Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
I remember something similar from a weight lifting program - great if one is trying to gain mass/strength/develop but for the more sedentary? Ballooning of weight will assuredly follow.
Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
SquonkHunter
Geezer (ret.)
Years ago my cousin had his jaw wired shut thanks to a nasty car wreck. He could only take food and drink through a straw. My aunt threw everything in her blender and turned it into a thick mush. He ate regular meals same as everyone else, just in the form of mush. He even had chicken fried steak with gravy and potatoes. After all, it was just his jaw that was a problem, not his appetite!
larry_minn
Contributing Member
My brother shot a shotgun incorrectly. Next day flag football he broke his jaw. (I think he cracked it day before). The blender got a workout.Years ago my cousin had his jaw wired shut thanks to a nasty car wreck. He could only take food and drink through a straw. My aunt threw everything in her blender and turned it into a thick mush. He ate regular meals same as everyone else, just in the form of mush. He even had chicken fried steak with gravy and potatoes. After all, it was just his jaw that was a problem, not his appetite!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you this morning.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
On the Road
Deloris and Ivar had settled into a comfortable routine already. They were listening to some music as they drove down the road following Petra’s trailer in front of them. With that as their view forward, they did some sightseeing out to the sides as they drove along. About every half hour the automatic blood pressure cuff on Sofia’s arm would trigger and Deloris would write the vital signs down on the cart in her clipboard. She was watching the signs, trending them and trying to keep pace with the drugs. She had a small IV pump hooked up with various bags of meds she was working through; Pain meds, antibiotics, vasopressors, all at the rate she best could flow them.
Deloris was watching the numbers on the chart. She didn’t like the direction they were headed. She made new calculations and planned the next medication intervention. It was ICU work all over again. One nurse for one patient, only this time she wasn’t turning over to another nurse at the end of the shift. She was with this one for the duration. She didn’t know if it was better or worse that way. What she did know was the newfound freedom to make the call on meds and treatments had a downside. If she made the wrong choice, she had to own it instead of blaming the doc.
Deloris was sitting in the seat, just lounging, when something caught her eye, or was it ear? She reached behind her and turned down the music so she could focus. Ivar looked over at her for an explanation but she was too busy now.
Deloris’ fingers danced over the monitor, punching buttons and flipping switches. She looked over at Ivar.
“Full stop. Shut it off. I need a clean reading.”
Before Ivar could say anything, Deloris was half out of the seat leaning forward over Sofia as the truck slowed to a stop. Ivar shut off the engine and turned in the seat to watch. He wanted to ask, needed to know, but he knew she would tell him when she could. He had to trust her.
The front passenger door opened. It was Amber.
“What is it Deloris?”
“ST elevation across all leads and some other squirrelly stuff on the EKG. It’s time. Do you want the tube while I push the drugs or want me to handle the tube while you push the drugs?” Deloris had the drug bag and the intubation pouch in her hands as she asked.
“Someone want to tell me what’s going on?” Ivar asked.
Amber looked up at him. God she hated to see the worry and the panic in his face, especially since she knew she was having the same feelings.
‘Sofia is really sick. She has an infection attacking her whole body despite the antibiotics we have going into her. The infection is strong enough we can see where it’s effecting her heart now. We are going to have to do some more stuff right away and we have to use one of the contingency plans Silas and I have worked out.”
“Like what?”
“Get the rest together and we can lay out our plan. Besides, it might be better if you don’t watch what we do.”
Amber really didn’t want Ivar watching her cram a breathing tube down his wife’s throat, but they had to for the ventilator to do it’s job. Now it was a race. Can they do enough to turn Sofia back before she fell off the cliff.
“Please, go get the rest together and we will all meet at the front of this truck and lay it out, Ivar. Just let us get this taken care of.”
Amber could see how hard it was for Ivar to get out of the truck. Once he was gone, she turned back to Deloris.
“Alright, you run the drugs, I’ll drop the tube.”
“Drug choices?” Deloris opened the drug bag.
“I was told in med school, you date before you suck, so Etomidate to sedate then the Succinylcholine for paralytic. After we are in and set, we can adjust the other meds to keep her out.”
“Sure thing, doc. We got a plan after that? You know this is all just buying time?”
“Yeah, I got a plan, and a much worse back up plan if the first one doesn’t work. You’re going to need another nametag. You’ve been doing Post-Op and ICU. If plan A works, you’re back to OR nurse.”
“Shit! That’s plan A? I don’t want to know plan b, do I?” Deloris commented as she was drawing up the drugs.
Amber looked up from where she had Sofia’s head tipped back, a laryngoscope and endotracheal tube in her hands. “I don’t want to know plan b and I’m the one who came up with it.”
Deloris and Ivar had settled into a comfortable routine already. They were listening to some music as they drove down the road following Petra’s trailer in front of them. With that as their view forward, they did some sightseeing out to the sides as they drove along. About every half hour the automatic blood pressure cuff on Sofia’s arm would trigger and Deloris would write the vital signs down on the cart in her clipboard. She was watching the signs, trending them and trying to keep pace with the drugs. She had a small IV pump hooked up with various bags of meds she was working through; Pain meds, antibiotics, vasopressors, all at the rate she best could flow them.
Deloris was watching the numbers on the chart. She didn’t like the direction they were headed. She made new calculations and planned the next medication intervention. It was ICU work all over again. One nurse for one patient, only this time she wasn’t turning over to another nurse at the end of the shift. She was with this one for the duration. She didn’t know if it was better or worse that way. What she did know was the newfound freedom to make the call on meds and treatments had a downside. If she made the wrong choice, she had to own it instead of blaming the doc.
Deloris was sitting in the seat, just lounging, when something caught her eye, or was it ear? She reached behind her and turned down the music so she could focus. Ivar looked over at her for an explanation but she was too busy now.
Deloris’ fingers danced over the monitor, punching buttons and flipping switches. She looked over at Ivar.
“Full stop. Shut it off. I need a clean reading.”
Before Ivar could say anything, Deloris was half out of the seat leaning forward over Sofia as the truck slowed to a stop. Ivar shut off the engine and turned in the seat to watch. He wanted to ask, needed to know, but he knew she would tell him when she could. He had to trust her.
The front passenger door opened. It was Amber.
“What is it Deloris?”
“ST elevation across all leads and some other squirrelly stuff on the EKG. It’s time. Do you want the tube while I push the drugs or want me to handle the tube while you push the drugs?” Deloris had the drug bag and the intubation pouch in her hands as she asked.
“Someone want to tell me what’s going on?” Ivar asked.
Amber looked up at him. God she hated to see the worry and the panic in his face, especially since she knew she was having the same feelings.
‘Sofia is really sick. She has an infection attacking her whole body despite the antibiotics we have going into her. The infection is strong enough we can see where it’s effecting her heart now. We are going to have to do some more stuff right away and we have to use one of the contingency plans Silas and I have worked out.”
“Like what?”
“Get the rest together and we can lay out our plan. Besides, it might be better if you don’t watch what we do.”
Amber really didn’t want Ivar watching her cram a breathing tube down his wife’s throat, but they had to for the ventilator to do it’s job. Now it was a race. Can they do enough to turn Sofia back before she fell off the cliff.
“Please, go get the rest together and we will all meet at the front of this truck and lay it out, Ivar. Just let us get this taken care of.”
Amber could see how hard it was for Ivar to get out of the truck. Once he was gone, she turned back to Deloris.
“Alright, you run the drugs, I’ll drop the tube.”
“Drug choices?” Deloris opened the drug bag.
“I was told in med school, you date before you suck, so Etomidate to sedate then the Succinylcholine for paralytic. After we are in and set, we can adjust the other meds to keep her out.”
“Sure thing, doc. We got a plan after that? You know this is all just buying time?”
“Yeah, I got a plan, and a much worse back up plan if the first one doesn’t work. You’re going to need another nametag. You’ve been doing Post-Op and ICU. If plan A works, you’re back to OR nurse.”
“Shit! That’s plan A? I don’t want to know plan b, do I?” Deloris commented as she was drawing up the drugs.
Amber looked up from where she had Sofia’s head tipped back, a laryngoscope and endotracheal tube in her hands. “I don’t want to know plan b and I’m the one who came up with it.”
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Plans and Hopes
The group stood around the front of the crew cab where Silas had some maps spread out. Everyone was waiting for Amber to arrive from where they were working on Sofia. As she walked up, she nodded to Silas before she addressed the group.
“Here’s the problem. Sofia is sick. Bad sick. We are going to have to do some serious work to save her. To do this, we need something more than a folding table under a poncho liner. Right now we are on the route Paige and crew took. Using Andrea’s notes, they saved the niece of a Vet who has a practice up ahead. We are going to try and call in that favor. He will have an OR, X-ray machine and all the trappings. We are going to have to pop her cast off and probably re-operate on her leg. That’s the most likely root cause of her infection and will need to be addressed. Questions?”
Amber looked around the group. Ivar was the one with the first question.
“A veterinarian’s office? Is that the best place to do this?”
“It’s a sterile OR we need and he will have one, or at least something a damn sight better than draping the inside of one of the camper trailers with plastic and spraying it with bleach.”
At hearing this, Deloris shuddered. She now knew ‘plan b’
“So what do we need to do to help?” Petra wanted to know.
“Well, right now, we need to bump the speed of travel up. The sooner we get to the vet’s, the sooner we can try to fix her. Now, I’m not saying we drive like maniacs, but we need to get there soon.”
Amber looked around the group again. There were no more questions. The look on Ivar’s face and in his eyes was painful for her to look at.
“Alright Silas, let’s go.”
The group stood around the front of the crew cab where Silas had some maps spread out. Everyone was waiting for Amber to arrive from where they were working on Sofia. As she walked up, she nodded to Silas before she addressed the group.
“Here’s the problem. Sofia is sick. Bad sick. We are going to have to do some serious work to save her. To do this, we need something more than a folding table under a poncho liner. Right now we are on the route Paige and crew took. Using Andrea’s notes, they saved the niece of a Vet who has a practice up ahead. We are going to try and call in that favor. He will have an OR, X-ray machine and all the trappings. We are going to have to pop her cast off and probably re-operate on her leg. That’s the most likely root cause of her infection and will need to be addressed. Questions?”
Amber looked around the group. Ivar was the one with the first question.
“A veterinarian’s office? Is that the best place to do this?”
“It’s a sterile OR we need and he will have one, or at least something a damn sight better than draping the inside of one of the camper trailers with plastic and spraying it with bleach.”
At hearing this, Deloris shuddered. She now knew ‘plan b’
“So what do we need to do to help?” Petra wanted to know.
“Well, right now, we need to bump the speed of travel up. The sooner we get to the vet’s, the sooner we can try to fix her. Now, I’m not saying we drive like maniacs, but we need to get there soon.”
Amber looked around the group again. There were no more questions. The look on Ivar’s face and in his eyes was painful for her to look at.
“Alright Silas, let’s go.”
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good, a decision, thank you.
beaglemama
Contributing Member
And the vet can help with the operation, too. I'm sure he has experience operating and dealing with infections. He might even have some more/better anti-biotics.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, I think! Good work, CCG!
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
We all are but I'm looking forward to seeing what's left of the marauder family who smoked Penny's MB and the remains, if any, of the Under-Sheriff's mob which over ran Karl's farm. Be particularly interesting if the Social Elite Food Bank witch/bitch survived and in what capacity.
Waiting
No rush
Patience being a virtue (one of the few I have), I've yet to be disappointed waiting for the next installments
Waiting
No rush
Patience being a virtue (one of the few I have), I've yet to be disappointed waiting for the next installments
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
On the Road
It was a replay of the first drive out. Silas was trying to set the pace and the rest were trying to keep up. This time everyone was pushing themselves and their vehicles more, trying to get a faster pace established. It took some back and forth jockeying, but finally they settled into a much faster rhythm.
Once Silas got a good feel for how fast they could go, he set his mind on remembering the details of the map and the location of this elusive veterinarian’s office. He vaguely remembered the stuff in Andera’s intel dump after action report about it, but didn’t study that specific detail very hard when it came in. Now he was trying to find it to save Sofia’s life. He hoped they were still there and still showing up at the office. If not, a little breaking and entering might be needed.
The worry got a little stronger with the hourly vital signs announcements over the radio from Deloris to Amber. Deloris’ words got crisper and more matter of fact. Silas had spent enough time with his wife to know and pick up on that trait as worry in medical people. It screamed ‘worry’ to those who understood.
No one wanted to stop. Not for lunch, not for food, not for a break of any kind. It was like they all heard a ticking clock in their heads, and it was getting louder.
It was a replay of the first drive out. Silas was trying to set the pace and the rest were trying to keep up. This time everyone was pushing themselves and their vehicles more, trying to get a faster pace established. It took some back and forth jockeying, but finally they settled into a much faster rhythm.
Once Silas got a good feel for how fast they could go, he set his mind on remembering the details of the map and the location of this elusive veterinarian’s office. He vaguely remembered the stuff in Andera’s intel dump after action report about it, but didn’t study that specific detail very hard when it came in. Now he was trying to find it to save Sofia’s life. He hoped they were still there and still showing up at the office. If not, a little breaking and entering might be needed.
The worry got a little stronger with the hourly vital signs announcements over the radio from Deloris to Amber. Deloris’ words got crisper and more matter of fact. Silas had spent enough time with his wife to know and pick up on that trait as worry in medical people. It screamed ‘worry’ to those who understood.
No one wanted to stop. Not for lunch, not for food, not for a break of any kind. It was like they all heard a ticking clock in their heads, and it was getting louder.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Darkness and Dawn
There was one stop for a serious bathroom break and to bring some food up to the drivers at one point in the dark, but thermoses of coffee and drive on was the consensus. Silas was starting to worry about the safety of the group as dawn approached. He knew they were all wrung out, but they had to get to the Vet’s for Sofia. They weren’t going to fail for lack of trying.
It felt like forever, but Silas saw what he hoped was the right building in the distance. It was a long low brick marvel of seventies architecture with what looked like cattle fences and a barn behind it. Silas scoured the landscape and every pole or sing he could find, looking for conformation. A small sign on the road near the building helped his fears. It was ‘A’ vet’s office. Now, the next question was is it the right one, and is anyone still there? The smoke or steam from the pipe on the roof gave him hope.
He led the formation to pull over parallel to the road so if it was wrong, they didn’t have to maneuver much to get back on the road. Before he could even think about getting out, he saw Amber was already headed towards the door. He didn’t like that, but it made sense, or at least he could see where it made sense to her. He slid from the truck and grabbed his rifle, in case he had to lay some fire down and…God, he hoped it wouldn’t be necessary.
There was one stop for a serious bathroom break and to bring some food up to the drivers at one point in the dark, but thermoses of coffee and drive on was the consensus. Silas was starting to worry about the safety of the group as dawn approached. He knew they were all wrung out, but they had to get to the Vet’s for Sofia. They weren’t going to fail for lack of trying.
It felt like forever, but Silas saw what he hoped was the right building in the distance. It was a long low brick marvel of seventies architecture with what looked like cattle fences and a barn behind it. Silas scoured the landscape and every pole or sing he could find, looking for conformation. A small sign on the road near the building helped his fears. It was ‘A’ vet’s office. Now, the next question was is it the right one, and is anyone still there? The smoke or steam from the pipe on the roof gave him hope.
He led the formation to pull over parallel to the road so if it was wrong, they didn’t have to maneuver much to get back on the road. Before he could even think about getting out, he saw Amber was already headed towards the door. He didn’t like that, but it made sense, or at least he could see where it made sense to her. He slid from the truck and grabbed his rifle, in case he had to lay some fire down and…God, he hoped it wouldn’t be necessary.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Jonas saw Silas hop out and cover Amber. a bad idea. He hopped out and made himself useful looking up and down the road they were on, watching their tails since everyone else was looking to the Vet’s office. As he scanned the terrain, looking for movement or danger, his mind wandered. He was tired and couldn’t stay on a solid train of thought. He was still alert for danger, but part of his mind wanted rest or some other input than the back of Amber’s trailer.
He stood there, the wind in his hair and wanted to sleep. Not cat nap. Really sleep. He wasn’t sure when the last time he did that. It was rare, especially since Margaret’s death. A couple of times maybe at Paige’s house? It was like getting back from a deployment. Everything felt off and his body wouldn’t let him fall all the way asleep.
He saw movement up ahead. He looked. It was Petra stepping out of the truck. He noticed the wind was making her hair blow around. The short hair was cute on her, but he liked it better now as it was growing out. She was walking back to Ivar’s truck and Jennifer just came around the back of the truck to join her. Petra’s taking care of her and moving towards the rally point just in case. Smart head on her tiny shoulders.
Jonas glanced over his shoulder and saw Amber must have gone inside. He hoped it was a good sign. He touch-checked his load out gear just in case. The last time one of theirs was somewhere alone, he had to kill two men. He actually slept well that night too, with Petra in his lap. He hoped it was going well inside with Amber. He went back to checking the perimeter.
He stood there, the wind in his hair and wanted to sleep. Not cat nap. Really sleep. He wasn’t sure when the last time he did that. It was rare, especially since Margaret’s death. A couple of times maybe at Paige’s house? It was like getting back from a deployment. Everything felt off and his body wouldn’t let him fall all the way asleep.
He saw movement up ahead. He looked. It was Petra stepping out of the truck. He noticed the wind was making her hair blow around. The short hair was cute on her, but he liked it better now as it was growing out. She was walking back to Ivar’s truck and Jennifer just came around the back of the truck to join her. Petra’s taking care of her and moving towards the rally point just in case. Smart head on her tiny shoulders.
Jonas glanced over his shoulder and saw Amber must have gone inside. He hoped it was a good sign. He touch-checked his load out gear just in case. The last time one of theirs was somewhere alone, he had to kill two men. He actually slept well that night too, with Petra in his lap. He hoped it was going well inside with Amber. He went back to checking the perimeter.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Ivar sat there looking out the window at Amber going into the vet’s building. He was a jumble of emotions. He had been going on shear determination. Now they were stopped, and his mind didn’t have any of the other distractions of driving. It was time to talk.
“Tell it to me straight, Deloris. How bad is it? What are her chances?”
Deloris looked up at him from where she was wrapping up Sofia against the cold for when they would pull her out to go inside.
“Honestly, I don’t know why she is still alive. Maybe it’s the drugs we have pouring into her. Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks, but I doubt that. I’ve seen many patients in septic shock not as severe as her die a lot sooner. The fact she is still holding on is a good sign. If we can get in there and see what’s going on, we might be able to save her. If her leg is infected bad enough to go this systemic, we might have to take it off. Is she strong enough to survive being a monopod?”
Ivar was taken aback at the thought. He really hadn’t thought about it. How would Sofia react to loosing a leg? Even as he asked himself the question, he knew she would fight it the whole way and if she did lose the leg, she would adapt and persevere.
“She would hate it, but she would adapt and drive on. But she isn’t losing the leg.” His voice was flat and full of conviction. He refused to believe it. He knew in his heart she would survive, otherwise she would have bled out in the snow.
Deloris just nodded at his comment and attitude.
“Well Amber and I will do our part. As long as Sofia continues to do hers, she should pull through. I hope Amber can convince the Vet to help us.”
“If it’s convincing someone of something, that’s Amber’s wheelhouse all day long.” Ivar knew for sure.
“Tell it to me straight, Deloris. How bad is it? What are her chances?”
Deloris looked up at him from where she was wrapping up Sofia against the cold for when they would pull her out to go inside.
“Honestly, I don’t know why she is still alive. Maybe it’s the drugs we have pouring into her. Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks, but I doubt that. I’ve seen many patients in septic shock not as severe as her die a lot sooner. The fact she is still holding on is a good sign. If we can get in there and see what’s going on, we might be able to save her. If her leg is infected bad enough to go this systemic, we might have to take it off. Is she strong enough to survive being a monopod?”
Ivar was taken aback at the thought. He really hadn’t thought about it. How would Sofia react to loosing a leg? Even as he asked himself the question, he knew she would fight it the whole way and if she did lose the leg, she would adapt and persevere.
“She would hate it, but she would adapt and drive on. But she isn’t losing the leg.” His voice was flat and full of conviction. He refused to believe it. He knew in his heart she would survive, otherwise she would have bled out in the snow.
Deloris just nodded at his comment and attitude.
“Well Amber and I will do our part. As long as Sofia continues to do hers, she should pull through. I hope Amber can convince the Vet to help us.”
“If it’s convincing someone of something, that’s Amber’s wheelhouse all day long.” Ivar knew for sure.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Ski much?
Think little whoop-de-dos and then...... CRAP! How did I get over here?
I'd be cinching up any loose gear myself, JIC.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh I'm sure. But that's twist, turns, and jumps in plot. Not cliffs that leave a part of my brain running down wild paths. Well, not all the time.
And I'm quite CCG has quite a few more for us.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Good stuff, CCG! Come on Valkyrie time to rise and fight!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The Vet’s Office
Amber knew she had to make this work. She had to convince this vet to let her at least use his facility. They were going to have to open up Sofia’s leg again, she just knew it. She had to be the one to do the talking. This wasn’t something for generic strongarm bluff and bluster so that left Silas, Jonas and Ivar out. Petra might be able to do it if they needed Girl Scout cookies sold. As much as she respected Petra, she knew most couldn’t get past their first impressions without prolonged exposure. Sofia didn’t have time for that.
The door was locked. No surprise. There was a glowing doorbell button though. Amer pressed the button, all the while trying to remember all the bits in Andera’s info dump about this place. She knew she had to get the right tags attached to their presence here as soon as possible, to hit the right blend of friend, harmless, urgent and ‘you owe my friends and now we are calling in the favor’.
She counted herself lucky. She heard someone approaching the door. It was a woman, probably about Sabine’s age. This must be the vet tech in Andrea’s message.
“Can I help you?”
Alright, here goes nothing and everything.
“Savannah, right? I’m Amber, a good friend of Sabine’s. We are headed north to meet up with them and I have a medical emergency. One of my friends was shot a couple days ago and had surgery to repair it, but she’s gone septic. I need help or at least a place to work. I don’t want to try and do surgery and reopen her leg in the back of a travel trailer, which is my only other option. Can you guys help me?”
“You reopen her leg?”
Amber could see the world of questions boiling up in Savannah. Time to push the connection a little more without being too pushy.
“Yeah, me. I’m a doctor, but my specialty is psych, so I’m way out of practice. I’ve got a really good nurse with me to help, but at the least I need a place to do it. Do you think you guys can help me? Sabine said you guys were great with two-legged patients as well as four-legged when she was here.”
"Come on in, I’ll call the Doc. He’s up the hill at the house.” Savannah held open the door for Amber to go inside. Amber breathed a sigh of relief. This might just work.
Amber knew she had to make this work. She had to convince this vet to let her at least use his facility. They were going to have to open up Sofia’s leg again, she just knew it. She had to be the one to do the talking. This wasn’t something for generic strongarm bluff and bluster so that left Silas, Jonas and Ivar out. Petra might be able to do it if they needed Girl Scout cookies sold. As much as she respected Petra, she knew most couldn’t get past their first impressions without prolonged exposure. Sofia didn’t have time for that.
The door was locked. No surprise. There was a glowing doorbell button though. Amer pressed the button, all the while trying to remember all the bits in Andera’s info dump about this place. She knew she had to get the right tags attached to their presence here as soon as possible, to hit the right blend of friend, harmless, urgent and ‘you owe my friends and now we are calling in the favor’.
She counted herself lucky. She heard someone approaching the door. It was a woman, probably about Sabine’s age. This must be the vet tech in Andrea’s message.
“Can I help you?”
Alright, here goes nothing and everything.
“Savannah, right? I’m Amber, a good friend of Sabine’s. We are headed north to meet up with them and I have a medical emergency. One of my friends was shot a couple days ago and had surgery to repair it, but she’s gone septic. I need help or at least a place to work. I don’t want to try and do surgery and reopen her leg in the back of a travel trailer, which is my only other option. Can you guys help me?”
“You reopen her leg?”
Amber could see the world of questions boiling up in Savannah. Time to push the connection a little more without being too pushy.
“Yeah, me. I’m a doctor, but my specialty is psych, so I’m way out of practice. I’ve got a really good nurse with me to help, but at the least I need a place to do it. Do you think you guys can help me? Sabine said you guys were great with two-legged patients as well as four-legged when she was here.”
"Come on in, I’ll call the Doc. He’s up the hill at the house.” Savannah held open the door for Amber to go inside. Amber breathed a sigh of relief. This might just work.
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accountant
Contributing Member
Use the mark's name to build a connection.
Drop the name of someone they know and is not there to dispute things to build a secondary layer of comfort.
Tell the mark what you need and why it's so important for the mark to help you.
Convince the mark that you are reputable and trustworthy.
This classic approach has been used by con artists and politicians for the longest time.
Just saying.
Also for everyone's benefit, if you ever go to a nice restaurant where you've never been before without a reservation and the host/hostess is wearing a nametag, confidently walk up to them, hold out your hand and say "Nice to see you again Candace/Mike/Elizabeth/George."
More times than not, they will find a table for you.
A.
Drop the name of someone they know and is not there to dispute things to build a secondary layer of comfort.
Tell the mark what you need and why it's so important for the mark to help you.
Convince the mark that you are reputable and trustworthy.
This classic approach has been used by con artists and politicians for the longest time.
Just saying.
Also for everyone's benefit, if you ever go to a nice restaurant where you've never been before without a reservation and the host/hostess is wearing a nametag, confidently walk up to them, hold out your hand and say "Nice to see you again Candace/Mike/Elizabeth/George."
More times than not, they will find a table for you.
A.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Inside the Vet’s Office
As Amber followed Savannah into the building, she saw a typical vet’s office. Savannah walked right on into the small office or reception area and picked up something she had only seen in old war movies, a hand crank field phone.
“Hey Ren, get your uncle.” Savannah smiled over at Amber as she waited for Ren’s uncle to come to the phone. Moments later it was obvious the uncle picked up the phone.
“Yeah Chance, I need you down the hill. A friend of Sabine’s just rolled in with a bad two-legged sepsis case and needs to at least borrow our OR.”
She stood there listening to the voice on the other end for a minute, her face getting a little more animated at whatever she was hearing until she evidently had heard enough.
“Well why don’t you ask Tracey or Ren’s opinion about the risks of helping them? Shit! They even brought their own doctor! I’ll have them in exam one prepping them for surgery while you get your ass down here!”
Savannah slammed the phone into it’s cradle with a resounding thump. She looked over at Amber.
“There’s a gate on the side of the building, why don’t you get that circus train out from in front of the building into the back by the barn. I’ll pop the back door and get a wheeled table so we can bring your patient inside. If you are doing surgery, we need to prep stuff, including your patient.”
Amber looked at her, the question obvious on her face even before she asked it.
“Is all of this going to be a problem?”
“No. He owes Sabine and her group for Tracey’s life and probably Ren’s too since he probably would have killed himself trying to get Tracey free. He’s twitchy about working on other people. He was willing to take the hit for Tracey, but…you understand.”
Amber was nodding, a grim smile hidden in her mind. She obviously played the ‘you owe us’ card just right.
“I understand, Savannah. Here I am, a psychiatrist, doing trauma surgery. What I do know is without surgery and a better handle on her sepsis, my oldest friend is going to die in the back seat of her husband’s truck. Anything you guys can do to help me, I, we, will be grateful for.”
Amber thought for a moment maybe there was hope. ‘I told you Sabine, it was worth the fight to not die all those years ago. Because of you, my friend who has that same fight might live. I just wish you were here to help me with your medical knowledge as I have tried to help you with mine.’
It was almost as if she heard her own words come back to her but in Sabine’s voice. ‘One hurdle at a time and we will get through this together for better or worse but we will come out the other side alive and together.’
“Exam room is ready Doc. All it needs is you and the patient.” Savannah called to Amber.
As Amber followed Savannah into the building, she saw a typical vet’s office. Savannah walked right on into the small office or reception area and picked up something she had only seen in old war movies, a hand crank field phone.
“Hey Ren, get your uncle.” Savannah smiled over at Amber as she waited for Ren’s uncle to come to the phone. Moments later it was obvious the uncle picked up the phone.
“Yeah Chance, I need you down the hill. A friend of Sabine’s just rolled in with a bad two-legged sepsis case and needs to at least borrow our OR.”
She stood there listening to the voice on the other end for a minute, her face getting a little more animated at whatever she was hearing until she evidently had heard enough.
“Well why don’t you ask Tracey or Ren’s opinion about the risks of helping them? Shit! They even brought their own doctor! I’ll have them in exam one prepping them for surgery while you get your ass down here!”
Savannah slammed the phone into it’s cradle with a resounding thump. She looked over at Amber.
“There’s a gate on the side of the building, why don’t you get that circus train out from in front of the building into the back by the barn. I’ll pop the back door and get a wheeled table so we can bring your patient inside. If you are doing surgery, we need to prep stuff, including your patient.”
Amber looked at her, the question obvious on her face even before she asked it.
“Is all of this going to be a problem?”
“No. He owes Sabine and her group for Tracey’s life and probably Ren’s too since he probably would have killed himself trying to get Tracey free. He’s twitchy about working on other people. He was willing to take the hit for Tracey, but…you understand.”
Amber was nodding, a grim smile hidden in her mind. She obviously played the ‘you owe us’ card just right.
“I understand, Savannah. Here I am, a psychiatrist, doing trauma surgery. What I do know is without surgery and a better handle on her sepsis, my oldest friend is going to die in the back seat of her husband’s truck. Anything you guys can do to help me, I, we, will be grateful for.”
Amber thought for a moment maybe there was hope. ‘I told you Sabine, it was worth the fight to not die all those years ago. Because of you, my friend who has that same fight might live. I just wish you were here to help me with your medical knowledge as I have tried to help you with mine.’
It was almost as if she heard her own words come back to her but in Sabine’s voice. ‘One hurdle at a time and we will get through this together for better or worse but we will come out the other side alive and together.’
“Exam room is ready Doc. All it needs is you and the patient.” Savannah called to Amber.
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sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
223shootersc
Veteran Member
Thanks, CCG! So we have a chance..., to coin a phrase.
Knighttemplar
Veteran Member
Is it time for the vet and clan to move north?
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Hope and Hard Work
Silas relaxed at Amber’s radio call. He looked back down the line of vehicles and saw Petra and Jennifer head back to Petra’s truck and Jonas get back in his. He pulled around to the side of the building where a simple cattle gate opened into a larger area and a barn. His mind was already thinking on the jigsaw puzzle of where to park and not get everyone trapped as he prepared to get out and open the gate.
He was startled when Jennifer came running up to the gate and opened it. Even better. He slowly rolled inside the back area. It was large enough they could turn around and park everyone side by side pointed back towards the gate. As soon as he was parked, he got out to direct traffic and get everyone else set.
Petra pulled in next to him and hopped out.
“Good call having Jennifer open the gate.”
“Her idea. What do you need me to do?” Petra asked in a rush.
Silas looked over at the gate where the truck Jonas has been driving was the next in the gate.
“OK Petra, run out there and drive Amber’s ride in here while Jonas and I get ready to help carry Sofia in. Ivar’s truck is last in so it’s closest to the door.”
“Got it!” and off she went, dodging around Jonas driving up.
Silas wished he had thought of scrambling up the parking order, but at least Ivar or Jonas already made that call.
Jonas stepped out of the truck and headed over to Silas.
“Good thinking Jonas. We bring Ivar’s in last, so Sofia is closest to the door.”
“I try. I’ll get by the door to help carry her in.”
“Ill be there in a minute. I just got to get Petra slid into place and out of the way for Ivar.” Silas said as his hands were already moving, guiding Petra and the FJ into a good spot.
The crew cab came in the gate slowly as Ivar looked around. Silas could see him relax when he saw Silas marshalling him into place right next to the building, stopping him next to the back door.
Silas relaxed at Amber’s radio call. He looked back down the line of vehicles and saw Petra and Jennifer head back to Petra’s truck and Jonas get back in his. He pulled around to the side of the building where a simple cattle gate opened into a larger area and a barn. His mind was already thinking on the jigsaw puzzle of where to park and not get everyone trapped as he prepared to get out and open the gate.
He was startled when Jennifer came running up to the gate and opened it. Even better. He slowly rolled inside the back area. It was large enough they could turn around and park everyone side by side pointed back towards the gate. As soon as he was parked, he got out to direct traffic and get everyone else set.
Petra pulled in next to him and hopped out.
“Good call having Jennifer open the gate.”
“Her idea. What do you need me to do?” Petra asked in a rush.
Silas looked over at the gate where the truck Jonas has been driving was the next in the gate.
“OK Petra, run out there and drive Amber’s ride in here while Jonas and I get ready to help carry Sofia in. Ivar’s truck is last in so it’s closest to the door.”
“Got it!” and off she went, dodging around Jonas driving up.
Silas wished he had thought of scrambling up the parking order, but at least Ivar or Jonas already made that call.
Jonas stepped out of the truck and headed over to Silas.
“Good thinking Jonas. We bring Ivar’s in last, so Sofia is closest to the door.”
“I try. I’ll get by the door to help carry her in.”
“Ill be there in a minute. I just got to get Petra slid into place and out of the way for Ivar.” Silas said as his hands were already moving, guiding Petra and the FJ into a good spot.
The crew cab came in the gate slowly as Ivar looked around. Silas could see him relax when he saw Silas marshalling him into place right next to the building, stopping him next to the back door.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Inside the Crew Cab
As soon as the truck was parked, Ivar got up and moved to help Deloris finish preparing Sofia to move. There was a small battery pack for the ventilator and the I.V pump and the cardiac monitor had its own batteries so they would all keep working as they moved her. The problem was how ungainly the whole mess would be to carry. Jonas, Silas and now Petra and Jennifer were outside the door, waiting. Ivar looked at where Deloris stood half crouched.
“Once we open up, if you hop out and farm out some of the carrying of the monitor and IV pump, I’ll handle onto this end and hand it down to Silas so I can get out.”
“Yeah, as soon as the doors open, we can move.”
Ivar could hear how stressed Deloris was. She has been fighting and working her ass off these last couple of days. If Sofia survives, it will be in no small part because of Deloris. If? Damn! He couldn’t believe he even thought the phrase in his head. She had to survive. If she was going to die, why in the hell would she have suffered as long as she has? He needed her, they all needed her, especially going forward. Her Love, her drive, her knowledge. They would need it all.
His train of thought was broken by the door opening and a woman wheeling a large stainless-steel table out.
“Time to move!”
As soon as the truck was parked, Ivar got up and moved to help Deloris finish preparing Sofia to move. There was a small battery pack for the ventilator and the I.V pump and the cardiac monitor had its own batteries so they would all keep working as they moved her. The problem was how ungainly the whole mess would be to carry. Jonas, Silas and now Petra and Jennifer were outside the door, waiting. Ivar looked at where Deloris stood half crouched.
“Once we open up, if you hop out and farm out some of the carrying of the monitor and IV pump, I’ll handle onto this end and hand it down to Silas so I can get out.”
“Yeah, as soon as the doors open, we can move.”
Ivar could hear how stressed Deloris was. She has been fighting and working her ass off these last couple of days. If Sofia survives, it will be in no small part because of Deloris. If? Damn! He couldn’t believe he even thought the phrase in his head. She had to survive. If she was going to die, why in the hell would she have suffered as long as she has? He needed her, they all needed her, especially going forward. Her Love, her drive, her knowledge. They would need it all.
His train of thought was broken by the door opening and a woman wheeling a large stainless-steel table out.
“Time to move!”
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In the Clinic
It was a hectic jumble of bodies rolling down passageways remarkably wide enough to accommodate them. The woman got them into a large room with a pair of steel tables and lined with cabinets.
Amber and Deloris recognized all the trappings of an OR, but they were confused by more than one operating table. Right now, however, there wasn’t time for these questions.
“Put her on that table over there” Savanna pointed as she fiddled with something on the wall.
As soon as the group got Sofia on the table, Savanna turned and looked at the group.
“Amber…” she scanned the group.
“Deloris.” Amber pointed.
“Great! Amber, Deloris, you can stay. The rest of you, either go to the waiting room or back out to your campers. We have work here to do.”
When the group didn’t move right away, Savanna got more forceful.
“Damnit, we have a lot to do, and we can’t do it with all of you in here. Shoo! We will come and find you when there’s something to tell. There’s hours of work to do and you guys look like hell. Go take a nap, eat a meal or something!”
Amber looked over at the rest of the guys.
“Please, go take a nap, get some rest or something. I’ll come get you when we know more. I promise.”
It was a hectic jumble of bodies rolling down passageways remarkably wide enough to accommodate them. The woman got them into a large room with a pair of steel tables and lined with cabinets.
Amber and Deloris recognized all the trappings of an OR, but they were confused by more than one operating table. Right now, however, there wasn’t time for these questions.
“Put her on that table over there” Savanna pointed as she fiddled with something on the wall.
As soon as the group got Sofia on the table, Savanna turned and looked at the group.
“Amber…” she scanned the group.
“Deloris.” Amber pointed.
“Great! Amber, Deloris, you can stay. The rest of you, either go to the waiting room or back out to your campers. We have work here to do.”
When the group didn’t move right away, Savanna got more forceful.
“Damnit, we have a lot to do, and we can’t do it with all of you in here. Shoo! We will come and find you when there’s something to tell. There’s hours of work to do and you guys look like hell. Go take a nap, eat a meal or something!”
Amber looked over at the rest of the guys.
“Please, go take a nap, get some rest or something. I’ll come get you when we know more. I promise.”
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Big thank you.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
In the OR
Amber, Deloris and Savanna were working on prepping Sofia for surgery when another man came into the OR.
“OK, Savanna, what do we have?”
“Chance, this is Amber, DO and Deloris, RN extraordinaire, and playing the part of our patient today is Sofia. GSW post-surgical repair infection and septic shock.”
Amber was looking at Chance as Savanna gave him the run down. Her first thought was he reminded her of Robert Mitcham from the old western and war movies; tall, rugged and a commanding presence without being threatening.
“Hi, Chance. We really appreciate you guys helping us.” Amber started but was cut off by Chance’s raised hand.
“I want to make one thing clear. I’m not that comfortable with this. You do realize my training didn’t include people, nor does my license. I don’t want you to have some false hope or expectations young lady.”
“Well, I’m a people doc so if you even just act as my much more skilled and experienced helper, my licensure covers the legality. I’ll gladly take the hit for everything if we can save her.” Amber tried to put all her passion and reassurance in her voice. They had just removed Sofia’s cast and Amber could see the wound and earlier surgery had gone bad. She needed this man to help her save Sofia’s life. She didn’t know if they could or if they did, if they could save the leg.
Chance smiled at Amber’s proclamation as he stepped forward to look at Sofia.
“You got a plan?” He asked Amber point blank.
Amber knew it was honesty time.
“What you see here was what me and an ER trauma doc threw together several days ago. That was my first surgery in years. Hell, my first real surgery since residency. I’m mainly a shrink, but it was me and the ER doc or no one. You probably have a couple ten-thousand more surgeries under your belt, regardless of how many paws they have.”
“As long as we understand one another. Given the circumstances, maybe I should lead.” Chance smiled at her.
Amber, Deloris and Savanna were working on prepping Sofia for surgery when another man came into the OR.
“OK, Savanna, what do we have?”
“Chance, this is Amber, DO and Deloris, RN extraordinaire, and playing the part of our patient today is Sofia. GSW post-surgical repair infection and septic shock.”
Amber was looking at Chance as Savanna gave him the run down. Her first thought was he reminded her of Robert Mitcham from the old western and war movies; tall, rugged and a commanding presence without being threatening.
“Hi, Chance. We really appreciate you guys helping us.” Amber started but was cut off by Chance’s raised hand.
“I want to make one thing clear. I’m not that comfortable with this. You do realize my training didn’t include people, nor does my license. I don’t want you to have some false hope or expectations young lady.”
“Well, I’m a people doc so if you even just act as my much more skilled and experienced helper, my licensure covers the legality. I’ll gladly take the hit for everything if we can save her.” Amber tried to put all her passion and reassurance in her voice. They had just removed Sofia’s cast and Amber could see the wound and earlier surgery had gone bad. She needed this man to help her save Sofia’s life. She didn’t know if they could or if they did, if they could save the leg.
Chance smiled at Amber’s proclamation as he stepped forward to look at Sofia.
“You got a plan?” He asked Amber point blank.
Amber knew it was honesty time.
“What you see here was what me and an ER trauma doc threw together several days ago. That was my first surgery in years. Hell, my first real surgery since residency. I’m mainly a shrink, but it was me and the ER doc or no one. You probably have a couple ten-thousand more surgeries under your belt, regardless of how many paws they have.”
“As long as we understand one another. Given the circumstances, maybe I should lead.” Chance smiled at her.