I am officially here. Let the good times roll!

My Christmas present this year was arriving at Bagram Air Base. The air crew who flew us in had Christmas lights hung up in the C17, we sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and got to go up into the cock pit as we flew into Afghanistan. After we finally landed, took care of our gear, and got to the hospital, I felt exhausted, disorientated and a bit shell-shocked. Everyone greeted me with a "Merry Christmas! Welcome to Bagram!" :-/ People are friendly overall here, so that helped on that day especially.

I've been here 5 days and it feels like a month! My initial impression was "damn...there are people everywhere!" There are 500 staff at the hospital when it usually has ~350. Many people in the previous rotation aren't able to get home because of bad weather in Europe and on the East Coast. The base in general is also overcrowded... it's like a dirty and overpopulated construction site. It was intended to hold 3K and it's got 350-400K. I learned that 11% of Afghanistan is covered in land mines. Imagine living in a country where it's not safe to walk around?? At in-processesing we were told that the mission here is 2/3'ds higher than it was in 2006, and we are down housing space. Dorms used to hold 4 per room and now it's 6-7. I appreciated that the hospital commander said "while here there are going to be days when you just think, 'man this place just sucks' ... and it does". I've already said that. :)  Each day it gets better though and I'm focused on staying positive.

As a Registered Dietitian, my role is a little different than I'm used to but I like it. I round with the doctors each AM and write orders for nutrition support - TPN and tube feeds. I measure height of injured individuals with a measuring tape and estimate their weight so I can do my fancy smancy nutrition calculations and determine a feeding plan. I've been up close and personal measuring some disturbingly injured men already. I measured an Enemy of Peace with guards next to the bed knowing he likely injured Americans or attempted to. I measured the "height" of an American man who lost both legs and had an open gut. I really take in the injuries as I round with the docs because it's not just in-and-out, it's stand there and listen, and try to be a valuable team member. I do get distracted though...and I find myself looking at the patients. I can't stand to see the burned kiddos. After seeing one of the inpatients, this adorable boy, burned on his face and body... making massive eye contact with us everytime we round... and after measuring the amputee, I had to go into the bathroom to release a few tears to get myself together. Had to let it out. It's getting easier. I'm certainly not the first person to have to deal with these emotions. It just seems like such a shame.

So...what am I grateful for?? Our delivery/bread truck has a radio station on it that plays hip hop :0), all my boxes from home came (and boxes from friends/family), I get a bhut soon so I'm not sleeping in a shatty top bunk in a crowded room w/ no space for me much longer, I figured out how to call home, I've been working out hard, and I have a great crew. I can't wait for our last diet tech to arrive.

I'll keep entries coming.... if anyone out there is even reading this. :)  Remember, this is not top notch writing... just top-of-my brain/mostly unedited stuff. Enjoy. Happy New Year!!!