Tuesday, May 19, 2009

help wanted


It's time to change careers. Or at the very least to never triage again. Ever.


Today I pulled a dead baby out of a car.


Yes, you read that right.


I. Pulled. A. Dead. Baby. Out. Of. A. Car.


While her mom screamed frantically at me to save her child.


While I took one look and knew it was already too late.


As I ran full-speed into the trauma room cradling the baby in my arms.


And participated in a balls to the wall full blown pediatric code.


Just on the off chance that we were wrong.


All of us.


We weren't.


It's time to change careers. Or at the very least to never triage again.


Ever.

28 comments:

Devon said...

How truly awful. So sorry you had to go through this, have a glass of wine with a good friend and feel better.

BTW, never triage again!

Altaglow said...

I'm truly sorry for everyone involved in this. Special love to you.

ped crossing said...

Can't. Imagine.

If they try to put you on triage, have them call me. I'll set them straight. I am so, so sorry. Give your boys an extra hug tonight.

sharon said...

Poor you, poor baby, poor Mommy! What a truly awful thing to have to deal with.

We all hug our babies(however big they are!)tighter after the news of a child's death.

lebanesa said...

hugs, big hugs to you.

Stacie said...

Oh, RC. I am truly sorry. Sending you love...

Maggie May said...

That is so truly awful and no one in their right mind would enjoy that.
However, of all the people that could help to comfort her, you are the one because you are a mother and have imagination. You know what it would have done to you, to lose a baby in an accident.
I like the way you cradled the poor might. She would have thought back on that caring..... I am sure.

Really sorry. Hope you can switch off someway.
Guess this is one of the difficult ones.
((hugs))

My Aimless Infatuation said...

Crying........for all.

Cath said...

Oh Lord RC I feel for you. I really do.
Words just are not enough.
I know.
((hug))

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry RC, I can't even imagine. I hope you take some time for yourself, to heal. How you ever heal from something that traumatic, I have no idea.
You are in my thoughts, as is the mother/family of that beautiful child.

(((((HUGS)))))

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness. I am so, so sorry you had to do that.

The dead babies are part of the reason I left my nursing career and have not looked back.

Iota said...

Aaaargh. I don't know how anyone manages to be a nurse or doctor. You are special special people.

Amy said...

How awful. Very sorry.

Maggie said...

Oh, RC, I am so very sorry. There is nothing about this life that is fair...hug your babies, tight. And prayer for that poor mama....

Rudee said...

What a terrible day. I hope the entire team had an opportunity to debrief over this case.

aims said...

Oh RC.

My thoughts are with you - and for everyone involved.

Autumn said...

Oh My God. I can't even fathom having to do that RC. How truly awful. Big hugs to you... may you never ever have to do that again.

Irene said...

That's an awfully sad thing to happen. To the mother, of course, but to you as well. I hope you recover from this quickly, but I'm sure it really hit you hard. That poor mother, though. What she must be going through...

Akelamalu said...

OMG how do you cope with something like that? :(

Mimi said...

Shivers on my spine reading this, so I can't imagine how awful it was for you.
Will send you some Reiki. Take care of yourself, mimi

Marti said...

I am so sorry RC. The stress of that had to hit hard. And because it effects you; it makes you that much more suited for your job.

Hugs

flower said...

oh my Gosh! that is AWFUL! sorry that you had to have this terrible experience!God bless that family and you, dearly.

Nearlydawn said...

So sorry you had to go through that, for both you and baby's mom. I know though that she is greatful that you tried - you all tried hard.

Thank you for doing the hard stuff, and for doing it with compassion.

Pam said...

i'm sorry...for everyone.

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

I am so sorry... :(

Pamela said...

I remember a 3 a.m. call from our daughter -- about her 3rd week into her first job. ER Nurse... first job after graduation.

"Mom.. dad... can't do this" (sob sob sob)

Rositta said...

I can't ever imagine doing a job like yours, not ever...but thank I God that there are people like you out there that do, blessings to you...ciao

Kila said...

I'm so sorry. You're an angel.