March 2, 2003
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Here's hoping that all my Xangan friends are having a good weekend. The weather is beautiful here, makes me want to get out and start planting and working in the yard. But alas, I know it is too early and it could still get mighty cold and kill everything. On to my dilemma
I'm hoping that some of you can help me what my cousin is going through right now. Her husband (now deceased) was retired from the service...so she is going to the Air Force hospital in Fairfield, Ca (Travis). They are sending her to an outside Oncologist because all the support staff have been deployed (geeze, wonder where to?), so they are very few nurses there. Subsequently why they have authorized her to go to one from their approved list. Since I have never dealt with the military I'm at a loss of how hard to push these guys. Will it interfere with how they treat her, supply her, etc.? This is serious stuff and I do not feel they are attacking this at the speed they should be. Is that normal...is that because she is at the bottom of the food-chain within their realm of things? Do I need to get nasty? (which by the way I can do).
She is not doing well at all. Not sure I indicated all that is wrong with her or not, so if this is a repeat just look at it as a brain fart. Not only is she dealing with the cancer in both lungs, she has severe COPD as well as asthma. The PETscan said that it was confined to just the lungs and that they are small lesions (right now). But we need to attack this aggressively and not be submissive to this nasty thing.
Sorry I haven't been around to everyone's site lately, between work and the 2 hour drive back and forth to her place and during the week to Travis has not been leaving very much time for me. I'll eventually get back in the grove of things, thanks for being patient. At least I do usually read all your blogs via my SIR email so I'm keeping up with what's going on.
The best to each and everyone of you. I'll be back soon
Comments (12)
I can relate to this because I went through an extremely similar situation. What I found was that the civilian doctors I saw were very capable and most will be upfront about what they think and what TriCare (husband was Active duty so we had Tri-Care) or whoever will recommend. You can demand a second opinion but most of the time it does no good because the doctors that are approved are usually all in the same group or hospital and because of this you get the same diagnosis (most of the time). Now when it comes to speeding things up a call or visit does a lot! I know this may not be very helpful but if you have any other questions and I think I can help I will be glad to.
All the best to your cousin... I hope she gets the care that she needs.
TC my Friend, and we shall see you when you have the time!! (((((((Susie))))
Found your site Via Jester's. Only two words of advice. >>>>>>>>>>>.> Get Nasty! Flood every Congressman/Senator/Military Agencys/Etc. With E-mail/1-800 phone calls, whatever it takes. How dare the Government leave people in need behind, while they spend billions on space travel, the arts, and especially on a war for oil profit. Good luck and God bless you in your efforts. Judy.
Take care. Your cousin will be in my prayers
Cute lil' froggie too.
Can't give you any advice there, but I will say a prayer.
god Bless you and your family at this time.
HUGS
Susie, absolutely raise a fuss, remember it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!! Also, they can ensure that the latest medical advances will be utilized. You just have to be an advocate for her. If they tend to slough her off, you can always go to the Medical Director at David Grant...there should be a social worker you could talk to, also. Find out what the procedure is for something like this & then make sure they follow it.
When one of my really close girlfriends found out she had breast cancer, I thought that they weren't doing things quickly enough, even though she was being seen at the City of Hope, which is one of the absolute best places!! They do have protocol to follow, even when WE may think they are dragging their feet. I can tell you this much, her COPD is not good, as you already know. My Dad had COPD, & it did kill him in the end. Bless you for being her helper & let me know if I can do anything. Love ya, Cat.
I wish you good luck to both you and your cousin , I go with what Cat says and push them hard
Sorry hun, I have no idea about the military stuff concerning hospitals and all. But I do think the above comments might help. A regular hospital would give her what she needed. Will her insurance cover that? That is so terrible what she is going thru.
And right now, you have enough going without having to be sorry for not being here. You and your cousin are in my thoughts and prayers! 
and lots of {{{hugs}}}
Take care ok and will be praying for your cousin
I am not sure as to why your site is longer since I just worked on it....maybe it is something in the text?? or image file..I will get to it tomorrow so that I have a clear head and I can get it to work properly...but your public site should be working now..
Tina
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