Went to the wedding tonight. Took DS. Immediately upon walking in I knew I was over dressed. Half of the women were in boots and jeans. The other half were in those maxi dresses that look like beach coverups. And here I am in my pretty blue and white sundress with my Jesus sandals on. Every single guy in the room had jeans and boots on. Even the groom. He even got married with his sunglasses on. I don't know why. He had them on the top of his head. Not on on but on his head. From start to the end of the evening they were on his head. Strange. But whatever.
I found a group of my friends and sat with them. They all complimented me on how nice I looked. Said I was all dressed up in my Sunday best. We chatted till the ceremony started. The ceremony was the shortest ceremony I've ever seen. Less than five minutes. When it was over I kept thinking there was more too it but there wasn't. He walked down the aisle with all the girl grandchildren and she walked down the aisle with all the male grand children. They asked who was giving her away and all the grand kids said they did. Her colors were burgundy pink and cream and they had bought all the kids polo shirts in the burgundy color. Her dress was cream. Simple, elegant, and very flattering.
We ate bbq and all was good. People were chatting. A few people got up to leave. All of a sudden a man came running in yelling that they needed help in the parking lot a man was down. My son comes running in after him yelling at me to come help because I'm a nurse. I hate announcing I'm a nurse. It's not that I hide it. I do talk about it. I just don't throw it in conversations all the time. I guess I just don't consider myself special just because I'm a nurse.
I head out there and indeed, there's a man passed out in his wheelchair. No one knows what to do. Everyone is gathered around screaming that he's not breathing. (He's breathing...) It was just pretty much chaos. I squeeze my way in and start trying to see what's going on. Everyone starts yelling at me. They're telling me he's not breathing but he's clearly breathing. Shallow breathing but breathing. He's sweaty and has a weak pulse. He's fading in and out of consciousness. Doesn't know his name, date, or where he is. I'm trying to get him to answer questions to see how lucid he is. Then the pastor yells out BUT DID YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA? His eyes flit open and he says no. lol They had called the ambulance. 911 was talking to one of the bystanders who is giving them incorrect information. I told them to hand me the phone. I tell them I'm an RN and they give me the usual spiel. Help is on the way. Blah blah blah. Do I need them to stay on the line with me to help me through this. I tell them again I'm an RN and can handle it but I'll call back if his condition deteriorates. We're in the parking lot and it's 101. We can't move him. It's like a gravel yard. So some of the guys park their trucks so he's in the shade. Three policemen get there. They didn't approach me. They didn't talk to me. They stood way in the back of the parking lot talking. I had someone ask them if there was an ETA on the ambulance. They say 25 minutes. WTF? So I start doing a quick assessment on the man. I'm going through all the things I know. Trying to keep him awake and alert. Locate the wife and daughter and SIL. I get a medical history from them. Between what I know and what they tell me I determine he's had a stroke. I debate telling the family this. There two other guys helping me try to keep this guy awake. His family is starting to panic. So I say, "I'm an RN and not a doctor. Technically I cannot diagnose him. What I can tell you is that I've worked the majority of my career with the elderly (he was 59) and he's exhibiting all the signs of a stroke." That seemed to make them feel better. It seemed like forever until the ambulance got there. When they did one took my report and the other took the wife's info on his health history. Then they loaded him up to take him to the...
Stroke center. Yep. Paramedics said he had a stroke.
And that was my day. And I did it all in a sundress and Jesus sandals.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
Hahahaha. You know what Jesus sandals are! That's what my kids cal them. And I did look good all dressed up in the parking lot. Giving medical help.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
I don't know many of those people. Just some of the women. I got to meet a bunch of their husbands tonight. Heck, I had never met the groom before! People were really nice to me. It was all just chaotic.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
Thanks Momala! I was so glad I was in sandals and not high heels!
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
Oh, and she gave me a half a dozen cupcakes as a thank you. The bride. They did cupcakes instead of cake.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
EXACTLY! Cause who doesn't like Jesus sandals or cupcakes!
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
Thanks chef! I don't even know how many there know I'm a nurse. I don't broadcast it. Usually if I say I'm a nurse I get one of two reactions. One, "Oh, my (fill in the blank) is a nurse at (fill in the blank). Do you know them?" Um, no. I don't know every nurse on the planet much less every nurse in my city. Two, "So you're a nurse? I've had this little thing going on..." or "I'm taking this little blue pill for my migraines. I don't know what it is but it's not working." My answers to those questions are always "Go see your doctor."
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
I think it was a God sent invitation for you to be at the wedding. Imagine what confusion and panic everyone would have been if you weren't there. I'm sure it was a big comfort to everyone especially the family that not only were you calm but also a nurse.
I think it was a God sent invitation for you to be at the wedding. Imagine what confusion and panic everyone would have been if you weren't there. I'm sure it was a big comfort to everyone especially the family that not only were you calm but also a nurse.
Well, here's the funny thing Lindley. I went to the bride's shower on Tuesday. I met the wife and daughter and of the man who had the stroke while I was there. I had just met her. After the paramedics took her husband away I went over to her and told her, "They're taking him to xyz hospital. You can meet them in the ER." She gave me the biggest hug and told me that she had just met me and here I had helped her husband. I told her I was glad to help. I'd do it anytime. The daughter thanked me and gave me a hug. Then they went to get the preacher to pray. I went back to the wedding which was winding down. I hadn't really wanted to go to the wedding and it was a last minute decision. So I guess it was a God thing.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
I think I recommended a maxi, which you indicated many of the other women were wearing. But at any rate, I agree with the others, that it's better to dress up than not.
FWIW, I went to a wedding where a man had a heart attack at the reception. Same saga....passed out, drama, etc. The couple are still married after over 20 years and just got back from a European cruise, happy as can be. I had completely forgotten about that incident until reading about your day. That man and his family were lucky you were able to assist!
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.