wow. i went to my initial VA appointments here today.
i really liked the VA in Washington, but was stuck with the misery of military doctors all while in Germany.
so, i did my morning benefits briefing and then my after-lunch Primary Care Team initial exam.
wow.
the briefing didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, but it did reaffirm some things i was shakey on after so long away.
the exam was AMAZING. everyone was nice to me, everyone was helpful. they listened to me and believed everything i told them. they put in the necessary referrals.
the nurses and nurse-doc asking me a ton of questions, i got a full exam....they even did the look up your nose and down your throat things... all of it.
i was referred to every specialty i expressed a need to see. i was given the meds i need. i was sent to get my xrays so they'd be done for my ortho referral (so i can get the screws removed from my feet).
they did basic blood work and the nurse-doc found me tender in the belly and was concerned it could be the signs of a UTI -so she had me do a urine test JUST IN CASE!!!
they gave me a tetanus shot since none of us knew by my memory or by records when i'd last gotten one.
no one was mean, no one was mocking, no one acted like i was a problem.
they were nice to me, they were helpful and efficient, they tried to find out all i may need done today.
i left having been taken care of. i could just about cry. it's been so long since a doctor was nice to me.
i really liked the VA in Washington, but was stuck with the misery of military doctors all while in Germany.
so, i did my morning benefits briefing and then my after-lunch Primary Care Team initial exam.
wow.
the briefing didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know, but it did reaffirm some things i was shakey on after so long away.
the exam was AMAZING. everyone was nice to me, everyone was helpful. they listened to me and believed everything i told them. they put in the necessary referrals.
the nurses and nurse-doc asking me a ton of questions, i got a full exam....they even did the look up your nose and down your throat things... all of it.
i was referred to every specialty i expressed a need to see. i was given the meds i need. i was sent to get my xrays so they'd be done for my ortho referral (so i can get the screws removed from my feet).
they did basic blood work and the nurse-doc found me tender in the belly and was concerned it could be the signs of a UTI -so she had me do a urine test JUST IN CASE!!!
they gave me a tetanus shot since none of us knew by my memory or by records when i'd last gotten one.
no one was mean, no one was mocking, no one acted like i was a problem.
they were nice to me, they were helpful and efficient, they tried to find out all i may need done today.
i left having been taken care of. i could just about cry. it's been so long since a doctor was nice to me.
Hopefully the VA docs will be as nice to me when I see them, between my PTSD and my hearing (I lost a good portion of my left side hearing in a rocket attack) I will be getting disability and have VA docs up the waz for a few years.
I am pursuing a humanitarian assignment so I can take care of my folks, but I think they are going to separate me instead. I am not much use to them anymore. I wanted to get out anyway so it is no big deal to me.
I hope all is well, be safe and have a good day.