medical scope

Ya know how we always wondered just how much an Army medic is allowed to do without someone watching over their shoulder? Yeah, well I've got a pretty good idea now. Granted, nothing much has happened, but my company is out on our own base, and the only medical providers are the other three medics and myself. We got a little visit from our PA the other day, and he was pretty impressed with the way things look; we've got a nice little aid station set up, with a good stock of supplies, including drugs from NSAID's to narcs, creams to antibiotics. Dude, we've pretty much got carte blanche out here. He said whatever we need to do to keep our guys alive and healthy, do it. He just wants us to check in if we think we need to prescribe antibiotics, in case it needs a follow up, though I'm pretty sure after a month or so, he'll tell us to stop buggin him and do whatever we've been doing. I've got surgical cric kits, my intubation roll, suture kits and Histo-freeze for wart/cyst removal. This is true rogue medicine! Most of the stuff the outgoing medics have done (and us to some extent) would put people in jail back home!!! The nice thing is that if we can't handle it, two minutes down the road we've got an air-evac set up on another base with at least one MD/DO. I think you'd dig it, man!
I've been teaching a lot of classes to the infantry guys, making sure they know how to treat their buddies if I'm not right there immediately. Even these guys know needle decompressions and IV's! Of course, the basic medic can do surgical crics, so everyone is able to do more than their civilian counterparts. I've also been giving a lot of classes to the other medics in my company; tonight we're starting the autonomic nervous system including sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. In the last week, these guys have learned almost every drug in our cabinet by heart. Pharm 101 took on a whole new importance once we got here.
You asked if there was anything you could send; if possible, if you could get your hands on some filter needles and send them my way, I'd be greatful! We've got a lot of meds in break-neck vials, but no filter needles; we've been able to get around that by just giving it IM. Not the greatest solution, but it works; improvise, adapt and overcome.
So whats new with you? Last time we talked I was still in Kuwait, and Freya had just recovered from being spayed. How's Christine? Getting excited for October? You've gone back to school, right? How's that going? Let me know how things are going for you back in Iowa. Got an update from my folks this morning; apparently its rather Arctic-like...can't say I miss that, though I do miss the snow.
Anyway, its time for chow, so I should go.

Hope all is well!!
Talk soon,

Troy