Ways the VA Healthcare Program is Hurting Local Veterans

            Prior to moving to the Durango, Colorado area, I had been enrolled in what is called the Choice Program, which provides military veterans, as well as their dependents, to obtain care from community resources that are not provided through the VA system. This is the system I used to receive services such as rheumatology, gastroenterology, and dermatology. For the most part, this system helped to provide me with the resources I require to tend to my health needs. Sure, the physicians and specialists could have just as well been military doctors, as I received the same quality of care from them...and that is not saying much, considering my previous experience with military doctors, but I digress.

            When I had my initial appointment with my new primary care provider, I was told something that just came across as blatantly wrong. See, my doctor told me that my only options to see these types of specialists would be to drive nearly 4 hours each way to the large VA facility in Albuquerque, which is insane to suggest, or not see any specialists. Sure, they have a courtesy shuttle van that takes patients to the larger facility, but you must plan your day around the appointments of others, so you would either leave early, or must stay late, depending on the schedule for that day. The other option just was not feasible either, as I have a family history of colon and bone cancer, as well as having been diagnosed with a myriad of chronic pain conditions.

I live at a Level E on a daily basis, just for reference

            You know the saying “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?” Well, that is applicable to my situation, but rather replace “good” with “wrong” and you see where I am going with this, right? Well, when I met with the social worker at my local VA clinic, she repeated the same incorrect information regarding the Choice Program. She told me that, while there are services in town, such as support groups, there is little in the way of community resources that address symptoms. I can’t really go to a support group for my colonoscopy or endoscopy now, can I?

            My social worker also told me that I am my own advocate for my health, which is a phrase that she might be wishing she didn’t say. See, I thought that the information I was provided by not just one, but two medical professionals at my local VA clinic, sounded incorrect. Just in case though, I called the Choice Program directly, and boy, am I glad. The representative that I spoke with was just as befuddled by what I was told as I was when I heard it. It helped to put my mind at ease, knowing that I was correct about this program, as well as the fact that I would (hopefully) be able to see a provider here in the community, as my symptoms have increased since my last visit to the shoddy rheumatologist who reprimanded me for crying out in pain when he took a biopsy from my thigh at 5:30 in the morning, before I was fully numb. But again, I digress and that, along with the other numerous experiences I have had with military health officials and those covered by the Choice Program.

            So, here is my conundrum. Yes, I am my strongest advocate for both my mental and physical health. The soonest they could schedule me with a mental health professional (to address my depression, anxiety, PTSD, and MST) is the end of February, and even then, it would be only via tele-health. That falls outside of the 30 days or 30-mile rule that applies to the Choice Program (maybe not the distance, but certainly the time-frame). In the past, I have conveniently fallen through the VA health cracks, as it had taken me 18 months to even get an appointment with a rheumatologist, as the original request somehow got lost. I know that I am in the right and have a whole organization and website that provides me with the answers to help to support my position. I know that I am most likely not the only veteran in the area who has been fed this lie. However, I may be the only one to raise a little hell over the incorrect information that could have potentially affected the lives of a significant number of veterans living in the area.

            I have been known to let my emotions get the best of me, particularly when I know that I am in the right. This isn’t just relegated to my health, but also where we used to live, I have been physically threatened when I spoke up for the poor treatment of the dogs I would witness running in the street. As if it were my fault that I recognized this behavior as wrong and dangerous. I am not kidding. I wish I were. So, I need to come up with a game plan of sorts, as I know that I need to go into the clinic and let them know that they are wrong, that I qualify to see community providers that honor the Choice Program in the area. I know that other veterans have experienced this same type of treatment. The sooner the better, but, dude, I am not looking forward to it. I just need to keep my cool, and remember why I am doing this...for the health of not only myself, but the countless veterans who have received the same misinformation. Sadly, I know that this not only applies to my local clinic, but the Portland, Oregon one too, as that is who contacted me to set up my appointment for the tele-health mental health sessions...I was told that since they can provide me with the tele-health services, then I don’t qualify for community care. Well, that is not true either.

Rhubarb Applesauce: The VA Choice Program

Imagine the following scenario and assess what you would do in the situation…

“I’d love to make some homemade applesauce. I think I will go down to the fruit stand to pick up some apples” you say to your dog as you head out the door to the fruit stand. After making your way into town, the green grocer greeted you with a warm and friendly “Good morning! What can I get for you today?”

“I need some apples, so I can make some applesauce. Homemade always tastes better and there’s often fewer ingredients too.”

“Gee, I am so sorry. We have some lovely bananas, but we’re all out of apples. Can I interest you in some rhubarb?”

“No, I don’t think those will do, as I am making applesauce.”

“What about some pomegranates? They are chock packed with nutrition.”

“No, I am sorry, but those won’t work either. I really need apples.”

“Well, you can drive four hours south and I think they might have some apples for you. You could try that.”

“Thanks for the idea, but I am not sure that it will be worth the travel.”

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Okay, after you have read that scenario, what are your thoughts towards the fruit stand employee? What would you do in that situation? Maybe change your mind and not make applesauce after all? What if all of the stores within a 30-mile radius were also sold out of apples? Would you make the trek?

            In the example scenario, it outlines something I learned today from my visit with a social worker at my local VA outpatient clinic. See, there is this program called Choice, which is supposed to be a safety net for veterans if they need care, specialized or routine. In my previous clinic location, I was placed on community care via the Choice program for dermatology, rheumatology, and gastroenterology. Since the clinic where I received care in the past did not have these specialists on hand, this system worked for me, for the most part.

However, at my new clinic location, I was told that if you are within a 30-mile radius of a VA health clinic, the veteran would not be eligible for the Choice program. I even inquired if this would still be the same answer if the clinic did not have certain specialists on hand, such as a rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, or dermatologist. Sadly, I was informed that it would still apply. Seriously. If I want to receive care from these specialists, I will have to drive nearly 4 hours (each way, so 8 hours round-trip). With my hips seizing up after sitting in a car for less than an hour, it does not look like I will be receiving any care from these types of specialists. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, along with a familial history of colon and bone cancers. This system is broken.

What would you do in this situation?

I feel you in my bones

Yes, I did just publish a blog post earlier today, and look at this...TWO posts!

            For the past two years, I have been experiencing an annoying and painful sensation in my upper back. The pain occurs every day. Every. Day. Typically it shows up by 7pm, but sometimes as early as 3pm. There is no position, other than lying on my back, that makes it feel any better. My primary care practitioner took me seriously (finally, after suggesting the pain is just a part of growing older) and placed a referral request for chiropractic care.

            Well, yesterday was my first visit. I was a little scared, as I had never been to a chiropractor and I didn’t know what to expect. For example, would I have to get naked? Do I need to shave? You know, the normal type of questions (LOL). I was also a little scared due to my history of back injuries (herniated two discs in my lower back in my previous life). Well, I worried, again, for nothing. My chiropractor is very nice and a prior military member himself.

            One thing that was a bit uncomfortable, but not necessarily attributed to the chiropractor himself was that I can be a little funny (not ha-ha) when it comes to my personal space and being touched, even by people in my family. In order for the chiropractor to adjust my spine and neck, he needed to “manhandle” me. I’m not sure if you know this, but manhandling requires being touched and for the chiropractor to basically use his body and leverage to twist my body into all different positions. This issue caused me to be a little more tense than normal, which prevented me from getting all of my vertebrae adjusted.

            There were a few pops in my neck to one side, then the other. Next up was my back and hips. Nothing really hurt during the procedure, which was nice. Next up was a wonderful massage, followed by the use of electric stim with heavy ice packs wrapped in a blanket, which was placed on top of the electrodes that were attached to various locations on my back. I also got additional x-rays done on my neck, as the ones I had done a few weeks ago, which revealed the presence of scoliosis in my upper back (thoracic region). I go back tomorrow, as well as Friday. Three times a week for as many weeks as the VA will authorize. Good thing I work from home and have a relatively flexible schedule!

            Stay tuned for future updates. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram as well. Remember, your health is important. Both emotionally and physically. Take time for yourself. Nurture your body and mind daily.