Two down!

Looking over the B huts at the mountains surrounding us on a nice spring day!

The weather is improving. Yea, no rain for the last 3 days. Out in PT shorts yesterday and today getting some much needed Vit.D. A little too much on my forehead! This week has gone much faster than the last. Getting into a daily routine. I have started fake running on mon, wed, and fridays. Fake running is done on a treadmill. The gym filters the outside air which smells of human waste and burning rubber. Tues, thurs, and Sat we lift weights. Dr. Bill is my exercise buddy and we keep each other pretty honest. Bill and I are getting to know each other pretty well and he is a good man, soldier and doctor.
As you know I finshed my closet. I'm working on a couple of projects for the TMC now. Still working the afternoon shift, but now I have three days of ortho consults a week. These times are for soldiers that have chronic problems that need attention or further treatment. Some are to decide if they should go home early to be fixed. Some need some small things done while here. An example, this week I removed an inclusion cyst from a hand of a soldier and injected a ganglion, some shoulders and knees. I have one local kid that had some sort of insect bite that had needed some basic debridement every other day. Another local came in with a distal finger crush injury that was almost completly amputed. I took off the tip and cleaned it out, then closed the end. I'll be following him up regularly. Thats the cool stuff, more common things are sinus infections, rashes and general complaints. We all pitch in and see everything that comes in the door. Some of it in our comfort zone and some of it not so much. Dr. Bill is always able to be reached if one of us can not figure it out. We are learning the strengths of our medics. They are very capable and willing to learn more. It is a good group!
Friday was my first Bazar here on post. It was down in the French quarter of the base. I must be likeable because all the dealers wanted to make me a deal because I was there friend. Thats what they told me, it must be true. Kind of felt like I was in Mexico. Just bought some post cards. I have looked at some leather jackets though that were very nice too. You can get Cuban cigars here too. The big Bazar is next Friday, I wonder if I'll make more friends?
I'm finding out that there are as many activities here as a cruise ship. Each night of the week different things are going on for the soldiers to enjoy and relax with. You can line dance, listen to soldiers playing live music, try your hand at singing yourself (not me), or learn to play poker. Like a cruise ship the food here is pretty good and there is always enough. Haven't seen a single MRE since leaving the states. Three diffenent food lines plus a buffet bar for every meal. You can go to one or all of them. Most of the food taste pretty good too. My normal cafeteria rule still applys; if you can't recognize it quickly, don't eat it. If you get to a meal late some of the food is dried out and tough or over cooked. In general I can not complain though.
Today I took most of the morning to relax and read. It was a nice change from the kind of endless movement of the rest of the week. We played catch with a couple of footballs and had some fun. Found a couple of bikes and fixed them up to ride around, we'll give them to the locals when we leave.
Church was nice today. Being at church while on military time seems to increase the revelence of the message to me. Somehow here I seem to be able to focus a little more. I don't have lifes little interuptions and my schedule is much less compressed. We have 3 pastors, all have a good style and can get the message across well. It is a good time to fellowship!
Well thats all for now. Thanks to everyone who looks in to see how I am doing and thanks for all the comments on the blog. Next week I'll post some pics of the food spread we see daily.

To Cailtin: My wonderful little girl, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!! March 27th, my little Sunshine will be 9 years old. I miss you! I am very proud to be your Daddy. All my love Sunshine.

Typical patient, burns

Howdy, I would like to bring to your attention a need here in Afghanistan. We see many of the locals here in our clinic and well as going out and helping in different communities. This child has burns on his arm. This is the most common injury we see. We have found that there is a very large need for children's clothing and shoes. Also if you have any old orthopaedic braces or boots those are in need too. The military can not supply anything beyond basic treatment. If you feel inclined to do so anything you can spare will help.

The people before me have done a great deal with the support you have given them, and I want to thank you for that. We have been able to pay for a childs lifesaving surgery by a US surgeon and clothe hundreds of children. The other countries involved overhere look to us if they have a need in there area.

Thank you so much for your support of the troops and our mission here. God Bless.

mike

My time in the workshop

Here is my lastest creation, a closet. It has a fold out desk and lock box at the top. I'm thinking about opening up my own business: Battlefield furniture, what do you think? Still need to build Chris a dresser. The real one has taken me 5 years. Maybe I should have her send it over here so I can get it done.

The Camp and surrounding area

Legoland and my room

Transport from Germany to Afghanistan

Beautiful Hedelberg, Germany

First week

Hi y'all. My first week is ending on a great note. I was just fumbling through my german directions and stumbled across a page that lets me change from german to english instructions, yea! Up till now my wonderful wife has been adding some of the pics to the page. Thankyou Honey.

Well where to begin, how about last Saturday and getting here. Landed at Bagram about 0030 last Saturday night, hussled around for a while, our bags were stuck with some of the SF guys stuff and we had to track it down before it left. We got to the R and R tent about 0200 local for alittle rest. First good nights rest in a couple of days, with ear plugs and night mask on to block out the jets and light.

The next day we were put on a 5 ton truck to the journey up here. Doesn't make you feel very safe sitting in the back of a truck, but they did have up armor on the sides to your waist. On the ride up saw some of the most beautiful mountains ever. They stood out alone like ours back home but looked more like the rockies in shape and grandure. Sat beside and airforce CPT who was on his 7th deployment, who was scaring me everytime we slowed down by telling me this was a good kill zone. Learned to ignore him about half way through and looked to the SFC to my right and his pose, much more relaxed. I only had my 9mm so I would be more effective at making the bad guys mad than anything else. The trip took about 90 minutes, drank too much water before getting on the truck, and with bouncing body armor it felt a lot longer.

After checking in and seeing what the place was like alittle, I was wandering around and found they have a woodshop here onbase, battle field happiness. Made a bed stand to raise my bed up and store stuff under it. Currently working on a new closet. My room is 7x8' in size with a window on the door. It is part of a conex (trailer), cozy. The area makes me feel at home though, it's called Legoland.

Sunday morning we had death by power point. Getting all the facility rules for behavior and safety. Went to church that night, got singled out by the pastor because I gave him his physical in Oregon before he left. Pretty good service. Did our first workout that day too. Very dizzy afterwards.

Monday started working some. Doing afternoon sick call. It started out slow enough. Army regulations must state your first patient must be different from your normal to welcome you to country, mine was hemoroids. He lived! Carl and I have been working on reorganizing supplies and materials to our liking and getting familiar with the clinic set up since we will be spending most of your time here. The patients have been picking up, mostly ortho and some minor wound care for me. Two progressive unstable anginas for carl. The clinic has a combonation of Army, Airforce and Navy working in it. All seem to be pretty well skilled.

Went to the closest base a couple of days ago for a meet and greet. Pretty cool. It is amazing how many countries are out here in support. Some wild looking uniforms too. It seems to be us and the British doing the tuff stuff though.

The food here is amazing. You could gain 20lbs a month if you tryed. 4 different food lines per meal, and you can go to all of them. A coffee hut across the street in the PX, Dairy Queen. I will continue to workout a lot!

Had an open mic night, (some very talented people), line dancing and a movie night for the clinic. Overall it is very different than I expected.

In closing I would like to say how much I have enjoyed all the support you have sent my way so far. Please keep in mind that not all of the soldiers have it as good as I do. There are a lot of very brave and determined souls out there who protect us (here and there), and I only hope I can do a small part to keep them healthy and well to send them home to the families they miss as much as I miss mine. Thanks all, please keep us in your prayers

Mountain Picture

The mountains are all around (not sure of the name). It's been pretty rainy. I finally got this picture on a nice day.

Afghanistan Culture Day

Afghanistan culture day - they played Bushcosi (spelling?) It is like rugby on horses.

Hi All! Seeing a fair amount of ortho. Debrided an insect bite today on a kid. Saw another kid with a real bad outcome of a MVA (motor vehicle accident). He was ran over and has a lot of scaring and contractures. Treated people from 3,4 different countries now. A lot of kids come in with burns from falling into the family stove, some of it is child abuse too. Almost never see the parents, just an older child brings them in. Very sad to loose your childhood at 7 or 8yrs old. Just finshed with lunch. A boy was waiting for his sister (who has burns) I brought him an extra hamburger from the dinning hall and a sprite. He seemed to like it. Trying to converse is very difficult- I keep trying to speak spanish or do american sign. Not much help.
This morning we had Afghanistan culture day and they played Bushcosi (sp?). It is like rugby on horses. They use a 120lb goat. It starts on the ground and they have to pick it up while on horse back and ride around a goal. We were ready for a whole bunch of injuries but didn't get a one. The horses are very small around here, I am just about as tall. Will try to attach a pic.
Went on my first convoy yesterday to the base about 5 miles away, at the airport. Wild ride, more worried about accidents than anything else. They have PX (Post Exchange) from every country there. Had Tai for lunch, it was ok. Met the Greek ortho doc and a general practice doc. Couldn't get the full tour because some greek politicans were there.
Chris (the other Oregon PA) and Carl (one of the doctor's I traveled with) went down range today. Carl will be back in about a week, Chris unsure of. Pray for them.
Got to go, someone with a bad knee just came in. Don't start my shift for another 90 minutes but it doesn't seem to work out that way.
Take care all,
mike

Hanging in the Hood!

See comments below!

Hanging in the hood

Hey, I think I got a picture up. It's just me outside my room by the aid station. This is normal dress around the base. If we go outside the wire you need to wear all your body armor and carry your weapons. The weapons are all loaded and ready. Hopefully not needed.

lost without pics

Sorry, short one today. Things going well. The directions are in German, can anyone tell me how to add a photo?
m

I'm Here!

It has almost been 3 days now. Just got my internet up and running. Did my first convoy from the air base to camp Phoenix, a little scary but a lot of the people along the side of the road seemed to like us and waved. Getting settled in. I live in legoland, it's a bunch of stacked conex trailers. Each one of us gets a half of the trailer, about 7x8 foot room. I was lucky and got one with a T.V. I can watch 3 channels or a DVD. I already found the wood shop on base and made a couple of risers for my bed to store stuff under it. I'm currently working on a new dresser. Not much work yet, finshed inprocessing today and will start in the TMC on Monday. I'll stay here for a while, they think I'll go down range after a while to give relief.
All for now,
mike

A lovely time in Germany

Here I am and here I'll stay until the Air Force gets me on a plane out of here.
It has been a good 2 going on 3 days. Visited a castle, drank a lot of beer and ate some great food. Good memories.
Today stuck in an airforce terminal waiting for another possible flight.I'll send pics as soon as I am on my computer and in country.
take care all!
mike

In full gear at Ft. Benning, Georgia

Almost time to deploy

Howdy all, sorry for the delay in posting. The military net in certian locations does not allow me to use the MySpace site, the reason for this bog site. As for my progress I am currently stuck in Germany, not a bad place to be stuck. I thought we were leaving this morning, but no. We have one more chance today at 1800 local time otherwise it might not be until the 15th.
The trip so far:
Salem on the 20th: Chris (the other PA) and I had dinner with a Real hero. TSGT Don Marlarkey (from Band of Brothers). He is a great man. We talked for about 2.5 hrs about the war and is wife, she passed in April 06. You could tell how much he loved her. He has had a good life without regrets. It was a pleasure and honor to talk with him and we hope to do it again upon our return.
The next 3 days were great to spend with our families. I cherish them very much, and miss them constantly. Please keep them in your prayers!!!!
On Saturday I spent the day flying to Benning - it took the entire day. The plane left early, sorry to those that showed up to see me off and I was already gone. We started training the next day and it went fairly smooth except with our housing. We started at one place, they kicked us out thinking we belonged in another, so being good soldiers we moved out. 2 days later they wanted us back, but we didn't move then. Our rooms were much better and in the middle of base - not out in the sticks. We rented a car for dinners and needed shopping. We missed a tornado by 2 miles one night. That was the same night as the bus roll over in Georgia and in the same location.
Training was good, we got to do some cool army stuff. Picked up too much gear to carry and got ready to go. Getting out of the US was easy. Getting out of Germany seems to be harder. Vets say getting to the war is harder than being there, I hope they are right!
Take care and I hope to write more often and in clearer thoughts
mike

Me with my kids - Caitlin & Luke

Me and my wife, Chris

Big Guy, Little Guy! (Me and Luke)

Getting ready for deployment

Pics are comming soon, by the end of next week. About 1 month to go until I leave. Please give anyone I know the information about my trip. I will try to write weekly while I'm there and post new pics about that often. There are a lot of small details when shutting down ones life for 4 months. Please pray for my family.