Happy 4th of July!

Corey and I

Happy 4th of July!!! Well this year I am missing the annual Syrstad Cornhole tournament (which my father annihilates all other competitors time and time again)...its not the first year to miss, but its the most bittersweet 4th of July being here. When I think of the National Anthem as it was sang this morning before the 10k, I couldn't help but hope NOT to have “the rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air” today on America’s birthday. The Taliban seems to love our American and Christian Holidays and thus far, as of 11:43 am, they are behaving themselves. We all brace for the busy day that could still become and pray for the safe missions of our men and women doing the tough jobs out past the wire.
Corey, Tim, Franchi, Kelly, Me, CAPT Lucha

So I ran my first race in many, many months this morning. A 10K hosted by the Army’s 43rd Sustainment Brigade. It was an impressive turn out of over 850 people and it was a very motivating start to the day at a bright and early 0515! It was different to run a race with tanks and humvees driving next to and past us, but all in all it was a great time with some of my awesome co-workers from the hospital. When I got to work it was time to fly the 75+ flags we sold for MWR bragging the rights of being flown over Kandahar Air Field on the 4th. Thanks to over 15 volunteers, we folded these flags in short order and with great pride.
HM1 Barb Mayer and HM3 Roger Nottingham (my new coprsman)

My new trauma team and I started to work together for the first time on the first of July and we sure have had a run for our money. Many of the things I hadn’t seen before came through our door, all in all, it was a great learning experience for my corpsman (Barb and Roger) and our new doctor (Shane). The 34 patients we had come through trauma in just 24 hours was a record for our facility and surely for all personnel. With this new team I also had my 2 of my 3 total deaths in the trauma bay since I have been here. It lightens the emotion knowing they were both “bad guys”. We pay the same cultural respect at the time of death regardless, but a death certificate is something that is becoming all to familiar.

Enjoy your beer's and say a little prayer for all those soliders, sailors and marines who have, and continue to risk it all for our homestead we call the USA :)

Ciao Ciao till next time :)

7 Dollars

7 Dollars...doesn't seem like much, but it was I paid for a haircut last week. Any female that does not live or work in a 3rd world country knows that a 7 dollar haircut is scary! In a bad, bad way. I swear the Romanian contractor hair lady was about to give me a mullet before I firmly said NO several times and she got a better English speaking woman to come over. This after waiting along with 20 other people, all men of course, in line as they quickly shaved, cut and moved on to the next. Much like an assembly line of sorts. All I will say is that though I paid 7 dollars, I will never have to pay that EVER again and it did get rid of my dead ends. No style, shape, etc...



The NA Beer for the Pool Party

Quite the experiences here in Kandahar. Some days I forget that I am here, in Afghanistan. It seems strange maybe, but its easy when I live in "college dorm" style room and work in a "real" brick hospital. I am quickly reminded when I step outside in the oven-like heat and head back to the hospital for a new trauma patient, most recently lots of amputations (or they just stick in my head a bit more). I have been reading many of my co-workers blogs and what they tell their families. Mine is much different and when I get home, my family can read theirs and maybe it will all be put into a better perspective of why I am most often optimistic and simply venting about the latest in leadership frustrations instead of the day to day.

On a more uplifting perspective, we had a pool party last week. This was a huge shocker for us as our Chain of Command (bosses) are EXTREMELY strict about what we can/can't do, wear, etc...So it was a HUGE morale booster for us all. As one of the MWR members, it was a great feeling to see so many smiles and hear so many laughs.


A new group arrived this past week, so the light seems to be getting more vivid for us all! We have now seen at least 2 groups of Dutch medical folk, as well as 3 Canadian groups rotate in and out, so its about time we get some fresh American blood that we know are lessening our load. With that, we are going to 5 trauma teams. Though I have worked with an amazing group on my team, I am super excited for a fresh start with one of the new ER doctors and new corpsman. Clean, fresh start! With this I will be the senior nurse, an excellent opportunity for leadership within a small group and I look forward to the challenges and education opportunity it brings.

I hope this note finds everyone back in the US doing well, in good health and humor. Lord knows I can use it! Ciao Ciao!

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

I love you!

Happy Fathers day to all who are both near and far from their loved ones and kiddos alike. Especially those serving the country away from friends and families.

Pickin Up Tempo

HAPPY 60th Birthday MOM!!!!

I love you!!!!

(well technically tomorrow, you don't look a day over 35 ; )

From time to time I get letters from distant family friends. 99.9% of the time I appreciate these letters as they distract me from what I see most days. I will just remind those that yes, of course there is more to the story and of the situations I see everyday, but now is not the time to speak of those things. So please keep the positive, day to day happenings coming my way :) And I will keep my stress relievers here in place; hockey, volleyball, cricket and great friends :)

My teammates and I enjoying a Timmy Ho's (Tim Horton's) awaiting our next Trauma

Things are picking up tempo big time! Anyone can watch the news and see that its been a happening month in Afghanistan for June. Anytime you see that, you can expect that the hospital is busy as well. Doing what we do best, and reminding those that cross our beds that they are in the best place for the best care possible.

Hard to believe that 1 year ago I was moving from California to Italy, when I first started this blog! My how time has flown by!! I sure didn't think the time would pass so quickly and that I would be here already, but in 1 more quick year I will be back to the states. Location still to be decided. Though I should be talking with my detailer very soon about a new set of orders. I am still on the fence of staying active or going reserves...tough decisions!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and be sure to have a cold brew or two for me ;)

Ciao Ciao!!

"Are You Hot?"

There are many times in my nursing career where I have laughed, smiled and joked with my patients and being in Afghanistan has not changed that one bit. The other day a young Soldier came into the bay with his leg traumatically tangled and twisted (later to be amputated) by an IED. My usual spiel includes "my name is Stacy, I am one of your nurses...there is going to be a lot going on for a while here, but be patient and we'll keep you updated as we go...blah, blah, blah" Well this young guy was covered in mud and dirt from head to toe which left him not able to open his eyes and his only question was "Are you hot?" I just laughed and moved along, but its the times like that in the Trauma Bay that leave me smiling and realizing how rewarding this whole experience is. And even in the worse of situations to the average person back in the states, is still another day of an important role we play here. Despite all the BS and bickering, its all worth it in the end. So again I say to my family; don't worry about me! Worry about the guys who are patrolling in uncharted territory and cross the wire on a daily basis. The military takes care of their Medical personal. Promise!

And what's another birthday without a little celebration in Khandahar? I turned 27 this past week and had the best a day can be out here; got to take a nice nap after being post call (in house), played some Hockey, got some Schwarmas (like gyro's) and drank some near beer with friends. What more can a girl ask for?

My ankle was coming along nicely and I even ran yesterday, almost 2 miles without pain...until today when I played soccer without my brace. Big mistake. I cranked it pretty hard and I won't be playing sports for another few weeks now. If I wasn't so stubborn it would be easier :)

Until next time, ciao ciao!!

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!