Few and Far Between

Due to some suspicions from our command, its been in my best interest to not post any more, if very few, blog posts. Seems as though as the end draws near the rules are being bent in some people's opinions. I have removed some context in my blogs as to respect these rules and not tamper with the potential of further reprimand. Personally I had thought my blog was very benign, but I would much rather error on the side of too safe and sure.

I will post a few picks as I can, but more than likely most will be towards the end of the tour after I leave. Rumor has it a few more weeks, but I am in no big rush. As I have said before its been a great challenge and rewarding experience here.

On a good note, I am looking forward to a 7 night cruise with my Mom in September from Venice to Croatia and the Greek Isles. Should be a great time and I look forward to seeing family soon!

And as I have wrote in an e-mail; we move into tents soon and the time has come for no more packages please! The letter, e-mails, care packages and support has been overwhelming at times and I thank everyone who sent things!!! It was always like Christmas to get a care package or letter :)

Until next time, Ciao Ciao!

En Shalla

En Shalla is a term that the Afganni's use often as a way to say "its Gods will". They say this about life, death and work ethic! Its becoming our motto a bit as well at work as we've had an increase in severity of injuries and decrease in survivability from these catastrophic, as we call them, injuries. I am not numb to the deaths, but they are all becoming too familiar of a process. We do all we can to help out the young men who come in, as their medics have in the field as well, but sometimes "its God's will" to take them all too soon.

On a happier note, one of my favorite corspman (and the one who teases me the most) HM2 Jones, became a father. I was honored to raise the flag to fly on the day of his son's birth, and in true fashion- rocking the grass skirt, as it was also the day of our latest party. This month's theme was Hawaiian luau to include local goats, chickens and na'an bread. Although we did have to retire the pool (it blew a hole), it was another successful MWR endeavor.
Raising the Flag on the 16th
HM2 Jones, Myself, CAPT Lucha and LCDR Burns, the party planners

The US Navy and military in general, is extremely strict on uniform guidance while back home and here in theater. This includes only official Navy PT gear, with a glow belt (otherwise you get a ticket....yes a flippin ticket), and you can sit in the sun, however no rolling of the sleeves or shorts or you may cause the whole group to have to wear the very warm and thick Desert Cammie Uniform we wear at work. As we live in NATO barracks, there are other nations with other rules for clothing and thus explains the next picture. You might think these gentleman were on a beach in Europe if they weren't lying on rocks with barb wire fences within feet. Now, these aren't the good looking buff guys you want to look at. In true Euro fashion, they are fat, hairy and wear inappropriate swimsuits. Ick! This is the view from the stairs;

Until next time...with just 5 weeks to go, En Shalla and Ciao Ciao :)

Time sweet Time

Congratulations Julie and Joe!

Congratulations to my cousin Julie and Joe who just got married this past weekend. Though of course I could not be there, she made a true to life cut out of myself and brought it around. "Cardboard Stacy" got down and drank too much so I am told :) Thanks Jules; it was a special surprise for my absence. Thank goodness for skype as well, it made the ability to see and talk to her while she got ready. Which in turn made me sadder since I was missing, but it was priceless to be there for a part of her big day.

The clock is ticking! Our replacements have checked into processing this past week and they are due to arrive by mid August! This means I should be leaving by the end of next month. Time has really flown by, and I have enjoyed my time, but as the tempo has increased and injuries become much more severe, I will surely be ready to turn over to the next group of fresh energized folk.

Part of what we do around here to keep ourselves sane and entertained is to have people send things to break it up. For the 4th we had silly glasses, stickers, ribbon and garb, and this past week one of my friends, Cayce, who is stationed in Japan had her friend send her Kimono's, so a few of us sat outside and entertained ourselves and some of our colleagues I am sure got some good laughs too :)

Breaking the Monotony

Well until next time, take care, hope you are all enjoying the summer fun and heat (its still well over 115 every day here). Ciao Ciao!

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!!