A couple of weeks ago I was at my hangout, The Leaf and Bean Coffee Company working on a blog or photos or some such thing. I decided that I needed some food in my belly. When I went to order, one of the fabulous baristas asked why I wasn’t helping with the girl that passed out.
I didn’t know anyone had a medical emergency, and they pointed to the back hallway.
There I found a young woman seated on the floor in the hallway – her parents are regulars there, and she used to be. I identified myself, and asked if there was anything I could do. An ultrasound tech was there, and she bowed out and let me continue with an evaluation.
After spending about 30 minutes of conversation, I concluded that she had likely had a vasovagal response of the 10th cranial nerve due to a subject she is not at all comfortable with. I made sure she wasn’t driving, and if things changed to call 911. (For all of my EMS friends, I went through a lot of history and took all precautions required – they did not want an ambulance called).
They went on their way, and I assume she made out well.
Today, I was working on some computer stuff and filling out some paperwork when the owner said “I have something for you”.
He handed me a card with a gift card on the inside and a note of thanks for rendering aid that evening.
You may ask, why am I writing about this? Well, in the world of EMS, thank you’s are not very common, and someone going out of their way let alone purchase a gift card is almost unheard of.
The gesture of the handwritten note was more than enough – and I am thankful.
