Yesterday morning we headed out bright at early to Kentucky for Bryan's TBI testing. This was a four and a half hour drive and we were both pretty tired. We got there on time, I dropped him off and headed to the PX to return some things and do some shopping. My sister was up there as well visiting a friend, so I spent the rest of the 4 hours with them. As I was heading back to pick Bryan up after his testing I let my mind wander. I was thinking about the life we had there, the friends that we made, the people who understood what we went through, and how all of that was snatched away from us with one phone call. I miss seeing the men in uniform and I miss seeing Bryan with his soldiers. They are like brothers and I love them as my brothers as well.
I passed the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery and admired the beauty of it. I was also thinking of how blessed I am that Bryan isn't there. Shortly after I passed the cemetery, I think I might have passed a Soldiers Funeral heading toward the cemetery. There were hundreds of cars. I pulled over and shed a few tears; it hurts my heart to think about any fallen soldier. I have been emotional lately and I am not sure why. I guess all the testing that Bryan is doing again is reminding me of all we have been through.
Bryan said the testing went well as this is his third time completing it so I am not sure how accurate it can be when it's the same test. Either way I hope that the problems he is still having shows. We headed out to dinner with several of his soldiers and their spouses. It was a great night talking and laughing about things they have done.
Afterwards one of Bryan's old soldiers who is now out drove up from Louisville, KY to see him. We went and checked in to the Fisher house and waited on him to get there.
I was really impressed by the Fisher House and we were the only ones there. I kept thinking about our "home" at the Mologne house (MH). We had two double beds, a mini fridge, a desk that was always in the way, and the less than handicap accessible bathroom.
This Fisher House had a dining room, a huge kitchen with two ranges, two microwaves, and a full size fridge and full size freezer. They had a common library with a gas fireplace and a living room. I would have done anything at the Mologne house to lie on the couch, if just for an hour. To sit in a dining room without eating in our bed or the Mologne house cafeteria. It also had two washer and two dryers that looked like they actually worked. We had to share a washer and dryer with about 50 other people on our floor at the Mologne house. Every time I went to do laundry one was broken and the other was being used. If you wanted to do a load you had to wait until 3 or 4 in the morning and set a timer so when the time ran out you could change out your load and start another. If you didn't do this than someone would take out your clothes and start their load. It was dog eat dog at the washing machines. When we finally got our house I got the best and biggest washing machine there is. It is a small luxury and was worth every penny I spent on it.
The bedroom was big and spacious. There was an actual closet. At the MH our "closet" was about 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It fit nothing. The bathroom was one in which you could roll your entire wheelchair up to the sink and beside the toilet and it had a bench built into the wall of the shower. At the MH I would have to slide Bryan's legs that were sticking straight out into the shower area and slide him sideways up to the sink to brush his teeth. We had to borrow a shower bench and when I showered I would have to find a place to store it. I left Bryan alone once at the MH once and went to the mall for an hour. He had to use the restroom and got in there by himself but couldn't get back into his wheelchair since it wouldn't fit by the toilet. I came home and he said he was stranded.
We had two of Bryan's soldiers over for breakfast this morning. It was bittersweet because they are getting out of the Army and are heading back to their home states of Nebraska and Michigan. They are great soldiers and one of them saved my husband's life, twice. He saved him once when Bryan was rolled over by a HUMMVE and the other when he was blown up. We love him and I am sad that I am not sure that we will see them again......
We headed to the PX after our goodbyes to meet Bryan's AW2 representative. We headed back and I felt as if a small chapter has closed once again.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Electricty and Car Problems
Well what a day…It began at 9 degrees and no heat at 6:45 this morning. There was no way I was taking a shower in the dark without heat so I called into work and told them I would be late. I am not sure what caused the power outage but I hibernated in my large down blanket until it came back on.
I get to work just in time to get something done before lunch. I came back and did some paperwork and headed to the hospitals in the frigid cold. The first hospital was packed and apparently today was the day for mommy’s to go into labor. I headed to the second hospital and by the time I got done it was 3:30. I needed to go to the last one before heading home to pack for our trip to Ft. Campbell for Bryan’s Traumatic Brain Injury Testing tomorrow. I turn the key and it stops without going to the second stop to start the engine. The radio and air would come on but not the engine. I was so frustrated. I tried locking the wheel, pushing the shift lock button and putting it in neutral and turning it. Nothing. I called my dad who owned a car body shop with my mom for 20 some years for some advice. He doesn’t answer. I call my husband and he heads that way without his GPS. It’s nearly impossible to describe to someone where you are when you are in the middle of hospital buildings and you don’t know the name of the street your own. He finally makes it there and we tried the other set of keys, no luck.
I called roadside assistance that we have with our USAA car insurance. The call was made at 4:44 and we played on Bryan’s phone while waiting. They said it would be an hour and fifteen minutes so we got some gas and some yucky fast food. While we were waiting, Trixie our basenji mix, pukes in the back seat. I started gagging but I can’t throw up since my surgery so I knew I was good.
At 6:45 the wrecker showed up. We decided not to send it to the dealer and use a local import repair company to try to save some money. I am hoping nothing major is wrong and they can get it fixed soon. Luckily we do have an extra car to drive since my car is no longer under warranty. It’s been yet another stressful day and now we are heading to Ft. Campbell in the morning for his TBI testing at 1. Its four hours long and then off to meet his soldiers for dinner. I hoping we have no complications tomorrow.
I get to work just in time to get something done before lunch. I came back and did some paperwork and headed to the hospitals in the frigid cold. The first hospital was packed and apparently today was the day for mommy’s to go into labor. I headed to the second hospital and by the time I got done it was 3:30. I needed to go to the last one before heading home to pack for our trip to Ft. Campbell for Bryan’s Traumatic Brain Injury Testing tomorrow. I turn the key and it stops without going to the second stop to start the engine. The radio and air would come on but not the engine. I was so frustrated. I tried locking the wheel, pushing the shift lock button and putting it in neutral and turning it. Nothing. I called my dad who owned a car body shop with my mom for 20 some years for some advice. He doesn’t answer. I call my husband and he heads that way without his GPS. It’s nearly impossible to describe to someone where you are when you are in the middle of hospital buildings and you don’t know the name of the street your own. He finally makes it there and we tried the other set of keys, no luck.
I called roadside assistance that we have with our USAA car insurance. The call was made at 4:44 and we played on Bryan’s phone while waiting. They said it would be an hour and fifteen minutes so we got some gas and some yucky fast food. While we were waiting, Trixie our basenji mix, pukes in the back seat. I started gagging but I can’t throw up since my surgery so I knew I was good.
At 6:45 the wrecker showed up. We decided not to send it to the dealer and use a local import repair company to try to save some money. I am hoping nothing major is wrong and they can get it fixed soon. Luckily we do have an extra car to drive since my car is no longer under warranty. It’s been yet another stressful day and now we are heading to Ft. Campbell in the morning for his TBI testing at 1. Its four hours long and then off to meet his soldiers for dinner. I hoping we have no complications tomorrow.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tricare and Stress
I have been having a few health issues myself. I think Bryan and I need a doctor on call just for our needs. I'm just kidding but I had a lot of panels done in November because I have been extremely fatigued. It came back that my B12 and FSH and LH were low. I requested a new doctor because she really wasn't concerned with my FSH and LH hormones being so low. These hormones essentially are what make women ovulate and several other things. I really like my new doctor as he is an internal medicine doctor so he has a little more training than a M.D.
He decided that my FSH and LH needed to be re-tested. It came back extremely low again so he said there is a reason my FSH and FH aren't being produced by my pituitary glad. Worse case scenario would be a tumor or cyst in my pituitary gland. He scheduled an MRI and I went Tuesday night to have it done. It took almost two hours and was very uncomfortable.
I got the call from the doctor and everything was fine. What a huge relief! I have been stressed about it all week. However since my body still isn't producing the hormones I need to be referred to an endocrinologist. My doctor stated that the scheduler would call me back to make the referral. She called and stated that no one in our city takes Tricare Prime. She expressed to me how bad this sucks and how my husband has done so much for our country and this is what happens. I started to get upset when she told me that I would have to pay $150 dollars for the consult and then get on a pay plan for any treatment and I would have to pay out of pocket. I started to get emotional at work because all of this is piling up. This lady was being so sweet and didn't even know what all we have been through. I decided to leave work because it's unprofessional to cry at work. Everything is just piling up.
Most Military Wives know that you can pick Tricare Prime or Standard. I have always been on Prime because it is the better insurance. However since I am not at a post I can't just go see any doctor, they have to take Prime. With Standard you don't pay a yearly fee but you pay co-pays and portions of the treatment. When Bryan was medically retired I re-enrolled in Prime because I wanted to pay the minimal fee and have to pay less out of pocket. However 180 days after he was medically retired Tricare reverted my insurance to Standard without telling me. When I went to get all the labs done I started receiving bills for hundreds of dollars. I switched back to Prime and the fee I pay for the year is much less than what I paid for labs through Standard.
In the end, with Prime fewer doctors take it and your Primary Care Manager has to refer you to specialist. I did call Tricare and asked if there was an endo in the area that takes Prime. He stated that there was a doc about an hour away that does. I had him double check and then I called the doc myself. They said they do take it but I would have a $12 dollar co-pay since I have Tricare for Retirees. I was much happier with that than $150 dollars.
I really freaked out over nothing. I called the doctor and told them of the endo's name so that she can refer. I want this fixed so that we can have kids. That is my life goal...to become a mother.
He decided that my FSH and LH needed to be re-tested. It came back extremely low again so he said there is a reason my FSH and FH aren't being produced by my pituitary glad. Worse case scenario would be a tumor or cyst in my pituitary gland. He scheduled an MRI and I went Tuesday night to have it done. It took almost two hours and was very uncomfortable.
I got the call from the doctor and everything was fine. What a huge relief! I have been stressed about it all week. However since my body still isn't producing the hormones I need to be referred to an endocrinologist. My doctor stated that the scheduler would call me back to make the referral. She called and stated that no one in our city takes Tricare Prime. She expressed to me how bad this sucks and how my husband has done so much for our country and this is what happens. I started to get upset when she told me that I would have to pay $150 dollars for the consult and then get on a pay plan for any treatment and I would have to pay out of pocket. I started to get emotional at work because all of this is piling up. This lady was being so sweet and didn't even know what all we have been through. I decided to leave work because it's unprofessional to cry at work. Everything is just piling up.
Most Military Wives know that you can pick Tricare Prime or Standard. I have always been on Prime because it is the better insurance. However since I am not at a post I can't just go see any doctor, they have to take Prime. With Standard you don't pay a yearly fee but you pay co-pays and portions of the treatment. When Bryan was medically retired I re-enrolled in Prime because I wanted to pay the minimal fee and have to pay less out of pocket. However 180 days after he was medically retired Tricare reverted my insurance to Standard without telling me. When I went to get all the labs done I started receiving bills for hundreds of dollars. I switched back to Prime and the fee I pay for the year is much less than what I paid for labs through Standard.
In the end, with Prime fewer doctors take it and your Primary Care Manager has to refer you to specialist. I did call Tricare and asked if there was an endo in the area that takes Prime. He stated that there was a doc about an hour away that does. I had him double check and then I called the doc myself. They said they do take it but I would have a $12 dollar co-pay since I have Tricare for Retirees. I was much happier with that than $150 dollars.
I really freaked out over nothing. I called the doctor and told them of the endo's name so that she can refer. I want this fixed so that we can have kids. That is my life goal...to become a mother.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Update on Working Out
I am happy to say that Bryan did get up early two days to work out. He used the recumbant bike for about 30 minutes but didn't use the Bowflex. I am hoping this will help with his pain and his mood.
CinChouse.com
So fun and good news....I am going to be a contract blogger for Cinchouse.com I post the link when it launches. I am excited to reach a larger audience so please follow me there. Keep checking back for the link. =)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Working Out
Bryan got this amazing grant from the Admiral F. Hoffmann Foundation for work out equipment. Since I am the craiglist queen I found a great Bowflex revolution for about half the cost of buying it new. It has been sitting in the basement bedroom and hasn't been used once. Bryan called me from Dick's sporting good telling me he is going to buy an elliptical. Bryan can't find a good deal on these since he needs one with an adjustable stride and no wheel in the back. His legs can't take the regular kinds.
We got in a big argument about it and he was insistent on getting it. I told him that he hasn't used the bowflex once sine we got it. Why in the world would he buy more equipment and let it sit there. Seems like a waste of money to me. He said his new year's resolution was to work out and it will help him all around. Well we all know that resolutions don't really work out. We hung up and didn't come to any real resolve. He came home with a recumbent bike which was a third of the price of the elliptical. He put it together last night an has yet to use it.
We got in a big argument about it and he was insistent on getting it. I told him that he hasn't used the bowflex once sine we got it. Why in the world would he buy more equipment and let it sit there. Seems like a waste of money to me. He said his new year's resolution was to work out and it will help him all around. Well we all know that resolutions don't really work out. We hung up and didn't come to any real resolve. He came home with a recumbent bike which was a third of the price of the elliptical. He put it together last night an has yet to use it.
Working out
Bryan got this amazing grant from the Admiral F. Hoffmann Foundation for work out equipment. Since I am the craiglist queen I found a great Bowflex revolution for about half the cost of buying it new. It has been sitting in the basement bedroom and hasn't been used once. Bryan called me from Dick's sporting good telling me he is going to buy an elliptical. Bryan can't find a good deal on these since he needs one with an adjustable stride and no wheel in the back. His legs can't take the regular kinds.
We got in a big argument about it and he was insistent on getting it. I told him that he hasn't used the bowflex once sine we got it. Why in the world would he buy more equipment and let it sit there. Seems like a waste of money to me. He said his new year's resolution was to work out and it will help him all around. Well we all know that resolutions don't really work out. We hung up and didn't come to any real resolve. He came home with a recumbent bike which was a third of the price of the elliptical. He put it together last night an has yet to use it.
We got in a big argument about it and he was insistent on getting it. I told him that he hasn't used the bowflex once sine we got it. Why in the world would he buy more equipment and let it sit there. Seems like a waste of money to me. He said his new year's resolution was to work out and it will help him all around. Well we all know that resolutions don't really work out. We hung up and didn't come to any real resolve. He came home with a recumbent bike which was a third of the price of the elliptical. He put it together last night an has yet to use it.
Friday, January 2, 2009
When is the Re-Eval with the Army?
Bryan still hasn't heard when his re-evaluation with the Army is. His worker was supposed to schedule it at least that is what was stated in the letter she sent. It has to be done before February and January is here. He also has other appointments throughout the month that he can't re-schedule. He called his worker and asked when his appointments were. She stated she hadn't scheduled it and she scheduled his first appointment with Neurology for January 17th, a Saturday which I thought was strange. She stated this would jump start the appointments and this needed to be the first one scheduled. She said that his others might be and hopefully can be scheduled on the same day. That would be amazing since we have to go to Ft. Campbell for these appointments and it's 4 hours away. I would love him to miss the least amount of work as possible.
The good part of this is that I can go with him and that night we will go to dinner with his soldiers.
The good part of this is that I can go with him and that night we will go to dinner with his soldiers.
When is the re-eval with the Army?
Bryan still hasn't heard when his re-evaluation with the Army is. His worker was supposed to schedule it at least that is what was stated in the letter she sent. It has to be done before February and January is here. He also has other appointments throughout the month that he can't re-schedule. He called his worker and asked when his appointments were. She stated she hadn't scheduled it and she scheduled his first appointment with Neurology for January 17th, a Saturday which I thought was strange. She stated this would jump start the appointments and this needed to be the first one scheduled. She said that his others might be and hopefully can be scheduled on the same day. That would be amazing since we have to go to Ft. Campbell for these appointments and it's 4 hours away. I would love him to miss the least amount of work as possible.
The good part of this is that I can go with him and that night we will go to dinner with his soldiers.
The good part of this is that I can go with him and that night we will go to dinner with his soldiers.
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