Playing God.

So I ask you; when someone goes into that chapel and they fall on their knees and they pray to God that their wife doesn't miscarry or that their daughter doesn't bleed to death or that their mother doesn't suffer acute neural trama from postoperative shock, who do you think they're praying to? Now, go ahead and read your Bible, Dennis, and you go to your church, and, with any luck, you might win the annual raffle, but if you're looking for God, he was in operating room number two on November 17, and he doesn't like to be second guessed. You ask me if I have a God complex. Let me tell you something: I am God.

--from the movie, "Malice"

I am going to tread very gently around this topic. There are many things I want to say about this subject but because of where I am and the uniform I wear, I cannot. I will simply say this: None of us here like playing God. It is not something we take lightly. But sometimes, yes, sometimes we have to do things for the greater good. Our medical system does not always mesh with the local medical system. That is reality and that is out of our control. When we have to make hard decisions regarding patient care, know this, it hurts and we hurt. It just sucks.

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Onto less troubling topics.

I had the absolute joy this week of learning to play a new sport: Cricket. Some of our Australian counterparts brought out a portable pitch and all the equipment and then I think they mostly laughed at the antics of the silly Americans. There are many people here that say that was one of the most fun days they've had on deployment. Funny thing, I think back to playing Ultimate in Philly at the Edge and seeing the Cricket match going on next to us. I have most of the rules down now, if I ever make it back there then at least I can watch them play and understand what's going on! It really was a blast! And then to top it all off, the Aussies invited us over to their compound for a BBQ on Saturday night. Hey Ruth, maybe we should move to Australia!

Speaking of Ultimate, played another good game of it today. It was made all the more enjoyable by the chance meeting of a Canadian who clearly has played. The game becomes much easier when you have someone else who knows what they are doing. OK, and it also helps us win. And, as anyone who knows me and my slightly competitive nature, winning beats losing.

Here's what I'm going to miss at home: Naomi losing her first (and maybe more) tooth. Of course, if Ruth has her way they will all stay in until I come home. I've commented before on the magic that is Skype - well now I'm hoping I get to see a tooth come out on Skype! I try to get Naomi to wiggle her teeth for me which usually results in lots of giggling from Naomi and Jonah! The laughter of a child is tonic for whatever ails you. I could listen to Naomi and Jonah giggle forever. It makes my heart happy.