Bearing Witness

Not every call that sticks with you is traumatic or symbolic. Some stick with you because they are deeply, profoundly stupid.

The past two days had been filled with high priority, stressful calls. The type that I have to remind myself to relax my shoulders after. Then I answered a call from a woman reporting that her friend had put two gerbils in his rectum.

Yes, you read that correctly.

He had purchased them from a pet store earlier that day. He put them inside his body without realizing he was allergic to them. He then began having a full anaphylactic reaction while they were still stuck inside him. Facial swelling. Throat closing. The whole nine yards.

Despite the circumstances, this was still a medical emergency. I kept my voice nonjudgmental. I asked my questions. Help was sent.

After that, it was out of my hands. And hopefully out of his rectum.