Well the last two days have been pretty hectic. Yesterday I got to spend the whole day enjoying the VA/MD/DC transit systems as I maneuvered from two separate locations attending two medical appointments. First appointment was a follow-up from my recent readmission to the hospital. It didn't start off well as I arrived and they had me scheduled for the 18th but it showed that appointment had been canceled and rescheduled to the 25th. Needless to say I was already not happy with my diagnosis a couple of weeks prior and the fact that I can't currently drive this just made matters worst. I went down stairs to WRAMC patient advocacy office and explained the situation and shared I expected to be seen..the young lady which helped me has a difficult job because I'm not sure how many times a day she has to deal with patients that are unhappy and although I was not angry with her I did express my dissatisfaction with the current situation. She has been well trained and was able to get me to relax and said she would get me in to see a doctor but needed to know how long I could stay before I had to leave to make my next appt downtown DC.
She came through as promised and I went back to the 6th floor where I would be seen by a different physician new to my case but was very thorough with going over my history as well as giving me a better understanding of what the tests (EEG and PET Scan) which were conducted when I was readmitted. Although the MRI images didn't show any changes it appears the PET scan did show some changes from the previous scan done back in April before I had the surgery. The doctor advised since I'm being followed by Dr. Fine at the NIH he wasn't going to make any recommendations or assessments without letting Fine see the PET images first. So for the next two weeks I'll be on pins and needles as I wait to see Dr. Fine and his staff again. I'm not going to speculate but it is quite possible treatment beyond the serial MRI monitoring will now change to chemotherapy but only time will tell.
From there I went to a bistro near the metro station and did some work while I waited for a couple of hours before my next appointment which was at the VA Medical Center. These appointments are only for their doctors to confirm all conditions I'm claiming for VA compensation. Once these appointments are completed all the reports are compiled and then presented to a medical board which is what I'm going through currently to determine if I go out on retirement as planned or be medically retired. Not much difference between the two and the key reason I asked to be med boarded was to have the VA and government to determine what my VA rating would be which does have some monetary value. Kristine dropped me off at the metro at 07:15 and Maddie would pick me up at 5:20..a long day.
Maddie and Jake and some of there friends would go to the high school varsity game. Beforehand though they were all at the house and it truly is enjoying to interact with them all. I can't be more proud of Maddie and Jake's accomplishments to this point and the choice of their friends.
Today, I participated in the Eagle 5K which is a fundraiser for Maddie's cross-country team..it's with sadness and joy that I must admit Maddie has dethroned her "old man" in running. I ran a respectable time 22:55; however, Maddie ran 22:30 on Wednesday during a cross-country meet. Afterwards I would leave from the school and do another 12 miles to get my necessary long run of 15+ miles scheduled as part of my MCM training plan.
I have a ritual of sitting in a tub of ice water to help keep swelling down after long runs beyond 13 and today was no different; however, it was a cold day and I've had a chill most of the day.
Kristine and Maddie went to Anne Arrundel Mall to get my baby girl a homecoming dress. One Caraway has a date while the other is looking for one..he's such a good looking young man but his mouth is a turn-off to many of the girls.
Tomorrow will be spent doing chores and watching our Colts take on the Skins and give them a scalping unlike what the Cowboys tried to accomplish on Week 1..
Take care and 'Always Faithful'
JD
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment