Keeps things in perspective

In the driver's seat

Today we officially took over for the team we are replacing. They will be here for a few more days, but we will now take care of casualties. The team before us did a great job during a very busy time. I can't tell you how much better life is with all the email, comments, pictures, videos from my friends and family. While I am far away I really feel like I am back home when I get to see and hear everyone almost every day. Trevor and Madison started school today and you can see some school pics on our families website (link on the right of this page), I think Tyler starts next week. They both got to get up in front of their class and talk about their dad being in Iraq. Madison was cute, she told the class her dad joined the Navy before he knew about the war...I gues she was right. Trevor had to explain that I was not fighting in the war, but I was taking care of the wounded. Tyler, of course, had no idea I was even gone, asking Debbie today where I was.I am so proud of the way Debbie and the kids have handled my deployment so far, it is definitely harder on them than it is on me.

Big plans tomorrow morning at 0430 to watch the first NFL game. TV here is actually pretty good, especially for sports. I get to watch Sporscenter every morning at 0900 (I know you are surprised) and they carry just about every major sporting event. I am really pumped for the Texas vs. Ohio St game this weekend!!

I hope all is well with everyone back home. Take care.

The Team

Here is the surgical team deployed with me to Ramadi. From left to right: LCDR Christian Clark (orthopedic surgeon), LCDR Dave Junker (anesthesiologist), yours truly, LTJG Richard White (2nd tour, previously a Navy corpsman and now a physician assistant), HM3 Tony Rogero (2nd tour, Navy corpsman and previous Purple Heart recipient), HM3 Hugo Loera (Navy Corpsman and surgical tech), LT James Nowell (ICU nurse back home, but ER/OR/ICU and evacuation nurse in Iraq), HM3 David Leyva (Navy Corpsman and surgical tech). All have left friends family back home to come provide medical care for the casualties of this conflict and I look forward to proudly serving with each of them. We have had just a few scattered casualties so far, but nothing serious and nothing requiring surgery. The booming artillery fire leaving our base takes some getting used to, but I feel much better knowing most of it is outgoing and not incoming. Take care.

From the homefront, Sunday August 2

The latest transmission from Los Angeles, starring once again the little ones and Debbie.

A Video Letter from Back Home

Los's family update the good doctor on life back home in L.A. a few days after his departure.

This video makes me laugh and get foggy-eyed at the same time.

--Tio (guest blogger, also in California)

Guided tour of my surgical unit

1) Front doors of our medical facility
2) Patient receiving and triage
3&4) Resuscitation room and close-up of resus bed
5) Operating room, quite spacious I must say
6) OR table and anesthesia machine
7&8) Indicators that while the inside looks quite modern and could be at home, we are quite far away in a very different environment!
No OR cases yet (which is a good thing).
Videos to follow next week when I get my permanent berthing and can set up all my electronic gear. I have an address now but do not want to post here. Please email me and I'll pass it along.
Take care.