Some days I forget

Some days, I forget that I’m in a war zone, that I’m not just a regular nurse going to a regular job.

My patient yesterday suffered a concussion from and IED blast while in a vehicle. He can’t remember his birthday, he can’t recall his wife’s name much less her phone number. His memory should come back in time, it usually does with this sort of injury, but it doesn’t make it less scary for him. Another patient I had last night was blown up by an IED.  He has no skin to the front of his legs, no right arm, and severe abdominal injury. I’ve never seen legs with no skin before, it was bizarre… like seeing a manikin in science class.

As I was walking up to the hospital tonight, 4 ambulances pulled up. The first body came out, they were doing CPR. It was the first time I’ve seen CPR performed on a real person. I just remember seeing his combat boots, he was a soldier, he was fit, he was young. That’s not the type of patient I pictured CPR on in nursing school.

I went to church for the first time today since I’ve been here. It was a great service. I really hope they start having protestant services at the chapel here regularly. We have to use the buddy system if we walk over the marine base, so if I want to go to a protestant service, I have to find someone with my same schedule that will come with me. Having services here (other than catholic) would make it so much easier to go.

I’ve been getting some awesome care packages in the mail! Thank you everyone for thinking of me and sending me little comforts from home! Merry Christmas friends and family!