Sorry I Haven't Been On For A While. . Long Story

[vetswife]

So, Rick got his SC in May, and during the last month, we have been working on getting his aneurysm fixed. However, we have run into problems. We had scheduled the surgery for the 19th of June, and had made arrangements for that time. My dogs went into kennels, we got a hotel room for two weeks (it's a long recovery), I took FMLA for my job, and we had tickets to send my son to Oregon to stay with my family during the surgery. We were anticipating and had chosen to have an open repair, meaning they would go in and completely repair the aneurysm, which is a long surgery and recovery, about 2 weeks in the hospital.

On Monday, the 16th, the doctor called to talk to us, and said he was concerned about the open repair, he felt it would not be beneficial to my husband, and wanted us to change to the stent surgery. After long conversations, on Tuesday, we agreed to change to the stent surgery.

So, we are at Leavenworth, got there on Tuesday because my son was flying out on Wednesday. We were at the airport on Wednesday to get him on his flight (it was about 1pm) when the VA called to say they couldn't do the surgery because a part had broken on the machine, and the stent surgery called for this machine. They said the part was supposed to be delivered on Thursday, the machine would be repaired and they would reschedule the surgery for the following Tuesday (which would have been today).

They told me they would call regardless, and I made a point of explained the costs that they had put us too, and how much stress we had been under, and my husband asked for them to change back to the open repair, and they said no. I ended up talking to the CFO for Leavenworth, and he indicated while he couldn't help us (surprise surprise) he would do "Everything he could to get this done on Tuesday, and would call us on Thursday to make sure it would happen".

Thursday comes and goes, no call. Friday, he calls, apologizes for not calling on Thursday, but says the part is backordered and it would not be fixed 'for a while". I called in to the surgery department, and the person there, who stated they would call, said "Well, we didn't have any news about what we could do for you next, so I was waiting for news" I explained that ANY information was more then what we had, and we had been expecting a call. I also asked why it was taking so long to get this part, and she said, and I quote: "What do you expect when congress will not give us the money to fix this. If you people would vote people into congress who would allow us to care for you and get off their duffs and give us the money we need, this sort of thing would not happen. If you have a problem with this, you should call your congressman".

I then called the director of the hospital, and got into it with her, and it ended up they were going to go Fee Basis to Kansas City, and made us an appointment for Monday, (yesterday).

Well, we went yesterday, but before we went, remember that comment above that said you should call your congressman? Being the good Vetswife that I am, and knowing that I need to follow ALL VA instructions, I did. Call the congressman, I mean (actually, I called my Senator).

OMFG did that cause issues!! The Senator was PI@@ED to say the least, and took my information. I was given the private cell phone number of the Senator's aide, and told to call as soon as our appointment at KU was finished so that they could make sure that everything was taken care of. We went into KU and were told that the fee basis hadn't been approved yet, but that they would see us as the VA sent everything over. We saw the doc, and the surgery is rescheduled for the 2nd (the day my son comes home, ironically) and it may well be the open repair we wanted all along.

We called the Senator's office back after the appointment, and informed them as to what was going on. We were told the following: The machine was one of many that were purchased by the VA wholesale, and they are all starting to fail now. That's why the part was not available. The Senator's aide had just gotten off the phone with Dr. Trehan, who is the Director of the VA Eastern Kansas system (not the hospital, the entire system) and was told that "Anything we need, we will get" I called the VA Back about the Fee Basis not being approved, and was told that it was at Dr. Trehan's desk, it was up to him to approve it, and I told them that I was SURE it would be fine, they told me that this is unusual, and they weren't sure what would happen, I explained that I was sure, because Senator Boyda's office had just spoken with him. There was a LOONNNGGG silence.

So, hopefully the surgery will happen next week, and hopefully all will be well, but this is why I haven't been on. Hope you all understand.

Vetswife

[Berta]

GOOD for you!

You contacted a Senator-

I doubt that many Senator or Congressman contacts regarding VA claims really get anywhere but these types of situations your husband was in well deserve their attention.

It took a call to my Congressman from me , then he in turn called the local VAMC-to get my husband admitted years ago.

And then after getting numerous diagnosis without improvement as he laid there for weeks unable to move or see right or swallow on another admission-I asked what the CT scan results revealed.

The doctor said they never gave him a CT scan- he was getting critically worse then he was on admission so I asked them to give him an CT- and the doctor said they couldnt do that-the CT scan has been broken for some time and this is why he didnt get one upon admission.

Funny when I told this doc I was going to the lobby to use the pay phone to call Congressman Houghton-

they miraculously got the CT scan fixed in 15 minutes.

This is either the type of BS they use to save money or these doctors simply dont have a clue on what they are doing.

I wonder how many vets needeed CT scans to assess their problems at this VAMC only to never even get one.

When the CT results came back the doctor then misinterpreted them and I got her to get someone from another VA -a Neuro to read them-

I didnt believe a word she said by then-

the Neuro read the CT results and tentatively diagnosed Rod right over the phone and he was immediatly sent by ambulance to another VA -

with the proper diagnosis.

If any of you dont get the proper care you need call your Congressman or Senator.

I watch many of the Congressional H VAC hearings-

Congressman Filner point blank recently asked Peake why they dont ask for what they need-he said Congress will get what the VA needs for health care-

actually the VA has Plenty of money-

they have not asked for more money on numerous health care issues -money isnt the problem-

lack of leadership and downright incompetence is.

I just hope they dont screw up the Fee basis.

[cowgirl]

Vetswife, God be with you both. I am proud of your husbands service and of YOUR dedicated service. Thank you for posting, if I were a Hollywood movie producer, I'd be on it like a fly, well ya know. Unbelievable! You both deserve a HUGE HUGE apology from the TOP!

My first thoughts after reading your post, STUNNED! I wish your husband and you the Best of care because from what you described, that VA center person had NO business telling you to call your congressman etc, to get money to take care of THEIR problem for your disabled Veteran !!

Berta, true. Leadership comes from the top. When I was in the military 'houses' were 'cleaned' because the latest& greatest 'pardadigm shift' or a proactive commander came on base. In a few months letterheads change, work schedules shifts, buildings painted, budget allocation rearranged and detailed reports expected - but most obvious BOSSES transferred 'In or Out'.

Disabled Veterans and their families deserve Top Notch Care!

God bless your family,

cg'up!

[Ron II]

Great job by vetswife! Clapping hands

Well, I attempted to insert "clapping hands", but I failed. Great story of perseverance, vetswife.

Ron

Edited June 24, 2008 by Ron II (see edit history)

[vetswife]

Thanks for the kind words. Apparently, the VA is upset because I did what they said. . who knew?

I called and checked the fee basis information, and it has been approved and will be sent to KU. I have called KU and they aware that the VA is paying, so we should be good. We will see.

[mrsvet28]

Good for YOU!!

WHEN THEY SCHEDULED MY HUSBAND FOR A TURP- (3MONTHS IN ADVANCE) THEY GAVE HIM A DOUBLE EPIDURAL FIGURING HE BE THERE OVERNITE- THEY SAID THE PROCEDURE WOULD ONLY BE AN HOUR OR SO- AND MY DAUGHTER AND I WAITED- 3 HOURS HAD PASSED --I KEPT ASKING WHAT HAPPENED WHERE IS HE--ETC. OUR WORST FEARS SITTING THERE-- THE MACHINE BROKE WHILE THEY HAD THE SCOPE IN HIM--WHEN THE DOC CAME OUT --HE TOLD ME HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING-IT MALFUNCTIONED- I GOT A COPY OF THE REPORT- IT DID BREAK WHILE THEY WERE IN HIM-THE DOC LIED RIGHT TO MY FACE--THEY SENT HIM BACK TO RECOVERY IN THE SPU UNIT- AND HE COULDNT FEEL A THING- THEY WERE ENCOUAGING HIM TO PEE BECAUSE IT WAS NEAR QUITTING TIME FOR THEM 5 PM- SO THEY CATHETERIZED HIM AND SENT US HOME--ONLY TO GO BACK THE NEXT DAY TO TAKE IT OUT-- MAKE SURE YOU GET A COPY OF THE PROCEDURE--AND READ IT GOOD LUCK PS THE DOC LEFT THE VA

[rentalguy1]

go get 'em Tiger!

[carlie]

vetswife,

By chance have you checked out Fisher House for your housing needs while your

hubby has his surgery and recovery. Fisher House has housing locations at several

VHA locations especially for this purpose.

Hope this helps a vet.

carlie

[Ron II]

Carlie is correct--see: Fisher House link

[ray russo]

So, Rick got his SC in May, and during the last month, we have been working on getting his aneurysm fixed. However, we have run into problems. We had scheduled the surgery for the 19th of June, and had made arrangements for that time. My dogs went into kennels, we got a hotel room for two weeks (it's a long recovery), I took FMLA for my job, and we had tickets to send my son to Oregon to stay with my family during the surgery. We were anticipating and had chosen to have an open repair, meaning they would go in and completely repair the aneurysm, which is a long surgery and recovery, about 2 weeks in the hospital.

On Monday, the 16th, the doctor called to talk to us, and said he was concerned about the open repair, he felt it would not be beneficial to my husband, and wanted us to change to the stent surgery. After long conversations, on Tuesday, we agreed to change to the stent surgery.

So, we are at Leavenworth, got there on Tuesday because my son was flying out on Wednesday. We were at the airport on Wednesday to get him on his flight (it was about 1pm) when the VA called to say they couldn't do the surgery because a part had broken on the machine, and the stent surgery called for this machine. They said the part was supposed to be delivered on Thursday, the machine would be repaired and they would reschedule the surgery for the following Tuesday (which would have been today).

They told me they would call regardless, and I made a point of explained the costs that they had put us too, and how much stress we had been under, and my husband asked for them to change back to the open repair, and they said no. I ended up talking to the CFO for Leavenworth, and he indicated while he couldn't help us (surprise surprise) he would do "Everything he could to get this done on Tuesday, and would call us on Thursday to make sure it would happen".

Thursday comes and goes, no call. Friday, he calls, apologizes for not calling on Thursday, but says the part is backordered and it would not be fixed 'for a while". I called in to the surgery department, and the person there, who stated they would call, said "Well, we didn't have any news about what we could do for you next, so I was waiting for news" I explained that ANY information was more then what we had, and we had been expecting a call. I also asked why it was taking so long to get this part, and she said, and I quote: "What do you expect when congress will not give us the money to fix this. If you people would vote people into congress who would allow us to care for you and get off their duffs and give us the money we need, this sort of thing would not happen. If you have a problem with this, you should call your congressman".

I then called the director of the hospital, and got into it with her, and it ended up they were going to go Fee Basis to Kansas City, and made us an appointment for Monday, (yesterday).

Well, we went yesterday, but before we went, remember that comment above that said you should call your congressman? Being the good Vetswife that I am, and knowing that I need to follow ALL VA instructions, I did. Call the congressman, I mean (actually, I called my Senator).

OMFG did that cause issues!! The Senator was PI@@ED to say the least, and took my information. I was given the private cell phone number of the Senator's aide, and told to call as soon as our appointment at KU was finished so that they could make sure that everything was taken care of. We went into KU and were told that the fee basis hadn't been approved yet, but that they would see us as the VA sent everything over. We saw the doc, and the surgery is rescheduled for the 2nd (the day my son comes home, ironically) and it may well be the open repair we wanted all along.

We called the Senator's office back after the appointment, and informed them as to what was going on. We were told the following: The machine was one of many that were purchased by the VA wholesale, and they are all starting to fail now. That's why the part was not available. The Senator's aide had just gotten off the phone with Dr. Trehan, who is the Director of the VA Eastern Kansas system (not the hospital, the entire system) and was told that "Anything we need, we will get" I called the VA Back about the Fee Basis not being approved, and was told that it was at Dr. Trehan's desk, it was up to him to approve it, and I told them that I was SURE it would be fine, they told me that this is unusual, and they weren't sure what would happen, I explained that I was sure, because Senator Boyda's office had just spoken with him. There was a LOONNNGGG silence.

So, hopefully the surgery will happen next week, and hopefully all will be well, but this is why I haven't been on. Hope you all understand.

Vetswife

VETSWIFE

Sorry to hear about your ordeal, I'm glad you took the iniatative to contact your Senator. Good for you

[vetswife]

Carlie is correct--see: Fisher House link

Thanks for the Fisher House link, unfortunately, there is not one in Kansas. However, since we are having the surgery at KU, they do have a house that we can probably stay at, I have a call into them.

Thanks for the support, I'll update after the surgery.

[dansdad]

hey there vetswife i had one of those stents put in my AAA in 2002 --piece of cake!!!!i had the dacron patch thing put in in 1993 only to start bulging out again(boy when they tell you to have it csaned each year do it,)I know exactly what equipment they are talking about that failed,they must have a lousy repairman they are not too complicated,they use them for heart stents also.They kept me in bed for 12 hours for the artery in my leg to healup and i was out of bed.went home next day. Have the stent c scanned each year cause they can move.The hubby will be stiff for a while untill he gets used to it, it may catch the skin but wont hurt, if it does pinch let the dr know he can check it by finger tip pressure.please dont worry this stent is much better than the old method. I was in the hospital, due to that proceedure,46 days,and 26 pints of blood.I was coming apart faster than they could repair me!!me and the good lord got to know each other real well. I will pray for you two tonight!!!!!