Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 90721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Most of the time, people were able to function around an ambulance. They moved over to the side and slowed down. However, every once in a while, there were ones like this guy that just sort of froze and freaked. According to the Protocol, the best thing for us to do was turn off the lights and sirens and wait for the driver to get their shit under control again.
Not that it wasn’t tempting to ride their ass. Most of the time, without the lights and sirens scaring them, they got their shit under control and moved over. Then we’d hit the sirens and lights, and proceed to our destination.
However, other times, just like this one, the guy didn’t get out of freak mode, and stayed right the hell in the middle of our way.
“Alright, buddy. You just stay there and we’ll be okay.” Winter murmured, as she moved to the turn lane to pass the obstinate man.
“I wish it played ‘Move Bitch, get out da’ way’ instead of these sirens.” I muttered darkly, making Winter bellow in laughter.
Everything worked out, and we passed him without harm, arriving at the Brookshire’s within five minutes of the call.
It was easy to find the patient. The large crowd was gathered around him, frantically waving their arms and legs, yelling that ‘he’s over here.’
I had always wanted to tell them that they didn’t have to wave like that. Paramedics and firefighters weren’t stupid. We could spot the person lying on the floor from across the room, but whatever.
The moment we set our equipment down, it was immediately apparent that the man was in a ton of pain. His head was in his hands, and he was rocking back and forth on his knees. His daughter and wife were at his side. The daughter looked to be about seventeen or so, and the mom in her late forties, early fifties.
“Sir, can you tell me what’s wrong?” Winter asked, as I took his vitals.
He swallowed hard, tried to speak, but then doubled over in pain.
The wife was the one to speak next. “He’s been complaining about a headache. It’s gotten progressively worse since it started about two hours ago.”
Winter and I exchanged a look, and immediately went to work on loading him onto the gurney and getting him into the ambulance.
“What’s wrong?” The daughter yelled as she trailed behind us.
We all walked quickly, and were in the ambulance within three minutes of arriving on scene.
“We’re going to take him just up the road to Good Shepherd. He’s going to be just fine. We’ll see y’all there shortly. Drive safely.” I instructed as I closed the doors of the ambulance on the worried wife and child.
“Thank you.” The patient croaked.
“For what, sir?” I asked as I started an IV on him, and then took his vitals again.
“Lying to them.” He groaned.
My eyes narrowed on the man before I asked, “What do you mean?”
I had a feeling that what was making his head hurt was a brain bleed, but it was very possible that if we arrived at the hospital in time, it could be repaired.
“I have a brain bleed. I know. I’m a doctor. I’m going to die.” He rasped, wincing slightly when the ambulance hit a bump.
My heart stuttered. I hadn’t had a patient, in all my years of being a paramedic, practically vowing that he was going to die.
“You don’t know that. You’re probably going to be just fine.” I soothed as I patted his hand.
We arrived at the hospital just as he shook his head sadly and looked into my eyes for the first time. “I’ve had a bleed for over two hours. I shouldn’t have waited so long. Will you tell my wife and daughter to come straight back when you get there? I want to say goodbye to them.” He instructed.
I could only nod in affirmation as we unloaded him and rushed him into the ER. The doctor on call, one that I hadn’t met before, shouted instructions as soon as we came within sight.
A nurse, one I had seen before, Lacy, asked, “Vitals?”
“Blood pressure is 200/115. Patient is complaining of a headache that’s gotten progressively worse in the last two hours. He complains of light sensitivity and believes he has a brain bleed.” I informed Lacy as I helped unload him off the gurney and into a bed.
We left when he was swarmed with people, and I felt something in my chest tighten in realization. He was probably right. He wasn’t going to make it.
“Missus!” A frantic voice called from the long hallway that lead from the ER entrance.
Winter and I stopped as the wife and daughter ran up to us frantically. “Where is he?”
“He’s in room three. You can go on back.” Winter said as I punched in my code for the door and held it open for them.
They thanked me and disappeared around the corner.
“I heard what he said. Do you think it’s true?” Winter asked quietly, as we loaded their gurney back into the ambulance.
“Yeah,” I said sadly.
“Damn.”
I silently agreed.
***
By the end of my shift, I was dragging. The day had been a long one.
“Hello?” Sebastian’s deep baritone answered on the third ring.
“Hey,” I said softly.
I was laying on my bed crossways. I’d managed to strip out of my pants and uniform top, leaving me in only a white wife beater and blue cotton panties. I’d meant to call Sebastian on my way home like I’d done for the past couple of weeks, but I’d not had the energy.
“You okay?” Sebastian asked in concern.
“Yeah. Had a man die today. It was just sad because he knew it. He was a doctor at the hospital we transport to the most.” I sniffled.
“I’m sorry, baby. That’s rough.”
“Yeah, I think I’m just going to go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?” I told him.
“Okay, baby. I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well.” Sebastian said before hanging up.
I didn’t waste any time. I just dropped the phone on the bed beside me, grabbed the end of the comforter, and threw it over my body, only managing to cover half of myself.