Thursday, August 21, 2008

Patient diagnosis

I have actually been busy doing what I love taking care of patients. It has been busy this week with an influx of patients getting knee scopes to dehydration to appedectomies. I have noticed somewhat of a sad trend however. When I was in bethesda, I took care of marines who where in Iraq very close to suicide bombers, which are people who attach bombs to themselves and position themselves in close proximity to our soilders and "take their live in honor of Allah". I would also see marianes who were injured from IED ( improvised explosive device) on the road that they were patrolling. These men lost limbs, eyes, and mostly self esteem. So when I see these guys who come from Iraq complaining of stomach pain or hurt themselves playing softball, i challenge my ethical system. Now I am a nurse and will care for patients no matter what or how the injury occured. It is just crazy when I have marines that will lay in bed in get pneumonia because they will not get up and walk around the ward. I mean your fellow solider is still in harms way and they are not concerned about getting back to thier unit. I had marines with one arm ask me Ma'm when will be able to get back with my guys. So its slightly disheartning. But hey I had 5 patients the other night and was grateful because it was busy and this week has flown by!

Well I guess everyone is becoming busy with the normal hustle and bustle of life, my emails are becoming fewer and post are shorter. I understand, I know how life goes. I have to realize life doesn't stop or begin with me!! HAHA.

I really miss the twins, I spoke to them yesterday and they asked when I was coming to see them and why did my job send me so far far away. I also started crying when I recieved a much uplifting email from shemeika who brought to my attention how I am accustomed to having people around me that care for me and will do things together socially because we click that way. Its not like that here I don't really have anyone that I can trust to talk to, so it gets hard. But there is one friend I know I can count on and that is JESUS! So I keep calling on him to make my days shorter and my weeks fewer!

3 comments:

Totally Inspired said...

dont let the actions of others bring you down... you have your own strengths and you know them very well.. this is only a test of those strengths to make sure that you are listening to GOD and your powers to be a strong woman... these are the times that you can look within to find joy, fulfilment and excitement.. not be dependent on others around you or your work environment.. youjust gotta pull through and make the best with what you have.. thats all we can ever do... i am proud of you.. and I know that this time will only make you appreciate everthing in your life that much more :)

yea, i knwo what you mean about the soldiers that you are working with now... its amazing how people can be so different... but that just goes to show that people had very diffrent motivations for why they are there srving our country..and in what capacity.. but as soon as the situation chages, they will be able to see how silly they were acting... but i totally understand how it can be disheartening.. its almost like those football players in college with the full scholarships that didnt even CARE about their eucation.. but US.. the nurses, engineers, accountants, chemists... we ll struggled had to make good grades and scrounge to pay for college and then had loans.. and blah blah.. they just never really appreciated what they had, thats the point i want to make...

Yes, folks are busy.. but YOU do YOU!! thats all that matters. Just know that it wont always be this hard,or lonely or peaceful.. i too struggle with alot of things (most of which you know and I wont even go into all of them).. but we have to keep our mind stayed on the final goal... coming home.. AND this move was a step in the right direction of your career. we have to do the dirt and sacrifice so that you can enjoy later.. work hard.. so we can play harder!! just be thankful for all the benefits that this experience is offering you!! I love you much (wow.. that was a long post)

Brooke said...

You are amazing! I know you know this but I just wanted to tell you that. I have to agree with Kameel that some just don't understand how good they have it, but that is only because they have never experienced the really bad and had to struggle to get something, like an education. Well for those of us who have experienced more know that what we have is precious. I can never claim to have experienced what our great men and women are doing over there but some feel that those who are there (and got hurt playing softball) are still doing something great (even though some need to get off of their high horses and grow up, but I digress...). I am glad I seen this on your email, I am happy to hear from you and you sound like your doing well. Keep being great!
Brooke

kee-n-my3 said...

Hey Boo, we just got back from vacation...we went to the Poconos for 4 days...i was excited about checking your blog...yeah as usual things are getting busy around here...school's about to start for Saafir and for me, but non the less I love you and I miss you very much...and I also look forward to all your post and pictures...and yes you are looking tight...keep up the good work. Love always-Kee