Long Night, Indeed

Got called in to work last night around 11:15. Just told that they really needed my help in the unit, which is okay but that was all I was told. Little did I know that I would be walking into a full code situation, several times over. Seems we spent a good amount of the first 4 hours strictly in that room, only getting about 30 minutes before we had to code the woman again. She was 40 years old and brought in unresponsive. Pupils fixed and dilated. Epi would bring her up, but once it wore off, she would brady down and no perfusion. Finally, the family said, just one more time and then we don't want you to do the chest compressions anymore, but leave her on the ventilator. They got to spend some time with her for about 45 minutes before she brady'd down and went asystole.

At least when dealing with a patient, we are able to compartmentalize our emotions and do what is necessary. It is when dealing with the families that we aren't as able to do that, and emotions can just erupt. Not one of us in there had a dry eye. For me, it was their singing of Amazing Grace that really got to me, and then her 15 y/o son having to experience the death of his mother just a few days before Christmas. We do what we can to be strong for the families, but the truth is, this affects us, as nurses, just the same as it may them because we invest emotionally into our patients.

I wish this night had a different turn out than it did, but we did all that we could do. The only thing really keeping her alive was the epi, and once we stopped that, it didn't take long for her to follow on nature's course. Once we got her cleaned and the family taken care of, we got another new patient. A 24 y/o man with sats in the 80's and LOC of obtunded. Reasoning was unknown other than a possible od on perhaps methadone or benzos. Another sad situation really, and quite a complex situation. Not sure how he will turn out, I suppose that is all in what happens over the next 24 hours. Luckily for me, I am going to Christmas party this evening and am NOT going to work at all. Even told them, don't bother calling because I am not coming in. I hope the night goes well for them, even though I wasn't upset to have to go in last night. Being able to help your colleagues once in awhile makes a person feel good, even if you work your ass off all night for it :)