Gallows humor and life. Funny, not funny, hilarious.

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MedikErik

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Myself and two other medics discussing a frequent flier.

Me: Speaking of which, you know that lady who lives down the street off Frederick Road?

Dan: She died in May.

Me: Oh, I was wondering why she stopped calling 911.

Dan just stared at me in stunned silence, and then we both busted out laughing. I felt bad afterwards... then the gallows humor kicked back in. It was kinda stupid of me not realizing why we'd stopped getting woken up at all hours and called away during the day. She called us so many times... had ever form of lung disease and cancer known to man, and yet was always taking off her O2 so she could chain smoke. She'd call 911 then smoke another while she waited for us to get there. I once ran her back to back 3 days in a row... sometimes she'd call 5 times a week. Sweet old lady... just loved her cig's more than life *sigh*.

Cheers bros, stay safe out there.
 
Good one.
I think that to do the job a person needs a bit of a sense of humor.
As we all know the job can be very stressful and sometimes you need to break the stress with some gallows humor.
As long as the patients of their families don't hear the jokes and see you laughing, no harm done.
Obviously if your partner doesn't appreciate the humor, then save the jokes for some other time.
Enjoy!!
 
Humor is our coping mechanism, hopefully no one takes our job so serious that they are not able to dismiss the event to be able to repsond and give full attention to the next patient.

"Gallows" or "Black" humor is a healthy way of dealing with someof the stuff we see. That is as long as it does not get out of hand, and used appropriately and wisely "behind the scenes".

R/r 911
 
Amen RidRyder.

As for the story - we had a pt. who would call 911 more than once a week for any number of reasons, including her O2 bottle being empty and wanting someone to change it.

All the regular staff knew her address, including the Apt. #. One of the stories was that there was some laughing when a cardiac arrest was dispatched for her address... and disapointment when it wasn't her...

Then she died...and her obit hung on the locker of one of our medics for a year.

We can be awful.... but it is funny.
 
EMT 1: "Did you hear? <Jane Doe> died yesterday."

Me: "FINALLY. Thank <diving entity>. I thought she'd NEVER die."

*new EMT has the look I'd expect someone to have if a porcupine got lodged in their rectum*

Me: Umm... that is... how sad. She was such a... *cough* sweet... *gag* lady...

*new EMT leaves, laughter ensues*.

B)
 
i work as a tech in a hospital on a unit where codes are usually slow and expected. however, when i was brand new we had a quick unexpected code, and the gentleman died. we were very surprised that this happened, and it was also very sad--he was a very nice fella. anyway, people were still getting to know me, and didn't know anything of my dark, demented side. anywhooo, during the code, one of the nurses cut her finger, and throughout and after the code she would NOT stop talking about her cut finger and the fact that it wouldn't stop bleeding. finally, i turned to her and said--so, i realize your finger is hurt, but do you think you might stop trying to steal mr. <insert pts name> thunder soon? no offense, but it's getting a little old and losing its lustre.--one of the other nurses died laughing and said "oh, she'll fit in just fine. would you like to join us for a beer after work?"
i still feel sad for this guys family, but we HAD to have a chuckle at the end of the day
 
No... I meant diving... actually wait! No, you're right, I meant divine. I made a mistake! I keep forgetting that now that I'm no longer ALS I'm allowed to admit I'm wrong occasionally lol.
 
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