Nurse Muppet



Blonde Ambition Deployment 2011



Since I've been here I've spent most of my time with Tovar.  It started out that I had my day off with Beeland and since Tovar had promised to work out with me, the two of them switched days so we would have the day off together.  We get teased a lot because you usually don't see one without the other (not unlike a lot of other people here).  We get up at 0330 each morning and go to the gym, then work and later dinner.  One our days off, we spend the evening prior planning what we'll do:  go to the gym, eat breakfast, shower and nap.  Later we will study or watch a movie and then dinner.  Not too much excitement but it's a schedule. 



His energy is like no other.  He is hilarious and we make cracks about the day and events that might have happened.  For example, he tells the story of the worm in such a way that although I've heard it a million times it still cracks me up!  He uses such animation in his facial expressions and hand gestures that he reminds me of a Muppet, hence the title.  At work, he will often refer to be as "cracker" and  have called him "beaner."  We've made name tapes for each other, his "Awesome" and mine is "Thanderth".  Each one has a funny story associated with it.  In all seriousness, he has been a positive force and has made this deployment bearable.  His skill as a nurse just astounds me and I've learned so much.  There are few people I rely on for good information when it comes to nursing and he is one of them.  Even when one of our docs explains something, I will go to Nurse Muppet and if he agrees then it must be so.  If I'm on the unit and there is an issue with a patient and I feel my eyes watering, I will tell him "Say something stupid, quick!"...and he will oblige.  



PT Capris





It was raining and snowing and he doesn't like the wet and cold, so in the picture to the left, he rolled up his pants and now he's wearing his AF PT "Capris."  Of coure, we ran into Col McNeill and she said "Of course you're mine!"  I'm really glad he's here on this deployment with me, I've become a better nurse by observing him and I've become stronger physically because of his encouragement and harrassment that only a brother can deliver.  Thank you Nurse Muppet!

Celebrities

Since I've been here, we've had quite a few famous people come to visit...President Obama, Vice-President Biden, Robin Williams, Kix Brooks, Admiral Mullens (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), Santa Claus, General Schwartz, the Surgeon General and all the services surgeon generals, Chief Nurse of the Air Force (Maj Gen Sinischalchi) and today Montel Williams.  But the most important celebrity I've met was Seaman Elliott. 

Me and Montel

This person was with the entourage that came with Montel and she recognized me.  She said "I know you don't remember me but I remember you.  You took care of my brother." I was just amazed that this person took the time to acknowledge me and thanked me for taking care of her brother.  He came in during the mass cal we had a couple of weeks ago and he was burned.  She let me know that not only was her brother doing so well but the other two soldiers that were with him were also doing great and would be returning to duty!  This was so exciting for me to hear.  I took her to Col McNeill and when she thanked Col McNeill, they both became misty eyed.  This is what being a nurse is all about.  It isn't about the crappy docs you have to deal with or the patients who can be total jerks or the other nurses who want to bring you down.  It's about the patients and families who are grateful for what you do and taking care of their them or their family members.  I wish I had more to write but it was such an awesome moment, words can't describe.  Thank you Elliott Family for the privilege of taking care of you.

SSgt Castillo, Seaman Elliott and me

The Flip Side

 This patient story is going to be a little different...because I was the patient!  Yesterday started out like normal, got up at 0330 and went to the gym, canged and went to work.  Tovar and I had second break (1000-1400).  We went to lunch, made our usual jokes and then went back to finish the shift.  I went into the locker room to change and had this sudden abdominal pain.  It was a horrible, tearful pain.  I pushed it off as a gas attack and tried to move around and get it to go away.  I went to get report from Shafer and apparently looked like death.  She asked if I were ok, and I responded with "No, I think I need to go to the bathroom and throw up."  So I walked carefully to the bathroom and tried to rid myself of this pain. 
 

Ahhh, Fentanyl!

I couldn't take it anymore, so I finally cried out "Who's in here?"  and I heard, "It's Dr. Hight, is that you Sanders?"  Tearfully I cried "No."  She asked if I needed help and I again cried yes.  All I could think of prior to that is I was going to die, in a bathroom stall with my pants around my ankles on the toilet, in Bagram.  How humiliating!  As I slowly came out of the stall, Chaplain Shirley was there and asked "Is this mental or physical pain?"  I replied "Physical, my resiliancy is good ma'am."  So Dr. Hight proceeded to examine me in the ladies restroom.  I guess I need to clarify who Dr. Hight is...she's the Trauma Czar.  So she casually walks with me to X-ray and that's where the magic started.  Dr. Tibbits (radiologist) asked if I needed a wheelchair to go to ER and I told him no, I'd rather walk.  I'd be so embarrased if this were constipation or gas.  When we got to the ER, they asked if there was anything new...so I raised my hand.

Col McNeill showed up and while everything was going on, they asked if I wanted some Fentanyl for pain.  Again I replied "No, I have to go to work after you're done."  Col McNneill in all of her sarcastic, wonderful being said "Do you have anything for stupid?"  I turend to the doc and said "I guess I'll be taking that Fentanyl now."  I got the Fentanyl and felt really weird...I don't think I would ever be a good drug addict.  I hate feeling out of control.  Col Hughes (Chief Nurse) showed up and said "I'll take a picture for you, you'll want this for your blog."  I love these women, they get me!  Oh, I also made them my advocates and told them which surgeons and nurses could have me and who could not.  They laughed, but they understood.

I did get a visit from Dr. Cannon (surgeon) who was very nice but suggested it might be my appendix.  I said "Unless I'm a lizard and it grew back it was removed 7 years ago."  He smiled, very nice man.

There is so much more to this story, but for now I hit the highlights.  The diagnosis was a ruptured ovarian cyst.  It was the oddest feeling being the patient and having everyone take care of me.  I stayed overnight to ensure it wasn't hemorraghic.  My roommate, Mary Malatek, was my day nurse.  She told her folks that night "Be sure to take care of my roommie.  If you don't, I'll hear about it all deployment!"  I love her.  She is so awesome. 

I did try not to bother my nurse overnight. I hooked up my IV fluids, fixed the pump when it alarmed and moved the pole so it lined up more with me instead of across my chest.  Yes, always the nurse even when the patient! 

So the end, I bought myself an overnight stay, 48 hours quarters, a new perspective and the best part...a funny deployment story.

Satisfaction like no other....

This patient experience makes my heart just want to explode with joy.  We received a 9 year old girl with 35% burns.  The lamp her mother ignited exploded, killing her 3 and 5 year old siblings.  When she was found, our burn doctor thought she wouldn't make it through the night.  Fortunately she did and was brought to us.  This child is amazing.  She, along with her father are completely involved in her cares.  She doesn't understand a lot of what we're doing but when we explain, through a translator she will cooperate.  The other day when I had her I wanted her to ambulate to the toilet (bedside commode scared her) and use it so she would 1) regain some mobility and 2) not soil her dressings.  She was adamant she was not going to do it.  I simply told her "I admire your feisty attitude, but I will win."  She did go to the bathroom and I was encouraging her all the way.  When we finally got back to bed, I settled her and she said something. Her dad turned away a little misty eyed.  I got a translator because I of course needed to know what she was saying.  she said "I will pray for you."  SHE will PRAY for ME?!  This beautiful child who is full of pain is going to pray for me.  That was an emotional experience I have never felt before.  

By the end of the day, she was coloring, playing with Play-Doh and smiling.  She looked like a normal kid without injury.  She has stolen a piece of my heart.  I know we always talk about our military heroes fighting for us and taking care of us but this little Afghan girl is my hero.

Today it snowed and it was for a moment, very beautiful here.  It felt peaceful and normal.  I didn't build this snowman, but it was cool anyway.  I know that I will miss this place but I am no doubt sure I'll be back. 

AARRRGGHHH

Yesterday was kind of a crappy day.  Everything that could go wrong sort of did; I forgot about a briefing I was supposed to give until Col McNeill reminded (by the way, I will now walk through hot coals without shoes for this woman!).  I made it in time and the briefing went well.  I had been looking forward to an Aviation DFAC burger for a long time, so Tovar and I were going to hike there for lunch.  When we got there, the line was so long we would have been late for our MRAP tour.  So we headed back to the Dragon and there was nothing palatable there.  Tovar recommended a peanut butter and jelly, however there was no peanut butter.   He brought me cereal and trying to stay positive, I said “This isn’t so bad” and then choked on it!  Everything had gotten thrown off during the day because I forgot about this briefing.  Oh, did I mention I hadn’t showered or brushed my teeth yet?  That didn’t happen until I went to bed. 

Today was a lot better.  I had the little girl burn patient.  I don’t know what it is, but I really love my job here.  This is the first time since I’ve become a nurse that I have felt useful and smart.  I got to go to surgery with her this morning and see her wounds.  I think I have come a very long way in the last 12 years.  Her burns didn’t seem to bother me at all like I thought they would.  I helped remove staples and redress the wounds.  I have tried to find various ways to interact with these people since communication seems to be a huge barrier.  Her dad is a wonderful, caring man who has already lost two children due to the fire she was in; I pray for her recover and am so proud to be a part of it.  Tomorrow I am going to get her and start her rehabilitation. 

I have done a lot of research on this country.  It breaks my heart that before the Russians invaded, this was a thriving, modern country.  I saw a history book from one of the interpreters and the women dressed like the women in the United States.  I swear you would look at the pictures and think it was the U.S.  Incredible how 30 years of war can devastate a country to bad.  They were telling me that Bagram was a lush, green landscape.  It was a thriving country until they were invaded and the land stripped of uranium and precious stones.  They are very sad because no one has asked Russia to pay for the damages.  Funny how the U.S. feels so responsible for everything and the responsible party goes without consequence. 

 (this post was actually written on 8 Feb, but I couldn't post it until today because of all the computer problems)

The Children

Today is Konner's birthday and I'm feeling a bit teary eyed.  I have never missed a birthday and I wish I could be at home celebrating this milestone.  Instead I am here.  For the past week and half I have been caring for two small children, one who's home was hit by a rocket and the other we did a humanitarian tumor surgery, and one pre-teen (sister of the toddler who's home was hit).

Hamida, the toddler was admitted with an eviscerated belly.  Her house was hit by a rocket and she suffered the effects of shrapnel piercing her tiny body.  She was very sick.  She coded several times and I honestly believed she wouldn't make it.  I had told myself it was best for her.  After several days of care, her trach was decanulated, she was crying and acting like a normal two year old.  The day she left for the ward, she grabbed my shirt sleeve and held her arms up for me to hold her.  That was a moment I'll never forget and one I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

Her sister, Habiba was also admitted with similar wounds.  This child also had rough days.  She would wake up terrified and ready to attack.  She would give the Taliban a run for their money if she were in the Afghanistan National Army.  This child was on several medications to subdue her and several times we nurses had to hold her down to keep her from escaping.  The other day, I had overheard them talking about her sister.  I asked if she wanted to see her and she nodded.  I brought Hamida to her and I saw the biggest smile on her face, one I haven't seen from the children here.  This is another moment I will not forget nor trade.  Today, she walked on her own to the end of the bay and tomorrow she'll be reunited with her sister and brother. 

They have a little brother, I didn't take care of him but he and his cousin walk around the hospital holding hands.  The uninjured cousin takes great pride in helping his injured cousins, very attentive.  I love watching him.  It makes me think of Kodi and Konner.  They would be that caring toward each other, helping the other when he's down.

The cousin really likes Elmo, me I'm a bit sick of Elmo...I know he has two ears, I've heard it 32 times!!  I did bring in my laptop with the cartoons, but apparently Afghan children do not appreciate the humor of Animaniacs. 

The last child I cared for this past week and a half was little Safi.  We admitted him 45 days ago to operate on a brain tumor.  This baby did not like being held so everyone mostly left him alone.  He had a very attentive uncle.  After several operations, infections and other resources it was decided Safi would be sent home to be with his family his last few days.  If he had been born in the U.S., he would have survived because the tumor would have been found much earlier. 

I am so thankful my children were born in the U.S.  We may not have the best healthcare system in the world, but at least it's not third world.  Here, people can get good medical care but only if they can afford it.  There is no Medicare or Medicaid, no county hospitals that just eat the cost and certainly not doctors who will provide care regardless of your financial situation.  

Happy Birthday to you Konner, the best gift I can give you is that you were born an American.