Friday, May 29, 2009

Public Service Announcement

Porches are dangerous places. If you have a porch, I recommend that you stay off of it, and if you must sit out there, I recommend a bullet-proof vest. I know, I know - it looks cozy and inviting out there, in the warm summer air, but this is deceptive.

How do I know that porches are dangerous? Trauma call - it's a very educational experience. Eighty percent of the gunshot victims we see in the operating room start their tale with, "I was sitting on my porch..." So, it is reasonable to conclude that since eighty percent of operable gunshot wounds occur on the porch, you should avoid yours at all costs. Don't say I didn't warn you!

10 comments:

simple~needs said...

that is so true!! when SO was in trauma unit a couple years ago
(fell from a tree while trying to saw off branches with a chain saw- thats a whole other story) there were two guys in there waiting on a friend to come out of surgery. they said, "someone shot him while we were setting on the porch" .
that was the first hospital i had ever been in that had metal detectors at the doors too.
i guess "picking off the front porch" is an activity for some.
good grief.

Susie said...

That's really sad isn't it?!?

Terri said...

Kim and Susie, thanks for stopping by! I think one or two of them might have been sitting on their porch, but a few others failed to mention the gun and/or drugs and/or stolen property that THEY were carrying when they were shot... we're a bit skeptical, in the OR, of the porch stories! :) Still, they all get the same care!

Lisa-Maladylis said...

Very well written Terri, we got a good laugh at how your wrote that even though it's such a sad thing to have happen.

Terri said...

Lisa, it is sad, but if they're talking to us when they come to the OR, they're fine. We patch them up and they go home and sometimes we see them again a few months later. "I was just sitting on my porch..." Sigh.

Becca's Dirt said...

That is sad that our porches are not safe anymore. That is often where the family gathers and visits. Have a nice weekend.

Connie said...

HA! Well, gee, I just have a little tiny front stoop---not even much room to sit out there except down on the steps. Apparently that's a good thing!? We don't have too many drive by shootings here in my little town though, so I think I'm probably safe. Have a good weekend, Terri! :D

Jenny Carter said...

OMG! I often wonder. My computer is in the library which is in the front of the house...with a huge picture window. I often think....drive by! Uggh. Can you tell I live in the city?

Terri said...

Becca, Daisy, and Jenny - I wouldn't be too worried! Often, the real story is there was a drug deal gone bad, or something of that nature, and we find that out later when the police come by.

I guess 10+ years of doing this has left me cynical, and I forget that all of you don't have that same experience. :)

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

I was just saying how I wished I had a front porch.....