image of the fx

Baby steps

Hey all, believe it or not, this is the first day that I have been in the OT (Operating Theater...aka OR) since arriving in Afghanistan. My patient is an ANA soldier with Femur, TibFib, and Ankle Fx. They (ANA Docs) have been sitting on this gut for days, and finally decided to operate on him today. I'm not going to go into ANY detail about this procedure. Lets just say that as THE OR mentor...I HAVE MY WORK CUT OUT FOR ME!!!!! My teachings will be starting with the very basics i.e. aseptic technique. During the entire procedure, I had to keep reminding myself where I was, and why I was there. I literally have Two pages of notes (front and back) of subjects that need to be addressed. One of my plans is to have a mock surgery (with my team) to demonstrate how "it should be done". My interpreter believes that is a good start because they will understand better by watching rather than verbal explanation via translation. Patient positioning, prepping, and draping is all I plan to cover during our first demonstration. I can hear the mentor that I replaced in my head....baby steps mike...baby steps

Merry Christmas

Hello,and Merry Christmas from Herat. It all came and went without a hitch. The DFAC (galley in navy terms), or cafeteria for everyone else, had a very nice Christmas dinner. Pretty much everything you can imagine for a festive meal. They even had Christmas music playing...a Christmas tree in the middle, and tons of packages for everyone to pick up on the way out. It is amazing how much love and support people back home send us. The amount of mail that is addressed "to any service member" is overwhelming. So...We thank you very much. It was  a beautiful day. mid 50's and clear as a bell. The mountains were beautiful. Although very different here compared to Bagram.  Not as high. so no snow. Toured the ANA hospital today. Went on grand rounds with many of the ANA Docs and my terp. Saw a lot of pt's. Most of them othopedic pt's. and mostly leg fractures from being hit by cars. A few pt's with battle wounds (gsw, and land mines). Fortunately, only one child in the bunch. Met with head of each department, and the Commander of the hospital. He is a very nice man with a great sense of humor. I thought they would be all serious and medical like...but they are really fun, love to tell jokes and pick on each other. We went to the Bazaar after our visit, and they had and Afghan band and dancers putting on a show for us. Very different, but very entertaining. I love the music. The stars were so many and bright tonight...I felt like I was in Northern Michigan. I haven't seen stars in the sky since landing in Afghanistan. Tomorrow is an Afghan holiday...so no work for us, I'll wander around and get some pics to post...until then...have a great day.

mountains

The mountains actually looked better in person...not real impressed with the photo...i have a ton of them though...will post more pics soon

old afghan fort

Notice the white rocks? this is how they mark UXO (unexploded ordinance...aka landmines)

pics

Space A

So...I know you all are getting tired of me still being Bagram...but I have story. We were told yesterday that we had a flight. Our LNO said she would pick us up that night for a 0300 role call. At 0400, we were told there was 1 seat available...so we put our LT on the plane, and proceeded back to the hootch at around 0630. Can you say up ALL night? At around 0800, I thought I heard his voice...turns out, it was. After sitting on the plane for a little over an hour...the flight was canceled. So...here we are...STILL in Bagram. Not all that bad though...the Navy's Christmas party was tonight. Good band, good food, good times...I even won a nice coffee mug with a gift card stuck inside it. btw...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

working on blog issues

hey all, according to Wendy, my clock and weather gadgets are not showing Afghan info. It's hard for me to tell, because it shows correct on my end...until i can figure out how to fix it...if you click on edit next to New York...you can type in Herat, Afghanistan and the correct info will show. Still working on the clock situation...until then...i am 9 1/2 hours ahead of EST. Sorry for mess...i'll get it together ASAP. Meanwhile, the 5 of us on my team are still in Bagram, patiently waiting for a flight to Herat... Got to enjoy a local Bazzar today with all local Afghan merchandise. rugs, furs, jewlery, woodwork, linens, etc... too much to describe all...very neat stuff. Have a great day...mike

still almost there

hey all,

d/t the weather...i'm still in Bagram. Starting to get used to tent living. Tonight is a big USO night on base. Live at the "clamshell" there will be a couple of comedians (Dave Atell is one of them), Anna Kournikova (sp) will also be here for an appearance, and Hanna Montana's dad (Billy Ray Cyrus) will headline the event. Gonna try to get his autograph for my girls. They're HM fans. Other than that...still hangin' out in the stan, waiting for a flight, and taking alot of pictures. I'll post them when I get a chance...Take care...Mike

almost there

hey folks...sorry for the delay in posting anything...finally found an isp in english. anyway...arrived in afghanistan this morning...still not at final destination yet. the weather here makes travel pretty difficult. the past few days have really been a whirlwind, but has been an experience that i'll never forget. the mountains here are so incredibly beautiful and massive. they are covered in snow, and there are times when you really have to look closely to see if what you are looking at is the top of the mountains...or clouds. never seen anything like it. but knowing who lives up there, reminds me of why i'm here. time's up...i'll post again when i get a chance...have a great day

departed today

Hello all,

Started trek today. Travel started nine hours earlier than planned due to the first snowfall in 14 years. got to the airport in Alexandria around 1400, left at 0330 for Maine. I am now sitting in Shannon, Ireland waiting for the next leg of travel. Should be in Kuwait by Sunday. Have a great day...I'll post again as soon as possible.