Mass Cal

Today started somewhat normal; got up at 0330, went to the gym, showered for work.  I got done early enough I was able to run to the laundry and start my clothes before shift.  I even had time to run to the DFAC for breakfast with Tovar.  I should have known something was amiss.

 I got to work and then found out the water had been turned off to the hospital so my clothes were not done before I started work.  I had two patients; a little boy who was hit with shrapnel and an Afghan National Army soldier who was shot in the head.  I thought, no worries easy breezy.  Again, I should have known something was amiss.

I was super busy with both of these patients, the day flew by.  One would think this is a good thing (and actually it is because the faster the days go, the faster I get to home) but it was exhausting.  The little boy had pain issues and the soldier had breathing issues.   My tech was having some emotional issues so I was left alone quite a bit and had to jump between the two. 

After shift, I was kind of looking forward to dinner.  The last time I had eaten in the day was 0600, breakfast and it was now 1900.  Yes, Tovar insists I had a banana but it wasn’t THAT filling.  We were roped into going to a discussion group regarding the care of EPWs. 

Maybe I’m jaded or I have learned to compartmentalize.  I do have issues taking care of EPWs; I also have issues taking care of soldiers who go out and kill innocent people for sport, or the abusive spouse and etc.  It’s the same for me; it just takes twice the amount of energy.   I made the comment that this is the time I request dobhoffs or rectal tubes for the patient (and I wasn’t kidding, medical care can be WAY more torturous than water-boarding and it’s socially acceptable).

FINALLY after an hour and a half (Tovar promised only 20 minutes) I was finally going to get to eat dinner.  We ate and the food was the same and we just relaxed.  I came home to go to bed early and had just fallen asleep when my roommate told me we were being attacked…again.  We went into the hall and sat until we were called into work for a mass cal. 

I was of course in my pajamas and ran to put some scrubs on.  Funny, but when you are called to do your job you don’t care that your hair is a mess and everyone will see you as you just roll out of bed.  No one cares you’re not wearing a bra; you’re just there participating with the rest of the team to care for the injured. 

Thankfully we only had five injured and their injuries were not life or limb-threatening.  For as many times as I complain about the abuse a nurse has to put up with, it’s really awesome to be a part of something so much bigger than I can ever imagine.