Contacting the VA, you get constant messages about suicide, both on the websites and on the phone lines. I approve.
At the start of today, contacting the VA, and becoming frustrated doing anything online, I called in person. After five minutes on hold, I was transferred, then spent thirty four minutes on hold.
The young lady who came on the line was pleasant, professional, and was able to get me a phone appointment for tomorrow. Hopefully that will get me an updated referral to the physician I was referred to (he has requested an update).
The clinic closest to me was closed, COVID excuse. The next nearest one requires an appointment just to enter the premises.
If I wasn’t harboring thoughts of harming others before starting the process, I soon was harboring thoughts of harming others.
The worst part of military service, for me, was “hurry up and wait”.
My sister will tell you I’m not impatient. She claims you must have some patience to begin with. Alas, she is correct.
14 comments:
Yep, we're STILL hurrying up and waiting... sigh
OldNFO
A faster response from the VA might have saved my son. He wouldn't have been mixing medicine dealing with his Complex Pain Syndrome.
My oldest little brother received his retirement certificate in the mail today.
We're all very proud of him, not because of his service (although that's part of it) but because he is one fine human being.
I can't understand why our veterans aren't our #1 priority in health care. They've done so much for us. I know I will never understand all of their sacrifices.
My brother was shot at in 14 different countries over the 40 years he was in.
I'm glad to have him home safely.
Great to hear that about your brother. When my grandson graduates from Basic training tomorrow he will become a fifth generation //army soldier.
I was going to say, "Fall upon your enemies and destroy them utterly," but I won't.
LSP
The desire is there.
I find that whole process unacceptable. I nearly died, not because of contracting the plague, but due to the medical establishment's decision to ignore anything that wasn't the plague (because USGOV paid them to do that).
The system is mired in political crap. I work hard not to hate them, WSF.
LL
I work hard not to go "postal".
I visited the VA once, in 1989 (said visit was facilitated by the DAV) to get my busted-up lumbar region to be declared service-connected. On account of it is.
Beyond that, I've never been back.
Rev Paul
I've avoided the VA most of my adult life. The decision to use them now is financially motivated. My private insurance will cover just a fraction of the cost.
Wow.
My experience with the VA has been nearly wonderful. I can only figure it depends on which facility you're going to. That means leadership, or LACK of it, doesn't it?
The numbers of people entering the building when I walk through the door is amazing, and the fact many of them are missing limbs or being pushed in wheelchairs makes me feel somewhat guilty. But the idea of paying for the excellent care I'm getting outside the VA system makes me swallow hard.
I hope your facility improves.
Tell someone.
GB
Good to hear your experience is positive.
Yep, mine is 95% positive too! Once I got away from DC... Congrats to the grandson for continuing the tradition!
OldNFO
Now I've broken through the access firewall, the people have been good. We will see what next week brings.
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