the epitome of what a paramedic should be and I am grateful that his family has kindly allowed me to pay tribute to him by dedicating this edition of my book to his memory.
Best wishes to all the other front-line staff up and down the country. This includes the other ambulance services, voluntary services, fire brigade and especially the police for coming so quickly to rescue us when we call for ‘urgent police assistance’. It’s good to know that you are there!
Lastly, thanks to the patients who trust us enough to let us into their lives when they are at their most vulnerable and who at times inspire us as they deal with whatever life is throwing at them.
Lysa Walder, London, 2011
CONTENTS
Title Page
Dedication
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
TRAGIC
ADDICTS
ATTACK IN THE PARK
GETTING BY
AN UPRIGHT MAN
EVE’S STORY
OFFICE BLOCK
THE FIRST DAY IN LONDON
ON THE LINE
DEBT
PURPLE PLUS
LOSS
KNIFE WOUND, YOUNG MALE
BREAKING THE NEWS
RELATIONSHIPS
A CRISIS
LOST
A SAD MISTAKE
NO DOCTORS, NO HOSPITAL
BEST FRIENDS
ACCIDENTS
A NICE COAT OF GLOSS
BLOOD AND GLASS
TRAPPED IN THE BANK
BELT UP
MR GOBBY
BRICKS
FAMILY VALUES
A HAPPY ENDING
A SCHOOLGIRL
MOTHER AND CHILD
THE POSH HOUSE
A RANDOM ATTACK
AN ALBUM
ON THE PLATFORM
CLOSE TO THE EDGE
THE AXEMAN COMETH
SUPERMARKET DRAMA
THE NEEDLE
DANGER ZONE
SURVIVOR
DARRYL
IT SHOULDN’T HAPPEN TO A PARAMEDIC
A PRIVATE MOMENT
LABOUR PAINS
PASSION IN SURBITON
A SCRATCHY END
NO SEX IN THAILAND
CORRIE
AND ANOTHER THING…
REACTIONS
REGULARS
THINK ABOUT IT
TIPS ON CALLING 999
Copyright
I’ve always liked a bit of adventure in my life. I guess that’s why I ran off to join the circus as an incredibly naive l6-year-old, much to the dismay of my mother. But who could blame her? It’s not every parent’s dream career for their child. My father, however, had spent some time as a travelling musician, so he understood the appeal of life on the road.
During my four years in the circus, I did a trapeze act, juggled, walked on a huge globe, rode a horse and had a straight role in a clown act. I even had a brief role as ringmistress in one show, mainly because I was the only one who spoke English without a strong accent! Working in the circus took me all over the UK and Europe. And I managed not to break my neck – or anything else.
But at 20 it was time to leave the circus and study for some sort of career. So I started to train as a nurse. What made me choose nursing? To be honest, I’m not sure I gave it much thought at all. I suspect I’d been watching a bit too much Casualty on TV. But after three months training at nursing college, I finally got my chance to be let loose on the unsuspecting patients.
So there I was on my first-ever nursing shift, self-consciously wearing my new uniform, feeling a bit like a coiled spring – but raring to go and save a life or two. For my first task sister directed me to help a staff nurse, behind some curtains with a patient.
‘Hi, I’ve been asked to help you,’ I said brightly.
‘Great,’ said the staff nurse. ‘I’ll stand Mr Smith up. Can you wash his bottom?’
‘Are you serious?’ I wanted to scream in horror. It had never really occurred to me that I’d have to wash the heavily soiled bottom of a fully grown man: I said I was naive. However, I got on with the task at hand. Inside my head, however, I was already planning my escape. I’d find some other work soon,
