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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2012

    nikki - don't worry, my computer was off most of the day anyway since we seem to have nothing but thunder and lightning here in Tampa!!!  I am sorry you have encountered such problems - this is a difficult situation to be in, having it compounded by roadblocks makes it even harder!  Unfortunately, the VA is such a huge bureaucracy it is often unwieldy and staffed with people just collecting a paycheck.  I spent 28 years as a mil spouse and know how to work this system, lol!  I also used to work as a contractor at Haley (VA in Tampa), so have seen it from both sides.  Follow galsal's instructions and hopefully you will get some cooperation asap!  Good luck!

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    OMG, that is horrific!  I hope you know who it was and report them to the Patient Advocate.  How DARE your service record be questioned in such a way!  My radar is going off on this right now.  Sorry.

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    I deleted that last post because I didn't like the way it sounded. For clarification: I was in a combat zone but was never involved in direct combat with the enemy. I think the way I said it before would lead people to believe something that is not accurate. My point with that VA worker was that she did not believe that I had served in OIF/OEF in the combat zone because I was a woman. I do not remember her name. Just the disbelief in her attitude. If I remember correctly, I had asked her about the medical coverage for recent OIF/OEF vets. It's just crazy to me that people would find it hard to believe we women do anything other than nursing or secretarial work. There was nothing feminine about my job. But, I loved what I did. I did it well and now my body is paying the consequences. If it were my choice, I would still be in and still doing my job. I was really good at it. I really miss it. So, sorry. I'm having a moment of feeling sorry for myself. Life is what it is. I have got to move forward and stop wishing on the past. Time to heal and figure out what will be my next adventure.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Ladies, I'm so shocked at the attitude given to you about your service in a combat theater.  Shame on them to impose their personal thoughts and attitudes on female veterans.  It's more understandable from men, but from women?  OMG...terrible!  Having never been deployed in my entire 15 years, I can't totally relate but I can sympathize.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Please tell us that Tampa is providing some assistance at getting you the care needed!

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    I hope so. I called an left a message for Bev yesterday but she was busy. Haven't heard from her yet. Taking my daughter for girls day at the spa this morning. I'll try her again afterward if she hasn't called by then.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Don't give up.  Call back if you need to!

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    Galsal, do you know what time they close?

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    it's supposed to be 4pm, however if they're with a patient they will stay longer.  what I love about that small group is they will spend what ever length of time is needed with a patient.  there's a sign in the waiting room that appts may run longer than scheduled, to be patient for your turn.

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    That is wonderful. I will try them again in the morning.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Oh, please do!  I'm wondering if she was there today, since was going to be calling me for something else.

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    I will let you know. It's kind of a good thing she didn't call me today. I didn't have any time alone to talk privately. Also, my brother was in the hospital so spent a lot of time dealing with that. He came home tonight and seems to be doing better.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    I'm glad he's better, Nikki.

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  • angiephnx
    angiephnx Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2012

    I am a OEF/OIF veteran and have been in the process of a disability claim since shortly after my diagnosis this past February. All my care has been with civilian docs via my husbands insurance. I don't really expect to receive anything but thought it was worth a try anyway.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Angie, I hear you on that.  Years ago, back when the Army dx'd me with Fibrocystic Breasts it was expected that if one was dx'd aged 20 or younger, there was a four time greater risk of developing BC.  I was 19 when dx'd.  Now that has all changed.  If there was any case law saying there was a connection, I'd be filing again let me tell you.  Did so when ETSd and it was of course disapproved. 

    Ladies, thank you for your Service!

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited August 2012

    Hi, I don't know how I missed this but I did...I was on active duty 1964=1968 (oldie but goodie)..a dependent of a now retired military and using Tricare for Life/Medicare now...for the past ten years It have been treated at the Navy Medical Center, San Diego as a Tricare for Life Plus person. and prior to that Tricare prime..I transferred in from Kaiser after they really did a horrible job on my breast cancer treatments. When I did we had a wonderful Breast Health center at  Balboa, but since then it has gone steadily downhill and I hope I never have a reoccurence here. But I am being followed at the oncology unit and they have been very professional. I finished up my active treatment six years ago now but am being followed still every six months. 

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited August 2012

    PS, I know there is a retired navy captain nurse heading the VA unit at Oceanside CA and she is a fellow BC survivor. 

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    It's great to hear of other experiences with governmental facilities.

    I might have said it, but no one on the med/surg floor is permitted to touch bandaging of the Breast Clinic patients.  Only those NPs and the BS can do so, beyond taking a peek at the bandage without touching it.  By folllowing this policy, the percentage of infections was greatly reduced.  While it wasn't a large percentage, the Clinic wasn't pleased enough and reduced it.

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    No news on the referral front yet. Still waiting for call back. I will try again Monday. I also called the assistant for the general surgeon I saw on Wednesday because they (he and the surgeon both) told me to call back on Friday and every Friday to see if they had figured out how to do a referral to the breast clinic in Tampa (the one they didn't know existed - if it weren't so serious, it would be laughable). Anyway, the asst (is it ok to post doctor and staff names on here???) said that the surgeon already left for the day and didn't tell him anything. He also said that yesterday the surgeon said that he still needed to find "that lady in the front office that knows how to do referrals." I think he made this statement just to make me feel like they were doing their job but really, still feels like a blow off. The asst told me to call back Monday afternoon to see if they found out anything yet. Well, at least he didn't say, "talk to you next Friday." I really think that they are hoping I'll just give up and go away.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    They're still trying to figure out how to get me set up for the Brac (sp?) testing.  Breast Clinic says I don't fit the criteria but Onc says oh you need it based on family history.   Seems they aren't sure how to handle this that falls into a grey area. I do find this ironic since they are so very good with every thing else I've dealt with.

    I'll be in their building on Tuesday afternoon when I have another follow-up with PS so will check up on their contacting you.  Cool

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    Oh thank you Galsal. One thing I have learned from the military is that even the impossible is possible. You just have to have the right people in your corner. I'm praying you get that test. Also, did you know that there is a test relating to BRCA called BART. If BRCA is negative, you also need testing for BART. At least, according to what I have read. Very interesting and a little scary. I'm praying you get to have the testing done.

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    Hello All, just a quick update on the storm. I think we are about 1/3 the way through. We are doing fine so far. Lost power this afternoon a couple of hours but it's on now. So far, just really big scary gusts of wind and rain off and on. Not too bad for a hurricane. If the power stays on, the trees hold up, the bay water stays across the street and of course NO TORNADOES, we will be just fine. About that bay water... It's up in the neighbor's back yard across the street! However, to get to us, it has to go though the rest of their back yard, their house, their large front yard, the street and the drainage ditch before it even reaches our front/side yard. So, I think we are good. Since the rain has been fairly sporadic, it has had time to completely drain each time so, the only problem could be the high tide time mixed with any storm surge. All in all, we are ok. I'm so tired so I think I'm going to go to bed and try to sleep through the rest of it. I hope everyone else is high and dry and safe from winds. Hugs to all.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Thanks for the update - was concerned!

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    Still doing well. No water. No damage so far. It's stopped raining but the wind is still crazy strong. funny thing is that it just feels like a cool fall day. We don't even have a fall season here - ever.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Wish I could say  no water.  Woke up Monday morning to some standing water in my bedroom from an exterior NE corner.  no bueno!

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    Oh that is definitely NO BUENO! so sorry. That just really sucks. I walked over to the neighbors house across the street. The water is still pretty high in their back yard. Their docks have completely disappeared! What's really sad is they just spent a bunch of money a couple weeks ago building up their back yard as it had eroded from years of drainage. Now all that has washed away. I sure hope their insurance covers it. If I could figure out how to take a picture without looking like a snooping neighbor (we already have one of those in our neighborhood - the gossip spreader - LOL) and then figure out how to post a picture, I WOULD DO IT. Because it's just mind boggling how much water there is. But, I don't think they would appreciate me doing that and I know I wouldn't want them doing it to me. So, I will refrain from the temptation of posting someone elses misfortune. : )

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited August 2012

    You all in the hurricane area..take care...

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Nikki, I spoke with the Breast Clinic today when I called about getting setup for bras and prosthetics.  Marti told me that Bev wanted me to know she's going to try and call you hopefully tomorrow. 

    Most thankfully, there's no moisture in my walls where the water had been on the floor!

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  • MILCHICK
    MILCHICK Member Posts: 112
    edited August 2012

    Oh that's wonderful!!! Thank you so very much. BTW: we are doing well. No damage and no flooding. Thank the Lord.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited August 2012

    Thankful it's all okay for you up there!

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