Justin

I had a patient yesterday named Justin.  Justin is a 22 year old Marine in the infantry.  He was the point man in his unit and he was the best IED locator in his unit.  His whole unit admired him because he could spot an IED before anyone else, except yesterday.

Justin has a wife that he's known since they were babies and he also has a two year old son, which is great because that IED took his testicles along with his right leg, half his left and damaged his penis (this can be surgically repaired).  The memorable thing about Justin is his attitude.  When he was extubated the first thing he asked for was his wedding ring.  His comment was "my wife will kill me if I lose it".  Since the IED didn't take him, I wasn't going to let his wife kill him over a wedding ring.  We located it and put it around his neck, next to his heart.

When he was more awake, he shared some stories of the firefights he's encountered.  He told us one where his unit was surrounded in a horseshoe and after they fought and killed all the bad guys on the right, they tried to escape and had another three hour fight with the guys on the left.  Twenty-two.

When Justin came in, he had tattoos on his arm of baby footprints and another that said "Rest in Peace Caleb".  We were concerned his little boy was the deceased Caleb and now he will not have any others.  Thankfully that was not the case.  He named his baby after his best friend.  When Justin was told of his injuries, his comment regarding the loss of his testicles was "well I got me one baby, and that's all I need."  After being told about his legs, his next comment was "Cool, now I can get me one of them bouncy legs and I'll really do well on my PT test."  He also told  us how before he left, those old guys at the VFW told him "You don't know nothin' about war.  I was in (name your war) and gone for two years.  You only have to serve six months to a year."  Justin said "Now I can go back and show those Mother eFr's, I know war.  I aint' got no leg!"

I think this war is the worst war by far.  One of the folks I am deployed with, Tovar is a five time deployer.  His comments about the injuries are these are the worst injuries he's ever seen.  That's a scary thought.  All these mangled bodies coming home and the resources required to rehabilitate them. 

I'm not sorry we're here.  I know a lot of people look at this war and wonder why do we care.  Here is the reason we care.  Afghanistan was a beautiful country with thriving people,  They had the number 10 medical school in Asia and they were a peaceful people.  The Russians came in and decided they wanted to take over.  Short story, this country has been at war for 30+ years and the people have lost a generation of knowledge.  We are here to help them regain that knowledge and help them become the nation they once were.  I know this to be true, today I taught four Afghan docs about burn care.  With all the tragedy and sadness will come hope and courage.