Happy New Year!!!!

The end of one season starts a whole new adventure...

A Break

Took a quick break to explore a bombed-out building during an evening road march.

More Holiday Pictures

Proving once more that I am working really hard over here...

Christmas with the Family via Skype

Even though I couldn't be there, my family made sure I knew I was loved and missed. I must admit that I am a huge fan of Skype!!! We even opened presents together. Merry Christmas family!!!

And no, they aren't vampires...it is really bad lighting...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the 47th Combat Support Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq!!

Many thanks to:

Azusa Pacific University, Alumni Relations

Blue Star Moms of Danville, CA

Burdine Family

Hillside Covenant Church

Hultgren Family

Oakland Covenant Church

Happy Christmas Eve from the 47th CSH

We had a blast!! The Tacky Sweater Party was a great success!!! There was food, music, games, dancing, and a visit from Santa!!! If you can't be at home with family, this is the way to celebrate the Holidays!!! Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Adam Celebration

Our Chaplain's Assistant hosted our "Official" Holiday Party. The COB Speicher Commander and her Command Sergeant Major came to wish us a SAFE and Happy Holiday! Then we partied (tastefully). This event was held at the front enterance of the 47th CSH. Even Santa came for a

visit...

SFC Bryant showing off what he got from Santa

My picture with Combat Santa

Combat Santa made his first appearance on our roof

Caroling in Iraq

Want to see what I do?

Just click here. This is just a glimpse at some of the training we do.

Cardimom Bread

Thanks Langdale Family!!!!

The greatest care package I could ever ask for!!!!

We were doing some IOTV trainng with a Christmas twist of a Holiday tie when the greatest package came. Couldn't wait to take a picture and post it for you!!!

Seriously, THANK YOU!!!

Tired and Ready

These boots are tired and ready to come home...

Thanks for the Care Packages!!!

Back in October I posted a request for help with the 47th CSH Holiday Party. We asked for decorations, Santa hats, white elephant gifts, tacky sweaters, and Christmas trees.

You answered our call!!! We have received over 150 boxes of holiday decorations!!! Including at least 4 Christmas trees!!! Our Hospital was what we called "uncomfortably Christmas". It was awesome!!!

My personal thanks to:

Hultgren Family

Burdine Family

Blue Star Moms of Danville, CA

Azusa Pacific University Alumni Relations

Hillside Covenant Church

Oakland Covenant Church

Thank you for all your care packages and holiday inspired gifts. We were able to not only provide a gift to every member of our Hospital but also provide many gifts to the Units that we are here in support of.

Many more pictures to come...

Safe Arrival Back in Tikrit

Today's final leg of my trip brought me back to COB Speicher in Tikrit via CH-47 Chinook. While I was excited to get back to my own CHU and own bed, I was not looking forward to the long flight. It is rare to get a direct flight in Iraq (I need a new travel agent!!!). This flight originated in Mosul and landed at two other FOB's before arriving at its final destination, Tikrit. Each leg of the flight was long enough that we had to refuel twice. Most of us on the flight were so tired that we all kept dosing off for short moments during flight only to be awoken by a sharp turn in one direction or the other. But, I thankfully made it safely to Tikrit were I am sure I will soon be back to work.

A Layover in Balad

That's right, transient...

 

CPT Brown catching some Zzzzz's on our flight to Balad

More Al Asad

Some more random shots of my trip to Al Asad.

With 1LT Partick Hopple who was finally enroute to Ramadi

after being repeatedly misplaced by the Army.

No serious, they misplaced him...

CPT Amy Brown hard at work sharing her nutrition knowledge.

Just remember, everything in moderations.

I got stuck in the elevator in Al Asad...

Al Asad Tower of Terror...

This generator was new 6 months ago until we left it unattended...

Al Asad

I am in the midst of traveling to the two other sites of the 47th Combat Support Hospital. We are actually three different hospitals in three very different locations in Iraq. (I do think Tikrit is the best, of course...) I spent the last few days in Al Asad with Alpha Company reviewing their SOPs and certifications. Soldiers at all three sites are getting ready for the Transfer of Authority (TOA) with the 21st Combat Support Hospital in February. The day the 21st CSH takes over we can leave. Our Leadership wanted to be sure that all three sites are getting ready so they sent me (what were they thinking) to check-in with our two other sites. While I did do some work while in Al Asad, I was stoked to have an afternoon free to check out the COB.

I am traveling with the 47th CSH's Dietitian CPT Amy Brown. We are having a blast finding ways to make this trip phenomenally and delightfully fun!!!

Queen of the Al Asad Ridge

An old plane that may still have unexploded ordinances...so not a jungle gym?

With CPT Amy Brown in front of a Mosque on COB Al Asad.Working hard or hardly working?

An oasis in the desert.With an Iraqi 7th Infantry Division soldier.
With CPT Brown on the ridge overlooking COB Al Asad.

Eggers Dorm

The 47th CSH Holiday Committee received an amazing amount of goodies from my cousin and her friends in her dorm. She attends Appalachian State University. They held an event called the "Penny Challenge". Her floor/dorm won the event and got to choose how to spend the their winners spoils and chose to spend their spoils on the 47th CSH Holiday Events. My personal favorite is the Penguin!!!

Thanks Eggers Dorm!!!!

(CPT Browne and I with just a taste of the spoils we received)

Happy Thanksgiving!

CPT Laura Jeffrey and I at work enjoying a Thanksgiving Feast during our lunch break.

Review of My Timeline

A busy schedule a few days ago...

Day 3: 0630 - 1830 ICU Nurse at the 47th CSH

Day 4: 0630 - 1830 ICU Nurse at the 47th CSH then urgent flight to Mosul as Medical Escort on a Fixed Wing Aircraft

Day 5: 1300 boarded return flight to COB Speicher then a 1600 emegent Rotor Wing flight as Medical escort

Day 6-8: 0630 - 1830 ICU Nurse at the 47th CSH

Day 9: 0630 - 1130 ICU Nurse at the 47th CSH

And I remain the Flight Nurse oncall if needed...

A picture of one of the Crewmembers sitting on the boarding ramp of the plane as we taxied to our unloading point.

ICU Again

 

 

When at work, there is nothing that can compare to havng another ICU Nurse on your shift. While independence can be great, I do enjoy safety in numbers.

Another Rain Storm

Simple Way We Brighten Our Days

turn your speakers on

Sometimes...

Sometimes it just gets too difficult

Honor The Fallen

We lost two Soldiers from COB Speicher the other night. Pray for their friends and families.

Naughty By Nature with DJ Skribble

Another USO tour hit COB Speicher. Naughty By Nature came with DJ Skribble to rock the soccer stadium tonight. Did you know Naughty by Nature was still in existence? I sure didn't. But we did have fun!!!

Finally Real Nurses

We finally got to think like real ICU RNs again. Not difficult cases, but at least we were thinking again for a few days.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

Rain in Iraq

I think I am starting to understand the significance of the rain that Noah had after he built the Ark. It rained pretty hard on and off for two days before finally giving us a break. It rained so hard one evening just before heading off to dinner that our CHU began to leak (along with almost everyone else's). While the change in weather is nice, I am looking forward to an afternoon without rain tomorrow.

Looking forward to the next storm that should be hitting us in early next week...

Surprise Visit

Santa Claus made a surprise appearance during our MASCAL training yesterday. A very welcomed visit!!!

Zombies Dancing in the MCU

Be sure to turn your speakers on!!!!

It's The Small Things

I have not smiled that much in a while.

Thank you!