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