tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post7529642150735902855..comments2012-04-27T07:34:26.610-07:00Comments on WarBird Doctor Diaries: "SPEECHLESS..."Dr. Mark Duberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15047325755168299664noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-50823811010030545072012-04-27T07:34:26.610-07:002012-04-27T07:34:26.610-07:00Mark,
Thank you for everything you have done and f...Mark,<br />Thank you for everything you have done and for sharing your story. As a civilian VA employee, it's sometimes hard to relate to the Veterans that I talk to every day. While I will never truly know what it is like to be there or know what these incredible people have been through, reading this has given me some insight into where many of them have been. <br />Thanks to you and your family.<br />-Laura (Pezo) ChapmanLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06697722082204121098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-78386274603253844162012-03-04T08:46:09.959-08:002012-03-04T08:46:09.959-08:00Hi,
I'm writing to you because I'm the wif...Hi,<br />I'm writing to you because I'm the wife of a surgeon of 25 years, who not only ran his private surgical practice in the worst part of Los Angeles, but also closed it when he decided to become an active duty surgeon. It is the best work of his life, though it has not come without everything that you have written about. <br /><br />Thank you for writing about your days, and also your thoughts and feelings. First of all, know that what you are doing is deeply appreciated. We are grateful you are there to provide not only expert clinical and surgical skills, but also compassion to everyone around you, and those who you are charged with taking care of. This being said, I know that with each tear, the well can run dry making you feel as though you have been left on a mesa and there is no way to get down. <br /><br />Most definitely, everything you have experienced in war has been over the top --something that most will never go through. This being said, there are a lot of people and organizations there to help you and your family through the social and emotional reintegration process. <br /><br /> Bessel van der Kolk M.D., one of the best researchers into PTSD at <a href="http://www.traumacenter.org" rel="nofollow">The Trauma Center</a>, has said, "PTSD is a normal response to an extreme and abnormal situation." Your sleeping is the body's coping mechanism to stress as is the depression, anger, and anxiety. (Sorry, doc, I have to call it as it's presented). So in other words, what you're feeling right now is a normal response to a series of events that is stressful, and the situation you're in, offers very little in terms of variety or outlets to work things out through. <br /><br />I'm glad you're writing because it's a very good way to work out frustrations and later --through an editing process, put things into order and try to make some sense out of the events, and your place in it. If you come over to our blog, <a href="http://warretreat.org" rel="nofollow">War Retreat</a> you'll be able to pick up some resources that might help. If you need more info, just contact me through the blog.<br /><br />By the way, I hope your wife knows that on March 19, the <a href="http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/operation-purple/" rel="nofollow">National Military Family Association</a> will have its applications ready for your sons to apply to go to one week of free summer camp. The two of them could probably use a break from war too.<br />Very best, Kanani Fong WarRetreat.OrgKananihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317494343177263398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-66752108722524790162012-01-08T01:23:08.989-08:002012-01-08T01:23:08.989-08:00And Doc, see if you can get a copy of "The Ot...And Doc, see if you can get a copy of "The Other Side of Time" some memoirs written by a combat surgeon in WWII.<br /><br />G=d bless you in your work, and please pass along our love and respect to your staff and your patients.Don Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06057058763094040058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-43604437769679673402012-01-08T01:20:16.561-08:002012-01-08T01:20:16.561-08:00Every wounded soldier or marine accepted that risk...Every wounded soldier or marine accepted that risk for me. Every soldier that wakes in the night from PTSD dreams does that as a consequence of their decision to protect my children and my family.<br /><br />I can not support them all personally, but such a person, with that level of courage, commitment and responsibility would be the marks that I would seek as I hope to hire for my factory, and I would be honored to date any lady who served. Such courage would be a mark of beauty deeper than the shallow forms we see in the movies.<br /><br />I love them more than I can say. In their hour of grief, we hope our love will make them whole. I trust that their strength retained and displayed for the rest of their lives. We are lucky to find young men and women like them. May we live up to the high honor of their service.Don Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06057058763094040058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-46360619276088354782012-01-04T15:38:34.344-08:002012-01-04T15:38:34.344-08:00I am happy that you will be back with your family ...I am happy that you will be back with your family soon, and I wish you the best of luck reintegrating back into life outside of war. I cannot imagine living in a world where you wake up and go to bed in fear, surrounded by such devastation. You, Sir, ARE a hero. You have a hard job, that you do well, and in turn some other mother, father, wife or husband, gets their Soldier back. You have made a sacrifice that most are unwilling to make, and if I thanked you everyday for the rest of my life, it would not be enough. Thank you for sharing your story, however difficult it has been, for it is a story that deserves to be told. <br /><br />God Bless and Happy New Year, to you and your family.Holding Onhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08014462575234295089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-77190395012254451352012-01-01T19:14:20.269-08:002012-01-01T19:14:20.269-08:00Doc I am going to go read some more, but I want to...Doc I am going to go read some more, but I want to say that I agree with all of the comments above. I could only imagine what you and the men and women who come through your operational area are going through. I will and am thanking you and all concerned for your service. I shall not attest <br />to what support our government is giving to this or any other mission, <br />but, I almost believe it does not include all that is needed to complete the real mission. Again a mighty thank you and also a wish _That you and yours will have a happy New year (In _of all places) Afghanistan. ulric(seattle)hubert rainfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10831091737197759494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-22018428833514417812011-12-30T09:48:16.783-08:002011-12-30T09:48:16.783-08:00Mark, I have no adequate words with which to expre...Mark, I have no adequate words with which to express my thoughts clearly to you. You and your fellow docs are just as much heroes as those in the field. It takes courage and special skills ( not surgical) to deal with the situations you have encountered too. Few of us at home can really comprehend what you all deal with on our behalf. Yes, we are complacent with our status, but those who offer handshakes, etc are at least cognizant of that sacrifice you a making on our behalf. You blog has been a great eye-opener for us. I would like to use it in class this year to help the kids better realize what is meant by "freedom is not free." hope that is okay with you. In the meantime, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I will continue to shake hands, say thanks and contribute to disabled vets groups. Mostly I will pray that your reunion with your wife and children and that your life will be filled with joy and grace. God's blessings to you all.<br />Nadine Pekareknpekarekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12499652549847495316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-57343367229294888652011-12-30T03:28:27.652-08:002011-12-30T03:28:27.652-08:00athank you Mark for all the terrific work you have...athank you Mark for all the terrific work you have done there and the amount of lives you have saved.<br />I agree with you,I hope people that shake hands etc are actually doing something for the troops.I would like to challenge all readers here ,for New Years,find someone to write to that is deployed,go to Soldiers Angels or one of the many other organisations and help a soldier,it is a very rewarding experience I can tell you.I've been doing this for 5 years now and love being able to help,I come from Australia and STILL no soldier likes my vegemite I send.lol,HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you there,sepecially to you Doc,God Bless You.Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08565959391315626468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-33446785391631499742011-12-26T10:17:38.424-08:002011-12-26T10:17:38.424-08:00Thanks so much for sharing. My husband, a Marine, ...Thanks so much for sharing. My husband, a Marine, and I are from KY. I hope you have a safe trip back to your family soon. You are in our prayers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-65036448497013513492011-12-25T08:02:50.726-08:002011-12-25T08:02:50.726-08:00Dr. Mark,
Wow, don't know real what to see. I ...Dr. Mark,<br />Wow, don't know real what to see. I am one human being who read your story with tears in my eyes for your suffering and service and the suffering of the men and women you care for. I pray you will find help for your own recovery and healing when you return to the states. Yes, for you and your comrades and all soldiers and their families. May you someday, somehow be at peace. May you be healed.Debbie of Boisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09961120002937082822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-808222919274254617.post-77633980478763812432011-12-24T11:22:28.463-08:002011-12-24T11:22:28.463-08:00God bless you and the work you do!God bless you and the work you do!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com