Nothing new to report. I had the same EC pt as I did during week 1, the one with the arm infection. I hung out most of the night in the interpreters' room playing a card game. It's almost like Spades except the person to the right of the shuffler can choose what suit they want as the highest suit for that card game.
A couple of the day shift interpreters stayed the whole night with the night shift interpreters. One is Mohammed Zair, and the other is Bashir. I remember having met Bashir before but I don't think we formally introduced ourselves. He was there the night I watched them all pray and Dr. Jabar prayed for me. Bashir is...um, can I say beautiful? Well he is! If I could I would stare at him forever. Maybe it's because he is the spitting image of how Jesus would look like if he were in his early twenties. I told him he looked like a young Jesus; at first he didnt know how to take it but I told him I meant it as a compliment. To me, he's more beautiful and better to look at than any actor or model that I can think of. When I personally call a male beautiful (sounds weird but yes, men can be beautiful; they are God's creation after all), I consider it better than 'hot' and 'good-looking' but that's only according to MT's compliment scale. He even has what looks like smiling wrinkles on the outside corners of his eyes. I can't tell because I don't want to get caught staring at him, so I just looked at him when they were all arranging their own hand of cards. =) To clarify...no, I don't have a crush on him. I just want to stare at him...forever...lol jk
Nazar was off last night. =( I like talking to him. He's so shy but willing to teach me what I want to learn, and answer all my questions. I don't think I'll have the alphabet down by the time I see him tonight. It's ok. I asked Zair about books that have English to Dari (aka Eastern Persian; an official language spoken in Afghanistan - the one I'm learning) translations, and he might have some to lend me. I hope so! Then I can practice at "home" and just have them correct me in the pronunciation.
I think that's all for now. I need to sleep if I want to be rested for tonight! Baad mibinim (see you later)!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
...week 2, day 3...
Yay! I went to Mass on Sunday (11 Jan) and boy did it feel great! It's a nice small community, and I already plan on getting involved with all the ministries! lol Even though there weren't any kneelers, everyone knelt anyway. You're probably thinking, 'uh, why wouldn't they kneel?' I've been to Catholic Churches where there weren't kneelers and kneeling wasnt part of the Mass (talk about apalling, especially during Consecration). ANYway, a majority of the attendants were men, so it sounded like an all-male choir whenever we sang. =) I was finally able to meet this Lieutenant whose mother-in-law works in PACU back at my hospital in LV. Her mother-in-law and I are pretty close and she wanted me to meet her son and daughter-in-law, both deployed in the same location. As soon as I walked into the Chapel, I just knew it was her. After Mass she and I walked to the Terminal to see if I could find my bag...sure enough, it was the 1st one I saw! Praise God! Now I have my alarm clock and lamp, the only two items I was waiting for.
On Sunday night I was Charge again and had 1 pt initially. He's a young (about 20 y/o) local who had a piece of shrapnel in his eye. He went to surgery to get it removed; luckily he still has his eyesight. Later on in the evening I received an elderly gentleman who was shot in the lower back while he was praying. I don't have all the details but it was an eventful night with him, only because some stuff didn't get done during his admission so we kept getting visitors/phone calls regarding this pt.
I've been trying to hi to as many of the custodians as I can remember. They were impressed at my memory, not just in regards to their names, but also with the language; they said I had good pronunciation. I'm glad they think so because I feel like I'm butchering up their language!
Last night (13 Jan) was another night off for me. Of course, I went to the hospital to hang out. I met a few more custodians but I dont remember their names at all! I don't think I was trying to commit them to memory, that's why. They had a hard time with my name so the interpreters said they would give me a name, Nahma. They said she's a famous Afghan singer (or was a long time ago). I thought it was funny because I'm definitely not a singer. It's nice to know that they want me to be a part of their culture in some way, so giving me an Afghan name is their way of welcoming me in. =)
Nazar taught me to write my name. He laughed at my effort and said that it was legible but it looked like a school child's handwriting! haha He also wrote their alphabet for me and the pronunciation. I definitely don't plan on trying to read the language. It's beautiful to look at, but I have enough on my plate just trying to remember vocabulary!
There's nothing else eventful to write about. Nevertheless I'll continue to blog because, like I said in my first blog, I want to record everything, if not for other people to read, then for myself to remember. Signing off...
On Sunday night I was Charge again and had 1 pt initially. He's a young (about 20 y/o) local who had a piece of shrapnel in his eye. He went to surgery to get it removed; luckily he still has his eyesight. Later on in the evening I received an elderly gentleman who was shot in the lower back while he was praying. I don't have all the details but it was an eventful night with him, only because some stuff didn't get done during his admission so we kept getting visitors/phone calls regarding this pt.
I met a few more custodians: Tawab, Taqir, Ali Mohammed. I dont see them as often as I see the interpreters so it's gonna be hard remembering who is who, although there are some names and faces that I have down.
I ran into Habib, one of the Cordova (the company that the custodians work for) managers. He remembered my name. I was shocked, and embarrassed because I didn't remember his (we met during my first few days here but I wasn't really focusing on anything, let alone remembering people's names). But he re-introduced himself, and all's good.
One of the interpreters, Nazar, and I have become good friends. He has taught me a lot of new words. We also continue to talk about our different cultures, and about our religions as well. Now I remember how to say 'what's your name?': nome cheest (I used it some more just so I could remember). I also learned: I'm fine - hoob hastam; Are you good? - hoob hasty?; good morning - hoba hay; good night - shoba hay; numbers - yak, du, say, char, panj, shash, haft, hasht, nu, da
Monday night (12 Jan) was uneventful. I had the same 2 pts. I dropped by ICU to see what was up and they had a 27 y/o Army soldier who got hit with an RPG (Rocket-propelled grenade). Thankfully he was the only one who got hit. He has two big wounds: one on his right thigh and and one on his right arm/shoulder area. We took pictures so I'll post them as soon as I get ahold of the pictures.
So I lied. There's one more night shift interpreter - Jahani. He was gone for a couple of weeks to visit his family. He's married and has one child. He's nice too, just like they all are.I've been trying to hi to as many of the custodians as I can remember. They were impressed at my memory, not just in regards to their names, but also with the language; they said I had good pronunciation. I'm glad they think so because I feel like I'm butchering up their language!
Last night (13 Jan) was another night off for me. Of course, I went to the hospital to hang out. I met a few more custodians but I dont remember their names at all! I don't think I was trying to commit them to memory, that's why. They had a hard time with my name so the interpreters said they would give me a name, Nahma. They said she's a famous Afghan singer (or was a long time ago). I thought it was funny because I'm definitely not a singer. It's nice to know that they want me to be a part of their culture in some way, so giving me an Afghan name is their way of welcoming me in. =)
Nazar taught me to write my name. He laughed at my effort and said that it was legible but it looked like a school child's handwriting! haha He also wrote their alphabet for me and the pronunciation. I definitely don't plan on trying to read the language. It's beautiful to look at, but I have enough on my plate just trying to remember vocabulary!
There's nothing else eventful to write about. Nevertheless I'll continue to blog because, like I said in my first blog, I want to record everything, if not for other people to read, then for myself to remember. Signing off...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
...week 1, day 7...
So, after talking to the interpreters last night (10 Jan), I learned more about Islam and the Afghan culture.
Before I divulge, I'll mention my patients, new words, new names, and anything I feel is interesting or worth remembering.
I was Charge Nurse last night and had Nazia as a pt. We are working on getting her to the states for better care/surgery. From what I've learned, a lot of strings have been pulled, a lot of work is being done on her case, and money is being raised for her. Atiqula is learning English for when he goes over to the states, their mom accompanying them. He won't be at the hospital tonight since his dad will take over as Nazia's guardian for the next 10 days. I'll miss that kid while he's gone. He's a good brother. And Nazia...so cute...and so spoiled! EVERYONE knows her...even the guards and custodians look for her and play with her! For awhile, staff had to keep from feeding her because she relied on others to feed her, and from picking her up because she wasn't learning how to walk.
My other patient was Zahara, a 4 y/o (?) who was used as a shield during a firefight. I don't know all the details but she was shot in the head (dont know who shot her; no brain damage); 2 failed skin grafts; but the latest surgery was successful (so far). This girl cracks me up. You think I wash my hands often or clean a lot due to my germophobic-obsessive compulsive habits, but this girl...she'll wash her hands 3 times every time she's at the sink, ie. soap, wash, repeat 2 more times...and she's very thorough! She washes hands better than any doctor that I've seen, and I'm not exaggerating. Then she'll wash her face, a cleansing ritual done by Muslims before they pray. It's cute, for now, but I worry she'll get obsessed with washing her hands, and won't be able to break the habit. If it's done here in Afghanistan, people will know she's preparing to pray. If it's done anywhere else, and among people not familiar with Muslim rituals, they may view it as...abnormal.
The only new phrase I learned today is 'what's your name?', but I already forgot how to say it even though I used it several times last night! I'll record the other phrases I was taught previously, and will be taught hereafter, after I use them a few more times and am able to completely recall them (eg. 'what's your name?' lol).
The last of the night shift interpreters that I met was Marouf. The custodians that I met were: Noorullah, Shafiullah (Shafi), Hamidullah, Sayed, and Rafiullah (Rafi). Even though they tell me I can shorten their names because they're so similar and long (eg. Shafi), we'll see how long that lasts because I like knowing and using a person's full name, just like how I like it when people know, and even use, my full name. They politely laughed at me as I tried to sound out their names, and at my attempt to recall all of them. Meanwhile, they had trouble saying 'Maritess' so I told them to call me 'Tess.' That's nothing new; even people back in the states have trouble with my name lol!
So, what I wrote in my 1st post regarding bathrooms was true, but not for all people. It was in regards to the poorer populations, like those in the small villages/farms. But, in the cities, they have bathrooms ("Of course we have bathrooms" - Massoud).
I learned the traditional burial ritual (we follow these steps if an Afghan dies in our hospital): it must either be done by a family member or, if family is unavailable, by our Chaplain under the supervision and guidance of an interpreter; the body is cleaned; the head is wrapped with a kafan (basically just a simple plain cloth): over the top of the head and under the chin, with the knot ending on top of the head; the head "looks" to the right ("direction of prayer" - Massoud); the 2 big toes are tied together so that the legs remain closed, keeping the body presentable and not in array; the body is also wrapped in kafan; the kafan must remain clean for burial, which is why the body is thoroughly cleaned; when the body is buried, it lays perpendicular to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia; holiest city in Islam); basically the head faces in the direction of Mecca (which is why they turn the head). Massoud explained to me there's a difference in how men and women are married but I didn't quite catch what he said. Despite any variation in custom or interpretation, the ritual always includes bathing, shrouding the body, and prayer. I could tell there might be some sort of variation as Massoud discussed this topic with the custodians, and I heard 'nay' during their conversation as they tried to clarify and agree.
I love tradition myself (maybe I should convert to Catholicism? lol) so hearing their rituals is just so inspiring to me. It's not like I plan on converting or anything! Believe me, not even God Himself could get me to convert. He would have to make the late Great Pope John Paul II and my grandmother convince me! LOL Besides, I love Mama Mary a little bit too much; just a little bit. ;)
By the way, the ICU has a soldier who survived an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast. Praise God for that but there's still some sadness behind it all. I can't give away too much right now (especially online). There's so much sensitive information, and some of it gets leaked to the media when it shouldn't. I get angry when I hear that reporters might be calling for updates/quotes from staff. I don't EVER want to hear "the American people have the right to know," at least not with this stuff. 1. some of the patients they ask about aren't even American so no, the American people do not have the right to know 2. not all Americans support this war, so don't feed them anymore information that isn't their business. There's just so much politics here. I try to cover my ears since I came here just to do my job, but it's everywhere. When I focus on what's in front of me regarding the patients I care for, it hits me how serious this situation is. I'm not dreaming about my being here in a war zone in the Middle East. I'm not dreaming about the wounds I see or the stories I hear. It's REAL. I touch it when I change wound dressings. I feel it when I cry for the young military boy laying in the bed before me (thankfully still very much alive). I become a part of it when I put on my uniform everyday. Some people might be accustomed to all of this because they get deployed all the time. I hope this never happens to me because I never want to be numb to my patients and their situations. Now I see why the Good Lord has called me to serve Him, here and now.
Before I divulge, I'll mention my patients, new words, new names, and anything I feel is interesting or worth remembering.
I was Charge Nurse last night and had Nazia as a pt. We are working on getting her to the states for better care/surgery. From what I've learned, a lot of strings have been pulled, a lot of work is being done on her case, and money is being raised for her. Atiqula is learning English for when he goes over to the states, their mom accompanying them. He won't be at the hospital tonight since his dad will take over as Nazia's guardian for the next 10 days. I'll miss that kid while he's gone. He's a good brother. And Nazia...so cute...and so spoiled! EVERYONE knows her...even the guards and custodians look for her and play with her! For awhile, staff had to keep from feeding her because she relied on others to feed her, and from picking her up because she wasn't learning how to walk.
My other patient was Zahara, a 4 y/o (?) who was used as a shield during a firefight. I don't know all the details but she was shot in the head (dont know who shot her; no brain damage); 2 failed skin grafts; but the latest surgery was successful (so far). This girl cracks me up. You think I wash my hands often or clean a lot due to my germophobic-obsessive compulsive habits, but this girl...she'll wash her hands 3 times every time she's at the sink, ie. soap, wash, repeat 2 more times...and she's very thorough! She washes hands better than any doctor that I've seen, and I'm not exaggerating. Then she'll wash her face, a cleansing ritual done by Muslims before they pray. It's cute, for now, but I worry she'll get obsessed with washing her hands, and won't be able to break the habit. If it's done here in Afghanistan, people will know she's preparing to pray. If it's done anywhere else, and among people not familiar with Muslim rituals, they may view it as...abnormal.
The only new phrase I learned today is 'what's your name?', but I already forgot how to say it even though I used it several times last night! I'll record the other phrases I was taught previously, and will be taught hereafter, after I use them a few more times and am able to completely recall them (eg. 'what's your name?' lol).
The last of the night shift interpreters that I met was Marouf. The custodians that I met were: Noorullah, Shafiullah (Shafi), Hamidullah, Sayed, and Rafiullah (Rafi). Even though they tell me I can shorten their names because they're so similar and long (eg. Shafi), we'll see how long that lasts because I like knowing and using a person's full name, just like how I like it when people know, and even use, my full name. They politely laughed at me as I tried to sound out their names, and at my attempt to recall all of them. Meanwhile, they had trouble saying 'Maritess' so I told them to call me 'Tess.' That's nothing new; even people back in the states have trouble with my name lol!
So, what I wrote in my 1st post regarding bathrooms was true, but not for all people. It was in regards to the poorer populations, like those in the small villages/farms. But, in the cities, they have bathrooms ("Of course we have bathrooms" - Massoud).
I learned the traditional burial ritual (we follow these steps if an Afghan dies in our hospital): it must either be done by a family member or, if family is unavailable, by our Chaplain under the supervision and guidance of an interpreter; the body is cleaned; the head is wrapped with a kafan (basically just a simple plain cloth): over the top of the head and under the chin, with the knot ending on top of the head; the head "looks" to the right ("direction of prayer" - Massoud); the 2 big toes are tied together so that the legs remain closed, keeping the body presentable and not in array; the body is also wrapped in kafan; the kafan must remain clean for burial, which is why the body is thoroughly cleaned; when the body is buried, it lays perpendicular to Mecca (in Saudi Arabia; holiest city in Islam); basically the head faces in the direction of Mecca (which is why they turn the head). Massoud explained to me there's a difference in how men and women are married but I didn't quite catch what he said. Despite any variation in custom or interpretation, the ritual always includes bathing, shrouding the body, and prayer. I could tell there might be some sort of variation as Massoud discussed this topic with the custodians, and I heard 'nay' during their conversation as they tried to clarify and agree.
I love tradition myself (maybe I should convert to Catholicism? lol) so hearing their rituals is just so inspiring to me. It's not like I plan on converting or anything! Believe me, not even God Himself could get me to convert. He would have to make the late Great Pope John Paul II and my grandmother convince me! LOL Besides, I love Mama Mary a little bit too much; just a little bit. ;)
By the way, the ICU has a soldier who survived an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast. Praise God for that but there's still some sadness behind it all. I can't give away too much right now (especially online). There's so much sensitive information, and some of it gets leaked to the media when it shouldn't. I get angry when I hear that reporters might be calling for updates/quotes from staff. I don't EVER want to hear "the American people have the right to know," at least not with this stuff. 1. some of the patients they ask about aren't even American so no, the American people do not have the right to know 2. not all Americans support this war, so don't feed them anymore information that isn't their business. There's just so much politics here. I try to cover my ears since I came here just to do my job, but it's everywhere. When I focus on what's in front of me regarding the patients I care for, it hits me how serious this situation is. I'm not dreaming about my being here in a war zone in the Middle East. I'm not dreaming about the wounds I see or the stories I hear. It's REAL. I touch it when I change wound dressings. I feel it when I cry for the young military boy laying in the bed before me (thankfully still very much alive). I become a part of it when I put on my uniform everyday. Some people might be accustomed to all of this because they get deployed all the time. I hope this never happens to me because I never want to be numb to my patients and their situations. Now I see why the Good Lord has called me to serve Him, here and now.
Friday, January 9, 2009
...week 1...
My first blog, and it's at an appropriate time in my life, in my career.
RN...AF...and my first deployment ever...to Bagram, Afghanistan, for 6 months.
I havent been here 1 week and the things I've seen and learned are the very reasons I'm a nurse, the reasons I want to get deployed at every chance I get.
Before I talk about my time here, I'll recap my week of travel:
26 Dec: departed Vegas for Norfolk, VA; placed in Navy lodging; stayed w/ relatives for the weekend (ate a lot!); visited the beach and dipped my feet in the Atlantic (experienced"feet freeze"); left the US on 30 Dec
30/31 Dec: in Germany for 2 hours to switch crews, and "gas up"; ate A LOT on the plane! watched (or slept through): Get Smart, Iron Man, National Treasure 2, Hulk, Mad Money
31 Dec: New Year's in Manas, Krygyzstan
small base; beautiful locals; best Blessed Sacrament room I've ever been in (small and private); lectored for daily Mass (of course I would volunteer); my "life" there: ate, slept, got online, shopped at the BX
3 Jan: ate lunch w/ the C-17 pilots that flew us to Bagram (1 went to FSU ROTC w/ me); got to go up into the cockpit; left Manas, arrived in Bagram, missing 1 bag, smallest corner of my dorm room (not for long!), got sick
now that I am here:
4 Jan: orientation in the morning; didnt get to go to Mass =( because the last Mass time was so late and it was dark by that time; my friends didnt think it was safe for me to go wandering in the dark looking for the church in an unfamiliar environment; God knew my intentions
5 Jan: first night shift on the Intensive Care Ward (ICW); 3 patients (pts): Active Duty (AD) Army soldier w/ chest pain (sent to Germany that night); an Enemy Combatant (EC): leg infection, 2 guards in the room (for all ECs); AD Marine (JJ's age): facial injuries after a blast; affected his eyesight but he still has it; wears sunglasses to avoid the bright light
6 Jan: off but came to work anyway; washed clothes, met Nazia (3 y/o local; patient [pt] after swallowing a battery; no voice, damaged airways, trachea; been a patient through several rotations) and her brother Atiqula who I am "teaching" English to (knows letters, numbers, colors, and a bit of English but I will try to help him brush up)
7 Jan: Air National Guard (ANG) s/p lap appy; another EC: arm infection; met the night shift interpreters, taught me a bit of their culture/language, watched them pray (1 of them prayed that I would become Muslim! if he only knew that that would never happen!);
learned how to say (will spell them phonetically): hello - asalam ulaykum (respond w/ ulaykum asalam); thank you - manana/tashakur; goodbye - hodas hofes; yes - bali; no - nay; hot - garmada
names of the interpreters: Dr. Shah (always calls me Ma'am), Dr. Isahmullah (Isah), Dr. Jabar (the one who prayed for me), Massoud, Masih, Nazar, Hafizullah (Hafiz), Rohani, Abdul, Safia
8 Jan: same ANG pt; local boy due for hip surgery the morning of 9 Jan; ICW rec'd 4 Remain Overnight (RON) pts en route to Germany; my pt: 19 y/0 AD Marine who experienced a seizure; started an IV on him (#1)
9 Jan: off but came to work anyway; started an IV on one of the RONs (#2); ICW and ICU rec'd pts from a suicide bombing in Kandahar; ICU: 5 pts, 1 had an arm amputation; ICW: 1 pt; they all rec'd the Purple Heart (PH) that night; witnessed the ceremony in our pt's room: official orders read aloud, Army 1-star pinned the medal on the pt's blanket which covered him; also rec'd the PH certificate that came w/ it and 2 coins; pt recapped his experience: (from what I could hear) they were patrolling in the market, called it in that they would head back to their camp, walked around the truck where he came across the bomber, saw a flash, felt a wave, fell to the ground, never lost consciousness, saw his men also fall to the ground; all of them en route to Germany w/ the 4 RONs
This country is so poor and I can't help but feel empathic for them b/c the Philippines is also very poor (walking outside, it smells and sounds like the P.I.). From what I have learned, they have no running water; they pump water from the ground. Since there's no running water they have no toilets, so they go outside; their feces gets into the soil and into their water, so they end up getting worms (we purchase locally bottled and filtered water). Many are malnourished due to several factors including lack of food and the worms in their bodies. Also, due to no water, they are unable to shower. The guardians for our pts (eg. Atiqula) can get their clothes washed in our hospital, and they have showers accessible to them. Whether they shower or not is up to them (why do something new if it's not something you grew up doing, I guess?). I, unlike my co-workers, am very tolerable of the smell (which isnt as strong as I thought it would be).
Despite all this, the people seem happy (at least the ones I've met). They lead simple lives (if you live simply, why wouldnt you be happy?). They are very devout to Islam. For them to stop what they are doing so they can pray 5 times each day to give praise to God....THAT is something we as Christians should imitate. Yes, we have those who choose to pray that often daily or whose lives require it (eg. religious life), but it should be part of our lives, just like their religion is to them; it shouldn't just be an obligation to go, like how many Catholic Christians feel/see our religion as. Even those who are at war with us stop what they are doing so they can pray (very ironic). They asked me about my religion and how often I pray. My response of 30 minutes (daily Mass if I go) and 60 minutes a week, and short prayers throughout my day seemed so insignificant compared to what they do. They know their Koran well and quote readings during their prayers (also remembered from repetition of prayer), while I'm can't even name all the books in the Catholic Bible! Also, because of their religion there is no divorce (or at least it's very very rare). When they marry (whether or not it's arranged), they marry for life. They tell me that if you have problems, you're stuck and you have to work it out (DEFINITELY something our culture should emulate). If someone leaves Islam (also very rare), it is frowned upon and they are basically disowned.
Unlike my co-workers and others around me, I am willing to learn, understand, and embrace the culture. I have been warned to be careful about what I tell them and how close I get. I know very well how dangerous it could be if I give important information regarding the military or my personal life. However, I also know that getting to know people of other cultures is very "me." I've always done it, and always will; something I get from my mom. I guess that's why I am tolerable of their ways and habits. Plus, I dont want them thinking that all Americans look at all Afghans as "the enemy." I have 2 very good friends from Lebanon and they tell me how they are thoroughly searched in the airport. It saddens and sometimes angers me because...well, if only others took the time to get to know these people. But I do understand because it's a precaution (9/11), plus unfamiliarity of the unknown can cause fear. I will try to be more aware of my responses/actions to give peace to those working around me, and break any assumptions. I guess I'm just too trusting.
Anyway, this is the end of my 1st post. I hope to and plan on posting either daily or every other day. I don't want to forget the pts I meet or take care of, my new nursing experiences (plus I'll need them for my OPR bullets), my conversations with the interpreters, new words and phrases, and the new information I learn regarding Afghanistan and its culture and people.
Praise God for this rare and beautiful opportunity in my life!
RN...AF...and my first deployment ever...to Bagram, Afghanistan, for 6 months.
I havent been here 1 week and the things I've seen and learned are the very reasons I'm a nurse, the reasons I want to get deployed at every chance I get.
Before I talk about my time here, I'll recap my week of travel:
26 Dec: departed Vegas for Norfolk, VA; placed in Navy lodging; stayed w/ relatives for the weekend (ate a lot!); visited the beach and dipped my feet in the Atlantic (experienced"feet freeze"); left the US on 30 Dec
30/31 Dec: in Germany for 2 hours to switch crews, and "gas up"; ate A LOT on the plane! watched (or slept through): Get Smart, Iron Man, National Treasure 2, Hulk, Mad Money
31 Dec: New Year's in Manas, Krygyzstan
small base; beautiful locals; best Blessed Sacrament room I've ever been in (small and private); lectored for daily Mass (of course I would volunteer); my "life" there: ate, slept, got online, shopped at the BX
3 Jan: ate lunch w/ the C-17 pilots that flew us to Bagram (1 went to FSU ROTC w/ me); got to go up into the cockpit; left Manas, arrived in Bagram, missing 1 bag, smallest corner of my dorm room (not for long!), got sick
now that I am here:
4 Jan: orientation in the morning; didnt get to go to Mass =( because the last Mass time was so late and it was dark by that time; my friends didnt think it was safe for me to go wandering in the dark looking for the church in an unfamiliar environment; God knew my intentions
5 Jan: first night shift on the Intensive Care Ward (ICW); 3 patients (pts): Active Duty (AD) Army soldier w/ chest pain (sent to Germany that night); an Enemy Combatant (EC): leg infection, 2 guards in the room (for all ECs); AD Marine (JJ's age): facial injuries after a blast; affected his eyesight but he still has it; wears sunglasses to avoid the bright light
6 Jan: off but came to work anyway; washed clothes, met Nazia (3 y/o local; patient [pt] after swallowing a battery; no voice, damaged airways, trachea; been a patient through several rotations) and her brother Atiqula who I am "teaching" English to (knows letters, numbers, colors, and a bit of English but I will try to help him brush up)
7 Jan: Air National Guard (ANG) s/p lap appy; another EC: arm infection; met the night shift interpreters, taught me a bit of their culture/language, watched them pray (1 of them prayed that I would become Muslim! if he only knew that that would never happen!);
learned how to say (will spell them phonetically): hello - asalam ulaykum (respond w/ ulaykum asalam); thank you - manana/tashakur; goodbye - hodas hofes; yes - bali; no - nay; hot - garmada
names of the interpreters: Dr. Shah (always calls me Ma'am), Dr. Isahmullah (Isah), Dr. Jabar (the one who prayed for me), Massoud, Masih, Nazar, Hafizullah (Hafiz), Rohani, Abdul, Safia
8 Jan: same ANG pt; local boy due for hip surgery the morning of 9 Jan; ICW rec'd 4 Remain Overnight (RON) pts en route to Germany; my pt: 19 y/0 AD Marine who experienced a seizure; started an IV on him (#1)
9 Jan: off but came to work anyway; started an IV on one of the RONs (#2); ICW and ICU rec'd pts from a suicide bombing in Kandahar; ICU: 5 pts, 1 had an arm amputation; ICW: 1 pt; they all rec'd the Purple Heart (PH) that night; witnessed the ceremony in our pt's room: official orders read aloud, Army 1-star pinned the medal on the pt's blanket which covered him; also rec'd the PH certificate that came w/ it and 2 coins; pt recapped his experience: (from what I could hear) they were patrolling in the market, called it in that they would head back to their camp, walked around the truck where he came across the bomber, saw a flash, felt a wave, fell to the ground, never lost consciousness, saw his men also fall to the ground; all of them en route to Germany w/ the 4 RONs
This country is so poor and I can't help but feel empathic for them b/c the Philippines is also very poor (walking outside, it smells and sounds like the P.I.). From what I have learned, they have no running water; they pump water from the ground. Since there's no running water they have no toilets, so they go outside; their feces gets into the soil and into their water, so they end up getting worms (we purchase locally bottled and filtered water). Many are malnourished due to several factors including lack of food and the worms in their bodies. Also, due to no water, they are unable to shower. The guardians for our pts (eg. Atiqula) can get their clothes washed in our hospital, and they have showers accessible to them. Whether they shower or not is up to them (why do something new if it's not something you grew up doing, I guess?). I, unlike my co-workers, am very tolerable of the smell (which isnt as strong as I thought it would be).
Despite all this, the people seem happy (at least the ones I've met). They lead simple lives (if you live simply, why wouldnt you be happy?). They are very devout to Islam. For them to stop what they are doing so they can pray 5 times each day to give praise to God....THAT is something we as Christians should imitate. Yes, we have those who choose to pray that often daily or whose lives require it (eg. religious life), but it should be part of our lives, just like their religion is to them; it shouldn't just be an obligation to go, like how many Catholic Christians feel/see our religion as. Even those who are at war with us stop what they are doing so they can pray (very ironic). They asked me about my religion and how often I pray. My response of 30 minutes (daily Mass if I go) and 60 minutes a week, and short prayers throughout my day seemed so insignificant compared to what they do. They know their Koran well and quote readings during their prayers (also remembered from repetition of prayer), while I'm can't even name all the books in the Catholic Bible! Also, because of their religion there is no divorce (or at least it's very very rare). When they marry (whether or not it's arranged), they marry for life. They tell me that if you have problems, you're stuck and you have to work it out (DEFINITELY something our culture should emulate). If someone leaves Islam (also very rare), it is frowned upon and they are basically disowned.
Unlike my co-workers and others around me, I am willing to learn, understand, and embrace the culture. I have been warned to be careful about what I tell them and how close I get. I know very well how dangerous it could be if I give important information regarding the military or my personal life. However, I also know that getting to know people of other cultures is very "me." I've always done it, and always will; something I get from my mom. I guess that's why I am tolerable of their ways and habits. Plus, I dont want them thinking that all Americans look at all Afghans as "the enemy." I have 2 very good friends from Lebanon and they tell me how they are thoroughly searched in the airport. It saddens and sometimes angers me because...well, if only others took the time to get to know these people. But I do understand because it's a precaution (9/11), plus unfamiliarity of the unknown can cause fear. I will try to be more aware of my responses/actions to give peace to those working around me, and break any assumptions. I guess I'm just too trusting.
Anyway, this is the end of my 1st post. I hope to and plan on posting either daily or every other day. I don't want to forget the pts I meet or take care of, my new nursing experiences (plus I'll need them for my OPR bullets), my conversations with the interpreters, new words and phrases, and the new information I learn regarding Afghanistan and its culture and people.
Praise God for this rare and beautiful opportunity in my life!
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