Re: Share your funniest patient stories...
I just received the following article from my sister who lives near the area I lived when I lived in NYS.
FIREFIGHTER USES SAW FOR DELICATE OPERATION
Firefighters were dispached to the local hospital to cut a piece of steel pipe off a 73 year old man's penis.The pipe was an inch long, an inchin diameter, and made of quarter inch steel.
Medical personnel weren't able to perform typical medical procedures, in order to release his penis. It has swollen and turned purple.
So firefighters chose a "Wizzer saw" that firefighters commonly use to cut off mufflers in vehicle accidents..
This procedure was to be much more delicate
The hospital staff prepared the elderly patient for the procedure -by wrapping the skin and sliding a tongue depressor. The team consisted of a doctor, a nurse, and the firefighter
"Just don't cut it off" the senior said.For more than 90 minutes, the firefighter sawed bit by bit into the pipe , psuding occasionally to cool the sawThe time duration was critical. Hospital staff worried the man could losehis organ if blood circulation was cut off too long.
The firefighter made his last cut with the saw after a grueling 90 minutes later unharmed..
As I began to remove my gloved finger...some air escaped. I had an idea. So I reinserted my finger but instead of feeling around I simply pulled down slightly. The gas began to come out like a balloon with the valve opened. On and on and on it went. Now God didn't give me a great nose but even I was being affected by the odor.
The other nurse had left for self-preservation. This went on for nearly a minute (seemed like a lot longer). Finally it was the end. The patient looked at me with 'sorry' on her face and I just smiled back. Her belly was now flat and very easily palpated. I made her comfortable, sprayed some Ozium and left. The air outside the room was truly "a breath of fresh air".
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