Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone. Hope you all had a nice holiday. Here is a picture of me opening my presents under our "christmas tree" in our CHU. Overall, it was kind of a sad day--I thought I was doing fine, but I had a hard time yesterday. I really missed my family. I got to Skype Brian and the kids at my mom's house, and I had sent them some gifts from Iraq, so I got to see the kids open their presents. As great as technology is, it actually made things a lot more difficult for me emotionally to see them, but not be there. But, my time here is on the downhill slide--halfway done! No more major holidays to get through here (no, the Superbowl doesn't count).
On a happier note, I got to go for a ride in an Osprey. One of the surgeons here arranged for the Marines to take a handfull of us up, and since it was my birthday, I got included. I was actually terrified, as I don't really like to fly, and I hate helicopters and little planes. We had to wear our body armor and kevlar. It was freezing that day, and we had to meet at 0530. And I just read an article about how Ospreys fall out of the sky on occasion. This is the first time they have ever been deployed in combat, by the way. I took Meclizine to prevent motion sickness, which worked, but I was a nervous wreck. Everyone said, "Once in a lifetime opportunity, so you have to go!" So, I did--and it was absolutely awesome! It was so incredible. We had so much fun.
We flew around the base for about an hour, they did test fires of the weapon, and they kept the back ramp open the whole time--yeesh! I captured some cool video clips of the flight. We did 8 or 9 touch-and-go's, and it was the greatest! (In the bottom picture, I am second on the right side. ) The Ospreys have a lot of power, and they can move. It was great. Now I can say I was on an Osprey for their maiden deployment--yea!
Well, happy holidays, everyone. Take care, keep in touch. Please keep the emails coming. Love you all...

Birthday

Well, as most of you know, yesterday was my birthday. My Chu-mates threw me a surprise party. I was completly surprised! Most of our doc's were there, and they ordered pizzas, and we had fake beer. They also got a cake sent from Germany! It was yummy! It was a very nice surprise. Thank you everyone who sent me birthday wishes--I really do appreciate it. Not a bad birthday for being so far from home. It got very cold, and windy today--well our heater went out in our CHU last night, so when we woke up, my thermometer said 52--inside. I know, still warmer than what you are all in. But it was 40 outside--brrrrr.
I Skyped the family today (that means I called them computer to computer on the webcam, so we can see eachother), at my mom's. So I have done this with Brian and the kids, but this was the first time my mom could see me, so that was fun. Technology is a great thing. It seemed like I was in my mom's kitchen today. Christmas day is "hump day", day 45 of 90. Hard to believe I am halfway there. The time has really gone by quickly. Thanks to everyone who sends me emails, cards, and stuff. Happy holidays. love you all.

lets see if it works this time......

December Sunshine

Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't posted for a while. We had a run of traumas, and we were up every night for a few nights in a row. One night we had 8 GSW's at once at about 2am. We worked on them in the ER, flew some out, and took some to the OR, where we worked into the next day. It was very sad, especially the kids, but I was happy I could be here to help them. Then I came down with a cold, and I couldn't sleep. And I have had to get some Army paperwork done and turned in. So I have rested for a few days, and went back to the gym routine today.
The first of the above pictures is the Christmas decorations we put up on our CHU. Notice the plants Brian sent me sitting on the sandbags. Very festive. We have recieved a small Christmas tree with lights, and many stockings, and other decor. Everyone is worried we gals will need a U-haul to get all this stuff we have acquired back home. The next is the main entrance to the CSH (hospital). Notice the cement T-walls that surround every building here for blast protection. The last picture was taken today, as I was soaking up the sunshine. The sky was blue and the temp was 79, it was perfect. Hard to believe it's December. Most days here are sunny and warm, and the nights are cold. I try to sit in the sun and read a book when I can. I have to say I am enjoying having other people do my laundry and cook my meals. Speaking of meals, we have more food here than we know what to do with. So thank you all who have sent me food, but please don't send more. We have to go to the gym for hours each day just to work off all this food. And thanks again to those who are feeding my family back home. It is so nice of you all to do that, and I know they have appreciated it. Brian and the kids are going to Mexico for Christmas with my folks, and I am sure they will have lots of fun.
Thanks to all who read this, and many thanks to those who write. I really love to hear from you. love to everyone, ali

Pictures

Here are some more pictures: Me in the anesthesia work room--ready for action. An Osprey landing at sunrise. And four fine females on our 6 mile hike to the top of the berm--the only elevation here, which kind of surrounds our base. More later, love to everyone. :-)

Brian's birthday

Today is Brian's birthday--happy birthday, honey. I feel bad I am not there, but he isn't coming here for my birthday, either--so I guess we are even. I miss him, and my cute boys like crazy! I keep getting packages of great comfort items from friends and loved ones--thank you all. We all get so much stuff sent to us, that we are trying to donate what we don't need for the chaplains to give out to soldiers in the field. And Tracie was right--it is really easy to gain weight here, with all the cookies and brownies we get sent to us. The OR break room is literally filled with snacks. Yummy, but dangerous. I will try to post some more pictures soon. We had a detainee in the OR, with two armed guards, and he had to be blindfolded until he was asleep--weird, huh? Thanks for writing, so I know someone is reading..........

New routines

So, here I am, doing a lot of nothing. I can't figure out why I am so busy. I am on 24h call again tomorrow, and we have an OR case to do--yeah! The internet and phones were down for a few days--they do that when a soldier becomes "an angel" here. Still going to the gym a lot, then walking to and from the dining facility--that seems to take all day. Working on CME/CEU things--we do presentations to each other a few times a week. Went to country dancing again last night. That's always fun. Usually there are only 5-6 girls there dancing, and the rest are men, mostly marines--which means I get to dance a lot. They have karaoke every Thurs night, but since I need some alcohol in me to sing in front of people, and there is none of that here...........
TTFN. Thanks again to everyone who writes, and sends me cool stuff. I really do LOVE hearing from home. I feel very far away (duh, I guess I am).

Pictures

Here are some pictures. First one is me in the OR (obviously). 2nd is the flight in on C-130, and the 3rd is our living area--trailer by my right had is girls bathroom/showers, and my left arm is over the barricades in front of our trailers. We got called into the OR last night, didn't get done until around 3am. I love it though, because that is why I am here. The helicopters are coming and going all day and night, and we had an osprey land last night. They are so loud, it sounds like they may land on our roof. I am on call for 24 tomorrow. The weather is beautiful here. I love hearing from you all, thanks to everyone who writes :-)

Turkey day

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a nice thanksgiving. It really didn't feel like turkey day here, but we ate turkey dinners and then took naps. We had more OR cases today, and then a multiple trauma situation in the ER. At least it keeps us doing something. I took some pictures of the thanksgiving festivities, but I am having trouble uploading them. The internet is very slow at times. I will be in touch.......

Made it to Iraq

I am here at Al Asad, arrived 6 days ago, and did my first OR case today (only the 3rd general case since we arrived). No traumas yet, which is good news for our soldiers. Things have really slowed down in all the hospitals over here, which is good although it makes life boring for us. There are K-9 military dogs, and if they require surgery, they get shipped to us too, and we do their anesthesia. Cool, huh? We wear military uniforms, and combat boots into the OR. We must be in full uniform and keep our weapons on at all times, which is also weird to carry guns around a hospital. I am posting some pictures--all of the above were taken in Kuwait (I think you can click on a picture to see it bigger). Iraq is not quite as desolate as Kuwait, but it's a desert. The sand here is so fine--like powdered sugar, and it never packs down. Everywhere you walk, you get a puff of dust following you, and you are always covered in dust. This is the "rainy season" which translates to possibly 3-5 days of light precipitation each month. Its dryer than Utah! It's also hot here, and we have to walk almost a mile to get to the dining facility, if you want to eat. The days are around 85+ degrees, and the nights cool off to the 40's. I have been busy getting settled in my CHU (container housing unit, aka trailer), and doing some in-processing here, and learning the computers, etc. We went through the OR to see all the supplies we have, and where everything is located. We go to the gym everyday, which is another mile walk to get there--the only thing close is the hospital, everything else is about a mile. We are having fun, we laugh alot. There are dance lessons, guitar lessons, karaoke night, and tons of stuff to do, and of course lots of walking. It's definitely a different life here. I will keep you all updated. Thanks again for reading and commenting. love you all........

Life at Camp Buehring

I was trying to upload some photos to my computer, but I am having technical difficulties. I've been here in Kuwait for almost 5 days now. It is so weird here. It's flat, and hot, and nothing but sand as far as the eye can see. We went out to the range again to shoot, and on the way back I saw tanks, and camels--will post pics later. One of our docs brought a golf club and balls and he was practicing in the sand today. We are bored, and anxious to get to our destinations. But they really have a lot to offer: stores, a theater, gym, Starbucks, KFC, and the other day the girls and I went to the spa and got our eyebrows waxed and had manicures. We had to do rollover training where they put us in a humvee, and then roll us a few times, and we have to get out upside down. It was fun--like a roller coaster. We are here with the Royal Army and Air Force from Britian. They are very interesting to talk with. It's nice to have such commraderie with them. Hope to be out of here and on our way in the next 24h. I will be in touch. Thank you for writing, I love to hear from you all, and to know that someone is actually reading my ramblings........
love, ali

Movin' out

Well we are departing this country for another soon, so I don't know when I can post again. I have been so busy here with training. Yesterday we got to shoot guns, crawl under fences and hop over walls, and throw hand grenades--that was fun! We had to do all of this wearing body armor and helmets--I don't know how our foot soldiers carry all that around in 130 degree heat over there! We are all very tired. In my mind, I am now starting the process of coming home. Only 100 days? +/- a few???
Love you all, keep in touch.

Made it to Ft.Benning

Well it only took 20 hours, but I made it here to the processing center. My flight from Seattle to Atlanta had to make an emergency landing in Kansas for a medical emergency on board, so we got to Atlanta 2 hours late, therefore missing my connection to here. I then got bumped off several flights, until I showed my orders and shed some tears, they finally put me on an overbooked flight. Of course my bag didn't come with me, but I have it now. Just ate "chow", and have to organize some stuff for tomorrow. Hope to be on a flight out of here by Saturday. My BOG time doesn't start until I get to Iraq, so the less time I am here, the better. I met up with some of the doc's and CRNA's I had met in Texas this summer--they are good to look out for me. Gotta get some sleep--good thing clocks go back tonight.

I'm a lucky gal

Thank you to everyone. I am so lucky to have such great friends. I have recieved some of the nicest cards with thoughtful words, and fun gifts to keep my spirits up while I am gone. And I don't have to worry about my family starving while I am away. I am surrounded by great people, and I consider myself very fortunate. Thank you all.
We are going to Utah tomorrow and I am very excited to see my friends and family there. The vacation is much needed. Love you guys!

Friends

Well I am down to 11 days left before I leave home. I thought I was doing a good job getting ready to go, and then my good friend took her own life last week. So needless to say I have been in a whirlwind of grief and stress and almost forgot I was leaving. I am forced to push my sadness aside for now so I can manage the task at hand, which includes tending to my family and packing, etc. I can grieve some more later, sitting in the desert.
My coworkers had a fabulous going away party for me this weekend. It was a lot of fun hanging out with friends. We drank, and laughed, and moved furniture so we could dance. I have some great pictures. I really am blessed to work with such a great group of people who truly care about one another. I will miss them.
We are going to Utah next week to see family and friends there, and have another party. I am looking forward to some relaxation at "home". I really need a vacation :-)

Prep time

As most of you know, I have been very busy at home trying to prepare to go to Iraq. I have been trying to prepare my family for my absence too. Been making things for the boys to have to hang on to when they miss me. I feel very fortunate that I am able to go to Iraq and take care of people involved in this mess. I am also very lucky that I wont be gone as long as most soldiers. Brian has lots of support at home, and lots of people that want to help him when I am gone. We are blessed to have such great friends and family. I have been a little sad about leaving my "babies", but I know they will be fine and time will fly by.
One going-away party down this weekend, two more parites to go........