Yep … Passenger

September 7, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
12 Comments

So how did I get here? Sitting in a room in the emergency department of Fremantle Hospital at 5:30 a.m. on a Friday, tapping out this stream of consciousness, or perhaps I should say semi-conciousness.

Thursday had its ups and downs. My rear dérailleur cable snapped on the way to work, presenting challenges of its own, but thanks to a very accomplished bike mechanic the bike was fixed in time to give me a great ride home.

Once I got home life was pretty normal. That was until we got the call. Our daughter, Emily, was experiencing sharp pains and needed to be picked up from her part time job. Pauline headed out to get her and soon realised this was more than a tummy ache. After dropping home so that Emily couple change they headed out again to the after hours GP. The doctor suspected appendicitis so we all headed for Armadale Hospital where we waited about three hours for Emily to be seen by a doctor. After some initial treatment it was suggested we drive Emily to Fremantle where she could be seen by a surgeon.

That was many hours ago. Emily has been looked after very well by some lovely staff but the surgeon has had to go to theatre so we’re waiting again. Thankfully Emily’s now quite comfortable but Pauline and I could do with a bed and some sleep … and for that matter the dinner we missed out on last night.

Seeing an emergency department go about their business in the wee small hours is quite an experience. Doctors, nurses and support staff all go about their business, never knowing what the next moment will bring.

Just a short while ago a patient was wheeled past the room where Emily is resting. The patient was in a bed surrounded by medical staff, blood across their face. I caught just a snatch of the conversation as they passed. “Yep, passenger.” The victim of a road accident no doubt. Right now there are two police officers exchanging information on a crash with the emergency department staff.

There’s a lot of waiting for us here this morning but there’s also a sense that our girl is in very good, caring hands. Hands that will be called upon to patch up people from a variety of circumstances. I’ve only caught a snapshot of what goes on here but it’s enough to give me great respect for those who day after day care for those who come through the door marked ‘EMERGENCY’.



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Christchurch Earthquake Update

February 26, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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Several days on from the massive quake which has caused so much destruction in Christchurch, I took the opportunity yesterday to update my radio listeners on what was happening in New Zealand.

Tuesday’s 6.3 magnitude tremor is the largest of many aftershocks from the 7.1 magnitude quake in the same area on the 4th of September last year.

At this time 123 people are confirmed dead with 200 still missing and many hundreds injured.

Allan Lee is Director of News and Current Affairs for Rhema Broadcasting Group in New Zealand. He joined me live during my program on 98.5 Sonshine FM the day after the quake as he headed by road to Christchurch. I spoke to Allan again yesterday and he updated me with details from the last couple of days.

Since we last spoke Allan had been into the city of Christchurch and witnessed the devastation as well as travelling through the suburbs and finding out how the people of the area are coping.

You can hear our discussion by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

I also asked Allan how we should be praying for those caught in the tragic events. He reminded us that while the physical needs are being attended to as quickly as possible, the emotional scars will take many years to heal.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/MOR250211_1401.mp3]

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Rescue and Recovery continues in Christchurch

February 23, 2011
by Rodney Olsen
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A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand following the devastating earthquake that rocked the area surrounding Christchurch yesterday. Horrific images have been beamed into our lounge rooms as the rescue and recovery efforts continue.

Yesterday’s 6.1 magnitude tremor is the largest of many aftershocks from the 7.1 magnitude quake in the same area on the 4th of September last year. At this time 75 people are confirmed dead with 300 missing and many hundreds injured.

Allan Lee is Director of News and Current Affairs for Rhema Broadcasting Group in New Zealand. He joined me live during my program on 98.5 Sonshine FM this morning as he headed by road to Christchurch.

We talked about the feeling in New Zealand today as people continue to come to terms with the tragedy and the dangerous rescue efforts as aftershocks continue to shake buildings that are already on the brink of collapse.

You can hear our discussion by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

I also asked Allan how we should be praying for those caught in the tragic events. He reminds us that while the physical needs are being attended to as quickly as possible, the emotional scars will take many years to heal.

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/MOR230211_1128.mp3]

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Can you take a hint?

July 9, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
7 Comments

Do you know when you’ve stayed too long and it’s time to leave?

Have you ever had guests visit who don’t seem to get the hint?

I heard a day or so back that a German woman had to call emergency services to rescue her after a friend dropped in at her apartment then talked for thirty hours straight. I can’t even stay awake for thirty hours but apparently this lady’s guest just rambled on about personal problems and became increasingly intoxicated.

The 48 year old lady dialled the emergency hotline after many failed attempts at encouraging her guest to leave. She didn’t know what else to do but to call an ambulance.

When the paramedics refused to carry the guest out of her apartment, the woman called the police. Thankfully they picked up the friend and drove her home.

I hope if I ever outstay my welcome when visiting a friend that I take the hint.

There are times when we have to let a friend disrupt our life so that we can hear what’s going on in theirs. We need to be open to hearing their pain and to journeying with them during the dark times but there comes a point where we need to say, ‘enough’. Helping someone in their time of need may inconvenience us and we may need to rearrange our plans now and then, but if we’re to be of any use to those we’re seeking to help, we need to create boundaries.

If I need to stay up all night to help a friend through a dark time, that’s one thing, but thirty hours straight is of no use to anyone.

Are you able to set boundaries that help you and others?

If you’re just on a social visit with friends, how do you decide when it’s time to go?

Have you had friends stay far too late and how did you let them know it was time to go? I heard of a guy who used to just get up and go to bed if his guests stayed too long. Probably not the most subtle or sensitive way to get the message across.

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Just click on the comments link of this post and have your say.



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