Stryker Brigade News

Scott was not feeling well when we arrived today at about 9 a.m. I asked if he felt sick and got a nod. I asked him where and he pointed to his head and then his feet. Hmm. Wait! Sick all over? From head to toe? Another nod. At least I got that one quickly. His temp was up and had been since about 2 a.m. The doctor on call last night ordered urine and blood testing to determine why this was the case (since it should be too late in the process for one of those brain-induced fevers). An antibiotic I've never heard of was put through the IV while we were there. I noticed some strange stuff floating through the urine tube so my money is on a urinary tract infection, which can happen when you've been catherized for a while. Anyway, we'll see if we can get a handle on the problem. I don't want Scott to survive a bullet to the head only to lose him to some damned microbes, that's a fact.

Despite the fever and not feeling well, Scott was supposed to go to Audiology for a hearing test. We suggested this be postponed, but I think they took him anyway while we were at lunch. Waste of their time unless Scott was "in the mood," as long-time readers know too well. He was cleaned up (thanks to the wife and mom detail) and put in some Walter Reed clothing instead of that navy blue Bethesda thing he was wearing. (No wonder he wasn't feeling himself! A soldier in a navy hospital gown?!) He went for yet another CT scan this afternoon, but seemed to tolerate it pretty well. He didn't eat much of his lunch (scarfed the chopped peaches right away, though) but did better at dinner (more scarfing of fruit). We left him this evening snoring through the ending of Johnny English on TV. Tried to start Animal House this morning, but only got to pledge night at Delta House before nursing issues, Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy (nowhere near as good as LT--I've promoted him from that j.g. mistake--Erickson, alas!) and his feeling ill interfered.

I've learned some interesting things about the facilities here which I will give the patient advocacy guys 24 hours to get fixed. If fixed, no problem. If what I've noticed is not fixed, then I'll just have to share them with someone else. The staff have noticed these problems for some time and have requested repairs, but apparently they need a 300 pound gorilla with some writing ability around here to get things the attention they need. (Three guesses as to who that might be.)

A note about the staff. These men and women, particularly those handling the combat wounded, have been doing this pretty much non-stop since the war started. It's been hard very on us seeing all this. I can't imagine what it's been like to be in the ICU night after night with these maimed men and women (IED's don't discriminate, you know) for over a year. It's got to be taking a toll. I think they're handling it exceptionally well, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a wobbly wheel here and there. They are all very dedicated to duty, but such dedication only takes you this far. What will get them through the months (years?) to come? Some of what they do are mundane tasks (wipe this, inject that), but mundane tasks on this scale and to so many...

I went by to see PFC Majors, but he was asleep. I told them I'd be coming by to check on him until Scott is able to do so himself. I tried to arrange for Scott to go by and see him on the way back from his CT scan, but he was on a gurney instead of a chair, so that would have been impractical.

No helmet fitting today, but I think I saw one in the dining facility. Tempted to contact some local artists/art students and see if they might want to work with the helmeted to develop a personalized look for these protective devices. If they need to remain clear (like the visors on high school football helmets, so you can see the player's eyes), then my idea goes no where. Still, I thought this might be cool and a step beyond getting a cast signed by your friends. You could get your family painted on there, your buddies, logos from sports teams, your dreams or goals, someplace you've always wanted to go. It could be one of those rare times when artists and the club-wielding (you gotta admit soldiers and artists are different critters) get together and create something wonderful. We'll see...

ST
(which means Steve Thorne, for those who have been wondering)