Work- boring and otherwise

Today, another treat day on the Excel spreadsheet, only this time I had all of the fun. I found out that I was being moved to another base to cover for my buddy. They only send the highest trustworthy people to cover this base, because he is well loved by his people. And the last time he was gone " SOMEONE" went in and destroyed his hand made, lovingly sanded and highly varnished furniture. Plus, "whoever" was not favored by the people. And since I know a lot of the people there...and it is my buddy, I get to go- Yippee!

So, back to paperwork...or rather learning a new trick for me. I hate spreadsheets! Whoever invented this had to be someone who did not like anyone. It was tedious at best and super boring. I see people sitting quietly at their desks working a miracle, but I had no idea. Did you know that you can't talk while you work this monstrosity? No really...or I can't because I lose my place and screw it all up. Someone once said that to keep me quiet all you have to do was tie down my hands. Nope! Put me on a spreadsheet...and then I think I may think of another creative place to put a tie. I hate them! Thankfully we have patients that need attending every so often to give me a break.

It's all about the patients, except for after dark. We're having a sale on Stomach Flu right now. I was lucky enough to be one of the first in line. Then some in the kitchen and their friends and my friends and so on. I don't mind having to drag my butt out of bed for someone puking their gut up. I'm here to help. I do mind the straggler that comes at 2AM for a cut on their finger that I can't even identify. When did it happen (I say sweetly) if may ask? When I hear the reply that it was last night and it's an emergency because they work the nightshift, my head starts to spin. My pleasantness goes right out the window and in my head I'm saying, cut that baby off and then come see me. My smile, (planted on at all times), says, You wound looks ok for right now our clinic hours are from so and so.

Clinic hours...We do have set times. But, how do I turn away people that are really sick. I sleep in the clinic, so they know where to find me. I had an odd thought when "I'm hurt" showed up on my doorstep with 2 of his friends in the wee hours of the morning. They were all laughing having a good time and tried to get into the clinic, but since no one looked to be in distress they were told to come back during morning sick call. I always worried about my young partner when she was occupying the clinic alone. I never thought about myself. They call me Mom, Doc and Sir.

I will never forget a time when I was on EMS and we were called for "an assault"... That's all they called it. Highland Park has lots of those and they're usually partners fighting, but we were nearby the street of vacant lots, overgrown weeds and chucked garbage. As we spotted the scout, who waved us over...I will never forget the feeling of disgust and horror that I experienced as I first focused on an orthopedic shoe...then looked 50 feet ahead at a frail grandmother who had ran for her life... lying face down with her polyester pants pulled down to her knees and her diaper ripped from behind exposing her. She had been raped and choked to death. What kind of an animal does that? She should have lived out all those years on a porch with her loving family surrounding her and died peacefully in her bed.

I will never forget her. Experience- I took it and ran to the only guy that works at night near me and we now have a secret code so that he can keep an eye on things and on me when I have to open my door in the dead of night.

Stuff, stuff and more stuff

Today I got a box from home. It was filled with wonderful things. Some things I had asked for like the prescription sunglasses that I had forgotten on R&R or my scrub tops that are so much cooler in the hot Afgani desert. Not that I'm ungrateful for the poly blend t-shirts that we are assigned. They never wrinkle and are color coordinated with our hoodies, but they are hot. However, I'm thankful you really can't see the sweat in those baby's! I also got some very thoughtful chocolate creme filled wafers. You know the kind that are wrapped like sticks and come in a reuseable can. YUM!! And pistachios!! And my all purpose tool that was a very thoughtful gift and was on my list to buy when I was home. I couldn't take it on the airplane for they feared I would pull my 1" screwdriver... and do what?

We love packages from home and I'm luckier than most, because I also get them from a buddy in the military. It's stuff that they don't want and I know the guys over here need due to the PX shortage. This time we got underwear, t-shirts, jean shorts and toiletries and hats. It's great stuff and I'm extra greatful for the soap. Girls stock up and need different fragrances, so we're always well prepared. Guys...well, lets say it's getting pretty ripe here.

I'm waiting on an Amazon package that I can only pray will come very soon as I am moving on out again. That's right, my 11th move! I'm either well liked and they have confidence that I can do a good job wherever or... let's leave it as that. I want my job title to be "Official FOB Hopper." That suits me- don't you think? But, I love Amazon because things come super fast in 5 days or less- usually. I'm hoping...My Clean & Clear face wash was stolen the other day. Since most can't afford it- obviously, they just took it. I'm now showering with my head out of the stall watching my "leave in conditioner" that I don't take in with me. I just prays my order comes before I have to leave.

So I will hop along now, but soon I will be telling of another cute base in another part of Afghanistan. Have yourself a great day!