What do you guys (and gals) find t be most fullfilling

[Dean Harris]

Just wanted to know.

Most of my patients are my coworkers, my shipmates. So helping them adds a new level to everything. You live with these people. On deployments, these are your family members, they are who you turn to.

[Dale]

Hi,

A fair number of my patients can be family for me! Or at least friends and acquaintances. And your right, it really does add a whole 'nother level to what you do. And while I think it helps to calm your patient because they are with people they know and trust. I also think it can add extra pressure on me because that person is my great-aunt, (been there done that), or my best friend, (done that too). Or my worst nightmare, my Wife or one of my daughters, (got another one that just turned 16).

But when it goes right, there is a most satisfying "high" that is hard to describe. But when it goes wrong, it's much more difficult to deal with.

dale

[Rob]

I volunteer in a small town, so at any given time the person who calls for help may be a friend or co-worker. Also, if they aren't a friend or co-worker, after the call they may become a friend. I constantly see former patients at Walmart or McDonalds, and it's a good feeling to know that maybe I played a part in their being able to be there. Additionally there's the rush; lights sirens, ECG, threading a tube directly into the vein of a human being and adding drugs directly to the blood stream which alter the way their body functions. Talk about a power rush, their heart wants to slow down, but I won't let it; or their heart wants to stop, but I won't let it. Of course, sometimes the heart wins, and that sucks, but when I win there's no bigger high. That's what I find fulfilling, helping my neighbors and friends to defeat the odds. Together, as a community, we win.