On a Side Note...

Working in Emergency Medicine we see and experience a lot of horriffic things. We file the feelings away and do what needs to be done to take care of our patients. Car wrecks, natural disasters, trauma, and taking care of the dying are all part of our daily routine. We do what we can to keep tabs on one another. Checking up after someone runs a particularly stressful call and just being there and listening to eachother.

We see families at their worst. We comfort the grieving families and explain that we did everything that was possible to save their loved ones......and then it happens to us. Then WE are the grieving family. At work we lost one of our own. This man was a kind and compassionate individual. He came to work every morning with an excellent attitude. We all have our deamons. most of us get through them by talking to a friend or co-worker. I'm saddened and upset that this individual felt like he was trapped and succumbed to his personal deamons. I'm sad that he felt like this was the only way out. Which inevitably begs the question, could I have been a better friend? Were there earlier cries for help? Were there signs?

While I know asking "what if's" are pointless at this point. I'm spending today reflecting. Reflecting on this man's life. Reflecting on my work family. Reflecting on the way we, as human beings, treat eachother.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, but also with my co-workers that found him. Imagine going to a call expecting it to be a typical call, but finding your co-worker instead.

I hope his death serves as a lesson to us all. Hug your families tighter. Say a kind word and be available for those you work with who might be going through a rough time. You never, know, YOU could be a life saver.