Another day, another blister, another 'floating toenail'', another..........well, a few I haven't seen before.......this is an adventure race, after all, in every sense of the word.
 
The medical tent has been busy the last few days -- lots of nausea and vomiting, but only two IV's were done during Stage 5, and both competitors finished the race. There were many antiinflammatory meds, creams, anti vomiting medicine given out -- a regular urgent care operating out of a tent with a backpack. Rockin'!!
Dr. Melita has adjusted to camping life and  though she is not sure more camping is in her future, she seems better stocked with cocoa and smells better than the rest of us...
Dr. Brandee is keeping it all together, and keeping the beat going with Beyonce...
Dr. Carly ran the overnight Camp at checkpoint 6 without a hitch, as usual, don't think anything could phase her at this point.
Dr. Larry discovered that if you don't usually drink alcohol, you might get a little Looney Tunes on Ambien.
Dr. Val was amazed to find others who had brought razors into the desert, and how much happier people seemed once she shaved the underarms before treating the feet.....
 
The last competitor, with serious determination and red raw feet just jogged across the finish line at the stroke of the cutoff time of 3pm -- hip hip hooray for Anita!!  I sigh as I think of the work we need to do on those feet....
 
Anyhow, the hardest part for the athletes is over and the fun run tomorrow should be brilliant. Perhaps the medical team will hop on in there to try to cross a finish line as well! But don't hold your breath.
 
Peace!
 
Val V.
 
 

Stage 4 has not had quite the Med Tent carnage of the previous two days as of yet, and CP 1 and 2 teams are back in camp.  Dr. Larry is at CP 3 today, which I nicknamed "CP Dude" since the entire CP team is male (joked that they would be drinking beer and scratching themselves when the competitors arrived).  I know he had to do at least one IV there today, but I'll get the full story once they close and he returns to camp.  Several people came in needing taping over low backs, necks, or shoulders rubbed raw from their backpacks.  Other mostly just wanting their feet prepped for the long stage tomorrow.  Pray for us, we'll need all the help we can get!
 
Desert Hygeine Tip # 3/Beauty Tip #4: antibacterial hand gel can also give your arm-pits an almost-like-i-showered feel and minimize (though not eliminate) Stage 4 pit-funk.
 
Dr.Brandee

Yesterday wasn't too bad overall- but still pretty busy- we had to do one IV, and attempted another, but our poor patient was so dry that even our Carly, nurse-extrodinaire, tried a couple times and couldn't get it... amazingly after being stuck with a needle several times he suddenly had the urge to eat and drink, imagine that.  More standard blisters, toenails to drain and the like.  However, the high point in the med tent today was  a toenail amputation for a guy whose pinky toenail was only 1/4 connected and floating on a bed of blister and sweat-logged skin...ahhh such a satisfying procedure and he felt better after it had been removed.  No, he won't be continuing on without his toenail- still too much pain in it to walk further across the desert.  We may have another 1 or 2 who need IV's tonight as it was quite hot out there today...
... the upside of hottness on Stage 3 is that CP 3 had the most beautiful oasis.. and I was prepared with my bikini and sarong... unfortunately shortly after I arrived there was an EMERGENCY text message and I had to run off... turned out not really to be an emergency, thank goodness, but I was headed back to camp, so no long day luxuriating at the oasis for me.
 
For those in the know, Dr. Melita is deathly afraid of most animals (and bugs, and any sort of non-human creature)... but she rose to the occasion in the Sahara and got on the camel yesterday.  It didn't spit or bite at her or anything... she only screamed a little and we're all very proud of her.  Val was very happy to be stationed at the Oasis CP today, as she got to wash her hair (and her shirt) before anyone ekse even arrived.  Dr. Larry recovered from his 24 hour bug last night- only to be accosted by a cricket in the tent as we were going to sleep that elicited a shriek from him that was nothing short of hilarious. 
 
Desert Beauty Tip#3- Place fabric softner/dryer sheets inside your sleeping bag and in your clean clothes bag for that "fresh frfom the dryer smell" every time you open the bag... that almost makes you forget you haven't showered in days.
 
Desert Hygeine Tip # 2- if you don't have a baggie for the meds you request at the med tent from the doctors, instead of carrying them in your hand or pocket, ask the doc to cut off a finger of a latex or plastic glove and keep them in there (from Dr. Melita)
 
Shout outs: Thanks again for the emails to the "email competitor/staff" link- they are great. Zac, send the jokes to Kelly.  Hi to dad- don't let Patrick drive my car.  I miss talking to my sisters on the phone- though only one of them has emailed me so far, so apparently they don't miss me as much.  Lastly, this is my first race without my husband since I've been married, so bear with my sentimental message in a e-bottle to my love:  Miss you so much , honey.  Please eat some veggies today or at least  a salad  or an apple so you don't have scurvy when I get home.
 
I'm out...
 
Dr. Brandee

OK- so of course when I wrote the blog yesterday it was before we got busy... and we got BUSY (not in the good way).  We ended up with 2 people getting IVs (CArly started both of them on the 1st stick- she rocks)and more people needing blister care then we usually get on a first day.  The blisters were not especially bad,, but people needed more help with the simple ones- maybe we have a lot of first timers?? Anyway- we helped them out and did lots of teaching so everyone can take care of their own simple blisters from here on out.  Possibly a bit more nausea, vomitting and diarrhea for day one- but I'm giving lots of reminders to use the hand gel libarally. 
 
One compertitor with previous case of compartment syndrome (very high pressures in the leg muscles which can cause nerve damage or even require emergency surgery if severe) was starting to get signs of a recurrent case, so we sent him off to Cairo this morning with the plan that if it gets wors he'll head to a recommended hospital in Cairo, otherwise he'll hop the first possible flight to London to get checked out there.  He was very smart in coming to see us early, I'm pretty sure he stoppped soon enough that it is not an emergency, but it's definitely something you don't want to "push through" so he definitely made the right decision to stop when he did.
 
We are down one doc today as Larry has picked up a bug that seems to be knocking him out- he's sleeping it off in the back of the med tent as I type.  I'm sure he'll be better after the nap.  Vall stepped up like a pro to take his spot at CP3. My ankles and feet are covered with bug bites that itch like you wouldn't believe- seems like the bugs are only after me because I haven't seem anyone else with this problem- I must be xtra sweet.... benadryl, claritin and hydrocortisone cream are not working- I think these bugs have super-strength venom!
 
 Our  research machine to test  the blood electrolytes of the study volunteers overheated yesterday and wouldn't work despite all our various efforts to cool it off- we're hopeful that it will work again on Stage 3 when we try to collect data again.  Since I'm writing this from camp before the 1st runner has arrive, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to hear how today's Med Tent experience goes.  Thanks for the emails Sweets, Emma, Carolyn... we miss you all in the med tent.  I could sure use an inappropriate joke from Grant or Brian or Zac, but I'll look for a few in the emails over the next few days.
 
Desert Beauty Tip# 2 : if you chip a nail and it's driving you insane, you can use a rock to file the rough edge until you get a proper nail file.
 
Desert Hygeine Tip #1: use a clean piece of tissue or wet-wipe to zip and unzip the door to the desert toilet drapes- I would NEVER touch them with my bare hands!!
 
-Dr. Brandee

Doctor Brandee here, checking in at the beginning of this, my 10th race with RacingThePlanet. After our late arrival last night due to the break down of Bus#4, I was expecting people to be less than chipper for the start, but the starting line energy and enthusiasm was nothing short of sheer exuberance.  WE have had a feew people vomitting on the course, but everyone seems to feel better once they have been "emptied".  No IV's started yet, one person has pulled out due to a bad ankle, but I think he'll re-join the course tomorrow. 
 
Our medical tent is extra roomy and we are feeling a bit spoiled with just the five of us sleeping in there.  Nurse Carly is the only other RTP Med Team Veteran, I think this must be her 7th or 8th race.  Dr. Melita has survived her first night ever camping without getting bitten or eaten by anything (as was her worst fear).  and Drs Larry and Val are making a greata first showing for day one. 
 
Short time on the battery so I'll cut it short..... but I'll leave you with desert beauty tip #1: Febreeze spray on your shirt each evening and hanging it out to air in the tent makes for a much fresher morning!!
 
-Dr. Brandee