We Care for Everyone

March 30

We got a call on our radios of inbound patients one afternoon. So like clock work, we quickly headed to the medical center. As we waited for details, we find out that we were receiving marines and their dogs. Dogs? Did they say dogs? Yes, apparently this special marine is on the bomb squad. He and his partner had just located explosives when an IED went off. Unfortunately, his partner did not make it nor his partners trainer. This German Shepherd is named Rex and had several cuts and open wounds on him when he arrived. The gentleman attending him is an Army Vet Tech in training. With our assistance we were able to care for him and get him quickly flown out for further care. These Marines consider them just as much a part of the team as one of their own guys. They are literally valuable members, costing quite a bit to train.

Key West or Iraq

March 19

We had an outdoor concert here with a group called Key West who travelled all the way from the states. No, they weren't a local band. They are Jimmy Buffet-wanna-bes. It was something to do so many of us went. We were joking because they sale all sorts of near-beer here. We thought we would pick up a six pack but the only thing we would get out of it is the need to burp and pee. And we wouldn't even wobble while we were peeing!

For those who are unaware, near-beer is like O'douls. NO alcohol. I didn't realize all the different brands available. But these men sure like to drink it - I take that back. The marines and army like to drink it. We navy folk have our pride. It is either the real thing or nothing at all!

Oh, and the concert wasn't half bad. It was just so darn chilly. The band actually sounded like most of the groups they were imitating.

Where am I?

Many of you have asked, " Where are you?" I reply, "I am in Iraq." Okay, okay that is pretty obvious by now. But I am actually on one of Saddam's old air fields called Al Taqaddum or TQ for short. It is located west of Bagdad up on a plateau. If you google the name, a map will come up, otherwise we are not located on a regular Iraq map.

While sightseeing after shooting my pistol, I was able to get some pictures of the Iraqi planes that our folks dug up under the air field. There are quite a few that Saddam had tried to hide. But our CBs have excellent metal detectors and in no time they were able to uncover them.

Sightseeing in Iraq

I thought that might get your attention!! The best part of shooting had to be seeing the huge lake that borders our base. Apparently Sadam spent a lot of money getting this lake up to his standards. It is blue and beautiful!! The bus driver who I talked to extensively on the ride over, took us past Sadam's ranch which is also on this base and overlooks this big lake. Try to pull up the picture and zoom in for better view.

She then drove us past the little town right outside our base. I got lots of pictures so here are a few for you to see. I wish they had come out better. For those of you who may have concerns, we never left the base. I didn't realize how huge this place was until we were driving around. I actually saw three trees!! Yes, I took pics of them too!

Shooting in Iraq

March 11

Sunday we had to go shoot our pistols that we literally were issued as we were getting on the bus to catch our flight. So, although I had shot a 9mm, I had never shot my issued 9mm. Well the powers that be decided it would be a good idea to skip church services and let us go shoot 10 bullets. Yes, ten bullets! We got to the range and were given our bullets to load. Then we sat around for over an hour waiting on the Army to stand guard at the roads. When we eventually got to shoot, you men would have been proud of me. I put six of my ten in a tight circle in the middle! I was shocked.

I also got to watch our marines shoot their M16s. Thank goodness I don't have to carry that with me every where. As it is, this 9mm strapped to me gets in my way. Do you know how hard it is to keep it from falling in the toilet when you gotta go? or pull you pants up afterwards? Many have purchased a shoulder hoster for that very reason. Sooner or later I will have to break down I am sure. Luckily, I don't have to wear this helmet and vest all the time. It weighs over 30 lbs.

Now I am told we might get a second chance to qualify for a ribbon while here. Keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for me.

Arabic 101

My friend Claudette in San Diego is providing me with Arabic lessons. I thought I would share some with you. Thanks, Claudette!!

"Here are some arabic words to go with your tea time;
tea: chai
milk: hallib
sugar: sucre
give me: attini
filled cookies: ma'amoul
and of course you know baklava"

subbi is a boy, ibin is son, bint is a girl.

One of our "Windtalkers" (yes, just like the movie and WWII) is teaching us on Tuesday mornings. But it is boring medical terms. Claudette's is much more useful!!

Tea Time

March 9

Well many of you may have heard of tea time in England. It is usually at 4pm. The Iraq people also have tea time. It starts at 8 pm here on base. We have a tea hut, in which our friendly Iraq folk serve tea and cigars. I got the opportunity to go last night with some of the outgoing folks. We sat outside under the stars, drank tea out of shot glasses, and got sick from second hand cigar smoke. It was great!! If you can't have alcohol - drink tea!! Instead of getting sleepy - you get wired. What a great concept! I will look forward to enjoying my tea time on Friday nights.

Children in the Hospital

Unfortunately we get civilians - children to be specific, who have been caught up in the turmoil. This is Ahmad, a 10 year old boy who lives in the little town outside the gate. He broke his arm playing soccer (football in this country) and had it set by a local doctor. They do not have an xray machine so he came to us to see if it was correctly placed. Unfortunately, it wasn't so we took him to the OR to set it again. He has the most beautiful eyes! Of course, I wouldn't tell a boy that but he does.
We noticed that we have even fewer kids items here. When looking for something to give Ahmad, I noticed we only had a few boy items. I had to replace his shirt with a man's shirt. And most of the few toys we had were for girls. Luckily, I found a puzzle with a train on it. So any childrens clothes, toys, books, etc would also be useful. Our patients range in age from babies to teens. (Notice the scratchy green army blanket he is laying on and covered up with.)

Please see my previous posting to get my mailing address if you have anything to donate.

Thank you to all who have already collected items to help the marines in the hospital. The clothes will be greatly appreciated.

My Patient's Needs

For those who are really wanting to send something worthwhile, I ask you to think about my patients. All of them have their entire uniform cut off so we can evaluate them and often it is days before they receive clothes from their units. Many charity groups as well as schools have started sending sweat pants, t-shirts, and a variety of mens under wear for them to wear here in the hospital until they can get their own clothes.

Since originally sending out this email, we have received lots of clothing for our troops. So much so that we are now storing it outside in a trailer. The troops want me to say thank you to everyone. If you want to help what I encourage you to send now are DVDs, books, magazines, soft blankets (we only have those green scratchy wool army blankets), etc. These do not have to be new stuff. What ever is lying around not being used at home will be greatly appreciated. Although it is unusual for anyone to stay more than 3 days with us, it is amazing how bored they get sitting in a bed or wheelchair. One of our patients went through and straightened up the charity food locker, clothes bins and etc. If only he did windows, we'd keep him around!

As for me, I am satisfied with what I have at the moment. But I'd take a good chick flick or magazine.

I am posting my address for those who wish to send items. We have found that smaller boxes get here faster due to more space available on the helos.

LCDR Neptune, Elizabeth
2d Maint Bn (-) (Rein)
Surgical Co.
Unit 73619
FPO AE 09509-3619

Home Sweet Home

I was fortunate enough to purchase a "room" from one of the gentleman leaving. I aquired sheets, comforter, light, fan, refrigerator, tv, dvd player, stereo, desk, chairs, hot pot, 3 rugs and live plants. How much you may ask? Merely $150! I am ecstatic!! I still need pictures to hang on my otherwise sterile looking metal walls. But I am not complaining.

Okay, so these are the photos of the inside of my room. If you notice, very little pictures on the wall. What was I thinking not bringing family pictures!! My lap top for viewing photos is not as great as I thought. It would be so nice to walk in and see a "memory" on the wall and smile. Hint hint family members!!

My cable is finally installed. I feel very fortunate. The gentleman who used to live there was a Captain, psychiatrist to be exact. I asked him why he didn't get cable when it was offered to him. He told me he liked to keep life simple; but, he had the cable placed on the roof and just never ran it inside. (Say what?) So one day a guy was on the roof spraying it off (you know because of all the sand) and I asked if I could borrow his ladder. After all, I used to be an electronics technician once upon a time. How hard could it be to hook up cable? Well, he was so nice he said he would do it for me. Unfortunately, my cable did not have connectors so I had to run to the hodgie shop to get some. Then he switched it out and pushed it through the AC hole for me because I am a little short. How cool!! I have cable. It consists of 10 channels, most of them news of some sort. But every once in awhile I get HGTV or some of the tv series I like to watch. Once again, I am not complaining!!

Home?

March 1

I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the wonderful accomodations. Imagine if you can a trailer - maybe 100ft x 17ft, then separated into several little "apartments" with each having an outside door. And the first thing you see when you walk out is this huge concrete monolith surrounding the whole trailer. What I like the most is the fact that I have no room mate and my group of trailers are the only ones at this time to have cable. Although, it is not hooked up yet.