Day 160: Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Today was a full day...especially for a Friday. Here are some of the highlights:

1) Participating in a 5K at Camp Zafar (ANA Army Hospital).
2) Watching the rain fall for the first time since leaving Kansas.
3) Escaping the cold and watching a movie in bed.
4) Eating 5 rice crispy treats and 2 chocolate chip cookies for lunch.
5) Having Sacrament Meeting with my one fellow Herat Church member.
6) Attending an awards ceremony for the Navy guys who are leaving in a few days (I have tried to convince them to take me with them--no luck yet!)
7) Passing out candy to the American kids who came on base to trick or treat.
8) Running out to the hospital for an "emergency" which turned out to be a woman with a really full bladder.

It was an eventful Halloween. Really it was nice to have a busy and fun day to distract me from missing the family back home. I wish I could have been there to see my 50's girl, witch, black cat, and monkey boy dressed up in their costumes and going out to trick or treat. You can't help but feel young when you see the excitement bursting out of the kids on Halloween day. I miss you guys. BOO!


The British Royal Marines came out for the run carrying a log along with them. They actually beat several people.


Am I looking tired yet? I actually finished in the top 10--total time 24:02.


Here are the 5K winners...two Spanish contestants and an Afghan. The Afghan took third but really ran neck to neck with the Spanish and the amazing part is that he did it in LOAFERS! Notice the flower behind his ear--the Afghans love flowers.


A tired looking group.


This guy decorated up his barracks for the occasion.


The Dining Facility was also decorated. They typically try to decorate in some way for any kind of holiday or special occasion.


"Trick or Treat".

Day 158: The Birds and the Bees

The day before Sue and I were married was one of the busiest and most hectic days I think I can remember. It seemed like there were a million things that still had to be done before the big day. Mostly they were things Sue had to finish up, so I was there mostly for moral support. I remember spending the evening at her house. Her dad and I were sitting at the little kitchen table chatting while Sue and her mom were busy getting things ready. Now for those of you who don’t know my father in law, he was a great and wonderful man. During his final years here on earth, his mind was partially clouded due to having some dementia. I enjoyed his company and just sitting around talking with him. As we were talking that evening, he asked me casually if I had any questions about the birds and the bees. I was kind of shocked initially and being the easily embarrassed type, I quickly declined the offer. Looking back, I wonder if I should have said yes--it probably would have been an interesting conversation.

Well today my interpreter started asking me some questions and it wasn’t long before he started asking me about the birds and the bees. He is getting married soon and he wanted some “medical advice” about the topic. Now as a doctor, I often get questions on these kinds of topics. It really is no big deal to discuss it. However, it was a little awkward to delve into the topic with him as we were walking around the Afghan Army base. Some of his questions were, shall we say, a little strange. I gave a few quick answers and then quickly distracted him by saying, “look at that...let’s go take a picture.” It was a good way to change the topic.

Above is some of the scenery that helped get me out of this conversation.

Day 156: Mysteries in the Heavens

There are two pictures below...try to pick out what may be unusual to see here in the Herat sky.



Any ideas? I'll give you a hint. What are the two things that you see--mention them and you will be right. Answer: Birds and clouds. The clouds are unusual because it rarely is so overcast. We may have a few scattered white clouds overhead now and again, but they rarely are dark or look like potential rain clouds. I have not seen a drop of rain since arriving in Afghanistan. Apparently it has been six months or more since it last rained.

Now birds, how can they be unusual you ask? Well, this evening a flock of what looked like pelicans flew over Camp Stone. The pictures don’t do it justice--they just look like seagulls here. However, in person, they were large and looked like the real deal. No one, even those who have been here a year, had seen anything like them. They circled the camp a few times and then just flew off. I know, not that interesting, but hey it was something different.

Day 155: Training Days

My efforts in the last few weeks have really been focused on several training projects. We are trying to train medical personnel--both hospital staff and emergency responders. It has been a fun and challenging experience.

Yesterday morning I helped out some of the Afghan students in our first aid class that we are teaching. They were putting in IV’s and believe it or not they did surprisingly well. We have several female police students in the class and they also did well--truthfully they have been better students than the men. Probably not a surprise to most of my readers.



Then in the afternoon I went over to the hospital and gave a lecture to the hospital staff. Both doctors and nurses attended. I went over very basic stuff and some of it went right over their heads. It is kind of scary how much basic medical knowledge they lack. Oh well, I guess that is why we train.

Day 154: Waiting for Water to Boil

Five months ago today, I was enjoying my last night home prior to leaving for this deployment. In some ways it seems like the time has gone by quickly...in other ways it seems like an eternity. However, as I reflect on the days that have passed, there is one thing that I am grateful for...and that is that my "deployment countdown" at the top of my blog is finally out of the 300's. We have whizzed past the 400's and now the 300's are a thing of the past. Honestly, I try not to count the days. What is it they say, "a heated pot being watched, never boils" (okay that is totally wrong...someone help me out...I would google it but my internet is too slow). Or it's like the kid riding in the car who keeps asking his mom and dad, "are we there yet?", every 2 minutes. The point is, watching the clock only makes time pass more slowly. But today was one of those days when it was hard not to think about the time that is passed and the time that remains. This is for 2 main reasons.

First, we had a bunch of new Navy guys arrive here in Herat. It was such a nice feeling not to be the newest guy here on base. They had new, crisp uniforms. The excitement of the unknown could be seen in their faces. They kept asking me questions such as, "where is the Post Office?", "how do we get laundry done?", "do you know where I will be working?", "what time is dinner?" It reminded me of how grateful I am to have put 2 months under my belt. It was nice to actually feel like a veteran. It also was great to finally meet someone who I knew was going to be here longer than I am.

Second, my good friend Mike recently arrived in Afghanistan. I have been curiously following his facebook comments and blog posts to see where he is headed and what he will be doing. Even though we may never cross paths here in Afghanistan, it is nice to know that I have a friend on this side of the world. Good luck Mike on your new adventure and stay safe!

So here we are 5 months after the adventure began. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned. I am grateful for the ways I have grown. I am glad that Sue and the kids are being watched over and loved. I am grateful for my safety and for that of those around me. I miss you all!

So now as I go to bed I will put numbers, counting and days that have passed out of my mind. I will try not to focus on this heating pot that for some reason refuses to start boiling. I will try to work and take advantage of each day that is mine. I will look for opportunities to improve myself and strengthen my character. I will try to better serve those whom I have come here to serve. I know some day that "deployment countdown" will pass through the 200's, then the 100's and finally reach zero. I can't wait for that day to come. However, until it does I will press onward and try to make each day the best that I can.

Hey, I think I just figured it out..."water watched never boils." Is that right?

Day 151: What do you say?

What do you say to a mother whose 12 year old son has cancer? It is a difficult conversation. Especially when the chance of any meaningful treatment or recovery is small. Today I met this young man who 5 months ago noticed something growing inside his right cheek. His mother sold their house and took him to Pakistan to have it evaluated and removed. Three months after the surgery, the mass was back and overtaking his whole face. It is such a sad and devastating story to hear. My heart goes out to this poor boy who now can barely eat and is in constant pain. I feel for the mother who is willing to sacrifice all that she has for her boy, but despite her efforts, has found no successful treatment.

The boy likely has a parotid gland cancer. This is a relatively rare type of cancer in children. His case seems particularly bad given the size of the mass and its rapid growth. You feel so helpless to see something like this and have so little to offer. I hope that we can find somewhere to send him for further treatment--even if it only to decrease the size of the tumor and provide him some temporary relief.

How grateful I am to live in a place where conditions like this can be identified early and treated. I am grateful for the health of my own children. I am grateful to know all children are loved by a Heavenly Father who knows them and will someday welcome them back to a home where pain and suffering don't exist.

Day 150: Happy Birthday to Sue

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday dear Susie,
Happy Birthday to You!

Luckily I am half way around the world and you don't actually have to hear me sing happy birthday.

Today is my Susie's 34th birthday. I miss her and wish I could be there for her special day. It is hard to be away for special occasions--especially when there is birthday cake involved. Sue, I love you and am thinking about you. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Day 149: ICU Cases

One of the hardest things to see in the practice of medicine, is really sick kids. Luckily, most kids are resilient and their illnesses are short lived and rarely serious. However, it is always sad to see a really sick child or even worse, watch as one passes away. Over the past several days, I have been helping out at the local Afghan Army Hospital. During this time I have been helping provide care for a nine year old boy who was hit by a car. He has some sort of brain injury. His exact injury is still unknown because we can't image his brain with a CT scanner, as we would in the US. Consequently, we have to use findings on physical exam to guess what is going on with his brain. It definitely requires the use of different skills to practice medicine in this kind of environment. Initially, this child was unconscious and only minimally responsive. However, over the past several days, he has made great improvement. He responds to his name, moves all four of his extremities, and even sipped some juice this morning. He still is basically asleep most of the time. However, there is now some hope that he might make some kind of meaningful recovery. As they say here in Afghanistan, "inshallah" (God willing) he will get better.


Another interesting case came up this afternoon. One of the physicians on staff at the hospital, started complaining of chest pain. Sure enough, we did an EKG on him and wouldn't you know it, he was having a heart attack right in front of our eyes. I was impressed with one of the Afghan doctors who had a pretty good handle on what steps were appropriate to take. Again, it is difficult here because the treatments and diagnostic procedures we would normally have available in the US, are not present here. Consequently, we have to treat him the best that we can and then hope (inshallah) that he will recover.

Day 148: Riding in a Convoy

Today as my convoy was driving through downtown Herat, I realized what a unique experience this is and that I should share what it is like to be a part of a convoy. It is not the leisurely ride down the road you might think of as you glance through the pictures I post. I will walk you through the process.

Prior to leaving on any mission, all vehicles are prepped. This includes checking fluids, filling the gas tank, checking the tires, etc. Then all radio equipment is turned on and checked. We have to make sure we can communicate with the other vehicles on our convoy and then back to our home base. After commo checks, we assure that our weapon system is mounted on the truck and in good working order.

After the vehicle preparation we all meet for a conop brief. We discuss the mission and how it will be accomplished. We discuss current threats and how we will deal with them if encountered. We assure that small details such as convoy speed and order of the vehicles are sorted out.

We then throw on our body armor, to include ear protection, eye protection, gloves, etc., and then get into the trucks. Once inside we lock our doors, put on our seatbelts and then each of us puts on a headset. The headset allows us to communicate among ourselves and the other trucks.

Each of us in the truck has a different job. At times I am asked to drive or be the radio guy. Sometimes I sit in the back seat and function as a medic. We always have a gunner who sits up in the turret. This is a job I luckily will never have. No matter what your individual responsibility in the truck, once we roll off the FOB, we share the job of staying alert and watching for threats that may be around us.

As we drive down the road, every person, vehicle, pile of garbage, or rock, is analyzed and viewed as a potential threat. We usually drive down the middle of the road and force other vehicles to pull to the side while we pass. We never let a vehicle pass us from the rear, no matter how slow we are going. Inside the vehicle, we are constantly talking among ourselves. A Humvee is a rather crowded vehicle and your field of vision is blocked by radios and other equipment. Consequently, we all have to describe what we are able to each individually see to the rest of the group. Any suspicious activity is reported.

Often we drive long stretches through the desert. Typically there is less to worry about on this kind of drive. There are many camels or sheep grazing in the distance. We pass through small villages that are placed just off the road. Occasionally we pass vehicles or people on the side of the road.

When we are in the city, it a completely different experience. Crowds are all around. Cars, motorcycles, bikes, donkeys, and kids are coming from all directions. Not only do you have to watch for threats that may approach the convoy, you equally must fear the child who isn’t paying attention and walks out in front of your oncoming vehicle.

Once we arrive to our destination, we unload and go about our business. Several people always stay with the vehicle to provide security and assure that our equipment isn’t tampered with. After business is done, we hop back in the vehicle and do it again.

It is definitely not a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive. However, it is somewhat adventurous and there is always something interesting to see. Here are some pictures from today’s outing...I know they probably are starting to look all alike. How many times can you look at sand, mudhuts, and donkeys? Hopefully you will find them interesting.

Day 147: Smoking Kills

We live in a day and a society where everything has to be p.c. (politically correct). Even things that are obviously dangerous and bad, like smoking, cannot be accurately labeled for what they truly are--killers.

So, the other day I laughed when I saw how all the tobacco products here are labeled. Rather than saying, “smoking may be dangerous to your health...” or whatever it says on the Surgeon General’s warning, they just say it like it is: SMOKING KILLS.

Day 145: Anthrax

2001 was an interesting year to live in the Washington D.C. area. First there was 9/11. This was followed shortly thereafter by the D.C. Snipers who terrorized the area for several weeks. They randomly shot people who were out shopping, those filling up their gas tank, and even kids walking to school. Shortly after they caught the snipers, the area was again terrorized by someone mailing out letters containing anthrax spores. Several people died including some postal workers in the District. It was a crazy and pretty scary time to live in the Nation’s Capitol. I’m pretty sure I remember Sue threatening to pack up and move back to Utah on more than one occasion.

I was reminded today of the anthrax cases in D.C. as I saw for the first time a real case of anthrax. One interesting thing about practicing medicine in Afghanistan is that there are infectious diseases that we don’t normally see in the United States. Anthrax is one of these diseases. Most cases of anthrax cause skin disease. Sheep, cattle, goats, and camels carry the bacillus anthracis bacterium that causes anthrax. Those who are exposed often form large sores on their bodies. Untreated it carries about a 20% fatality rate. The really dangerous forms of anthrax are of the ingestion and inhalation variety, as was seen in D.C. These carry a very high death rate in those that are exposed--even if they are treated.

The gentleman seen below has cutaneous anthrax. The skin lesion is red and raised, with a central blackened area called an eschar. This guy will be started on treatment and will probably do just fine. It was an interesting case and a good reminder to you all that the next time you run into a stray camel...think twice before reaching out to pet him!

Day 141: Immunizations Cause Autism?

If you read the paper or watch the news, you realize there is an ongoing debate over vaccines and whether they cause autism. Here is my simple view on vaccines:

1) Vaccines have saved millions of lives and essentially eradicated many devastating illnesses.
2) There is no evidence that MMR or any other vaccine causes autism (If you disagree prove it too me...and no, Hollywood celebrities opinions don't count as scientific evidence).
3) As a physician I encourage all of my patients to receive any and all age appropriate immunizations. This includes all currently recommended doses for kids.

Now don't get me wrong. I understand parents concerns and do not fault any mother or father who withholds a dose of vaccine because they are legitimately concerned that it may cause adverse effects to their child. A parent should never be made to feel guilty about doing what they think is best for their children. However, if you want my opinion, I say give your kids their shots--they'll thank you for it some day.

Anyway, one great thing that we have developed here, is an immunization program for the Afghan Police. We give shots to new recruits and also to the existing police force. Hopefully, down the road we can extend the service to family members...especially children. It is a shame that anyone, especially a child, would suffer unnecessarily or die because they don't have access to a necessary vaccine.

Below are posted some pictures of a 2 day processing event we held at a training facility in Herat. We had a good time and were able to give a lot of shots.

What do you think, does this guy look happy to be here?

At lunch I went and ate at the Afghan dining facility--kind of scary but so far no sign of any serious gastrointestinal consequences.

Day 139: Back from Shouz

It is always nice to come back from a trip and return to Camp Stone. Not that Stone is that luxurious, but it is always preferred to sleep in your own bed (even if it is rock hard). Also, getting back to the internet and communication with the outside world, is an additional benefit. Here are a few more pictures from the trip.

As with all of these events, we gave lots of shots.

This was our sharp's container. We took it out and burned it when we were done. I can only imagine how badly something like this would go over in the States. Oh well, you make due with what you have. Luckily no one got stuck.

Here is some of the opium and marijuana we confiscated from the students.

One night I snuck up to the guard tower to make friends with our security.

A view from the tower.

Day 138: Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an auto-immune disease process in which people develop hypo-pigmented or light patches on their skin. This is the disorder that Michael Jackson claimed to have when his skin mysteriously lightened. It actually is quite common and if you keep your eyes open you will see it frequently on people around you.

This evening I met an Afghan police student who had a very extensive case of vitiligo. It covered a large percentage of his body. As I examined him, I started to explain what his diagnosis was and how it develops. For most of this man's life, he has been dealing with a condition that he didn't understand or know how to treat. He explained to me that he had been ridiculed and teased most of his life due to his skin color. I went on to explain to him that there is no real treatment for this condition and this is something that he will continue to have to live with for the rest of his life. I was surprised by his reaction, as tears started rolling down his face. He thanked me, we finished the exam, and he moved on.


I was touched by this man's emotional response and his sincere sadness when he found out that he would never be cured of this condition. He probably thought that the American doctor would be able to give him something to take away his problem and with it all the years of ridicule and mockery associated with it. I wish I could have. I hope at least the knowledge he now has of his condition will make dealing with it a little easier.

Day 137: Potty Training

One of the greatest challenges Sue and I have had as parents is trying to get our kids potty trained. Where most kids seem to "get it" by age 2 or so, ours have seemed to struggle until closer to the time that they turn 4. Even now when I call back home, I hear stories of accidents that have occurred, yellow puddles on the bathroom floor, and pull ups having to be put on little girls that just don't quite get it.

So I was amused a little by the following sign I read today posted on the Afghan bathroom. It read "Please do not use the floors to toilet." I have heard many stories since arriving here of grown Afghan men depositing their "waste" in places it doesn't belong...such as the shower or bathroom floor. "Why not just use the toilet?" you ask. Well a lot of it comes down to the fact that what is done in the Western world isn't necessarily the norm in other parts of the world. Just because you give someone a nice, functional toilet, doesn't mean they know how to or like to use what you supply. Many of these people have lived using ditches or have dug holes to do their business. When it is time to go, you just stop what you are doing and go. So if you are in the shower and it is time to go...well then you just go. Another interesting fact is that Afghan men don't stand to go "number 1" like US men do. They actually squat. One of my interpreters, who is used to the American way of using the bathroom, walked into our bathroom the other day and turned around disappointed saying, "oh, I don't like this kind of toilet." He walked out and went to find an Afghan restroom. Apparently he likes to squat.


So I guess America is here not only to promote democracy and human rights, but also to convince our Afghan friends that the American way to use the bathroom, is the right way to use the bathroom. I think my kids would prefer the Afghan way--go when and where you need to.

The American version of what an Afghan bathroom should be (toilets inside are normal American ones)

This is a more typical Afghan toilet I discovered last month (no I didn't dare use it)

Day 136: Living Behind Walls

Most of my days over the next year will pass as I live behind the protection of some kind of wall. These walls, fortified and built up and constantly guarded, protect me from potential dangers that await on the outside. Without these walls, security could be compromised and serious consequences could occur.

I often reflect on how grateful I am to live in a country where I can enjoy freedoms that aren’t limited by the confines of walls. I can come and go as I please. I can leave my home without passing through a checkpoint . I can sit on my lawn relaxing and enjoying the sunshine, while my kids run around and play. The walls of my home are as much for decoration as they are for keeping others out.

Now don’t get me wrong, as I sit here looking at the wall in front of me, I am glad I'm on the side that I am. I wouldn’t want to be on the other side. I feel for those good Afghan people who are trapped on the other side of the wall, whose lives are still filled with suffering, poverty, and fear. I pray for the day when these walls that men build to protect us from ourselves will no longer be needed.

Day 135: Realities of War

There are some subjects learned during medical school that can never truly be taught in the classroom--rather they need to be experienced firsthand. Death is one of those things. During the first 2 years of medical school, emphasis is placed on how to treat patients and keep them alive. It isn't until the 3rd year, once you start really taking care of patients, that you are faced with caring for patients who don't survive, despite providing them all that modern medicine has to offer. It is always a humbling experience to see someone you have cared for pass away--reminding you of our inherent mortality.

I remember well my first patient that died. We had admitted a 55 year old man to the ICU with what we thought was likely septic shock (translation = bad). At the time of admission, he was struggling but was able to talk and interact with us. Within 24 hours, he was dead--having died of overwhelming pneumococcal sepsis. I will always remember this case for the rapidity of his passing and the overwhelming resources invested in his life that ultimately could not cure him. There have been many patients since, who I have watched pass from this life to the next. Some of the deaths have been blessings, ending years of suffering, while others have been shocking and tragic.

Afghanistan has been cursed with centuries of war and death. This evening was my first experience in seeing the horrible effects of war firsthand. Let me share a little of the experience with you. We had traveled all day, arriving at a police training base in Shouz. There is a small medical clinic there that provides basic first aid and care for minor illnesses. One problem with the clinic is that there are no Afghan doctors or nurses to staff the facility. Around 8PM I was called and told that the Afghan Army was outside the gate with one of their soldiers who had been shot. Now this clinic is really no place to take care of a gunshot victim. However, there really is no other medical facility around and I guess the Afghans figured the Americans might be their best bet to get some help. They brought their soldier through the gate in the back of a pick-up truck and carried him into the clinic.

I will spare you the details, but basically his wounds were severe enough that by the time he was lying in front of us, he had already passed away. In a way, it probably was a blessing that he had passed as we didn't have the ability or resources to deal with his injuries. It wasn't the first time I had seen death or even a violent death for that matter. However, it was the first time I had experienced and witnessed the violence that the Afghan people have been experiencing for such a long time. It saddened me that people are so cruel and hateful. I felt for the children of this country that know nothing else other than what I saw tonight. It made this war much more real for me. Hopefully, this will be the last time I have to face the realities of war--I suspect it may not be. However, I am strengthened by this and the experiences that I have had before that have taught me that death is a part of life and of that great Plan that has been developed for each of us.

The clinic in Shouz

This is Chief Hill--one of the guys I was working with down in Shouz

Day 134: Examples

In this life, we are often led by the example of others. These examples motivate us to improve our lives, serve others, develop talents, and to make good choices. I am grateful for the incredible examples I have had in my life. There have been many individuals--more than I would have time to mention--whose influence and righteous choices, have helped shape my life and the course it has taken. I am grateful for them and hope that in return I can live my life in such a way that I can be an example to others.

This evening, as I was reading the words of the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, I was reminded of the importance good examples can can have in our lives. Let me share with you a few of his words.

“Our primary example is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus labored. Jesus loved. Jesus served. Jesus testified. What finer example could we strive to emulate? Let us begin now, this very night, to do so. Cast off forever will be the old self and with it defeat, despair, doubt and disbelief. To a newness of life we come--a life of faith, hope, courage, and joy. No task looms too large; no responsibility weighs too heavily; no duty is a burden. All things become possible.”


I read these words a number of times tonight. I have thought a lot about what they mean. In this life, given our human nature and imperfections, we will never fully become as the Savior was. His life and his example were perfect. However, as we learn of Him and try to live those things that He taught us, our life can become more full, more happy, more meaningful. I am grateful for the words of the Prophet and the strength they provide me. I am grateful for the Savior and His perfect example.

Day 133: Snooping Around

Before this deployment, I was in charge of the household finances. Okay, who am I kidding, Sue was in charge--she did the spending and I made sure the bills were paid on time. Now that I am gone, she is still in charge. However, now she has the added responsibility of paying the bills, balancing the checkbook and the making sure we keep to the budget. Even though she is running the show (and let me mention that she is doing a GREAT job), I still like to snoop around every once in awhile. So the other day I noticed some PayPal payments made from our checking account (for those of you who aren’t familiar, PayPal is a more secure way to make online purchases). I figured she was probably buying something to send to her lonely husband in Afghanistan. I was curious, so I kept snooping. I got online, went to PayPal.com, typed in her username and password, and hit ENTER. As I waited for my very slow internet connection to connect, I imaged all the things she could be buying for me. I was like the little kid who sneaks into their parents closet a few weeks before Christmas, looking for “surprises.” Well, when the internet finally connected, the following error showed up on my screen:

Error 3028. You have accessed your account from a sanctioned country. Per international sanctions regulations, you are not authorized to access the PayPal system. For more information about your PayPal account status, contact complianceverifications@paypal.com.

A sanctioned country! How can that be? Sanctions were in place in Afghanistan when the Taliban were in power but we kicked them out 7 years ago. Don’t they realize they are interfering with my constitutional right as a husband to log into my wife’s private information? So thanks to international sanctions, Sue’s secret purchases are still a mystery to me...unless of course I sneak into her email.

Day 131: The Fly

I don’t think flies serve any useful purpose for mankind. Other bugs and critters at least have a role in helping with the cycle of life. For example, bees buzz around pollinating flowers and making honey that we can eat. Worms crawl through softening the earth and they are helpful attached to a hook if you go fishing. Even the most despised of all critters, the spider, helps by eating other bugs and insects, keeping their population in check. But flies...really what good do they do? All flies do is annoy you with their constant pestering, land on and regurgitate in your food, and spread disease.

Flies in Afghanistan are particularly bothersome. They look exactly like flies back home but for some unknown reason, they are unusually persistent in bothering people. I thought it was just me when I first arrived. “What is up with these flies?”, I would ask myself. “They just won’t leave me alone.” As I have spoken with others, I have found that everyone agrees that these flies are far more aggressive than the average American fly. Maybe the years of living in a war torn country have taught them that they have to be strong to survive in this land. They just keep coming and coming until finally...SPLAT...you catch them with the fly swatter. Everyone at the office has a fly swatter and throughout the day you hear...“Got it”, “that’s gotta hurt”, “this one needs a medic”, or “you’re finished you *!%^@&!”. Perhaps we have been blessed with these flies as a means for us to vent, unleash bottled up aggression, or just to provide good sport.

Even as I type I am after one of these annoying creatures. He keeps flying in buzzing my ear, then dropping down in my hair, then flying off before I can get him. He is a smart one because the only place I have seen him land is right on my computer screen...he knows I won’t strike there. Oh well, what can you do. I guess it could be worse. At least he doesn’t bite or have a stinger. Maybe I’ll just make friends with him and...oh wait...one second...I got him!

I actually learned some interesting, some may call it disturbing, facts while writing this post about flies. Try googling "fly facts" or check out this article (not recommended for those with OCD). For those of you who want entertaining rather than disturbing try reading this one. By the way, if you read my post yesterday, I think I discovered the source of my frequent illness--the fly.

There are "fly traps" all over camp here. This is an example of one we have in the bathroom. They are attracted to it, stick on it and can't get away.

Day 130: I'm sick!

I never get sick. Really, it is very rare for me to ever come down with something. Even though I spend most of my time at work surrounded by sick people...I never seem to catch anything. You would think that as a doctor I would always be receiving “presents” that my patients bring in to me. Maybe it is good hand washing, maybe I have good genes, or maybe I've just been blessed with good health. Even when we have sickness at home, the kids rarely pass it on to me. Sue sometimes gets hit, but I usually avoid it.

So can someone explain to me how I’ve been sick not just once but TWICE in the five weeks that I have been out of the US? I don’t have any snot-nose kids coming into my office sneezing, coughing, or hacking on me. In fact, the funny thing is that for the first time in eight years, I am not really even taking care of patients. As I’ve been coughing up a lung the last few days, I’ve tried to figure it out. Here are a few possible explanations:

1) A secret Taliban spy has been lacing my food with potent “Afghan germs” in an attempt to keep me from helping build up the Afghan medical system.
2) My body cannot handle the climate changes associated with getting up in the middle of the night and walking outside my barracks to find a bathroom. I hope you all appreciate your indoor bathrooms (and your normal sized bladders)!
3) I have been working out too much and not eating enough dessert. Okay, you probably know this isn’t true if you have noticed my “No Treat Tracker” lately.
4) Just bad luck!

Oh well, the good news is I’m turning the corner and starting to feel better. That means I should have another 3 weeks of being healthy before the next cold hits!

Here is my sick bed--books and a roll of toilet paper. All I need now is a cup of chicken noodle soup. Sue can you help me with that one?