Soldiers from Iraq return to burn unit in San Antonio.

[hippywife]

If you didn't hear this today on NPR's All Things Considered, please take a few minutes to listen to it now. It's extremely heart-breaking. I was tearing up as I listened to it on the drive home. Listen carefully, too, for the comment by the nurse who, when asked if she ever thinks "When are we going to stop seeing these 19 year old boys coming in burnt so badly?" answers in the affirmative and then says something along the lines of she would expand on that answer but she'd get herself in trouble. (paraphrasing both the question and answer.)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5570807

[5X]

1. K & R. n/t.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. I heard that driving home as well....

:cry:

[Monkeyman]

3. Thanks people need to know that they are trying to take care of

Them at Military Hospitals it when they go to the VA treatment suc-s. Burns are the hardest to deal with. Just the smell alone will gag most. Most Nurse's after being on a burn unit suffer from PTSD. If it was not for the nurse's in Nam I would not be here.

[hippywife]

4. I'm glad they took such good care of you, Monkeyman.

Just listening to this report, I couldn't imagine what they and the soldiers they treat are dealing with. Truly horrific. I also liked the response from the doctor who was asked if he had any idea what his patients were going through. Very heartfelt and humble answer.

[TomInTib]

6. Same here, Monkeyman.

And those Angels at Naval Hospital, Yokusuka, Japan.

But, thank heavens, my problems were not burned.

[hippywife]

5. I hate kicking my own thread but

even tho this is only about the soldiers who are casualties it is a must hear story that brings home in a personal way the suffering being endured by all in the path of this insanity.

[TomInTib]

7. Kicking. This needs to be heard.

[hippywife]

8. Thanx, Tom!

:hi:

[TomInTib]

9. I will keep an eye on this thread

and boost it during the evening (I am West Coast). See #6.

[hippywife]

10. So glad you are safe and sound now, too.

I can't imagine being faced with the horror and destruction that soldiers in any war are faced with. When they were talking about the young man who was burned over 90% of his body and all the details involved in treating some of these patients and the medical staff that cares for them, I was truly horrified at the mental imagery and empathized with them so strongly even tho I have no way of knowing the depth of their pain. I salute all that have the courage to face that battle and win. That takes some special stuff that I don't think I possess.

I'm off to bed now. I haven't slept well the last three nights and tonight I'm making sure that I do.

Thank you for being there for this thread.

[TomInTib]

11. Kicking for the troops nt

[TomInTib]

12. Kicking, again. Listen to this. nt

[hippywife]

13. Kicking for the morning crowd. n/t

[Solly Mack]

14. Thanks for posting

[hippywife]

15. Thanx for responding, Solly!

This was still heavy on my mind today and I was thinking about the fact that as heartbreaking and horrendous as this is for the young people involved in the story, they at least have top-notch medical attention. There are people on the other side of the world with the same kinds of injuries who have little or no help.

[Solly Mack]

16. I didn't know what to say..sometimes words just fail

but I wanted you to know I appreciated you posting it.

[hippywife]

17. There isn't much TO say

when the horror and sadness of what humans are capable of doing to each other is so palpable it coats your tongue making words useless. The sentiment is understood and appreciated. :hug: