Life has been a myriad of ups and downs, alternating between depression and trying to get through life after it was turned upside down 4 yrs. ago (read my first thread...) I have not worked as an RN since that day, despite many years in healthcare--EMT, CNA, LVN, Paramedic and finally RN. Life has been a black hole that I kept falling into but with the recent help of a therapist I have been making slow but steady progress.
Then yesterday as I was driving home from the grocery store I saw debris flying through the air ahead of me and traffic suddenly stopped. Two cars had hit head on on a 2 lane highway at high speed. When I walked up to the first car there was a man in the passenger seat with severe injuries--he had an almost amputation at the R shoulder joint and was not breathing. The door was ripped off so I leaned in and opened his airway and he slowly began to breath. I had a bystander climb into the driver side and hold his airway open. I took a jacket and yuck--lifted his arm (which was almost a foot longer than it should have been and hanging by soft tissue!) and applied pressure under what used to be his armpit and managed to slow the bleeding down to steady drips. The amazing part was he became conscious enough to answer simple questions...The ambulance finally arrived (rural area) and I gave them a quick rundown on him but sent them to check out the occupants of the other vehicle (I had already let 911 know to send a helicopter), which was down a steep embankment. When another ambulance arrived a paramedic was on board and she started an IV/02. As more help arrived the fire dept. used the Hurst (jaws of life) and it took 45 min to cut him out of the car. They had me stand there the entire time as they didn't want me to let go of pressure under his arm. He was flown to a trauma center by helicopter.
His dad, who was the driver and sustained minor injuries (he climbed out of the van himself), called me today to thank me for saving his son's life. It didn't really hit me until after he called that I really did save this guys life! Me--who has not worked as an RN in 4 years--remembered what to do! So far, it has really helped my self confidence and I feel more empowered--I made a difference in someone's life (in reality it's probably still the adrenaline rush, LOL!)
I am slightly concerned though--I was a mess afterward from all the blood/tissue....I stripped off my clothes on the front porch (in the snow!) and tossed them and went straight to the shower. So hopefully....
