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!