Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Thanks

Echo wanted to let everyone know she enjoys working with you all. She wanted to thank everyone for making her feel welcome. Echo, we are glad you are here to help us out. Hope you continue liking all of us!!

Good Luck Ann

Ann is on her way to Salt Lake because her daughter, Shannon, is in labor. Hopefully the baby will arrive healthy and she will have some cute pictures of her new grandson!

Lorettas Great Granddaughter

Meet Kaia Ann Maynard. Her mom and dad are Tyler and Ally. Tyler is Lorettas grandson and they live in Salt Lake. Isn't she so cute! Loretta says she just keeps getting cuter as she gets older. She thinks her grandson took the pictures of Kaia in the rose petals and the whote dress. Tell Loretta she has a pretty adorable granddaughter!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Greetings from the Sandbox

Hello to all from the sand and heat in Kuwait, just over the border from Iraq. As expected, the trip over is by far the most stressful part of this experience - and no better on the third try. We still have some movement to go before we get settled further north. That will be good as it is at least 10 degrees hotter here (115 on a good day, and sometimes no better that 94 in air conditioning). Just some snapshots of feelings so far:
-joggin in the muggy air of Ft. Benning, Georgia, just happy to feel the Appalachian woods again
-Walking first and alone out onto the tarmack to board the big DC-10 - they put me of all people in charge of the troops for the flight - thankfully everyone behaved - I got a good response from tired troops when they asked me to give some parting words - all I said was, "I'm just looking for a quiet flight."
-Strapping on the M9 (Beretta) pistol again - is the world really safer once this nearsighted physician is armed? No bullets of my own yet though- at least they have some sense
-our first mediacl crisis - funny how the commanders did not take our comments about health and sanitation seriously until the diarrhea/gastroenteritis hit full strength and threatened to take out a big part of the unit - as usual I empathized by catching it myself - everyone is coming through it, but it has taken some effort to teach these Apache attack command types that you can't always find a bullet or rocket to kill these bugs - as usual there is a high level of anxiety to see that everything goes right and calming the commander down is a trick
-an amazing array of fellow soldiers - my first reaction is always "he or she is not like me" until we get to talk - thendiscover real people with families and dreams - and many careers - our logistics commander is a shy professor of agricultural scientist; our platoon leader (top notch lieutenant) is a dietician, one of our pilots is a pharmacist; the supply commander at our camp is a project manager for a large financial firm - my medical operations officer is a geologist.
-sitting next to an Englishman on the way to Georgia - the pilot announced soldiers were on board and everyone applauded - the Britishman mentioned this respect and appreciation has impressed him in America and would never happen in England.
-efforst we are making to improve the world that never make the press - I've met a JAG (lawyer) who is heading to jin a 40-nation team of various professionals in Afghanistan dedicated to rebuilding that country- she will be focusing on their judicial system - another team is standing up in Iraq to look for social and cultural ways to reduce violence; that team consists of anthropologists, sociologists, teachers, researchers, a special forces member who has lived 3 years in the varous tribes - thes are exciting indications that maaybe things can change - the atmosphere in Iraq certainly already seems calmer than 3 years ago a parting Hooah shot
-sitting in uniform at the airport on the way to Ft. Benning, I watched families busily walking past, oblivious to the war still on going, happy and excited about their vacations and reunions. Watching the briefings on terrorism and other threats worldwide and seeing first-hand our lifestyle copaired to much of the world, it is clear we have much to be thankful for. The easy-going freedom we enjoy only exists because of the presence of a strong military. We may disagree with a given conflict or political decisions, and certainly may find fault or corruption in our system, but it is still the best on the planet and would cave quickly to the evil forces unfortunately loose on this world. Wishing you all a wonderful end of summer - enjoy the cooling weather! Andy

Andy Bradbury
200 W. 100 N
Blackfoot, Idaho 83221
andybm@yahoo.com

(for those that don't know, this is a letter from Dr. Bradbury who used to work here at the clinic)

Meet Seth

Seth is Madalones grandson that lives in Pocatello. He just got a new haircut and Madalone wanted all of you to see how cute he is! Isn't the mohawk just so cute on baby boys!

Fair Time

Jenny didn't e-mail me anything but I was looking at her blog, there is a link to her blog down on the right hand side, and she put her pictures up on her blog she entered in the fair. I entered some pictures too, has anyone else entered anything in the fair? I know Darlene is already there helping get the cows registered!! I am sure you will see her around in the golf cart if you go to the fair! Colleens family helps get the parade ready so she is also involved. We have the safe place spot at the fair some will be helping at. So much fun!!

Katy










Katy Searle went to a Nurse Practitioner Conference in June to Boise. She met Senator Crapo and Senator Craig. She said it was very interesting and learned a lot. Enjoy the pictures!
(Thank you for sending pictures Katy!)


Monday, August 18, 2008

Debbie Updates

August 14
The last couple of weeks have been trying. We have been up & down the highway regularly. Preston developed a stomach ache that persisted for a week. The day he was scoped to take a look, the pain went away and has not returned. Then about 10 days ago he started to itch and it progressed to a generalized rash. It looks like hives. The doctors are concerned about Graft verses Host Disease (GVHD). This can affect any organ including the stomach and skin. They are running test and the preliminary results point to an allergic reaction. He started several anti-itch drugs and they stopped one of the antibiotics to see if this will help. He thinks the itching is subsiding. No signs of GVHD so far. His blood work looks good & his energy level is improving. We go back on Mon. for a recheck. We are enjoying watching the Olympics at home and cheer for USA!!

Lexi is found!!

For those of you who haven't heard, Debbie found her dog Lexi on Thursday night. She was missing for 9 1/2 days. Debbie said she found her in a potato feild by the State Hospital and the farmers helped catch her. She is so happy she found her. She had a lot of phone calls saying they saw Lexi and is still getting phone calls wondering if they found her. Debbie is just so happy they found Lexi.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Ann Ropps summer story

I have had a busy summer taking care of my family and gardening. We have been blessed to have our daughter Shannon carry her baby now to 33 weeks. Five weeks longer than her previous pregnancy. Barrett, her busy 2 year old was 2#7oz at birth, but doing really well. However Shannon is on bed rest, three medications to stop preterm labor and has a stitch in place. Good news is at 36 weeks or on September 2nd her Doctor will pull the stitch and stop all medications. This is so exciting for our family….in the meantime I have been traveling back and forth to Salt Lake City. Thanks for everything and everyone you all have done to cover me while I have been away. Hope you all have a great rest of the Summer.

Ann

Summer fun

Some of the girls thought it would be fun to have people tell us what they have done fun for the summer. So, with your help, this should be fun. Just e-mail me your story and a picture/s if you have one.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Time Clock Memo

I wanted to make sure everyone saw Sheila's memo on the time clocks. Three things she said might help us were:

1-Do not punch in or out to correct a missed punch. You can't correct it and it only makes things worse on Sheilas end.
2-Try to punch in as soon as you get here in the morning, lunch, and end of day punches.
3-Check your punches regularly so Sheila doesn't have to call and ask you for your hours. If you miss a punch, put it on the clipboard in Sheilas office.

Sheila says she appreciates each of you and know you all work hard. If you have any questions or concerns about the memo, contact her. She would be able to show each of you how your hours are calculated or corrected. This may help you understand the time clock/payroll punches.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Say Goodbye

I found out a couple of of clinic family members is moving on. Tessa Whiteley from the lab is leaving. She works mostly on the weekends. Her last day was last Sunday, August 3rd. We are also loosing Raquel Carrillo from X-Ray. She is taking a job that is closer to her home in American Falls. We will miss you both!

Say Hello to Echo Hernandez. She moved back to Idaho from Texas. She worked in an urgent care there. She is a CMA. I think Judy has her filling in for now. She has 3 children, who are still in Texas. She lives in Sterling with her mom. She is very helpful and has a lot of medical knowlege, so if you have a question, she may have your answer!