Homecoming

We boarded our flight and it was very long.  The seats were all very narrow, so it didn't matter if you sat in first class or last class your were going to get a pressure ulcer on your hips.  I think there were some movies but I slept as much as possible.  We flew from Manas to Turkey, then Germany and finally Baltimore.  What irritated me most is the fact the three people we left behind could have been on this flight, there were available seats so why did we have to leave them behind?

 

When we got off the plane in Baltimore, the USO was there clapping for our return.  It was such an awesome feeling and I felt a little embarrassed.  I love what I do and I want to be recognized, just not publicly. 

I made a call to the boys.  They did not know I was coming home, because of all the potential delays, we decided not to give them a date.   I called and just asked them what they had done that day.  When it got to my turn I said "Well I got on an airplane and I'm back in the United States and I'll see you tomorrow."  The shouts of joy were so overwhelming I started to cry happy tears.  It was so awesome to hear how much I was missed by those guys.

We found Annie's parents and then off to the hotel.  Once we were there, things were different.  The manager behind the counter did not want to help us with the government rate, the lady behind the cafe counter did not treat us nicely, she was annoyed she had to serve us.  I'm sorry, I just got off a 24 hour flight and I am a little hungry.

We visited for a bit and I went off to bed.  It was wonderful to be all alone, have a giant bed and bathroom all to myself and just be able to relax.  I only slept about three hours, but it was such a restful sleep.

We boarded our plane and I think we were both a little nervous about seeing our kids.  The flight was uneventful and finally we landed in San Antonio.  Annie asked me on the way up the ramp why she was nervous about seeing her own children.  My reply was "I'm nervous too.  They've changed and without us." 

We got off the plane and before I could even get out of the line, Konner yelled "Moooom" , dropped his homecoming poster and rushed into my arms, Kodi quickly followed.  It was so wonderful, holding them and feeling them.  Tom came up and we had a family hug.  All my friends were there; Chrissy, Sean, their children, Ashlee, Byron, Mazzy and Tammy.  It was everyone I wanted to see.  Lots of hugs and tears of happiness.  I can't imagine coming home to no one.  I sort of felt sorry for Kate because she really didn't have anyone to greet her. 

I am so thankful for the experience, but I am more thankful to be home.  I will go again, but next time it will hopefully be easier.

Manas

We took off a day late from Bagram and got to Manas.  Manas is a holding station for us to pick up gear and drop it off.  It has changed so much in the last six months it's unbelievable.  I have decided the Air Force definitely takes better care of their people just based on the facilities here.

I am really disappointed however.  I lost my phone.  Six months on a deployment and I've lost my phone here.  It had the pictures of the helicopter ride, friends I've made.  I am so sad right now.  It's a whole part of my life just gone and now I can't replace it.

Annie is really being helpful, I know she has a lot of stress on her mind too.  It's funny, we have pretty much gone away from Kate and Beeland.  Neither of us can stand Beeland, he's so inept and Kate is just a know-it-all without the experience.  Tomorrow we'll get on our flight to see our families and this one bump in the road will be over. 

We did meet a Colonel and we're kind of riding on his wings.  We took him in at Bagram when our flight was cancelled and gave him a place to sleep so now he's just hanging out with us.  Very nice man (Col Bernier).  I have introduced him to Leverage but I don't think we'll get to watch the end of the show. 

The Replacements

Our replacements arrived on the 4th and that made us all very happy, because this is the point you know you're finally going home soon.  It's interesting when you get someone new into the room because the dynamics change once again.  Now I can't sleep because my new bunkmate snores, not only snores but it's a symphony of sounds.  I think this makes the other two rude roommates really angry because they've started slamming the door.  I am fairly sleep deprived but that's kind of how this whole deployment has been.  I don't know who's idea it was to cram 8 women in a room, but obviously they have no idea what they've done.

Other people are going through similar trials.  Dr. Gunst (Dr. Hight's replacement) is flexing his own muscle.  He's kind of a jerk.  He's rude and cocky.  It's funny because Dr. Gerlach has to succumb to that which is what we've had to do with him.  I think we gave him way too much credit before we knew him.  I think this dynamic puts patients at risk because both want to flex their muscle and I don't think they think of the patient.  That's why we have nurses.  We don't care about muscle flexing.

Every new doctor that comes in has a different way to of doing things.  One will want drips and the next wants IV pushes.  Both can recite "studies" but no one can pinpoint you to them.  It becomes frustrating.  I have one new doc that doesn't trust what I'm doing and although I know what I'm doing (or at least will ask someone) and this is causing frustration for me.  She's new to the unit and not an ICU doc, I'm an ICU nurse with six years experience, I just need her to let me do my job.

Soon I will be leaving and going home to a new hospital and the dynamics will start all over again; new doctors, new nurses and new experiences.

One of the better days

Today was really a fun day.  Tovar finally conceded into going to the bazaar with me.  First, we went to TeamSTEPPS and then to breakfast.  We then went back to the rooms and just relaxed a bit.  As I was waiting for him to go to lunch, our replacements showed up!!  This is a very exciting moment because now you know you're going home soon.

After we met them and got them a little settled, we went to lunch at the Aviation DFAC.  Aviation is run by the Americans and the food is generally better tasting.  We don't go there often because it's so far to walk after shift.  Then we went to the bazaar.  Nothing really exciting happened there, we shopped a bit and looked at all the shops (I hadn't done that the times that I went).  We bought a few things and then ran into our command folks.  The Chief had bought a large stick and Col Hughes was bargaining for jewelry for Col Agee.  Tovar decided he wanted in on her bargaining skills and bought his mom a yellow stone.  Chief asked if we wanted a ride back to the hospital and I eagerly said "Yes!".  Tovar looks at me and said "No.  We need the exercise and the sun."  I just looked down and went "awww".  As we were walking back to the hospital, the crew passed by us and honked.  I pointed and said "Look Tovar, they have a car and AIR CONDITIONING!!"  Later, Chief told us that they were laughing because they saw me bitching at him.  It was all good.

We then went to the newly opened Pizza Hut on base and had some garlic bread and iced tea.  While we were there, we had another IDF attack.  No one moved, everyone went about their business like nothing happened.  It was very odd.  Afterward, we went back the hospital and again, everyone was milling about like nothing happened.

I think today was one of the best days I've had lately.  It felt almost like being at home, except the IDFs of course.  I had a good laugh and felt up.  Now that my time is getting short, I feel a little sad about leaving.  The people here are so kind and wonderful.  They have such beautiful hearts.  I have fallen in love with this culture and although I've had some bad days, I wouldn't trade this experience.  I feel so lucky to be a part of something so spectacular.

Combat Dining In!!

Tovar and I always the rebels...not the proper dress.



Obstacle course to the Grog!



The ceremonies and traditions sare the reason I really wanted to join the military.  I remember growing up and working as a civil servant how much I enjoyed the parties, the Dining Outs, the promotion ceremonies and the retirements.  All of these things have been ingrained in me and one of the reasons for wantign this so much.  



Tonight I attended my first Combat Dining In.  This is like a Dining In or Dining Out but you wear your combat gear.  I had just got off work so I was able to wear my PT gear.  We got outside the hospital and there was an water obstacle course and at the end was a toilet filled with stuff.  This would be the grog bowl.

Tsgt Skibitsky and Maj Bossert showing their "combat" side



Col Hughes readies for battle



The Grog!  Yes, it's drinkable; you just wouldn't want to!

We had wonderful food and people were sent to the grog and everyone had giant water guns.  Because this was such a last minute affair, Tovar and I armed ourselves with 10cc saline flushes (hey, it was something).  We were SOAKED!!  Everyone got crazy and started spraying each other and throwing food, we let off a lot of steam.  We weren't there for the whole thing, but the little bit of time made me want to do it again; but next time I will arm myself appropriately!!