Afghanistan ER

“Hey, Julie, Mack has been ‘out of the office’ for several days and just sent this note:

‘I was just on a 10 day mission. Was projected to be pretty dangerous with lots of casualties, but didn't turn out too bad. I did have one scary patient where I put in a chest tube in a partially-built guard tower. Whole thing was pretty exhausting. I did wade across the Argandab River during our "push." You should look that one up, since this is apparently a pretty notable river here.

We have another mission coming up very soon, (sooner than I would have wanted for rest purposes). By the way, please send another roll of duct tape (not for medical use).’”

“I think I understand what an Afghanistan emergency room is, Curmudge. It’s any place where a wounded soldier needs the urgent care of a physician.”

“Perhaps Mack’s team should adopt the motto, ‘The best of care anywhere. Literally, anywhere.'”