Two weeks down

So other than finding a decoy IED and receiving our first bout of IDF (Indirect fire) that hit the flight line, I feel like this deployment is going really well. Our group is getting along for the most part and we're all learning to work together as a team. We switch off taking care of the detainees because it can be very taxing... and everyone wants to take care of the soldiers, no surprise there The other day, we wheeled in three more detainees right at change of shift and my first impression was, "great, more detainees"... then I thought.. "wait, I think this means we're winning!" haha.

I feel like the nursing I do is like going back in time. We do old fashioned bed baths with silver bowls and soap and water. For you nurses wondering what is different here: We mix all of our own medications to include nerve blocks and epidurals, push almost all IV antibiotics, the PCA's and nerve blocks are balloons so no electricity or batteries required. Every IV medication has to be signed off by two nurses. No pre-filled syringes of any kind- have to draw up your saline every time. You sign out narcotics in a "controlled drugs" book... preparing and giving medications is super time consuming. There is no place for "orders" from doctors, they just write the plan of care in a note and you have to decipher what it says and figure it out for yourself. Like if you get a neuro injury, you just figure you should do vital signs (obs as they call it) and neuro checks every hour or so. I take care of much more critically ill people than I do on a med surg floor in the states. British nurses only do focused assessments and aren't trained to use a stethoscope to listen to the heart, lungs, and bowel sounds so you depend on the doctor a lot more.. and in in reverse, doctors don't expect a whole lot out of the nurses (as far as assessment goes). You wear disposable aprons for any hands on care like starting an IV, bed bath, suctioning etc. There are so many more differences, I'm just highlighting a few. Anyway, its a great learning experience, challenging in some ways, but definitely growing me as a nurse and a person.

I was having some trouble making friends at first, and I realized it was because I wasn't sharing myself with anyone. I was hiding such a huge part of my life, and as someone who is usually transparent and honest to a fault, it was exhausting me to keep it up. I finally came out and told everyone about Sarah... and they have all been so accepting. Not a single person treats me differently, or if at all, they are more open with me and curious about my life. Its such a relief to be truthful with people. I feel so much more free to share my life with others and less afraid to ask about their lives for fear they would ask about mine. A weight is lifted off my shoulders and it feels like I just made several close friends in an instant.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I miss and love you all!

First scare

We had to evacuate our tent last night because someone found a suspicious package right outside our living accommodation. It took four hours for EOD to clear it while we waited in our pajamas outside. I still haven't heard if it was real or a decoy but it looked like a classic IED. Please pray for our safety. Something they told us before we left is that internal threat is our biggest danger, as we have loads of local contractors working for and along side us.
*Sorry Walt, our conversation got cut off right as someone told us to evacuate.

Love you family and friends!
Liz

First week

Hi Family and Friends!

So the first week has overall gone well. I'm getting settled in to my job now, understanding my scope of practice and whats expected of me. The biggest challenge right now, believe it or not, is not letting people's complaining and negativity get to me. It seems like everyone around me has something to gripe about. Personally, I chose to join the Army knowing I would get deployed. I even chose this deployment, so I don't understand why people are complaining as if they're being forced to be here and suffer. This is a cush deployment in my opinion. Air-conditioned tents, hot showers, hot chow, and a day off for every day we work. The fact that the American Army is working with the British Army right now is historic, its a privilege. Yes, there are some frustrations working under people who do things differently, but its not that bad. When people around me are negative, its almost like they point out something I didn't really notice before and then I find that I'm being negative with them. Anyway, I just need a little more positivity around me, and to remain positive even when surrounded by petty complainers. You're prayers for a good friend are appreciated! I still love nursing and taking care of those patients remind me why I'm here doing what I do. It's almost a selfish profession because I get so much out of it. Love and miss you guys!

In Afghanistan!

Hey family and friends! I'm finally here, my home sweet home for the next six months. I'm limited on internet time so this post will be short. I'm moved into my tent with 9 other girls, mixed British and Americans. My English and American bosses are both living in my room, so that will be a little challenging, but we'll make it work. We're sleeping on cots so I'm already thinking about buying an egg crate or something and already bought a tough box to live out of while im here. When I figure out how to get more than 30 minutes of internet, I will download some pictures that I've taken. Without telling you more than I'm allowed to, we will be hitting the ground running... tomorrow. Helicopters are a constant noise, its dusty EVERYWHERE, but there are nice little things for us around like a shopette, coffee shop, sandwich place and even a pizza hut in a trailer. I'll try to tell you as much as I can, but I have to be really careful about what I tell you, so most of what I say won't have many details, especially regarding work in the hopital. I love you guys and I'll write again soon.
 I miss talking to you mom. Thank you for your post dad, you always put things so well, and you are so right. I miss you Christi, hugs to you and Shawn. I hope you're loving your new job Donnie, and that motherhood is going well for you Pam. I can't wait to play with my nieces and nephews again. I miss you Walt, and love you. Keep me updated on your life plans. Love you Sarah. Love you friends and family!

Last 50 pence

Ok I'm using the last of my change to write you one more time before I leave for Afg. Today we had our first taste of what our day will be like taking care of patients at Camp B. Long story short, I have alot to learn. The biggest challenges I anticipate in my daily life (other than taking care of young lads with 3 and even 4 limbs blown off) is paper charting (nightmare) and every narcotic and IV infusion must be checked off twice by another nurse (time consuming). I'm realizing how much independence American nurses have, and how much more trust doctors put into us (like in our assessments). We don't have to check off anything with a second nurse except blood. Not IV meds, not narcotics, none of that. I'm just worried about time management with two nurses caring for 10 patients on morphine every 2 hours. Anyway, I really like my teammates which is really good because we will keep the same shift throughout deployment. I'll learn.

We are flying out Sunday. I can't remember what I've already told ya'll, but Sunday they are having a church service for the British soldiers deploying and we are invited at the Minster downtown York (BEAUTIFUL!). We fly out after that. Oh, and I met the Arch Bishop of York today! What else?... oh things you can mail me in packages if wanting to send something: Bubbles, coloring books, and crayons for kids(nothing advertising America). Bubbles to help with kids chest physiotherapy, and coloring for dexterity. Kids can be killed for it if they leave the hospital with American clothes or toys, so please don't send those. Bubbles and coloring books will stay in the hospital. Gifts for soldiers (bracelets, pins, stickers) and they can be patriotic, and holiday decorations for the ward.

Ok, in my last 10 minutes, I just was to briefly talk about some ethical delimmas that we will be dealing with. We are transitioning out of Afg so we are trying to prevent Afg from becoming dependant on western medicine. We CT almost every trauma that comes in. If we find lung cancer by chance, do we tell them or not? I woman is worthless in their culture if she cannot care for her husband and kids. A man tells his wife after a bilateral leg amputation that she is now worthless to him and she will be killed when she goes home, but we have to send her anyway. The local hospital can't care for a child who has more than 40% burns, they will die when we discharge them, but we have to do it anyway.... and so much more. This is the kind of stuff that's going to be the hardest for me.

Love ya'll! Thanks for all the support!