a very weakend state. Charissa immediately jumped in again after the nurses failed to start an IV.  She was so dehydrated that a  vein could not be found,  After many frustratig attempts, a surgeon was immediately called in to start a central venous line in order to start an IV immediately.  This time Charissa had to take a walk.  This time things didn't work out as planned.  As an EMT, she acknowledged to me that "you win some and you lose some".  But I can still tell it weighed in on her heart.  It was an emotionally exhausting day.  After a couple wisecracks and nudges, she was back in good spirits.  As the clock approached eight, we knew it was time to head back to the IMC HQ.  I was truly proud of Charissa's tenacious efforts..... she is definately TR material!

 

 

Sam Chapetta