Pancake Day

Ok so yes...Yesterday was Pancake day.  Long story but the jest of it is one of the Drs ordered a griddle and we got some pancake mix, some dried blueberries and strawberries and FRESH EGGS and made some really awesome pancakes...sometimes it is just the little things!

Rain = Mud

It has been pouring rain all day today...and I thought it was the desert. And of course...all that rain just makes it one big mud pile out here.  It has keep the activity low though which is a good thing I guess

Multi Team Approch

What is very amazing about the surgery on these multi injured casualties is that there is usually 3 or more surgical "teams" working on the patient at the same time. You can have 2-3 general surgeons working in the abdomen, 4 ortho surgeons working on the lower extremities and the plastic surgeon working on the face or upper extremity.  The scrub tech definitely works FULL time.  Sometimes we have two scrub techs. It can get pretty crowded around the table so if you are into "YOUR SPACE" well you are out of luck

Pic shows ortho team and general surgery team working. Upper extremity has already been completed.

The Dr Team Part II: The General/Trauma Surgeons

Ok so this is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the team...just kidding..had to say that since I fall into this group.  We have usually 5 general/trauma surgeons as part of the group and it seems to work fairly well with that number.  Arranged in teams of 2, with the first time taking primary casualties and if more than one it goes to team two.  Currently we have 6 general surgeons getting one from the US marine side of things.  The Brit surgeon is usually here for 7-8 weeks then rotates out.  Navy surgeons are here for 6-7 months (yes our det has the honor of the 7 month rotation)

Pic is of surgeons at start of my stay. The 3 Gibleteers as we are know in the Army uniforms on the outside. The OIC of the Navy det, and one of the Marine surgeons on "loan" to Bastion. Brit is second from left.

Some of the "Team": The Plastic Surgeon

One of the Team Members here at Bastion is a Plastic Surgeon, a Brit. You might think why the heck a plastic surgeon. in fact the plastic surgeon here is probably the busiest of all the surgeons.  He operates on almost all the cases that come in...does the eye stuff, all the upper extremity injuries esp forearm and hand (this can be SO important for casualties that have lost lower extremities ie: for rehab) and all face: fractures, and especially facial wounds.  And he seems to help out on a bunch of other areas too whenever he is free! So no there shouldn't be a plastic surgeon here, the probably should be two! Pic is of plastic surgeon (on left) repairing facial injuries on one of the casualties.

Whats a Hero?

How do you define HERO: Yesterday was again bad day for the 3/5 and its support. 4 casualties two very bad. But that is not the story. The Corpsman (Navy Medic) with them also got hit by the IED and pretty badly injured with frags and a concussion. But STILL managed to get to his injured and place tourniquets on them saving their lives.

Rain in the Desert

Well yes..it rained..and I mean it rained all day. The end result is well....MUD.  Somehow I don't think this rain is going to make for alot of green grass and flowers.  Pic is of part of the "crew" heading to mess today in the rain.