Opportunist

Stitchin' up

Life in Kandahar is much like groundhogs day, so there isn't too much to update on. My foot is healing well and I hope to start sports again on Monday, 3 weeks post accident. The swelling is down considerably and I no longer need Motrin, so I think I am ready. My 4 Ortho pod's at the hospital ask about it often too...but I just listen to my body and I am all good.

I like to call this True Combat Nursing; I am wearing my flak vest for a drill while we have a patient in the bay

Have gotten to do some cool stuff lately at work. The other day was an intubation (breathing tube down the throat) for a surgery with the assistance of CAPT Pizzaro, one of the anaesthetists. Then later that day I was given the opportunity to scrub in with one of the Dutch Orthopedic surgeons to remove some pieces of shrapnel from a patients arm and finger. It was surely an opportunity far out of my realm, but one I could not pass up. I had a blast, needless to say and learned to cut, stitch and maybe a few terms for surgical tools :)

Until next time...

My foot...Again

Small chip at the malleous (ankle) near the arrow

As you've all read on these blogs, I do a lot of sports here for the MWR stuff in the hospital. Every week hockey, volleyball, soccer, cricket, etc...not to mention I am just a super active person anywho...well last Monday I twisted my ankle hard enough to create a small avulsion fracture which is thankfully treated like a bad sprain. So I am rocking the black brace with green socks look while wearing my shorts :) Its pretty bad ass :) hahaha I am taking it easy for a few days, but successfully can do the eliptical and the treadmill slowly. No running or sports for a few weeks. And yes, its my same foot I broke 1 year ago and had the surgeries on. Trust me, the worst thought that went through my head was I had done that all over again. And though I really enjoy working with the various nations of nurses and doctors (being a NATO hospital and all), its challenging to have 4 Orthopedic Doctors looking at my xrays giving opinions. 1 wanted to do surgery, 2 wanted it to be cast and the last, an American, said I was fine and rest it, ice it, elevate. Simple.

The hospital is getting a bit busier these days. Its still hit or miss like back in the states, but more nights are spent awake with patients when we are "in house" than a few weeks back. The heat has backed off a bit too...but thats fine with me. 108 degrees is not comfortable in May especially. They say it gets to 140!!!

Me and Keith in the OR helping out

If anyone wants to sent anything, I could use V-8 (regular, small cans), rice cakes, rice krispie treats, and lifesaver gummies. I run through those items pretty fast as any combo of the above is sometimes a meal substitute. Or just cards and letters...the little kids letters are priceless...special thanks to Lannie's 3rd Graders at Soo Township :)

Ciao Ciao!