T minus 4 or 5 days and counting...
Well, I've shot the M9, checked off literally dozens of pre-deployment checklists, attended and successfully completed CBRNE training (which, for those not in the military, means I can don a gas mask in 9 seconds or less), and processed the deployment line. I've even accomplished things I haven't accomplished ("All your uniforms have been pre-treated with permethrin, right???"), and achieved the impossible (got my old government travel card re-activated after being issued the new card). Travel orders and plane tickets - one way, a depressing observation - are in hand. Nothing standing between me and the Comfort except a few short, precious days with my family.
Just want to say thanks to all my friends and family for all your support these last few weeks. It really does make it easier. And to those who have offered to look after Scott and the kids as well - THAT means the world. I guess I won't know until I go, but I've always thought the harder job belonged to the person left at home - so any phone calls, words of encouragement, or offers for "grown up nights out" will, I'm sure, be much appreciated by him.
I'll try to write as often as I can on the ship, but given the promise of "EXTREMELY low bandwidth" and the 12 computers in the ship library that are shared by the several hundred crew, I won't make any guarantees. I'll miss you all!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Preparations
So, it's 3:44am and I've been googling for information about the USNS Comfort (and Operation Continuing Promise) all night. It's just over 3 weeks from departure day and it occurs to me that I have a LOT to do before then. It's a little overwhelming, in fact. So, in typical fashion, I'm choosing to ignore the list of things piling up, and start this blog. I'm told that internet access on board the ship will be limited, but I'm hoping to be able to communicate with family and friends through this site.
It's too daunting of a task to explain the mission objectives here, so for those interested, I refer you to the US Navy web page devoted to the mission (http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/usnscomfort/cp11/Pages/default.aspx). Basically, I was notified in early February that, congratulations, I had been selected to participate in CP 2011. This misision is scheduled to provide medical and humanitarian aid to 10 countries in Central and South America from April through September of 2011.
As most of you know, I'm a hematologist/ oncologist in the Air Force. I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing on this trip, but pretty sure it won't be Heme/ Onc. I'll update you once I know.
I'm pretty excited for the next 6 months. It is definitely NOT your typical Air Force deployment - in fact, so far, I've only met one other person who has spent any time on the Comfort. I'm nervous, of course, but at this point, I just want to get going. I was talking to Scott about how hard it will be to leave him and Sam and Abi, and how I thought the hardest part would be getting on the plane. He told me he thought the hardest part would be from now until the moment I get on the plane, and he's definitely right. The anxiety of not knowing, the stress of pre-deployment preparations, and the thoughts of leaving my beautiful precious family are starting to wear on me. Thankfully, I have some time off scheduled for next week, and we'll all be heading to Denver, CO, to meet up with the whole McGuinn clan.
I'm guessing there won't be too many blog updates before my trip (unless I continue to need procrastination avenues), but again, I'm hoping to update on here as much as possible while I'm gone. Thoughts and prayers over the next 6 months (and visits or phone calls to Scott and the kids!) will be much appreciated.
It's too daunting of a task to explain the mission objectives here, so for those interested, I refer you to the US Navy web page devoted to the mission (http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/usnscomfort/cp11/Pages/default.aspx). Basically, I was notified in early February that, congratulations, I had been selected to participate in CP 2011. This misision is scheduled to provide medical and humanitarian aid to 10 countries in Central and South America from April through September of 2011.
As most of you know, I'm a hematologist/ oncologist in the Air Force. I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing on this trip, but pretty sure it won't be Heme/ Onc. I'll update you once I know.
I'm pretty excited for the next 6 months. It is definitely NOT your typical Air Force deployment - in fact, so far, I've only met one other person who has spent any time on the Comfort. I'm nervous, of course, but at this point, I just want to get going. I was talking to Scott about how hard it will be to leave him and Sam and Abi, and how I thought the hardest part would be getting on the plane. He told me he thought the hardest part would be from now until the moment I get on the plane, and he's definitely right. The anxiety of not knowing, the stress of pre-deployment preparations, and the thoughts of leaving my beautiful precious family are starting to wear on me. Thankfully, I have some time off scheduled for next week, and we'll all be heading to Denver, CO, to meet up with the whole McGuinn clan.
I'm guessing there won't be too many blog updates before my trip (unless I continue to need procrastination avenues), but again, I'm hoping to update on here as much as possible while I'm gone. Thoughts and prayers over the next 6 months (and visits or phone calls to Scott and the kids!) will be much appreciated.
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