My volunteer department rolled on a medical in our district to a home we unfortunately have been to a few times before. Elderly couple, very ill wife. We arrived at the same time the ALS ambulance service did, and the crew asked us to stick around. I went in to assist in any way I could as our crew's EMT. The paramedic did his assessment (he was awesome with the patient and husband) and it really appeared that the wife/patient was, or just had had, a major stroke. We packaged her, and the ambulance rushed her off to the hospital with one of our firefighters driving. As we were preparing to depart, the husband walked over to me and just grabbed me in tears and thanked us (I hadn't done anything really, but help package her, and ask him if he had a way to the hospital). I was so touched, and had a hard time to keep from tearing up. There was decades of love and devotion to his wife behind that, and the worry in his eyes....was palpable. We stayed long enough to ensure he had a family member on the way to take him to the hosptial and to make sure he was alright (as well as he could be anyway). Sometimes I think when this happens with my vollie FD some of this gets directed my way because I'm usually the only female on-scene, I'm not really sure.
Another time I had a peds patient reach up and stroke my face in the middle of an assessment when the little guy asked me "Am I going to be okay?" (he had been in an MVA and I trauma-assessed him and was holding c-spine from the front due to patient accessability issues) All I could tell him was that I would do my best and stay with him, pretty much. He was cooperative, listened to me, kept still, had allowed me to assess him, and did not complain when I held c-spine. Perfect patient. Mom even stood right behind us, observing, quiet, allowing us to do what we needed, and staying near her son, she was great! So anyway, when I answered him, he had the hugest tears in his eyes, but he smiled, and looked me dead in the eye, reached up and touched my face, and simply says, "Ok." (I did find out later he was fine, treated and released later in the day).
I know I am not a good story teller like a lot of people in here. But that little guy, and that elderly man....their simple expressions, blew me away. Doesn't happen often, but wow, when it does....it can be profound.
I also have a question for you seasoned folks....that do this every day for a living, as you have daily patient contact and I do not. When a patient asks you if they are going to be OK.....what do you say? I remember in class our instructor told us to stay away from answering that question directly? I always say something like "we're going to do our best" or something along those lines because I simply don't know what to say. I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but this happens a lot.
I find myself in situations where I am with a patient for a long time...like in the vehicle with them holding c-spine while they are being extricated, getting them packaged, etc. Patients talk to you, ask you things. I desire to be a positive contact for them. So how do you answer that question...."Am I going to be OK?"
So a few words up from those of you that do this for a living, guidance would be appreciated.
