Not currently, but my brother served two tours in Iraq, including during invasion.

During those early days in the Iraq war, when my brother was there, I developed a full blown addiction to the news. I read every newspaper, every online source I could find, and listened to news radio constantly, including when I slept. Every time an attack on US troops was announced, I pulled out my map that i used to best estimate my brother's location. If it was close, I basically stared at my phone, waiting for bad news. It took over my life.

During his second tour, I was even more paranoid because his job was more dangerous than his previous tour. After the first twelve months, I decided I really needed to cool it with the war news obsession. I successfully scaled down my news consumption and tried to distract myself with other things.

Two months before he was scheduled to return home, I went on a long backpacking trip. When I was driving back to civilization, my phone blew up as soon as I had reception. Every member of my family had left voicemails and texts "call as soon as you can" and "emergency! Call us!". I called my cousin and immediately was asking about my brother, asking if he was dead. My cousin just kept saying "call your dad". When I called my dad, he told me my brother's vehicle was exploded by an IED, that he was being flown to Germany and that he'd likely lose his arm. I actually felt relieved. I knew he was not going back to Iraq, and a brother with one arm beats no brother at all by a long shot. He's recovered well.

I guess my point is that I understand the anxiety and helplessness that goes along with having a loved one deployed. I'll be sending you and your mother loving positive vibes. Hang in there.