The White Falcon - 24.05.2002, Blaðsíða 4

Naval Hospital Keflavik makes double delivery
Story and photo by J02 Stephen Sheedy
The staff at Naval Hospital Keflavik
marked a first for 2002 when they delivered
twins, Ashley Nicole and Alyssa Marie
Rodriguez, on May 9.
While the hospital routinely delivered
babies, twins are not a common occurrence
at Keflavik. Also, the birth of the Rodriguez
sisters was far from typical. According to the
mother, PN1 Paula Rodriguez, the circum-
stances of the delivery tested both the skill
and understanding of the medical staff.
“I was admitted into the hospital at 7 a.m.
on May 8 and very quickly there was a med-
ical crew of about 20 people involved. In the
end 1 was in labor for 36 hours, but the entire
operating room staff, doctors and nurses
stayed the entire time,” said Rodriguez.
In addition to the long hours, the medical
staff had to contend with a considerable
amount of time between the births of the
children.
“There was a time difference of five hours
between the birth of the twins,” said
Rodriguez. Due to the nature of my pregnan-
cy, the twins had to be delivered in the oper-
ating room because of the possibility that the
second child would require a Caesarian sec-
tion and in the end that is what had hap-
pened.”
The oldest of the twins, Ashley was born at
12:38 p.m. and her younger sister Alyssa was
born at 5:25 p.m.
In spite of the challenges, Rodriguez said
the doctors, nurses and corpsmen maintained
both a professional and supportive environ-
ment at all times.
Paula and Greg Rodriguez relax at home
with the newest members of their family,
Alyssa (left) and Ashley.
“Everyone was exhausted but nobody
allowed that to get the better of them.
Everything was so well coordinated and the
entire staff saw the labor and birth through,”
said Rodriguez.
“They were praising me for the effort I was
making but they worked very hard to help me
and made me feel good.”
In addition to all the support the hospital
provided Rodriguez during childbirth, she
said they were there for her before and after
the delivery.
“I went into pre-labor at 28 weeks and both
Lt. Ingrid Sheldon and Lt. Patrick Muffley
told me what I needed to do to carry the
twins for another ten weeks. Both Sheldon
and Muffley showed tremendous profession-
alism and true caring,” said Rodriguez.
“Also, Lt.j.g. Rodney Heninger was always
available regardless of the time of day and
during the 36 hour labor. FFSC registered
nurse Lorie Ewing stayed by my side during
the night. Finally, Lt.
Julie Brockman
helped me so much
and persevered with
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me after the delivery was over.”
According to Naval Hospital Keflavik
Staff Nurse Lt. Julie Brockman, who helped
take care of Rodriguez during her three-day
stay at the hospital ward, it was a privilege to
be involved in the birth of their children.
“As a nurse, I not only take care of the
physical patient, but I also see them recover
as a whole person. She was in labor for 36
hours and that takes a huge toll on your body.
Taking care of her after the birth gave me the
opportunity to watch the Rodriguez’s bond
with their new children and see them interact
as a family. I really felt I connected with
them and that was a wonderful experience,”
said Brockman.
Brockman also added that the delivery of
the twins was a team effort where numerous
people contributed to the successful birth.
“The whole ward team, nurses, doctors
and corpsmen did an awesome job working
together to help the Rodriguez’s with the
experience before, during and after the birth.
People were willing to stay extra hours. A lot
of people went the extra mile,” said
Brockman.
“Also, the Rodriguez’s themselves played a
big part because they are wonderful people
and it was a privlege to take care of them.”
Rodriguez also added that every member
of the staff" involved with the birth deserves
credit with the success delivery.
“This was the best medical care I have
received in my sixteen and half years in the
Navy. The entire team was terrific and
though the trials and tribulations of the birth,
they made it such a good experience. They
went above and beyond. They gave me their
100 percent support and they helped make
this truly a blessed experience,” said
Rodriguez.
Doc’s Block
By Michael Wentworth, MD
Donate to the tobacco Legal
Defense Fund
I have deep roots in tobacco country. Several of my relatives
earn at least a partial living from tobacco farming. I am distantly
related to the Reynolds family (as in RJR-Nabisco) and I went to
medical school in Richmond, Virginia, capital of the fragrant
brown leaf. Even my current career of medicine owes much of its
income to diseases caused by tobacco. So why would I spoil a
good thing and speak out against cigarettes?
Tobacco is bad for you. It robs the rich man of his money, the
young man of his youth, and the old man of his health. It doesn’t
care if you’re black or white, male or female, cheerful or grumpy.
Nicotine is appallingly addictive. How many times have you seen
a poor smoker, huddled against the harsh cold of the Icelandic win-
ter, just to get a few precious lungfuls of cigarette smoke? Sure,
you can drink in moderation, having a half-glass of wine with din-
ner, but who smokes half a cigarette a day? Nicotine beckons you
hourly, every day of your life.
Every smoker has heard the litany of diseases caused by ciga-
rettes, so 1 won’t repeat them here. Just look at the warning on
your next pack if you need a refresher. But consider this, if you
spend $100 each month on cigarettes (roughly a pack per day),
you’ll have given the tobacco companies $12,000 if you keep it up
for ten years. That would buy you a year of rent, or a good used
car, but you’d be lucky to pay the Marlboro Man’s legal bills for an
afternoon. So, while I’m sure the company appreciates every little
bit you send them, I know you have better uses for your cash.
Page 4
The White Falcon
May 24, 2002