Newspaper interview

Today I spoke with a very nice gentleman that works for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about caregiving for the wounded. While my situations are not as grave as the other caregivers I hope that I brought some awareness to caregiving and all that it entails. We discussed the awareness of the caregivers and how much people really don't know what all in involved. We recalled the details of Bryan's injuries and that always brings up emotions. We discussed the new bill that is being presented to the House of Representatives and what it means for caregivers. I felt overall it went well. I have never thought of myself to be good with words so I hope that I expressed what I wanted to get across accurately. I think that our story is somewhat of a success story as we have moved on as much as we can as we try to maintain a jobs and trying not to be consumed by the injuries.

The article is going to run on July 19th and 20th and I am also interested on how the other story that was posted a year ago is progressing. I will post it when it is ran. Here is the story they will be following up on

A Soldiers, a Mom, and a World of Friends

VA Hearing

I stated that the rating for his heels was crap and he stated that he would have used a better word for it. I agreed and laughed because when you are working with vets there is no need to refrain from using expletives. He stated that he was going to talk to the man who rated his claim and he pulled our rep back there with him. A few minutes later the rep came back and said that we may not have to have a hearing based on all the things that weren't rated and the ones that were rated wrong. He stated that Bryan's points were at 93.5 and he is 1.5 away from being 95 which is a 100% rating.

We then discussed that Bryan's Active Duty medical records were not included and there was a prior upper back injury that was listed in there that wasn't rated. The rep asked if he could keep the file so that he could make a copy. We stated that he could make a copy right now because they were the originals and Ft. Campbell no longer has this file on record. He asked if we would be ok with leaving it for 3 or 4 months and we could come and get it later. We said no. He said ok well give me a while and I will make copies. It will take about 30 minutes can you guys go and hang out in the cafeteria? We said yes. It was a little ridiculous that it would take him 30 minutes to copy about 75 pages worth of medical documents when we were lugging around about 2,000 pages from after the IED blew him up.

After our time was up we headed back upstairs. The rep didn't say anything and was just typing away on his computer. I started reading what he was typing and he had written that we were resending the hearing based on new evidence. He stated that it looked like this was going to be settled out of the court room. This made us very happy as they were able to see the mistakes that were made. We didn't have to testify and in about 60 days we should have the new rating in the mail. I think it is going to be resolved based on what transpired and it is a great feeling.

I got home from work today and got more paperwork in the mail from the VA. Apparently two more claims were made for his hearing loss and a burn on his left arm that weren't rated. I now have to look through thousands of medical documents to find his hearing test and mention of the burn on his arm. Maybe I can find a picture of it and just send it in? I know that the doctors weren't that concerned about writing down a burn on his arm when they had shattered bones on their hands. It never ends, but I feel we are one step closer.

Follow Up Appointment at Mountain Home

Bryan got up at 5 AM for work for the past two days to make up for the time that he would be missing for his appointment at the VA two hours from here today. He got there for his two o'clock appointment and when he got in to see the PA he took 10 minutes to look over his information. He then asked how his knee was and asked if Bryan could feel where he was rubbing his hand over his knee. Bryan said no I can't feel it. The PA asked if it was getting better and Bryan explains no because I just said I can't feel it. It will get better over time but it is nerve damage again. He said ok come see me again in 6 months. Bryan asked if he could just go to the Clinic in Knoxville instead of driving all the way out there for a 15 minute appointment. He said yes just call the clinic and tell them what you had done.

Wow that seemed like a ridiculous appointment and he had to drive through terrible storms to get there. He came home irritated as always. He gets so grouchy when going to see the doc, especially appointments that are completely worthless.

We have the hearing in 1 week I am nervous and the Veteran Service Officer we wanted can't come. I am just hoping for the best, if not appeal, appeal, appeal. I am looking in to refinancing the house so if the payment goes down we are good. Also we got our house when the market was good so it is a good time to refinance since the rates dropped so much.

I got my appointment with the Oncologist for July 7th. The hematologist around here are oncologist so I will be going to a cancer center. That makes me a little scared but I know they are the best docs to find out what is going on with me.

Other than that not too much is going on. We had my sister and nephew over for a couple of days and it was fun spoiling him and hanging out with my sister.

My Test Results

No tumors, however my blood cells, liver, and lymph numbers are way out of wack. My doctor suggested seeing a hematologist for exposure to chronic viral infections or anything going on with my blood.

Bill to Protect Jobs of Vets Who Need Care

Loving the looks of this bill

Jobs and Care

This one looks great for caregivers too!

Family Caregiver Act

Blessings

I figured since someone is trying to bring me down with their negative energy and comments I decided to post the positive things in my life. I have a lot to be thankful for and everyday I am blessed.

I am thankful for my husband; he has taught me patience and kindness.

I and thankful for my job and my husbands.

I am thankful for my family who supports me and my friends who are also my family.

I am thankful for spouses who have stood by their husbands through deployments, injuries, and change. They have supported me and understood.

I am thankful for my college education.

I am thankful for my life experiences, even though they have been a large load over the past couple of years it has taught me a lot.

I am thankful for my home and the way it brings me a sense of calm.

I am thankful for this blog and freedom of speech, it helps heal.

I am thankful for the Wounded Warrior Project, Adaptive Adventures, and all others that have helped my husband get his adventurous side back.

I am thankful for my doctor who takes the time to listen when something doesn't seem right.

I am thankful for my dog; she is sweet natured and always there to provide some love.

I am thankful for plants and tress as they make me very happy.

I am thankful for service members, their families, and the ability to live in a free country.

I am thankful for Tricare and the VA, they might be a hassel but we blessed to have health insurance.

I am thankful for my bathtub and a glass of wine, they are the ultimate relaxation.

I am thankful for dancing as it helps me express myself in many ways.

I am thankful for books as it provides learning and an escape.

I am thankful for summer days on the lake.

I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who has brought me through the tough times and forgives me of my sins.

I am very blessed.

Comments

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~Buddha

VA Hearing Scheduled

Bryan's VA hearing for the proposed deduction in his rating in June 25th. I had no idea it would be this soon. Apparently these people we are working with are getting the ball rolling. I am feeling stressed. We have to have 100% and frankly I think any severely injured service member deserves 100%. I hope that we have all the paperwork that we need and the hearing rules in his favor. Everyone thinks that he is definitely 100% but we will see. We need some strength and prayers for yet another fight.

New Job and more VA confusion

Bryan turned in his paperwork and appeal information on Friday so the ball should get rolling soon. We decided with the Decision Review Board which will require a hearing. I have no idea how long it takes to get the hearing and no idea how to fight this. I did get an e-mail from the Federal Recovery Coordinator and she seems like she is going to help out in all these processes. Monday Bryan got a call at work saying he had a dermatology appointment at UT on Wednesday morning at 9. He was confused and asked me if I knew anything about it. For once I had no idea. The nurse from the VA clinic called Tuesday to tell him he had the appointment and he asked what it was for. She said that he had a ulcer lesion. We weren't aware of this and he had all his odd looking spots from sun damage looked at a long time ago. He couldn't change or cancel the appointment since it was so late when he got the call from the nurse.

At 4 he got word that the head honcho from his work was coming in and he needed to get his work area in order. He worked late last night and I was in Nashville for training on my new job. He went this morning and guess what, the doctor had no idea what he was talking about and didn't see an ulcer lesion on his face. The doc totally screwed up and made his miss work for NO reason. So frustrating.

Shortly after I got out of my training for work I got a call from Bryan's VA case manager. She was telling me she was working with the Federal Recovery Coordinator on this reduction in rating. The case manager said the reduction was B.S. and ridiculous. Of course I agreed and she was appalled that they didn't rate his TBI. I told the entire story and she was very positive that this would get resolved in our favor. Ugh another fight.

Other than that I got to see my family while in town and my new job seems like it will be great. I will have some free time to get things in order for the Army, VA, and time for myself. I hope I get everything accomplished that I want to do. When I checked the mail there was some paperwork from the VA that he needed to bring to his doc appt today so they can approve the outsourcing. It was sent too late and of course he couldn't take it to the appointment that he wasn't even supposed to be at.