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........