MEDIC!

"It'll be a babysitting job. Piece of cake," said my C.O. I had been through IET,and the only thing we needed a medic for the entire time was a blister. I took my stationary to write a couple of letters and my cot and pillow. I'd go to bed when they called for lights out, and hibernate until they woke everyone up the next morning.

Ha ha.

My list sounded like a recipe or a twisted version of the 12 Days of Christmas.

• four screwy blood pressures
• three funky feet
• two fainting soldiers
• one scary migraine

The list went on. I think I had to write up 12 incident reports. I watched over one guy with a migraine all night. I ended up in the middle of a yelling match with him and the 1SG. I got his guard duty shift switched to the last one at 0430 so he could try to sleep off the headache, and left instructions with the Sergeant of the Guard to wake me when that shift started so I could watch the guy. He did his watch, but he looked like a staggering drunk sometimes. Then I didn't even get to eat my breakfast, as everyone decided that was a wonderful time to get sick or have medical issues. For about 1 1/2 hours I had at least two soldiers to tend to at the same time. Once I had one in a chair with ice on her ankle in one corner while another with a scary high blood pressure and a face as red as a tomato was at a table with one who was pale and felt faint, while I was in the men's room with my migraine patient, who was throwing up and compaining of shortness of breath and tunnel vision. I was very happy to see my CO come through the door, and I quickly briefed him on my 2 biggest concerns. He went to check on the one in the potty while I rechecked the blood pressure. We ended up sending both out to the hospital.

When he was leaving, the boy with the migraine asked if I was coming back next weekend. I said I didn't think so. He told his father and my CO both that I was the only medic he trusted and that I had looked after him all night. I also heard my CO and the commandant of the school telling the brigade commander that I had done a great job. The commandant said he'd welcome me back anytime as his medic.

I have to admit that it was nerve-wracking at times this weekend. I just prayed that I would not have to use my training, but if I did that God would help me do what was necessary. Even though I hate to be away from my family, I'd take the next weekend if asked.