Testing

After a very successful day 2, day 3 was all about practice and testing. Yes, the expectation was to teach Chinese physicians ACLS in 2 and half days. I will say this before I get into detail, we did. They all passed, and passed easily.

For the first 2 days we focused on individual pieces. Day 3 was all about putting them together and being able to run any algorithm, with any change, at any time. Honestly, during the practice they proved they are much better at running codes in a classroom setting than most every paramedic, nurse or doctor I have taught back home. They are just that good. They pay attention. They study when they go home at night. They take this stuff very seriously, as we all should. Saving lives is a serious business, and they understand that concept very well. So it translated into success very easily. As instructors,  were a couple of hiccups. Nothing is perfect, well except for my bald head! PEA/asystole and the concept of finding and reversing the causes was, at times, difficult for them to grasp. They know what they are and how to fix them, but some struggled with remembering to think of them during a code. They just went through an entire class that is completely foreign through interpreters, so I can’t blame them too much! The only complaint that I had for the whole day was that I had the only room without a heater. It is very cold here. If you are below the Yellow River, which we are in Chengdu, then the government does not provide free heat. In the chance to save money, almost everywhere does not use heaters unless you ask to turn them on. My room simply did not have a heater. Dave and Paula were warm! Hosers!

We were all in great moods following the successful testing. This included all the important Chinese directors. So, to celebrate this, as well as Mark leaving, they took us out to dinner at our hotel. We had been to this restaurant before, but not like this. We were placed into a VIP room. When the food was brought out, we were told by Jesse that it is some of the finest in China. There was a lot of it. All the usual fixins’, as well as a bevy of new stuff, mostly seafood. Cooked scallops in shells were absolute heaven. Lots of raw fish, I sampled some and what I had was good. Dave specifically said he loves salmon, and has some really good ones in Oregon where he lives, but the ones he had during that meal was the best ever. Once again, the food proves to be unreal. Of course, the highlight of the dinner wasn’t just the food. We are now used to, and expect, the food to be great. The company was great. Toasting commenced, and while the Chinese drank the consummate Chinese liquor, we subsided on red wine. Good thing. Jesse said it was very smart. We were all toasted numerous times, and again none of us ended up drunk. We were issued a warning, however. There is a big banquet planned later this month, and Dr. Ho was adamant that we would be taking part in the Chinese liquor. We all politely said only wine, but Jesse ensured us that he would take care of us.

Little bit more on Jesse. It was his birthday! They presented him with a special dish, and then the cake was brought out. We all sang happy birthday to him IN ENGLISH! It really is a spectacle to seeing and hearing 15 Chinese sing happy birthday in English, especially with some being severely intoxicated! Jesse is our ‘handler’, so to speak. He takes care of anything that we need, and is in a way all of our personal interpreters. He tells us what to do and when to do it in order to raise their level of respect for us. I, or rather, we, cannot put into words just how much we appreciate his help. I don’t know where exactly Witt & Associates found this guy, but he is a huge asset.

This dinner was a huge honor for us. They have a high level of respect for what we are doing for them here, and aren’t shy about telling us this. It is extremely uplifting to know that we are delivering all that they wanted, and more. There were also gift exchanges. Trace presented them with a Native American tool that was used to bring good health and spirit to those it was used on. This signified old medicine. He also presented engraved crystal ambulances that were to signify new medicine. A very powerful and appropriate message. You definitely had to be there to understand the impact of it. After this, they presented all of us with a framed sculpture type piece. It had the heads of three figures, but during the dinner it was difficult to hear who. The short story is that they were 3 protectors of the Sichuan province long ago and are very revered here. Interesting that they were 3 of them, and 3 of us…. I don’t know if there is a correlation to be drawn, but when Jesse returns on Sunday I will find out!

At some point during all of this, Dr. Meow (again not correct spelling but how it is pronounced) became extremely drunk and went to toast Dave. Dave is a very fit individual, and I suppose Meow was curious about this. I’m not sure of the whole story, but all I know is that Meow was pulling up Dave’s’ sleeves and his shirt as well. Dave’s expression was perfect. I wish I had had my camera to capture it. They also have all decided that I am not really a Paramedic, but either a basketball player or a movie star. Curiously, they called me a white Kobe. This bald thing has advantages and disadvantages. So for the remainder of the time my name was not Nick, but ‘moobey stah’!! These guys are absolutely hilarious. Dave was also offered a permanent job as a trainer for the 120 center. Good thing for him that if he ever needs to flee the US, China will take him! Paula and I were also invited to come back anytime and that we would be well taken care of, though it seemed like it was more for Paula! They are infinitely impressed with Paula, both her teaching abilities and her ability to drink faster than they can! She has put more than one doctor to shame, and they continue to challenge her. And Paula hasn’t even been drunk yet!

For the first time in awhile, we were all done with the class and dinner at a very decent hour. So far we have been putting in 12-14 hour days and are in the middle of 15 straight. There has been fun, but it is also no cake walk. Coming here has definitely been all about work and no play. It is a shame we are salaried!