Urgent Urology

The young GI came in on a chopper as an urgent urology case. I seemed to remember him when I saw him. But then again we were all pretty much the same, just young men - soldiers and I saw so many coming in. This young man had been circumcised sometime earlier. If I remember correctly, there seemed to be a number of young GI's who came in for that which was probably because there were in the field and easier to keep clean. I think it really didn't matter if one was in the field or not for some of them getting circumcised.

This young man's penis was very swollen, enflamed, etc. and it was clear something was wrong. I remember him laying there on the litter as he was examined by the doctor. He looked so young but then again he / we were all young and really just beginning our lives but beginning it in a war zone.

I'm not sure if he went to surgery or exactly what happened next but I do remember the Dr. saying at some point in time that he had Leukemia. I*m not sure how he knew or came to that conclusion but that is what I remember. Apparently the circumcision brought that to light sooner by what was happening and it not healing, etc. and I remember them getting him onto a medical flight out of Vietnam.

This is what is burned into my memory and I think of him and wonder what became of him and what the future held for him. I hate the not knowing and wondering for all those that came in and our paths crossed for the short period of time. I know it probably sounds strange or stupid but there are times I feel I'm going crazy. I wonder and think and cry and I just feel so lost. And I am afraid, no matter how painful the memories are that I'll forget them and I never want to forget but keep these young Gi's in my mind and heart and always remember them no matter what.