She’s a brainiac, brainiac…
☆ February 8, 2011
My brainiac status was cemented in EMT class tonight
when I got 100% on our first major exam!
Though seemingly contrary to my lifestyle and recreational activities,
deep inside I am a nerd.
I have a psychic feeling (and the emails to back it up)
that some of you out there are curious about this EMT stuff.
I’m not really sure what to write about it
{except to say that, after anatomy class,
I can now declare that Sir Baby, at the shoulder,
reaches my axilla}.
{That’s armpit for the rest of you.}
So, leave your questions in the comment section of this post
and I’ll answer what I can in another post!
Comments
69 Responses to “She’s a brainiac, brainiac…”
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February 8th, 2011 @ 11:18 pm
no question…just a pat on the back!
February 8th, 2011 @ 11:33 pm
Agree with Sandy, way to go Shreve!
February 8th, 2011 @ 11:37 pm
How will you be using this training Shreve – what do EMTs generally do in your area? Have you had first-hand experience with them before? Will this be a full-time gig?
February 8th, 2011 @ 11:53 pm
Wow! 100% congrat!!!!Do you have to have any prior medical background to do EMT? How long is the class and when you are finished…just how much will you know treating anyone in a emergency..is it same as a nurse?? do alot of these people working in the EMT later become nurses or doctors? Marlene in Cambria
February 8th, 2011 @ 11:54 pm
I just love the name Sir Baby. It’s adorable. Congratulations on the perfect score! Woohooo!
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:42 am
ha, so you’d know exactly what a broken tibia, fibula, femur, acetabulum, pubic ramus, radial ulnar joint, humerus, mandible, maxilla and zygomatics, all at once, means. Oh, and two toes… never got the names for those…
= me 3 years ago
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:46 am
Yay !!
I just wanted to say Congratulations !!
February 9th, 2011 @ 1:23 am
Honestly, EMT sounds like a good fit for you. You’re serving your community on a voluntary basis, which is terrific. You’ve always come across as someone who is happy to learn new things, which you are doing. People who need an EMT also need someone who is caring and gentle, as well as know what they’re doing. My guess is your personality will mesh well with that.
I know this is not the subject of this post, but I want to ask if Sarah is still working for you. I haven’t seen anything on her in awhile and am curious.
February 9th, 2011 @ 4:43 am
When I went to college for the first time, at age 37, I was shocked and ever-so-pleased to discover that I, too, was a brainiac … it was a nice feeling.
February 9th, 2011 @ 5:11 am
WOW, great test result! Keep up the good work, Shreve!
The following has nothing to do with your EMT training. I check your grandmother’s blog, Svensto, daily, along with yours; she hasn’t posted an entry since December 20. Is she okay?
February 9th, 2011 @ 5:48 am
Congrats on the 100%! Although I think I can speak for most….we never doubted your ability…you are an amazing woman! It appears that what ever you set out to do, you accomplish! So, will you work full-time once you complete the course?
February 9th, 2011 @ 5:55 am
I’ve been curious about your move towards EMT. I’veseen others make what appears to be a radical shift in their lives and careers to do this.
Most recently a tenured faculty member here in animal sciences, at the height of his career, quits his job to become an EMT. I wanted to pry into his story but I refrained. I admire his choice, perhaps in part because he is doing something good, basic, fundamentally making a small part of the world a better place. And thinking about it makes me wonder what I’m doing.
Not sure what your motivations are but good on you!
And post another Vespa story in your other spare time…*grin*
Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks
February 9th, 2011 @ 5:58 am
Hip bones connected to the thigh bones, thigh bones, connected to the knee bone, knee bone……
I have an art-major turned med-sci nerd for a daughter, too. Best of both worlds. Keep those grades up!
February 9th, 2011 @ 6:07 am
Good going, Ace!
February 9th, 2011 @ 6:14 am
Have you learned how to put an IV line directly into someone’s tibia bone yet? I’m a nurse, and would LOVE to be able to do this – we’re not allowed!
February 9th, 2011 @ 6:52 am
EMT training is a blast. I did it when I was 17 in Pennsylvania and loved it, but never transfered my certification to Georgia. No questions, just grats.
February 9th, 2011 @ 7:38 am
If you like your vol. EMT training you should consider being a Vet Tech- something else highly needed in the rural areas where we live.
February 9th, 2011 @ 7:49 am
I’ve got two questions for ya, Shreve:
~What made you want to start this schooling and training? Anything specific or the general do-goodness of helping people who need it?
~Why EMT instead of Vet Tech, fire fighter, tutor, etc. etc.?
Thanks for being an inspiration to all and a great mentor (if you will) to this recent college grad.
February 9th, 2011 @ 7:50 am
Shreve . . . you’re not JUST a braniac. You have great courage and motivation that puts the brains to use! When you were sawing off the leg of the poached deer, I sat in amazement of your chutzpa. You’re more than a braniac . . . you have the whole package! I know you will put your EMT training to good use.
February 9th, 2011 @ 7:51 am
good grief, do you walk on water, too?
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:30 am
Dear brainiac, ;)
From one nerd to another, I think the EMT thang is great…but if I may, I’d really like to hear an update on the farmily…including Ricardo. If possible. In one of your spare (yeah righ) moments.
If not,now then after EMT school?
I so admire you and wish you well in anything and everything you do.
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:32 am
A typo and a misplaced comma…ugh, it’s too early to type.
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:33 am
Shreve, I never doubted for a minute that you weren’t a brainiac. Anyone that has been able to achieve the very successful, & more importantly, HAPPY life you have created there for yourself and all the farmily in Wyoming could NEVER question your both “street-” and “book-smarts”!
Glad you’re enjoying your training.You can’t go wrong ever with that particular knowledge.
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:38 am
B~ Grandma has posted on her blog, one in Jan & two so far in Feb. Maybe clear your cache or visit in a different browser? She just celebrated her 91st birthday! http://svensto.blogspot.com
E~ no, that ended early last summer
M~ my god woman. (toes are phalanges.)
thanks, everyone, for all the Q’s and sweet words! :)
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:39 am
Where are you taking your EMT training? Worland?
Congratulations on your first exam! More good results to follow, I am sure.
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:44 am
Congratulations!
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:48 am
A very informative EMT blogger to check out:
http://ambulancedriverfiles.com/
Congratulations Shreve; you’re committing to a much needed avocation/occupation. Along with everything else you contribute to life up there this will be so rewarding.
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:52 am
Congrats! I have a question, after seeing this PSA vid about the dangers of texting while driving: http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1834379662196&oid=155360057819436&comments Do you get any training/preparation for the psychological effects of coming upon trauma victims? Your psyche is just as important as your body!
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:52 am
EMT was something I always considered. Good choice! Anatomy is not easy that is for sure. Muscles were the hard ones to remember and there are sooo many of them. And remembering how the blood flows through the heart!
Did mostly all in medical field. EKG tech was fun to learn and massage therapy but there is not a great calling for freelancing there.
This coming fall I am taking Phlebotomy so I can work part-time.
You will be an excellent EMT. Congrats on being a brainiac. I have the attention span of a two year old on most days (blame it on the fibromyalgia). But then again, I do look after 13 dogs and an array of other pets…..that’s got to count for something!
February 9th, 2011 @ 9:52 am
Great job, Shreve! We’re all pulling for you.
February 9th, 2011 @ 10:17 am
Awesome and congrats.
February 9th, 2011 @ 10:25 am
Congrats! Somehow I’m not surprised though:)
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:05 pm
Way to go, Shreve!
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:17 pm
How will you respond quickly if you live in the middle of nowhere?
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
Way to go! Congrats!
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:46 pm
Gold star!!! Congrats!
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:52 pm
Can’t remember what movie this is from, but…
Check out the brain on Shreve!
Congrats, smartie!
February 9th, 2011 @ 12:58 pm
Pulp Fiction!
February 9th, 2011 @ 2:18 pm
Congratulations, Shreve, on a great beginning. I knew you’d do well with this!
Any chance you’ll take this further? Med school? Vet school?
You are a true inspiration to all of us!
February 9th, 2011 @ 3:27 pm
Congrats on the perfect score!
I grew up in rural western NY and listened with my minister/chaplain dad to his scanner that sat on top of the refrigerator. Most of the calls were about parishioners’ car wrecks, barn fires, swimming accidents, suicides, etc.
~ Is your county divided into sections so that you are responsible for only a part of it?
~ Are there boundaries for each EMT unit, say, by community?
~ Are you on call for so many days out of the month with days off?
~ Do you report to a central location and have to live there for so many days, or just report from home?
~ How many medical people will report to an call when you do? It varies according to incident?
~ What is the signaling system — a police radio/scanner that you have in your house and maybe truck?
~ How close is the nearest hospital?
~ How long is the initial EMT training?
~ How often do you have to renew your certification?
Okay. I’ll stop now. (Can you tell? I’m a librarian — am always ready to ask questions as I conduct a thorough reference interview.)
Thanks for following up with EMT info.
February 9th, 2011 @ 3:38 pm
Shreve, thanks for the update on Svensto. I deleted the former blog and added the “new” one to my Favorites. It’s good to know she is well and still active at 91. God bless her.
Whew, you have a way to go to answer all of CeeBee the librarian’s questions. The replies should become your next book. LOL
February 9th, 2011 @ 4:17 pm
Congrats! Enjoy the ride.
February 9th, 2011 @ 4:45 pm
Woohoo!
February 9th, 2011 @ 5:47 pm
woo hoo girl….you go :)
And as a Recreation Director/ Facility Operator that employess EMT’s I KNOW how hard the training can be…
February 9th, 2011 @ 6:14 pm
No questions, just appreciation for continuing to keep us posted on current events.
As many others have said, this new occupation is a good fit for you. Your recent life has honed you, mentally and physically. No surprise that you are doing very well with the training.
Looking forward to seeing where this takes you. Stay well.
February 9th, 2011 @ 6:24 pm
EMT in a remote rural area is an excellent choice. You will get some really useful connections. Your grades will only make it better. People will respect and want you.
February 9th, 2011 @ 7:38 pm
No questions, just congratulations on the perfect score!
February 9th, 2011 @ 7:53 pm
Are there limits to what an EMT can do? Meaning…is there a point during an “event” when an EMT is forced to step back and say- “I’m not allowed to do that?” or is it a do everything to safe the life sort of thing?
February 9th, 2011 @ 7:56 pm
Way to go ….. nerd lady..!!
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:10 pm
Am, there was never any question….!!
February 9th, 2011 @ 8:43 pm
i’m curious about how you are learning CPR – the red cross had put out something a year or two ago saying that they were recommending people only do chest compressions, no mouth-to-mouth anymore. i don’t know details although some places near me teach it this way now. how are you being taught? have they talked about the two different versions at all?
congrats on your A+!!!
February 9th, 2011 @ 9:14 pm
” . . . and she’s dancin’ like she never did before” (you brainiac, you!)
Just know that you’re doing great in your EMT course, and that no matter what happens, you’ll gain a TON in self-confidence and competence — not that you need more of either — and that it’s yet one more way of weaving yourself even more tightly into the fabric of your community, friends and all who love you so much.
Heck, all of us out here love you, and we don’t even know you, other than cybernetically . . . we can only imagine how much the people around you in your real life must cherish you.
February 9th, 2011 @ 9:24 pm
Very glad for you, although, I expected nothing less. You have the world by the tail, and with brains, beauty and brass overies.
You make us all proud
February 9th, 2011 @ 9:54 pm
yes curious… what is the averge number of calls for emergency services there per year? And how far is it to a major hospital?
You rock girl!!
February 10th, 2011 @ 6:23 am
Brainiac??? No surprise at all!! Way to go Shreve!!
February 10th, 2011 @ 9:01 am
Congrats!!! After working as a FF/Paramedic for 15 years…started at 23 years old. I can tell you your EMT training (mine as a Paramedic) WILL help you deal with ANY medical issues with most of your farmily members. It is very similar in care. I have assisted with intubating,started IV’s, IV medication and oral medication administration on my own dog. It does help that my best friend is my vet, LOL! She allows me to do a lot of thing with my animal due to my Paramedic background.
Good thing your neighbors will have you as an EMT. Your guys have an EMS response time of like 30 to 45 minutes,right?
Great Job and Good Luck!!
February 10th, 2011 @ 9:48 am
my boyfriend and his dad are on the volunteer fire dept. in our small town… my boyfriend’s sister is an EMT and her husband is a paramedic afew towns over from us…I think what they do is Awesome…I thank God for people like them that are able to do what they do as I would not be able to because I’d become to emotionally involved and I’m not strong when it comes to someone being hurt or in pain!!! I think you are an Awesome woman and in adding EMT to your long list of greatness and accomplishments ROCKS!!!! :)
February 10th, 2011 @ 10:37 am
No boasting Shreve……………… BTW great job!!!
February 10th, 2011 @ 11:15 am
I totally believe that anatomy should be a required class in high school and/or college. It’s so important to understand how our body works, and how our organs work with one another. (who’d have thought that the kidneys play a role in red blood cell creation?)
and for commenter #6 – M: toes=tarsals. And holy meatballs, that’s a lot of bones to break at once. Did you fall from something?
February 10th, 2011 @ 11:30 am
tarsals are foot bones, toes are phalanges :)
February 10th, 2011 @ 4:31 pm
I would like to second (or third? I skimmed some of the comments) the question about if you get any training about the psychological affects of coming upon accidents. Do they just assume that if you are in EMT training you are tough enough for anything that comes your way?
And congrats on your test. That is awesome!
February 10th, 2011 @ 7:10 pm
Shreve, Its an interesting thing to incorporate into your life. I went from starving art (waitress, housecleaning, teaching, general carpentry do ANYTHING) to being a nurse practitioner working in a clinic for the medically underserved. The classes to get there were incredibly challenging especially with no math or science since 6th grade. It was such a great feeling to actually do well. Now its the best of both worlds. I still make art but just for me and not for a career. And the neat thing about doing what you are is that you are giving in a very tangible way. Art is part of what makes us human but is not really recognized as being that important so its kind of fun to be able to contribute in another way as well. I hope that you have a great positive experience doing this. Jane
February 12th, 2011 @ 6:27 am
Good on ya Shreve! Older students are MUCH more motivated! I went back to univ. in my 40s and had students complain I was a curve wrecker!
Am curious if there’s any lab experience with this training course.
In college I took a human anatomy course out of interest. It was the same one as pre-med students had to take. We worked with cadavers in the lab, learning all the parts of the body in a very hands on way. I kept wondering about the lives of the people who donated their bodies.
Now here’s a tip for remembering the difference between a ligament and a tendon. Tendons (which are muscle to bone) attach to a “Tender” part – a muscle. Ligaments are bone to bone attachments.
February 12th, 2011 @ 8:34 pm
Awesome! I loved anatomy in university. :)
I do have a question! The main thing holding me back from pursuing Paramedics is the veil…do they assume you can wall yourself off from potential horrors or do they coach you how to compartmentalize? I used to think of it as car accidents, or knife wounds or…well typical city criminal behaviour on top of people’s health failing. But then a friend of mine reminded me I’d have to see newborns in car accidents. And suicides/suicide attempts and I started to second guess myself. Sure, I’m fine in a crisis and have proven to be quite capable when things get dicey. But gosh, as a career, I’d love to talk to someone who’s seen that sort of thing and ask how they handle it.
I know you’re still in the schooling stage but wondered what your thoughts were about keeping a protective wall between yourself and disaster while being able to save lives?
February 13th, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
Doesn’t it feel great to do well in your studies? It’s very motivating, making the long study hours worthwhile and strangley not tiring. I went back to college a few years ago to take some veterinary classes. At the time I thought I wanted a career change from engineering. I surprised myself by getting straight A’s in biology, vet anatomy, physiology, small animal nursing, etc. I LOVED anatomy! I was given a dissambled feline skeleton and had to identify every bone. Also, the medical terminology was a breeze once I discovered all the Latin and Greek root words and their combined forms. Mes(o)=middle + encephal(o)=brain gives you mesencephalon, or midbrain.
A toast to your superior cerebral functioning, and hoping that you don’t damage your brachial plexus lifting those heavy textbooks!
February 13th, 2011 @ 9:01 pm
Awesome Shreve!!! WHOO HOO!!!! HUGS :)
February 22nd, 2011 @ 10:50 am
To out-think a coyote, you’ve GOTTA be a brainiac!
February 23rd, 2011 @ 6:25 pm
Shreve,
Since I “discovered” your incredible book about Charlie [love him soooo much] in the Library where I work in Florida, not a day goes by that I do not go to your website. It fills me with joy and smiles.
Your spirit and presence in LIFE is so awesome to me.
EMT….one more new, exciting “project” in your life.
Congrats!
..Theme song from the movie Flashdance, {remember the 80’s] “she’s a maniac, maniac for love.”
To me you are a maniac for love and life. :)
February 28th, 2011 @ 5:32 pm
WOW, I was just looking up info for an assignment and stumbled upon your site?????? Congrats and you ever realize you are right where you should be in life? Well, I’m right there with you sister…. Not sure if you understand but again, Congrats.