Boots on the Ground

On Being a DoctorNovember 5, 2013Boots on the GroundEvan Bilstrom, MDEvan Bilstrom, MDFrom Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-159-9-201311050-00017 Audio Reading - “Boots on the Ground” Audio. Michael A. LaCombe, MD, Annals Associate Editor, reads "Boots on the Ground," by E. Bilstrom. Your browser does not support the audio element. Audio player progress bar Step backward in current audio track Play current audio trackPause current audio track Step forward in current audio track Mute current audio trackUnmute current audio track 00:00/ SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail You always heard the thwap-thwap-thwap of the Cobra's rotor echoing off of the surrounding hills before the whir of the Blackhawk. Daily MEDEVAC flight, marking time. One day closer to going home. Wife's pretty pregnant, think we'e having a boy.Robotic days. 0530, get dressed, holster 9 mm, walk outside, put on cover. Already over 100 °F. Walk to the chapel; pick up Chaps; and grab Jack, battalion dentist. Walk to the dining facility (DFAC) for chow. Weapon clear and safe, enter a sliver of home; eggs made to order, selection of Kellogg's cereal, Fruit Loops today perhaps. Eat breakfast, retelling ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon.Corresponding Author: Evan Bilstrom, MD, Department of Medicine, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239; e-mail, [email protected]. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement Audio Reading - “Boots on the Ground” Audio. Michael A. LaCombe, MD, Annals Associate Editor, reads "Boots on the Ground," by E. Bilstrom. Your browser does not support the audio element. Audio player progress bar Step backward in current audio track Play current audio trackPause current audio track Step forward in current audio track Mute current audio trackUnmute current audio track 00:00/ FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics November 5, 2013Volume 159, Issue 9Page: 646-647KeywordsAntidepressantsAtropineCheesesDiazepamDustDyspneaEmotionsGamesInfectious diseasesKneesLungsMedical staffMilkPsychiatry and mental healthRelapsing feverRiversShouldersStormsUltrasound imaging ePublished: 5 November 2013 Issue Published: November 5, 2013 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2013 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...