I am absolutely and completely exhausted. Not just tired, but exhausted. I sometimes am this way – I never, ever admit it. So for me to make note of this now means that the two ends of the candles that have been burning at both ends are nearly touching.

I have given this EMT class that I’ve been taking my all. I did not study at Thanksgiving when my sister Eleanor was here. The break may have done me good. But I had been studying for the final multiple choice exam for some time, and the practical since the beginning of the semester.

As of tonight, I am done, done, done. I could look at a few videos, but I think that at this point, it would be best for me to spend the remaining two hours just chilling.

Today we did a run through with those in the Mat-Su College Paramedic program. This was at 10 a.m. this morning. The head paramedic explained how the exam would go, and that the student paramedics would be our proctors. I was so nervous in hearing this that I thought about running out of the room and saying I had had enough.

As it turned out, the paramedics were very helpful and provided insights and observations that will come in handy tomorrow. We’ll have five mandatory exams and then one random exam, chosen from three other practical tests.

Judy reading the the VCRS wecome booth

I must say, Pete was there with me today, in spirit and in person. He was the patient for the spinal assessment – essentially, the spinal practical exam is one in which the student “packages” the patient for transport on a spine board. It’s a little tricky –you have to remember a half-dozen things. However, it’s my favorite because it’s so straightforward.

Pete was packaged up five or so times, and after, he provided me with some particulars. Now tomorrow he is going in with me and will an exam patient. He will need to be there at 7:45 a.m., and I will need to be there at 8:30 a.m. All I can now think is that this is going to be an even bigger challenge than our having to be there by 10 a.m. We’ll go to bed early tonight.

Long time readers of these dispatches may have noticed a subtext, which is that over the years Pete has been supportive of all my on the wall and off the wall endeavors. Yes, the list goes well back before 2012 when I started writing these accounts.

El (sister) remarked at Thanksgiving that we are a team. When she said this, I think I looked dubious because Pete and I were going back and forth about whether or not we should purchase a beater or a new car. We finally put our weight into the traces and decided to wait until. Additionally, this newer vehicle will be spared a winter’s wear and tear.

Looking forward to waking up Sunday and having this exam behind me.

Next: 345. 12/14/19: The Harder they Fall