Update

So I made an oops in the last posting; my address is incorrect (wrong zipcode), so my address should read;

LT Stacy Syrstad

Role 3 Hospital MMU

APO, AE 09355

Thanks cousin Julie for noticing. And if you make the mistake; I have received 2 boxes even with the wrong info :)

Things continue to go well here as I am now settled into a few weeks of work. As with anything in medicine and the hospital we have our busy days and our slower days, and most recently I have found my pager DOES, in fact, work in the middle of the night :) The good thing about being on call 24/7 is that when you go in your are doing something that will keep you busy, focused and giving care to someone who really needs it. The only time we get called in is when the primary, in house team, has multiple patients coming in, so its not bad at all.

Over the last 2 weeks I have seen some things I never in my life have see so far and I can just tell myself its a great feature to be able to separate yourself from patients when caring for them. Often I don't get to hear that they have a child, brother, mother, etc...and it keeps my job from being so emotionally taxing. Don't get me wrong, some things are shocking, but we tell ourselves we did a good job and its time for them to move along to the next caretaker (either the ICU, ward or the US).

The Kandahar "krud" has hit in full force and I am finally getting over my sinus infection that stuck with me for 10 days or so. The dust storms are getting stronger and apparently there is a thing called 120 days of wind that starts soon...wind here means sand everywhere! Should be interesting as already there have been days you can't walk across the street without getting sand in your teeth, nose and eyes.

Its been fun getting more settled and being able to play some hockey on the cement rink the Canadians have set up. That as well as volleyball are pretty fun breaks from the monotony :) The Stanley Cup was around for all of last week and though I saw it, didn't have a camera at those times. This week some members from the Soprano's also stopped by the hospital, Tony and Paule. I got a photo with them, though have to admit I never really watched the Sopranos.

Once again I hope this note finds everyone in good health and doing well. Thank you for all the prayers, e-mails and messages so far :)