The Bucket

After working in the emergency department for as long as I have, you think I would know what questions not to ask. However, I am a curious person and can;t resist asking the unaskable. For example, I have learned not to ask what is is your pocket, what is under your coat, what position where you in, and so on. You think that I would no better to ask what is in the bucket??? Nope, not I. I just have to know! Well a client came in with fracture arm after falling at the creek. He came in in swim shorts and muck boots.... that should have been my first clue. His attire included a 5 gallon bucket with the lid on tight that had small pin holes in top... That should have been my second clue, but no. My curiosity and the egging on from less bold co-workers lead me to ask the loaded question! What's in the bucket???? My first thought that it was bait, but when I picked up the bucket to move it it was heavy and no swishing of fluid. so I really had no clue and had developed increasing curiosity by the minute. The patient told me to go ahead and open it. Nope I have learned that lesson, which is an entirely different but related story. Anyway, he opened it for me and I nealy died. In the bucket was 17 diamond back rattlers!!! Just rattling away when he lifted the lid. Why did he have them, he was collecting them or research when he fell and broke his arm. Why did he bring them into the ER? He did not want them to die in his car. What would I have done if they were my snakes????? Had one hell of a barbecue, but definitely would not have caught, touched, and been anywhere near them while they were alive!!! Will I learn my lesson and stop asking always loaded, "what do you have there question?" nope, but will never open any container on my own!

New Year's Resolutions

Every year, I hear about people making their New Year Resolutions. However, they are mostly things that people do not want to do. I on the other hand use this time to check a few things off of my bucket list. Why do I have a bucket list many ask me. Well I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), plus I am human. I know that I am not immortal and will die... eventually. Also, with the EDS, I have so much metal and plastic in my body that my children tease me and tell me that they will just take me to the recycling plant when I die, which should cover my funeral expenses... Any way, I do not want to live my life afraid of being in pain or broken. Truth is, I am always in pain and about once a month, I am dislocated or have broken something. So why should I live my life discouraged and crippled?

First.... Last years bucket list

1. Get out of a wheel chair and relearn to walk.... Was in wheel chair for 4 months, Was out on 2/10/2009.... Done (The rehab and learning how to walk again was tricky, but I got it done!

2.Walk in the Walk For life 10k..... done on 4/2/2009

3. Hike 50 trails..... Trail number 50 completed 11/1/2009

4. Cliff jump 100ft.... Done, many times over the fourth of July weekend, what a blast, only cost me a dislocated shoulder

Now this year, money and joints permitting....

1. Tandem Skydive.... the jump and fall should be a piece of cake, the landing might be a little tricky.

2. Hike another 50 trails.... advance from medium to hard

3. Learn to play tennis.... with my physical limitations, friend has suggest playing doubles with me in front... we see how it goes, but I want to play in one competition match.

4. Go to Alaska and watch the whales, not so sure on cost, but going to give it one heck of a try!!!

4. See if I can give my orthopedic a heart attack when he asks about my bucket list (smile)... last year he threatened to disown me


Happy New Year to all of you, and I hope you have atleast one thing that you want to do on your list. Life is short!!!