2024-03 Israel

Israel 40,

April 26, 2024,

Hi Everyone,

I wrote my last blog sitting on the beach late in the evening. I am now writing this blog while sitting at a cafe, sipping a capuccino and waiting for my laundry to complete its cycle at the laundromat. It reminds me of my days as a medical student in Reims, minus the iPad of course.

I was asked to do a double shift yesterday in exchange for 2 days off. It seemed like a good deal. I was up at 5:30, had a light breakfast and drove to my MDA station to start at 6:45. I actually worked at 2 stations, beginning my second shift in the afternoon and finishing at 11:15, returning to my hotel at midnight. I needed to relax a little so I had a salad and beer at my favourite bar/cafe/restaurant on the beach while doing emails.

Both shifts were rather routine as sometimes occurs and which I have described on previous blog entries. On the last shift I worked with 3 young ladies. As usual, I was impressed by their professionalism, kindness to the patient, speed and efficiency. The P-Ms have 2 years of intensive training and are very well prepared for all emergencies with appropriate protocols and back up with higher authorities if they need on the spot advice. I try to add any medical advice and approval of medical decisions when asked for my opinion. They seem to like to have a physician on board for back up when necessary.

We had 1 case which could have been a disaster but which turned out well for the patient. She was really lucky to survive and should go out and buy a lottery ticket as ‘Lady Luck’ is definitely on her side. She was driving on the highway at 100K when she lost control of her car. The car went off the road and jumped a 3 meter high group of shrubs. it was lucky that the car did not hit a tree as it would have split the car in two. Instead the shrubs slowed down the car and saved her life. The car was destroyed. We had to get the fire department to extricate her from the vehicle. We took the usual precautions, back board, neck brace, IV line etc and got her out through the back window. We got her to a trauma center and ran her through a number of blood tests, x-rays and CT scans. Other than being seriously scared , and a few minor bruises, she was totally unscathed by the accident. She was very, very lucky.

Love,

Brian