General Discussion

sheshe2

(83,770 posts) Mon Jul 8, 2013, 09:29 PM Jul 2013

Run On~

Last edited Tue Jul 9, 2013, 02:31 AM - Edit history (1)

I found this wonderful article in The Improper Bostonian.

It tells the about the heart and soul of our Great State of Massachusetts.

Of Boston.

This is the story of some of our first response team after 04/15/2013. Where they were and what they were doing that day. These are only a few of the hero's, that made our city proud, our Country proud to be an Americans.

It is their spirit, determination and selfless love that helped save the fallen.

I share this with all of you who stood with Boston. Your tears, your unmitigated love and support helped us through some very dark days. In the end, you helped us heal.

Boston thanks you.

sheshe

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People did not care about themselves; they ran and did what they could to help the injured. People put others first.

Here are a few of the stories, the rest are at the link. They are beautiful.

Andersen: I worked the microphone in the medical tent “A,” which was at the finish line. I provided direction to all the volunteers and a calming voice to keep everyone focused on the patients. All I tried to do is be that calming voice.

Carr: I started Marathon Monday by lacing up my running shoes for the Boston Bruins Foundation. I finished the Marathon at 4 hours, 3 minutes, which was at 2:45 pm. Upon receiving my medal, the first bomb went off. It was a sound all too familiar. I remember just looking up to the sky and asking why. It was odd because I was telling someone what an explosion sounded like two days before. I ran back to the first bomb site. I administered and retied tourniquets, administered aid, moved people safely out of the kill zone and just did what I was trained to do. The first responders, medical staff, Boston EMS and doctors were on point that day.

Boston is full of tradition, history and heritage. When something needs to be done it doesn’t take long for the city to come together. I’m proud to be part of this city because it’s were I was born, it’s where I live, and it’s what I fight for.

Sparks: I’ve been a nurse for more than 35 years. I’ve worked in the ICU, ER and presently in the OR at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I’m also on the Disaster Medical Assistance Team, MA2-DMAT. I deployed with this team to many hurricanes, including Ivan, Katrina, Gustav and most recently Sandy. We also went to Haiti after the earthquake, where we preformed surgeries out of tents—a real M.A.S.H. unit.

snip

Not 10 minutes later, the first bomb went off. Then the next one. We were told to stay with our patients, but I texted Scott and asked him what the explosions were. Before he replied, a police officer was wheeled into the tent with a bandage around his head. The next announcement called for ER nurses and doctors to grab IV supplies and go to the finish line. I did just that. As I ran out, Jeff [Bauman] was being wheeled toward me, both his legs were gone. Next I saw a stretcher coming at me. They were performing CPR on Krystle [Campbell].

snip

There were people lying on the ground bleeding. I remember trying not to slip and fall in the blood on the ground. I was asked to start IVs and to get a defibrillator, as CPR was being given to yet another victim. I also placed bandages on open wounds and helped transport victims into ambulances and wheelchairs so they could be brought to the medical tent. As I was helping to get a victim out of Marathon Sports, someone announced that they found another device, and we needed to evacuate the area quickly. We gathered the remaining victims and hurried them back to the med tent where we continued to treat their injuries until they could be transported to the hospitals. Not having medication to treat their immeasurable pain was very difficult for me.

There are so many more stories here. They will make you weep, they will make you strong and they will give you hope.

Boston Strong~
America Strong~

http://www.improper.com/features/run-on/