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)