Just got back

SUNDAY ...

I've just gotten back from my ambulance course and loved it! (as always) Pretty tired! I realised when I was at the course that I forgot to post Friday's update. I had typed it all out but got called out on a job and had to rush out, then didn't get back to station till 7.30pm, so it didn't get published. So putting it up now for you. Sorry, better late than never I guess.

Bill informed me when I got home on Friday night that we had a virus on our computer ... grrrr!!!! So much for Nortons doing it's job!! I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, hopefully I can sort it out! Don't worry I'm doing this update from the station.

Anyway here's Friday's update ... I'll fill you in more on the weekend when I get a chance.

FRIDAY ...

Did ya like my bit of humour? Chris asked me if I'd had my 'big event' yet so thought I'd do a bit of photoshop work. Unfortunately I'm one of those unlucky people who doesn't have a flash big event, just lots and lots and LOTS of little events... heheh

Had another busy day on duty today and attended my first death. Although fortunately I didn't have to see the body as the police were already on scene when we arrived and stood us down as we got into the house, due to the fact that he'd been deceased for too long to warrant resuscitation. I still don't know how I will react on having my first patient die. Everyone responds differently to do and St Johns has a great support service for us if we feel we need to get counselling with anything.

Onto my colon cleanse ... It was supposed to be my last set of 40 capsules to take this morning but given the fact that I could have been away from a toilet for up to 3hrs at a time on the ambulance I postponed the last lot till tonight. In the instruction booklet they say this is ok. So as of 6pm tonight I will be officially cleansed! :o)

My ambulance partner and I had to back up Paeroa today and I had previously planned on having a subway salad for lunch. But I soon learnt there is no subway in Paeroa! So a bakery was the nearest thing I could find. For the first time in 9 days I had something other than fruit/veges/yoghurt ... a chicken/salad wrap. Initially I was disappointed but realised the choice was out of my hands and I still made a good choice in spite of the dilemma. I chose a wrap instead of a bread roll so that has to be good enough. Was either that or starve, which is not an option.

Tomorrow and Sunday I'm off to Mount Maunganui for my ambulance PRD (professional role development) course where I will learn all about work stress, grief, cultural awareness and NZ law. In the service it's known as the 'tree hugging course'. There's no exam at the end of this one, just a 60hr written assignment!! (to be done in 3mths)

All our food and accomodation is supplied so that's very nice although might be a bit tricky with food choices. I will just have to do the best I can with what is supplied.

Once my written assignment is finished and I pass I get my next patch (on my ambulance sleeve) Primary Care 2 ... very flash!! Which leaves me 'ambulance officer', 'paramedic' and 'advanced paramedic' to achieve. Each of which takes at least a year to obtain. Something to strive for.

As I put my ambulance uniform on this morning I needed to go to the next hole on my belt ... hole number 6!!! Yeeehawww!! And my final hole ... next will have to be a new belt! I feel very chuffed about that!!

So I'll be back on Monday to update again on how my course went, and more importantly ... the food choices I made. I'll try my best to be a good girl ... promise!!!