"Medicinal Cannibalism and the case of the human dumplings."
2 pm on the east coast, and I walk into the facility with head hanging low. 93 degree Sunday, and I'm looking at medicare forms surrounded by the geriatric elite. The day started off boring, as per expectation, until "Code Blue, Nursing Supervisor report to 2 west STAT" comes over the loud speaker. Remembering my training, Code Blue meant that someone had flat-lined ... but the question remained - was this patient a DNR? (Do Not Resuscitate) Will Patient Blue live again?
The nurses scramble, the ambulance was called on a 9-1-1, and I get stuck with two women interested in a tour. So, while I play the role of Mickey Mouse at Disney Land, a heart is being pumped to a motionless body one floor above my head.
The ambulance arrive with police escort and emergency firefighter 4x4 in tow. I meet with them and show them where to go. On the way out, patient blue - was pink. He had died from complicated respiratory failure (imagine what it's like to choke to death) and the N.S. brought him back.... the answer to my question, was obviously no.
Someone died. And then came back to life. Wow.
I get a call from the hospital he was admitted too, with a transfer diagnosis of Respiratory complication & spontaneous pneumothorax. (For laimens, his lung collapsed without injury) Well, good for patient pink. Let's see what a second chance at life can bring....
After things relaxed, and I sent my visitors on their way, I sat down to lunch (taco bell, mad props up to chelle) and continued to read a book I had bought while away. It's a New York Times Bestseller by Mary Roach, "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers". It's written with a morbid sense of humor, my sense of humor, all about cadavers - how forensic science started, and some of the most messed up (yet currently laughable) situations you may find yourself in when dealing with a dead body.
The Nursing Supervisor had joined me for lunch while she did her paperwork, and looked over curious to see what I was so invested in. The book's cover is a photo of someone's feet and a toe-tag with the word "STIFF" in big, black letters. I had just reached the chapter entitled, "Medicinal Cannibalism and the case of the human dumplings." After explaining the content, she laughed intelligently and said, "You don't find it ironic that you're reading a book about dead people in this facility? Do yourself a favor, don't let the patients see you reading that. They'll think you have a sub-agenda."
It's funny how you never think about things until they're painfully pointed out to you by someone who's personality allows for blatant conversation.
Not a boring day. Not a boring day, at all.