Day 306: Rejuvenated

If I could sum up my trip to Gardez in one word, the word would be "rejuvenating". For the last 7 months I've been working around the same people and have become woefully familiar with the surroundings of Camp Clark. You can only do and see so much on a base the size of a couple of football fields! I had to go somewhere, anywhere! And what better place than to visit the regional hospital that I refer Afghan Army patients to here in Eastern Afghanistan.


Here I am playing the tourist and taking the token picture in front of the sign! But, my trip was more than a relaxing getaway as I spent lots of time exploring the hospital and getting a feel for the scope of services that are offered at the hospital. Also, I spent some time with the Air Force medical mentoring team that was assigned to the hospital. I amazed to find that there was a US mentor assigned to almost every section of the hospital...laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, nursing, admin, medical warehouse, and an Emergency Room physician. I was so jealous since I have been a mentoring team of ONE!


Here is a picture of myself along with the entire Paktiya Regional Hospital mentoring team which was primarily an Air Force manned team.


Although I tried to get away from work I just had to be visiting Gardez when a pregnant Afghan woman, who was in labor and completely dilated, was evacuated to the hospital (see the medevac helo above). I was told that a case like this had rarely, if ever, came to the military hospital. Apparently, no one on the medical mentoring team was comfortable managing a laboring mom so they called me. It was nice to feel needed, but it did cut into my internet and tea time:)


Well, it had been almost a year since I had delivered a baby so I was a little nervous. This was also compounded by the fact that I was a foreign male performing obstetrical care on an Afghan woman which is not what they are accustomed to. After getting the patient settled in, I had learned that this was her 5th or 6th birth, she had no prenatal care, and her blood pressure was in the 200s! I popped the ultrasound on her and confirmed that the head was down and there was a fetal heart beat. So we started to push as I thought this baby would pop out in a jiffy...


Well I was completely wrong...a jiffy turned into 3 hours and mom was starting to get extremely tired which resulted in very weak pushes. We had no surgeons qualified to perform a C-section so to make a long story short we ended up transferring her to a civilian obstetrician in the middle of laboring! Thankfully, a healthy baby boy ended up being delivered hours later without a surgery or any other significant complications. Whoa...talk about an exciting patient care experience in Afghanistan.


Outside of that excitement, the rest of my trip was rather informative and relaxing. Here's a picture of me sitting at the top of a sandbag barrier overlooking a herd of goats grazing. It was actually very peaceful and soothing to observe. Overall, a very memorable and productive trip.

"Peace, peace, to those far and near, says the LORD. And I will heal them."
Isaiah 57:19 NIV

Day 304: Memorial Day

Today, is Memorial Day. For most, a convenient weekend for a graduation or a weekend getaway. At least that's how I used to treat it. But as a deployed servicemember, and having personally known fallen comrades, I now have an entirely different perspective on Memorial Day.


As I was exploring my new surroundings here at FOB Lightening I noticed the flag pole area which flew flags at half mast in remembrance of fallen soldiers. As we take this time to remember the ultimate sacrifice that many soldiers, sailors, and airman have made for the sake of freedom, please also remember that conflict, in this world, still exists...and still at the expense of American lives even today. Also, recall that sin remains in existence today, and although the result of sin is eternal separation from God we have been blessed with the sacrifice of Christ and freedom from sin. I only ask that you continue to cherish and value the freedom that has been given to you at such a costly price.

"All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

Day 303: Getaway

I am so excited! After almost 8 months of being on a small base around the same 150 people, who wouldn't go a little stir crazy? I decided to plan my own little "vacation" to FOB Lightening in the community of Gardez about 20 minutes, by Chinook helicopter, West of where I am located on Camp Clark. So much for a getaway right? Going from one place in Afghanistan to another...this is where a little imagination can go a long way!

Scenes from the Ride to Gardez

Gardez is where our regional headquarters is located, and where other Medical Embedded Training Team (ETT) members are planning to meet and talk about the current state of our medical mentoring mission. I also plan to visit the Paktiya Regional Hospital here in Gardez which is where I refer many of my Afghan Army soldiers for treatment. The problem is that I have no idea what their capabilities are which is always a good thing to know. I hope this trip ends up being both pleasurable and productive...Inshallah!

Day 302: Low Op Tempo

Being deployed, we often forget what day of the week it is since most days are filled with the same routine. Here on Camp Clark, we look forward to "low op tempo Fridays" as this is when Afghans take the day off which means we take the day off as well! Throughout this deployment I've used my Fridays to catch up on reading, continuing medical education, cleaning my room, working out, watching a movie, doing laundry, and all the other things that I don't get to finish during the week. Well today, I had so much free time that I decided to hang out with my shopkeeper friends in the bazaar adjacent to our base.

The Tailor, Steve, and AJ

Hanging Out with AJ, Saddiq, and the tailor

Talk about a relaxing day. I'm really not used to having absolutely nothing to do, but I have been slowly finding myself bored silly at times. Well, I'll take all the "low op tempo days" I can get!

Day 295: So In Love With You

It was five years ago today, that I sang to my beautiful bride as she walked down the aisle the words to this song...

You are to me, what poetry tries to say with a word
You are the song, all the music my heart ever heard
I can't escape, for the air that I breathe even speaks of you
And I'm not ashamed to say, that I feel this way

Words can't express, what I confess with each beat of my heart
And I'm overwhelmed, with the passion I've felt from the star
Our love will grow, as the years come and go I'll remain by your side
And there isn't anything that I would deny

I will stand before God, give you all that I've got
I will promise you, I'll be true
I'll reveal here and now as we both take this vow
That I am so in love with you!

And 5 years, 2 children, and 1 painful deployment later...I can honestly say that I have found the woman that I was meant to spend the rest of my life with, and I can still say that I am truly "so in love with you!". These last 10 months have reminded me just how precious her presence has meant to me, and how blessed I am to have her in my life. Thank you Gemma for the friend, mother, and companion that you are. I love you!

The Proposal at the LLUSM Talent Show 2003


5 Years of being blessed!


I'll be home soon!

"...I have found the one my heart loves."
Song of Solomon 3:4

Day 293: Finally

Part of being a medical mentor to the Afghan Army involves helping them obtain the equipment and supplies they need to fulfill their medical mission. Since arriving here I've shared my trials and triumphs that have come from working with this unique culture. One of the bullets on my "Things-To-Do" list for the Afghan National Army was to get their state-of-the-art X-ray machine up and running again. Apparently, this was a gift from the US military...unfortunately a gift that would prove to be extremely high maintenance. It has been close to over a year since this thing has been working. Here are some of the problems I have had to deal with:

1. This piece of machinery is well ahead of their time as I am still working on getting them to use simple technology like thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and stethescopes...what in the world are they going to do with an X-ray suite.

2. No one thought of the difficulty in maintaining this machine as there are only a handful of contractors who can service it in the whole country.

3. No contractor wants to come down here because Khowst Province is way too dangerous. I have heard every excuse in the book..."we can't get a flight", "we didn't know there was a machine there", "my travel visa is expired", "oh my ID is expired", "the weather is bad", "the clinic is not on our map", "our schedule is full", "let me check my schedule", eventually all I heard was "blah blah blah blah blah". Kinda like that teacher on Charlie Brown..."wuah wuah wuah wuah wuah!"

Finally Fixed!

Well after over 6 months of e-mails, phone calls, and literally begging for someone to come down here...the contractor FINALLY made it! I think the contractors drew straws to see who would make the trip here. What a lesson in patience!

"The end of a matter is better than its beginning
and patience is better than pride."
Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV

Day 289: Mom

A Biblical Portrayal of a Godly Woman: Mom

"An excellent wife/mother, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband/son trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.


She girds herself with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
She extends her hands to the poor,
and she stretches her hands to the needy.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she smiles at the future.


She opens her mouth in wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.


Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also,
and he praises her saying: 'Many daughters have done nobly,
but you excel them all!'


Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord,
she shall be praised!" Proverbs 31:10-13, 17, 20, 25-30 NASB

This is to all the Mothers in my life...Happy Mother's Day! I love you.

Day 284: Cinco De Mayo

While deployed, we find ways to keep ourselves either busy or entertained. We workout, watch movies, play sports, video games, and celebrate every holiday possible. In celebration of the most festive May holiday ever, Cinco De Mayo, we put together yet another 5K race! Here are some facts regarding Cinco De Mayo and some fun pictures themed to this Mexican holiday.

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin. The outnumbered Mexicans defeated a much better-equipped French army that had not been defeated in almost 50 years.

While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day which actually is September 16 the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

Love the Sombrero

Man I'm Beat!


Why Not Celebrate With Fellow Afghans...Good Times!

Day 280: Fellowship

Afghans are very welcoming and enjoy playing the role host from time to time. In celebration of being in country over 6 months, we decided to have a party with my Afghan Army medics and interpreters. Nothing elaborate...just a combination of good food, hanging out, and learning the Afghanistan National Dance. A simple evening really. Here are some shots of our festive fellowship evening. You might see some military folks blending in with the local population...

Where There is Time for War, There is Still Time for a Party!

Petty Officer Mitchell Dancing in His New Man Jammies

Smile!

Around the 6-month mark, people tend to hit a new low when it comes to morale. Perhaps it's homesickness, being cooped up on a small base, boredom, or fear. I thought it was a myth when someone told me about the "6-month syndrome", but you know...it's for real and it happens to the best of us. Please continue to pray for the soldiers, airman, and sailors who are out here, out of their comfort zone, away from their loved ones, and often in harms way.

"And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24,25 KJV