agonalrhythm - Tumblr blog

agonalrhythm · 6 months

Text

construction site incident

Dr. Megan Sweeds had always been a woman of precision. As an ER physician, she navigated the chaotic world of emergency medicine with calm efficiency, saving lives one patient at a time. But in the midst of the chaos, there was one constant source of serenity in her life - Elizabeth Kitts.

Megan and Elizabeth, or Liz as she was fondly called, were an unlikely couple. Megan was a brilliant doctor, dedicated to her career, and Liz was a rugged construction worker who spent her days wielding tools and crafting buildings. Yet, their love defied the odds and blossomed over time.

Their relationship had started casually, with Megan meeting Liz at a local coffee shop. The moment their eyes met, there was an instant connection that neither could deny. Megan was drawn to Liz's unwavering confidence and the way she carried herself, while Liz admired Megan's intelligence and her compassionate nature.

As the months passed, their love deepened. Megan often visited the construction site, wearing a hard hat and steel-toed boots just to spend time with Liz during her breaks. They shared quiet evenings at home, watching sunsets and talking about their dreams and fears. Soon, their love became something profound, something that neither of them had ever experienced before.

One evening, Dr. Megan Sweeds had just returned home after a long shift at the ER. She had barely managed to change out of her scrubs when her phone rang, shattering the tranquility of her small apartment. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller ID – it was Liz.

She smirked and was to say a sexy one-liner but paused and panicked when there was a different voice at the end of the line. The voice was frantic, barely coherent. "Dr. Sweeds, it's me, Mike. There's been an accident at the construction site. Liz, she's hurt... and she's not making any sense. She keeps asking for you."

Without hesitation, Megan rushed to the construction site that was minutes from their home, her heart pounding the entire way. She arrived on the scene to find chaos and confusion. Paramedics were surrounding Liz who was sitting on the ground, her back against a block of cement.

Megan's heart ached as she saw the bandages and bruises on Liz's battered body. She fought back tears and pushed her way through the crowd until she reached Liz's side and took her hand.

"Liz, it's me, Megan," she said, her voice filled with love and concern.

Liz's eyes slowly focused on Megan's face, but there was still a distant, lost look in them. "Megan?" she whispered, her voice weak and shaky.

Megan nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm here, Liz. What happened?”

“What do you mean?” Liz genuinely questioned.

“You’re hurt, Liz.” Megan replied but Liz only got more confused which made Megan as more questions. “Liz, do you know where you are?”

“At work.”

“What day of the week is it?”

“Monday… No, Wednesday… Wait… I’m not sure.”

“Can I have a penlight, please?” Megan outstretches her hand and the paramedic hands her one. “Alright hun, I need you to look straight ahead and I am going to flash a light in your eyes for a second.”

“Stop that.” Liz clumsily whacks away her girlfriend’s hand.

“Pupils are equal but sluggish. How’s her heart rate and BP?”

“Last check was 95bpm and BP was 150/90.”

“Alright, Liz how about we go into the ambulance and take a ride to the hospital for a quick CT?”

“No, ambulance. I’m fine.”

“Liz, babe. You have a big laceration on your head and bruises on your arms and face. It looks like you took a big tumble. Speaking of, Mike what happened?” Megan turned to find an explanation.

“She was on the 10ft ladder checking something on the ceiling and there was a frayed wire nobody saw, so when she went to drill something, we think she got shocked and dropped from the ladder.”

“Was she unconscious at all?!”

“Not that we know of. She was awake when I reached her seconds later although she’s been out of it since then.”

“Okay, that changes a lot of things. Can you guys hook her to an EKG? Liz, looks like we are going to take a little trip to my job.”

“Why can’t I just go home?” Liz whines which is very unlike the strong and independent woman she usually is.

“Sweetie, you took a big tumble and I am worried about you.” Megan strokes Liz’s cheeks and meets her eyes.

“Aw, it’s okay, Megan. Whatever you want, I’ll do.” Liz’s demeanor changes and Megan gives a pity smile back because she knows despite her confused state that she still wants to make Megan happy.

“You think you can walk to the ambulance?”

“Yeah, I told you I am fine.”

“Okay, let’s go slowly,” Megan states and stands first before grabbing her girlfriend’s hand to help lift her up. As she lifts her, Liz’s knees are quick to give away under her. “Woah. Woah, easy babe.”

“Hey, let me bring the stretcher real quick,” Jim, the medic mentioned before scurrying and coming back in within seconds.

“Liz, we are going to help move you to the stretcher,” Megan states and nods to the medics to help transfer the woman. Liz doesn’t fight and seems to have gone into a daze of sorts letting hands guide her and buckle her onto the device. “Babe, are you okay? Look at me.” Megan guides her hands to have Liz’s eyes look into hers. She sees the glassy far away look that makes her worry more.

“Megan?” Liz looks back at her for a moment. “What are you doing here? What’s going on?”

“You were hurt at work.” Megan takes Liz’s hand into hers, having her fingers find her partner’s radial pulse as they roll the stretcher to the ambulance. “Get her hooked to the monitors as soon as we get inside. Pulse is irregular.”

As Liz was wheeled into the ambulance, Megan climbed in after her, holding her hand all the way. The paramedics quickly hooked Liz up to the monitors, putting the stickies under her clothes and on her ankles, as Megan kept a close eye on the readings. Her heart sank as she watched Liz's irregular heartrate on the screen.

The ambulance roared to life, and Megan couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. She knew that Liz's condition was more serious than it initially appeared. Her mind raced with possibilities, and she silently prayed that Liz would be okay.

Inside the ambulance, Liz continued to drift in and out of awareness, her gaze unfocused. Megan leaned over her, speaking softly and reassuringly. "Liz, you're going to be all right. We're on our way to the hospital now. Just hang in there, okay?"

Liz managed a weak smile, though it was clear she was struggling to stay present. "Megan... you're here," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I am. Liz…Look at me," Megan commanded, her voice unwavering but tinged with a deep-seated fear as she monitored Liz's vacant, distant gaze. Liz's words had unraveled into a chaotic jumble, the language of confusion that only heightened the palpable sense of dread. She watched the monitors, noting the amount of irregularities in Liz's heart rate and breathing. The paramedics worked diligently, but Megan could see the concern in their eyes.

As they sped toward the hospital, Megan leaned over Liz, her voice steady and commanding. "Alright, everyone, listen up. We need to be prepared for complications. Liz's vital signs are unstable, and we don't have the luxury of time."

She turned to one of the paramedics. "Sarah, keep a close eye on the EKG. Let me know immediately if there are any changes in her heart rhythm."

Sarah nodded and focused on the monitor, ready to alert Megan at the first sign of trouble.

Megan then turned to another paramedic. "Jim, prepare the BVM and ensure it's ready in case we need it. We may need to support her breathing."

Jim swiftly gathered the necessary equipment, his hands steady despite the urgency of the situation.

As Megan continued to give instructions, Liz's condition suddenly deteriorated. Her body went rigid, and her eyes rolled back in her head. It was clear that she was having a seizure.

Megan's heart raced, but she remained composed. "Sarah, we have a seizure. Keep an eye on her O2 sat. Jim, we need to ensure her airway is clear. Gently roll her onto her side. No medication. It may interfere with her head injury."

Sarah and Jim moved quickly, following Megan's directions with precision. Grunts and moans escaped Liz’s lips. Megan held Liz's head throughout the seizure, speaking soothingly to her despite the chaos unfolding around them. “Babe, it’s okay. You are going to be okay. I’m here with you…”

The seizure eventually subsided, leaving Liz weak and half-conscious. Megan continued to monitor her closely, her medical training guiding her actions. She knew that time was critical, and she was determined to do everything in her power to help Liz.

As the ambulance pulled into the hospital's emergency bay, Megan looked at the medical team waiting to receive them. "Elizabeth Kitts. 38 year old female. Electrocuted and fell 10 feet from a ladder. Evidence of a head injury and cardiac issues. We need a neurologist and cardiologist on standby, and I want a head CT done immediately. She has just had a seizure, and we need to rule out causes.”

“Megan, we got it from here.” Dr. Landon, her coworker, stopped her in her tracks as they bypassed a trauma room and went straight to CT.

“All do respect. I am not leaving her side, Landon.” Megan was resolute; she couldn't bear to leave Liz's side, not even for a moment. As the medical team prepared Liz for the CT scan, Megan stood close and donned a lead vest, her hand firmly grasping her partner's. She whispered words of encouragement, promising to be right there with her through the entire procedure.

The CT scan room was sterile and cold, its eerie silence interrupted only by the mechanical whirring of the scanner. Megan watched anxiously as Liz was positioned on the scanning table. The radiology technician gave them a reassuring nod before initiating the scan, and Megan held her breath as the table glided Liz into the machine.

But just as the scan began, an alarming change washed over Liz. Her body tensed, and her eyes rolled back in her head. It was happening again – another seizure, and this time, they were in the confined space of the CT scanner.

Panic gripped Megan's heart, but she couldn't let fear paralyze her. She pressed the emergency button to alert the medical team outside, her voice trembling as she spoke into the intercom. "We need help in here! Liz is having another seizure in the scanner!"

Megan's voice crackled through the intercom, and the urgency of the situation spurred the medical team into action. The radiology technician quickly halted the scan and rushed to assist, as Landon and nurses came rushing in the room. Megan did her best to support Liz as she convulsed. She held onto her partner's hand, speaking soothing words despite the confined space. "I'm here, Liz. You're not alone. Just hold on, help is on the way."

The radiology tech hit a button that ejected the table Liz laid on from the CT scanner. “Okay, we got to let the seizure ride out before we can transfer her to a trauma room to get stabilized,” Landon stated.

Multiple hands worked in sync as they turned Liz to her side and ensured they kept her from hurting herself and airway cleared. Liz’s eyes were half parted-only the whites showing and her limbs were rigid and stiff shaking in the air.

“Get me a suction machine in here as well as oxygen and a crash cart!” Landon ordered.

As the medical team scrambled to respond, Megan felt a surge of helplessness washes over her. She watched in agony as Liz's body convulsed, the seizures relentless and terrifying. She clung to Liz's hand, her voice cracking as she continued to offer words of reassurance.

The suction machine arrived, and a nurse quickly began clearing Liz's airway as foamy saliva mixed with blood pooled around her mouth. Oxygen was administered via nonbreather, and Megan could see the rise and fall of Liz's chest, though each breath seemed labored and uneven.

The crash cart was wheeled in, and Landon stood by, his face a mask of determination. "We need to be prepared for cardiac arrest," he declared, his voice unwavering. “Her heart has been erratic the entire time.”

Megan's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the medical team work tirelessly to stabilize Liz. She knew that every second counted, and her mind raced with thoughts of the love of her life slipping away before her eyes.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the seizure subsided. Liz's body went limp, and her eyes slowly returned to their normal position. But the relief was short-lived.

“Dammit, Liz!” Megan shouted through her tears as her shaky hands finds her girlfriend’s sternum and used both hands to deliver harsh pushes into her chest. “Starting compressions… one. two. three. Four…”

“We have to move her to the floor. I don’t have access to intubate her laying on this table. Once you reach thirty, we’ll lift her to the floor.” Dr. Landon tells Megan and the team.

“...twenty-nine…thirty…” Liz’s body is lifted without organization from the table and to the floor. Liz’s ponytail comes lose from the hair tie and leaving it all over the place and when on the ground, Megan tries to move the strands from her girl’s face before going right back to compressions while a nurse used sheers to strip Liz of her neon orange t-shirt and black sports bra. Her firm average sized breasts remained perked between her girlfriend’s hands who was relentless on her chest.

The room was now a chaotic scene of desperation and urgency. Megan continued the chest compressions, her fingers pushing hard into Liz's chest, trying to force life back into her girlfriend's still body. The rhythmic thumping of her palms against Liz's chest was the only sound that filled the sterile room, drowning out everything else.

"Okay, hold compressions. Intubating now." Dr. Landon pulled Liz's head back and opened her mouth catching site of her wide-opened eyes that he had met in passing whenever she would drop coffee for her partner as an excuse to see her at work. The metal scope is slide between her teeth and the ET tube is shoved down her throat. After making sure it was correctly placed, Megan continued violent compressions that shifted Liz's body which was still rigid from the previous seizure.

Dr. Landon swiftly prepared the defibrillator paddles, his eyes fixed on the monitor. Liz's heart rhythm remained erratic, a dangerous dance between life and death. The nurses worked together to prepare the IV lines, desperately trying to establish a stable route for medications. They knew that time was running out.

"Clear!" Landon shouted as he charged the paddles and placed them on Liz's bare chest. Megan lifted her hands, momentarily ceasing the chest compressions. The room seemed to hold its breath as the electric shock coursed through Liz's body, causing her to convulse briefly.

Nothing changed. Liz's heart stubbornly refused to return to a normal rhythm. Megan resumed the chest compressions, her muscles burning with fatigue, but she couldn't stop. She couldn't give up on Liz.

"Clear!" Landon tried again, delivering another jolt of electricity to Liz's unresponsive heart. Her body twitched, but her heart remained in chaos. Time seemed to stretch as the medical team worked tirelessly, each passing second feeling like an eternity.

Megan's voice grew hoarse as she counted the compressions. "Fifteen... sixteen... seventeen..." Her tears mixed with sweat as she poured every ounce of her strength into those life-saving compressions. “Come on, baby!”

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, there was a flicker of hope. The monitor showed a feeble but steady heartbeat. Megan's compressions grew less frantic as they transitioned into the rhythm of CPR. The room collectively held its breath, praying for Liz's fragile heartbeat to hold.

As the minutes ticked by, Liz's vital signs slowly stabilized. The medical team continued their efforts, administering medications, and monitoring her closely. The tension in the room began to ease, replaced by cautious optimism.

Dr. Landon stepped back, his exhaustion evident in his eyes. "We've got a pulse," he announced, his voice filled with relief. "Let's get her to the ICU. She's not out of the woods yet, but she's fighting."

Megan nodded, tears of gratitude streaming down her face. She leaned down to kiss Liz's pale cheek, whispering words of love and encouragement. Liz was still alive, and in that moment, that was all that mattered.

As they rushed Liz out of the CT scan room, the echoes of that traumatic episode lingered in the sterile air. Megan clung to the hope that Liz would pull through, determined to be by her side every step of the way. The battle was far from over, but they had survived the darkest moment, and they would face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

#seizure #resus #defib #cpr

63 notes · View notes

agonalrhythm · 7 months

Text

What the River Takes

It's sheer luck that I keep my head above water as it crashes around me. Our small boat had capsized on the rapids and dumped us both into the crush. The water is like ice and my mouth opens and gapes, but it isn't deep, just relentless, and somehow I manage to stay mostly afloat.

CW: drowning, cpr, mentions of cardiophilia and sexual thoughts, mouth-to-mouth, resus, lengthy (unrealistic) resus

My back hits the rocks, some of the impact absorbed by my backpack, and I groan, gasping, almost going under, but instead, I'm jerked to a sudden stop as that same backpack catches on a low hanging branch. Breath leaves me in a lurch and black splotches fill my vision. Water builds up around me, just an object getting tossed by the current, and I almost go under again. Sudden realization fills me -- I might be saved-- and I twist, pulling myself up by my caught pack until I grip the branch and can pull myself closer to the shore.

The river is narrow here. I haul myself up on the rocks, barely feeling them cut and scrape me through my clothing. Finally, I'm free. The water tugs and pulls at my legs, but I drape myself over the rocks to rest, panting wildly. My heart heaves against the inside of my chest, apex driving wildly against my chest wall, just a thin layer of skin and muscle between it and my hand as I press my palm there. The heart has always fascinated me. Blame it on the medical dramas I grew up watching on tv. It's not something I advertise, but the feeling of my heart beating frantically fast makes my sex twitch under the soggy material of my pants. You're the only one I ever confided in about this silly turn on. And fuck, you were so cool about it. Taking my hand and holding it over your heart while I fucked you.

There's not much time to focus on the frantic beating against my palm, as I get my wits around me I remember -- you went into the water too.

Cursing, I roll to my side and push myself up, looking out over the river as it beats against the shore, jumping over the rocks below. I try to clock the spot where our boat turned over, but everything is blurry. How far did I get? How much further could you have gotten from me?

Fear grips my heart now, worry. I've lost one shoe and the rocks nip at my foot as I start to walk, and then run in the same direction the water is flowing. You were wearing a dark blue jacket, jeans, white sneakers -- am I even gonna be able to see you in the dark water as it courses so quickly, pummeling it's contents against the shore?

Fuck, fuck. I go as fast as I can, searching desperately for some sign. And then I see it. A flash of white. Your shoe -- I move faster, then see the long strands of your hair caught in the flow of the water, streaming out like seaweed against the rocks. Your jacket is almost invisible in the water, but it's definitely you -- caught on another low branch, almost entirely submerged.

My heart hammers but I don't have time to think about how it bucks and kicks against my sternum. The fear would be palpable if I did. You're on the other side of the bank from me and, licking my trembling lips, I don't let myself think as I wind up and leap across to the other side.

I land hard and stumble, feeling something in my ankle scream, but there's no time to feel pain when you're under water. Limping to the tree, I lengthen my body out along the low branch, grateful for it's arms that reached out to ensnare you. The water is shockingly cold as it sloshes against my belly, even colder than I remember it being. I reach for you. My whole body stretched taut, fingers fully extended, groaning -- finally I catch your sleeve. As your body shifts from my tugs, I can see your ashen face below the surface. I pull you, hard, and you limply come free from where you're snagged. The water tries to rush you away and I shout as I struggle to keep my hold on your arm. I almost fall in, but you're closer now. I adjust my grip. The water releases you with a slurp and I pull back with a groan, getting on my knees to leverage you out of the water and onto the rocks.

Finally.

I'm still heaving, my heart still racing, adrenaline pumping through me with each tachycardic beat as I pull you to me. You're so pale. Still. Silent. There's red on your clothes and on your head and I feel a spike of panic as I lean close to check for any sign of breath. Your mouth is slack, and water is draining in a rivulet from the side of your lips. Gotta get the water out of your lungs.

I plant my hands under your diaphragm and push with all my might, thrusting up into your chest. Your body moves with my thrust and water streams from your mouth and nose. I thrust again, clasped hands moving down and up against your abdomen and under your ribs. More water and mucous gushes out, your body jerking involuntarily. I roll you onto your side quickly, hoping that jerking movement might have indicated conciousness. Unsure if this is how it's supposed to be done, but feeling desperate, I push my hands against your chest from the side, compressing your ribs and lungs. Water, mucous, and a fine foam bubbles out from your orifices. I repeat the motion until nothing else drains from your mouth, then roll you into your back.

Leaning in again, my cheek almost touches your cold, blue lips. No sound, no huff of air. I jam the pads of my index and pointer finger against your carotid, just below your jaw. Waiting, pressing deeper.

No, no, no. Jesus fuck. This can't be happening.

I unzip your coat, opening it to give me a better view of your chest through your t-shirt. Trying to remember my first aid training, I walk my fingers up your sternum to find the place above your heart, clasp my hands, and start to pump.

I have to lock my arms, finding it harder than I imagined to push your sternum to your spine. My fingers protest and I realize my hands can't be held correctly, I adjust, spreading the fingers on the bottom hand and shifting my weight over the heel of my palm. That's better. A deep, effective thrust that moves your rib cage down, muscle and cartilage creaking.

More foam flecks your lips as I work. You're so pale, your skin is tinged blue. I thrust for a count of thirty, my arms starting to tire, then lean down and, pinching your nose, seal my mouth to yours. I exhale deeply, filling your lungs, watching as your punished chest rises. Fuck. I can feel that twitch in my sex as I watch, the thought of my breath filling you -- of being inside you in a way I've never been -- it's intense. I unseal our lips and my recycled breath rushes out of your lungs and warms my skin, your chest falling. Come'on baby. I cover your mouth a second time, filling you again. You taste like the river, like dirt and iron and dying things.

This can't be the last time I'm inside you.

Can I do this? Can I save you?

More coming.

#resus writing #resus #cpr #mouth foaming

48 notes · View notes