The Story of My Trip to the Grand Canyon - Essay Example

TRIP TO GRAND CANYON Introduction: The work schedule of a pharmacy technician can be downright hectic, like walking through eight floors of the hospital everyday to administer the doctor-prescribed medicines. Added to this is the constant need to stay vigilant, lest the wrong medicines or dosages are inadvertently given to the patient. The job can be quite stressful and the long hours tiresome, which is why I eagerly looked forward to the Grand Canyon trip we had planned for such a long time – I, Vicky my girlfriend, Dad and his girlfriend Charlie. Little did I know then that after that trip, I will never again take for granted the value of acting on a hunch – just in case what I take to be a hunch is really something more. Thesis: I will never take for granted again the value of a hunch. Outline: I. Preparing for the trip A. The route and destinations planned. B. Packed food, clothing, money C. Packed some medication. II. The Trip A. Description of beautiful scenery. B. Allergic customer. C. Panic wife. III. Saving a life A. Recognizing the symptoms of a severe allergy attack. B. Remembering the medication and administering it C. The recovery D. Reflection TRIP TO THE GRAND CANYON The work of a pharmacy technician can be downright hectic, like walking through eight floors of the hospital everyday to administer the doctor-prescribed medicines. The job can be quite stressful and the long hours tiresome, which is why I eagerly looked forward to the Grand Canyon trip we had planned for such a long time – I, Vicky my girlfriend, Dad and his girlfriend Charlie. Little did I know then that after that trip, I will never again take for granted the value of acting on a hunch – just in case it turned out to be really something more. The trip started out just like any other. We were sure to bring the essentials: money, clothing, and lots of food. I also packed the necessary medications – aspirin, anti-diarrheal, and anti-allergy pills, bandages and iodine, the usual first aid kit. Then my professional mindset took the better of me, and I tossed in some epinephrine (anti-allergy injectables, not the usual first aid.) Vicky raised a shapely eyebrow when she saw the syringes. “That’s not something we might get arrested for, I hope.” Such sweet sarcasm. I give her a wry smile. “Relax, these are non-narcotic. Besides,” I smugly wink, “I’ve got a license.” We journeyed through some breathtaking scenery. The Grand Canyon was simply spectacular. We paused to take in its magnificence, and I marvelled at the Hand that created such a masterpiece. Simply breathtaking. We stopped at the next diner. The delectable smell of all-beef goodness permeated the interior. We gave our orders to a waitress, and settled down to await our meal. Just then, a shrill scream. I turned about to see an elderly woman, trying to support an elderly man, who had suddenly turned rigid. “PLEASE, help us! My husband is allergic to nuts and he had some pie! Please, is there a doctor here?” the woman wailed. The cabin fell silent. No doctor here, but how about someone who knows his medications? A light bulb switched on in my head. Better yet, how about someone who has the medication? I sprang to my feet and made a beeline for the car. I rummaged through the trunk and found my little bag of magical potions, then hurried back. The patient was well into anaphylactic shock, and there was no time to lose if he was to live. I took out one of the tiny vials, plunged the needle of a sterile syringe into it, and drew out the appropriate dose. My hands must have been trembling, but Vicky told me later that I appeared completely calm and in control as I expertly sought out the vein in the man’s arm, glided the needle in, and depressed the plunger. I anxiously looked for signs of any improvement. Slowly, the labored breathing relaxed and the swelling abated. Before long, Bob’s – that’s the patient’s name – Bob’s eyes fluttered open, and he stared at his wife, Elaine, then at me, and mouthed a barely audible “Thank you!” We helped him to a more comfortable chair, where he drifted off to a deep sleep (the unavoidable side effect of epinephrine). After the excitement had died down, we returned to our meal, but I, still adrenaline charged, hardly found the appetite. Dad gave me a proud clap on the back while Charlie told me I was a true-blue hero, to which I modestly replied, “It was nothing.” Deep inside, though, I knew it was something – something truly remarkable. As if the Hand that had created the Grand Canyon had also guided me to bring the epinephrine along, and to be in the exact place at the exact time it would be needed. As we got up to leave, Elaine came over. “How can we ever repay you, young man?” Elaine’s quivering voice expressed her gratitude more movingly than the words themselves conveyed. A wave of relief and elation washed over me as I realized that this kindly woman would still share some good years with the man she loves. “Just take good care of each other,” I said. I gave her my card in case their doctor wanted to know what happened. As I maneuvered the car back onto the road, I noticed Vicky beside me giving me that quizzical look, something between utter amazement and total disbelief. Feeling the blood rush to my cheeks, I said, “What?” “Nothing. You reminded me of someone.” “Who? Hugh Laurie in House?” I kid, of course. She shook her head. “I’d say, more like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.” Huh. As we eased onto the main highway, I sat a bit taller, let my hair toss in the wind and attempted a sideways glance ala Cruise. Vicky didn’t seem to notice, but she settled a bit closer, and, ever so lightly, rested her head against my heroic shoulder. [WORDCOUNT = 800, excluding title] Read More