NavyDoc's Inaugural Adventure W Pics

[NavyDoc]

Hi! For those that don't know me, I met some Freepers on the side of Penn ave. during the inaugeral parade. They were very nice and were in sharp contrast to the unwashed protestors. A brief bio: Enlisted in the USMC as a 0311 back in 1986. Was a rifleman for a year then got an appointment to the Naval Academy. B.S. in English Lit. Naval Flight Officer (re: "Goose") for 5 years then a military scholarship to U. of Michigan in Ann Arbor for medical school. Now a staff anesthesiologist and pain management fellow at NNMC Bethesda and WRAMC here in DC area. I volunteered to provide medical support to the military mission to the inaugeral parade. I was medical officer in charge of Aide station #4, the first military aide station on the parade route. I was filling in for an Air Force Doc who came down ill so actually all my troops were Air Force Personell: 8 medics, 2 nurses, 1 senior NCO, and one admin type. We were stationed on the street, and had a small heated "shack" (for better words) to keeps supplies, put patients, and warm up once in a while. Mustered at WRAMC at 0100 and was posted on Penn Ave at zero-dark-thirty. Got to watch the sun rise just off the Capitol's left shoulder. Pretty early on the cops started to arrive. They were VOLUNTEERS from as far away as Oregon and Florida, and had come to support this inaugeration. They were fun to talk to and were very professional. They JOKED about being there to smash hippy heads!

They marched on line in a very professional manner... I weigh about 225, am 6' 1" and bench 315#. This guy made me feel small and HE was one of the smaller cops!!!!! Some of Virginia's finest ready for some fun! I liked the above image so I had to get a shot of me in the forground.. Ok, and now a pic of most of my posse: Having lots of fun, then enter the nasty, smelly protestors. THis one was actually fairly attractive and her sign reads,"The only Bush I trust is my own." She was behind alot of regular folks, but her sign struck me as funny...besides I am a sailor after all... There really weren't that many of them, but the ones that were there were a pain in the rear. Shouting epithets at me and my medics, spitting, throwing snowballs/fruit. Since I was there to be a doc, not a photographer, I was too busy to get pics of the really rowdy ones. That blather about "spporting the troops, but hating the war," is pure B.S.. At every chance, they laid as much venom and hate upon us as possible. After the CIC rode by they actually tride to rush the barricades, but were repelled by the police with batons and pepper spray. Of course lil ol' me was right in the middle. I treated a couple of cops for eye irritation and bruises. A few of the honor guard that lined the route for bruises (hit in the back of the head with an apple). Next few shots are of the CIC passing. They are bad shots, but I took them with my left hand as he approached, dropped my left and snapped up my right in a sharp and crisp salute as he drew abreast, and was unable to get any followup shots after he passed due to the above bruhaha.

Oh, did I forget THESE guys with their funny, long "suitcases?" Oh yes, the reason I am now a member of this site: there I was; tired, cold, hungry, my feet hurst, harrased by B.O. and patchatouli wearing idiots...walking up and down when I see some more fools waving signs...except on closer exam, THESE signs are supportive and instead of spitting, they are smiling. Instead of shouting obscenaties at me and my guys, these people are saying, thank you. ?????? I needed to have a closer look, and was thus taken into the fold! JCS marched by...very cool. My boys! Semper Fi!!!!

Well after running around all day, dealing with protestors, cold, and a wild horse. (Bucked his rider, got off the route, and was kicking people one block over), cold, sore feet, and one bruised hand (don't ask...facial piercings can hurt if ya smack 'em!). It's time to call it a day. After the last military person was cleared, we got to stand down, about 2100 that night. We retreated to a local watering hole, and I bought my posse many beers. Goodnight and God bless, Zack Kitchen, M.D. LCDR, MC, USN

[xsmommy]

GREAT pix!! welcome to FR, navydoc! looky there, gas, another gas passer has come to FR to roost! Ceej, you need to meet navydoc also!

[ELS]

bttt

[knittnmom]

Thanks for the pics and the story!

[bootless]

Welcome to FR! I read about your introduction to the Freepers in the parade, and I'm happy to see you posting!

[NavyDoc]

Thanks for the replies. I've discovered that all is not wine and roses here, however. I've been doing hand to hand combat with a knuckle dragger by the name of Coop in the thread about the flashing MP's in Iraq.

[bootless]

You're welcome, and yeah, it's like that sometimes! I'm sure you're acquit yourself wonderfully. :-)

[secret garden]

Welcome to FR, doc. Have a seat and enjoy the good company. And thank you for your service to our country.
Ceej, are you the one he had to replace who came up sick (or lame)? J/k, I know you'd have shown up anyway, just to scope out the nurses. ;)

[Seaplaner]

NavyDoc, welcome aboard, sir. Thanks for the interesting images.

USNA...a great place to start!

[doug from upland]

I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet you while I was there.

[NavyDoc]

USNA is a great place to start, however, while I was commisioned out of USNA, I started at Parris Island...Semper FI!

[NavyDoc]

Doug. I'm in the DC area. We could meet at the next freeper gathering.

[doug from upland]

I'm in Southern California, so I will probably miss it. :)

[CholeraJoe]

Good pics, squid!

USAF Vet, IM/Critical Care/Flight Surgeon checking in. Been absent alot lately due to a ghastly fracture of my left leg plus other injuries after a fall down my inside steps. Slipped on the top one and hit every step on the way down and slammed into the front door with my head. Double spiral tibial fracture, compound (3mm hole), comminuted fibular fracture proximally and distally, separated right shoulder, gash on my head, refractured my right 11th rib. Foot was pointing backwards after I landed.

Managed to crawl to the phone and call help. Hit the jackpot for a Sunday. Got the best Ortho and Gas Passer in town. Had a spinal but he hit me with Versed and Fentanyl as soon as I got on the table, so I have no memory of the spine shot, the local in the shoulder or the operations. The first thing I remember is the Ortho applying the leg brace and saying, "Hey Bud, wake up and look at your x-rays."

Looked over and saw a titanium rod and 3 screws in my leg and 2 screws in my shoulder.

Getting better. Walking without a brace with just a cane. Shoulder's great, leg fracture moves (painlessly) every step I take. Healing on xrays.

So that's my latest adventure. I have others.

[NavyDoc]

Wow Doug, you certainly came far. I've had many a det to North Island NAS. Near your AOR?

[NavyDoc]

Joe!
Ouch! What can I say! How's the leg. We've been experimenting with peripheral nerve catheters for pain control. For example, I'd place a sciatic nerve catheter and then run some marcaine or ropivicaine in with a portable pump. You could go hame and you'd be nice and comfey! Also would reduce the risk of phantom limb as well as CRPS.

[secret garden]

I hadn't heard about your shoulder and rib too! Poor CJ! Are you in a sling?

[doug from upland]

I'm a few hours north.

[CholeraJoe]

I broke my 11th rib on the right on June 3, while taking down the medical tent at the largest footrace in the Rockies. I was holding a corner of a huge tent and a gust of wind came along and swept me off my feet and snapped my rib like a toothpick.

The shoulder was minor compared to the leg. No sling. It's my cane arm. I only spent 2 days inpatient. HMO, don't ya know? Could have gone home after one day but the PT wouldn't sign off on my mobility. She wanted me. 5'7", light brown, deep blue, 116lbs, 36B, but married.

Gave myself heparin shots (Lovenox) in the belly for 2 weeks.

[xsmommy]

it's hell being you, ceej... ; )

[CholeraJoe]

I had a PCA and was proud that I only used 9 mg of morphine before they took it off. The ortho and the anesthesiologist were impressed. The spinal wore off in a dramatic manner leaving the privates numb at the last. We got within 10 minutes of having to inaert a catheter since the ultrasound showed 600 ml in my bladder. Dodged that bullet, fortunately.

Of course the ortho and the ER doc were also impressed that I splinted my own fractures with a plunger handle and duct tape.

When the next door neighbors came over, they couldn't believe I had survived the fall. I could have broken my neck.