That was one of the challenges of that. We had 2 ICU's. 8 bed's each. Our ICU took the stepdown unit as well because the other had a hard time keeping patients alive. Luckily Americans flew out and weren't there long enough for the step down unit. This guy made it difficult. He was the only one that survived from that. He lost one leg below the knee and an abd gsw. He was grateful that we saved his life, but said he would kill us if he had the chance. He was a game player though. Pretend he couldn't speak English at times. Went on a hunger strike so he wouldn't go to prison hospital by slowing down healing process.
My first male kiss was from a "bad guy". His life was saved and when he was being discharged he thanked me and kissed me. He said he learned his whole life Americans were terrible people and would kill them.
Sometimes a guy would be in the bed across from marine or soldier that put him there. That was rough on the emotions. You didn't want to give him the same care, but I did. I was there to save lives.
The points you described are really important in medical ethics (some of my teachers went through even more challenging circumstances) and are a major reason why I was so profoundly disgusted the entire field suddenly had no issue mass discriminating against the unvaccinated after the media told them to.
I agree. I was disgusted with that for the same reason. I will tell you that the unit that I was with was a reserve unit for 7 months. I volunteered to deploy. I drove me crazy I wasn't over there helping. The hospital commander only cared about saving lives. They were replaced by an active duty unit. I was 1 of 3 people that volunteered to stay another 5 months to help with their transition. The new commander's priority was getting the hospital to a point it could pass Joint Commission standards. He was looking for his promotion. The attitude was totally different with everyone. The hospital didn't have potable water. That was enough to end the stupid Joint Commission piece. He wanted that on his rating. Who cares about that in a war zone. It was a miserable 5 months when patients lives are no longer the number one thing in a combat support hospital. They weren't prepared for the combat wounded and not open to the experience personnel either. Sadly there was a difference in survivability as well.
This is the first time I have shared anything from my time at war on a public forum like this. What he was saying about filters really got to me though. I have thought about writing a book about my experiences from my times in Iraq. I read so many different perspectives about it. There are some that I have I would like to share, but I haven't.
I think it is very important to get the information out there in the public space. If we read about the horrors it can counteract the propaganda that is thrust upon us. Thank you for sharing.
One of the first bad guy patients I had was involved in the hanging of the American contractors from the bridge in Fallujah if you remember that.
Yes. How was that from an ethical perspective for you?
That was one of the challenges of that. We had 2 ICU's. 8 bed's each. Our ICU took the stepdown unit as well because the other had a hard time keeping patients alive. Luckily Americans flew out and weren't there long enough for the step down unit. This guy made it difficult. He was the only one that survived from that. He lost one leg below the knee and an abd gsw. He was grateful that we saved his life, but said he would kill us if he had the chance. He was a game player though. Pretend he couldn't speak English at times. Went on a hunger strike so he wouldn't go to prison hospital by slowing down healing process.
My first male kiss was from a "bad guy". His life was saved and when he was being discharged he thanked me and kissed me. He said he learned his whole life Americans were terrible people and would kill them.
Sometimes a guy would be in the bed across from marine or soldier that put him there. That was rough on the emotions. You didn't want to give him the same care, but I did. I was there to save lives.
The points you described are really important in medical ethics (some of my teachers went through even more challenging circumstances) and are a major reason why I was so profoundly disgusted the entire field suddenly had no issue mass discriminating against the unvaccinated after the media told them to.
I agree. I was disgusted with that for the same reason. I will tell you that the unit that I was with was a reserve unit for 7 months. I volunteered to deploy. I drove me crazy I wasn't over there helping. The hospital commander only cared about saving lives. They were replaced by an active duty unit. I was 1 of 3 people that volunteered to stay another 5 months to help with their transition. The new commander's priority was getting the hospital to a point it could pass Joint Commission standards. He was looking for his promotion. The attitude was totally different with everyone. The hospital didn't have potable water. That was enough to end the stupid Joint Commission piece. He wanted that on his rating. Who cares about that in a war zone. It was a miserable 5 months when patients lives are no longer the number one thing in a combat support hospital. They weren't prepared for the combat wounded and not open to the experience personnel either. Sadly there was a difference in survivability as well.
Congratulations for keeping your humanity. What a test!
It sounds like the same situation of Israel treating combatants of both sides. Too bad more do not know of these things. It's something to aspire to.
This is the first time I have shared anything from my time at war on a public forum like this. What he was saying about filters really got to me though. I have thought about writing a book about my experiences from my times in Iraq. I read so many different perspectives about it. There are some that I have I would like to share, but I haven't.
I grew up with people who went through really dark stuff in Vietnam most people will never be able to wrap their heads around.
I think it is very important to get the information out there in the public space. If we read about the horrors it can counteract the propaganda that is thrust upon us. Thank you for sharing.
Journal? Many a blog have begun this way. GBU
Thank you for sharing, John. We need your perspective.
Start with a Substack.
It is a smaller entry into the written word. Sometimes the book writing part can seem formidable.
(Retired military here - just my 2 cents.)
And one can always republish all the substacks as a book later.
Yes. Each Substack article could essentially be a chapter.
Wow. Must be difficult to treat somebody involved in a heinous thing like that.