January 31, 2008

Another day has gone with nothing out of the ordinary. People in the hospital were saying today, and I couldn’t have said it any better myself, every day here is like a Monday. Another replied that being out here is like that movie Ground Hog Day.

I woke up this morning early to talk to Matt and the kids on the web cam. That didn’t work out so well so I went to the hospital to call them. It was nice being able to talk to them without a lag. I took care of lots of patients today. Extubated 2 Afghans, sent two to the OR and just did general RT patient care with the rest. Suctioned a whole lot of ppl and even put a few on much needed treatments. I also took one off the vent and had him last all day on the trach collar with no problems. The only thing that broke my heart was the little boy I have on the vent. He went today to get his leg amputated in the OR. Found out that his dad died and his step mom can’t support the family so as the oldest male, a ten year old, he had to do the work to support the family. His work consisted of selling things to people on the street. Unfortunately he got caught in a car and was dragged for miles and in the process destroyed his abdomen area and ruined his leg. It broke my heart. Now how will his family and him survive? It’s things like helping him that make it worth while working and living the way that we do.

Good news… I finally got some laundry done. They have huge washer and dryers for us to use in the hospital but they are ALWAYS full. Everything I wear is dark except for my gym socks and it makes no sense just to do a load for 4 white socks. Needless to say, I think I will have grey socks for the rest of my deployment. LOL

After work I did the usual, walked to my hut, walked to the sowers and walked back. I am now sitting here and writing this. Oh, something somewhat exciting happened… I get called to the ER because supposedly there was a vehicle rollover with four injured and one that was critically injured. I mozy on to the ER, get my RT (respiratory therapy) stuff together and wait. When the chopper came in, it came in with one person and all he had was minor chest pain. There went the excitement for the day. Ha Ha

I guess I won’t be writing much unless you want to hear the same stuff over and over BUT I will let you know when it does change. Until then… Hasta la vista baby!

Sandy

Deployment pictures First week...

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Sandy

hello from Bagram Afghamistan.

Well finally made it here! Apparently no one was expecting me so I had to wait for 2-3 hours with months worth of stuff and 2 bags full of body armour. It's negative below zero and my little hut is not heated. Thank God for the heating blanket Matt bought me! i arrived here finally miserable, sad, sore, cold and tired with a bad need for a shower. Once I checked into the hospital I was free to get food and get my room in order. Once my tiny littlewhole was set and I was unpacked I decided I would take a nice hot shower. To my surprise the shower was cold because most of the pipes here are frozen. (I can"t wai til sprin. LOL) The only thing I had to look forward to in my shower was that at least the water was warmer than the air and I was at last clean. I finally went to bed at 7 pm only to wake up at midnight because of the time difference. With the warmth of the blanket my baby got me I managed to go back to sleeep on and off for the next four hours. At 4am I finally gave up, put on my military gym clothes an walked the fifty feet to the showers/bathrooms to pee and wash my face in the freezing cold weather. It is now 5:41 am and my next briefing is about half a mile down the road at &:30 am. I guess maybe I'll get my but to a chow tent/hut whatever they call it and get some coffee because it ill be a LONG day ahead. Tomorrow I begin 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week at the hospital. At least there I will be in my element of being a respiratory therapist. Much love to all and more to come of my adventures in Afghanistan.

Sandy

January 25, 2008

Hey guys,

Just a quick note to let you all know that I made it half way through my journey and on soon to my final destination safe and sound. I am of course, hot, miserable, exhausted and in bad need of a shower but doing well. I hope to hear from all you guys soon by either e-mail or the messenger. You can find me on either MSN or Yahoo messenger after I get settled in. Hope everyone is doing well. Well talk to you guys soon, lots of love, hugs and kisses to all.

Sandy