Physical Evaluation Board

Time has come that my Fun with Navy Medicine will come to a close. I have been on a PEB since January and according to the Magic timeline that was given to me by December I could be on the way out of the Marine Corps. I wrote briefly about the Worst Case Scenarios once before but now that it seems to be reality I have been pinching myself on a regular basis.

The following is what I have learned so far:

During the VA appointment process each member will be assigned a code that is part of the VASRD and the reference for that is 38 CFR part 4. The codes will later translate into the VA's disability rating and has nothing to do with the military's rating. The military rating comes from the unfit condition that is preventing the member from doing his/her job. There can be multiple issues but after the initial is submitted, an addendum for each other unfit condition must be submitted otherwise it doesn't count. Of course the magic number for permanently disability retirement listing (PDRL) is 30 percent or higher. Anything less than that and the member is under 20 years will get a severance package. The math for that is 2 x base pay x # years, if combat related the number of years is 6. Obviously that doesn't help the more senior Marines.
(The unfit condition is anything that stops the Marine from performing ITSS/MOS/PFT/CFT.)

Before a package is sent to MEB the Marine is going to sign it and receive a copy. It was reiterated that the Marine must pay attention for any discrepancies since this will delay the process or give an undesired result from the board.

Right now, I am about halfway through the VA appointment process and have not seen my doctor for my unfitting condition as of yet.

I am going to have to find another theme to right about. Maybe I will write about the squirrels that make my clothes for me and the birds that make my bed.

Blogs and the Tools That They Are

My original idea was to use this blog as a communication tool with my family. At one time, it grew into a stress reliever. After the many rants and raves, time came when I thought I didn't need this outside opinion anymore. Since my absence, I have mulled over the point of posting more regularly again.

Whether or not anyone being outside my opinion headquarters, my wife and I, gives me an opinion I really do not care.

After saying that and you are still here reading. Then to me you are either very thick in the head or you know me better than you know yourself.

My wife is trying this thing we call a blog. It would do me well if you have poor opinions to either leave it in your head or write them here on my blog. ( Yes, the armor is still shiny.) Her blog address is: http://inconceivably40.wordpress.com/.
(Those that know me know that it took me 5 times to figure out how it was spelled.)

Happy toolbox hunting.

Absence with Navy Medicine

I have been home for about a month recovering from another surgery. My right shoulder has been decreasing in strength and agility for about a year or so. The surgeon discovered it as worse than predicted and had to sever and reattach my bicep tendon and fix some tears in two other muscles.

My left arm has increasingly been the strong arm. And life couldn't go on without my wife.

It will be back to work in a few days.

Fun With Navy Medicine, Continued...

Not sure which part I am on, seems to have been going on for quite some time now. I have had my left ulna nerve moved to fix another problem that was unforeseen before. I believe I am on day 3 of recovery since the surgery. Hopefully, and God willing, this will be that last surgery on my left arm.
I reenlisted for the last time on Monday, this will bring me to 19 years and change. Which is enough to get me to retirement.( Application for retirement can happen 14 months out from the desired date.) It was noted that I had several officers at the ceremony, which I only formally invited two. I reenlisted at the Aviation Memorial at MCAS New River in front of the CH-46 Sea Knight.

What We Have Been Up To

I know I have been MIA for a bit. Medical issues have been plaguing us for a little bit and I haven't been up to writing on the blog. My website is in disarray and I am aware of it, so no need to let me know that you are getting page errors. When I have some more time, I am planning a complete overhaul. We spent about 3 weeks in Arizona fixing our house there after a bad tenant and even worse property manager. Here is some finished pictures:









We laid the floor, painted the interior, replaced fixtures, and resurfaced the cabinetry.




We painted the outside, poured concrete steps, stained the concrete, landscaped 55 tons of rock, planted new vegetation, and Kim made a new house sign with the address.

Without listing everything we did, imagine a complete overhaul, so now our new tenants are basically moving into a new house.

1st P

I received my first pass of a maximum of 2 as a Staff Sergeant. Basically, if I don't get gunny next year then I will retire as a Staff Sergeant.

All that stuff I wrote about when I as a sergeant trying to get staff still applies. At least my combat is out of the way.

House Remodel - The May Update

Quit Smoking, The Sequel

Kim and I have been nicotine free, each, for about a week now. She is doing a little better than I, time wise.

We also just returned from a trip to see my parents in Wisconsin. No one died so I count that as a successful trip. Kim and my parents got along very well, a lot better than I got along with my parents.

Since we went through that stressful situation while quitting and the 24 hour drive to and 19 hour drive back(detour for the better), we should not have to worry about a relapse.

I know I could not have quit without my wife.

Quit Smoking, The Sequel, Day Three

So far so good. I haven't had a cigarette in about 68 hours and as far as I know Kim hasn't either. The coworkers are not helping at all, but I am doing what I said so far. Keep in mind I have a 21mg patch and Kim is using a 14mg.

The weekend is coming up that is usually the biggest test.

Quit Smoking, The Sequel, Day One

If you have been following my bad habits then you know that I started smoking again last summer. Well, today is day one of Kim and I quitting.

If I remember correctly, I gained about twenty pounds last time around. I lost it all when I started again but there are 2 major factors that play into that. My injury and my recovery. Not that gaining weight is any priority for me.

They say the average person gains (or loses) a habit after 21 straight days. So May should be nicotine and smoke free for us.

During my shift the worst part is my Corporal asking if I want to smoke every thirty minutes or so. Or it could be that my truck smells of smoke. Yep, you guessed it. It is on the list for cleaning this weekend.

Last go around day three was the worst. We shall see.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XXIII

My wrist is doing better and have a followup with the hand surgeon coming up in about a week. My career is holding on the facts that I have to have at least seventy-five percent mobility and strength in my left arm(compared to the right) before returning to full duty.

I have been having some problems in the lower abdominal area for the last month or so. I am fix'n to go to Duke to see the Endocrinology department. I have been diagnosed with orchitis and epididymitis. Plus, it seems that I have Staphylococcus aureus in an odd spot. The urologist says I have an unusual problem.

World News Report!!

Kim and I will be getting hitched today. Nothing extravagant, but the important parts.

For curiosity sake this is what her ring looks like:










Sorry don't have a picture of what mine looks like, but it is something I wanted.


I do have pictures of her, but she would kill me if I posted them. And that would be bad.


See you all on the flip-side.

Closing Time

I am in debate to end this blog.

Give me your vote:
yea or nay

Rev Gals Friday Five: Pets

In honor of all the beloved animal companions who bless our lives: tell us about the five most memorable pets you have known.

1) Cuddles - an attack toy poodle with a heart condition, Everyone I knew was afraid of this ankle biter, put to sleep in late eighties.

2) Sturgis - Only dog on my street to open the frig and grab a can without breaking it and bringing it to you; died by way of UPS truck 13 years ago.

3) Knuckles - Tree frog, feared by many answered to a few. Lived in a drawer on the USS Nassau ('96), set free in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

4) Lady - Farm dog of my uncle's, she hated cows. Played too hard and was rested after ten years.

5) Sammy - Farm dog of my uncle's, given to neighbor after my uncle's passing.

February Home Renovating

People (and Other Non-Specific Ideas)

Recently, I have received several items and monies to be " square" with those individuals that I lent said items to. Which is amazing. I am contemplating the idea that it may be because of the "recent" down turn of our economy and others are thinking twice about returning goods and coin. Or maybe humans can have morals too.

I have been working on the house with Kim and Alec. It is a good thing that Kim knows something about decor, because my idea of it is a pretty basic model for most young men. Not too many niceties, if you get my drift.

I will do a video as soon as I have more than fifteen minutes to kill. It is always nice to have the record of things changing, something to look back on.

I have many projects, the one I am dreading at the moment is my taxes. I started but I figure I have about 2 to 3 hours to go until I have everything to send to my accountant. Yes, I have an accountant. To me, it is worth the 284 buckaroos to have someone else do that crap.

I have been letting my cellphone run dead as of late. Not for any particular reason, other than it is nice not hearing it at 0230( in the morning).

I may have another update on medical soon and with that I may let you all know how my promotion probability situation is panning out.

So you see, I have things to pass...and to blog about.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XXII

I started smoking again when I came back to the states around April or so. Since then, I have been trying to get the "Quit Smoking" class signed up for me. Not been real lucky on this one. I am guessing that MCCS isn't making enough money so that is why there seems to be no class to attend. So that everyone is with me, you need to go to the class to get the gum or patches or the pill.

I am supposed to be working with something called a gravitron. I thought the doc was joking when he said it, but it seems to be he was serious.

Still have thumb problems and the wrist is not fully healed from the last surgery.

Got a new splint today, I like the old one better.

PTSD

I have that.

George Carlin made a joke about the renaming of it. The Shell Shock to Operation Fatigue to PTSD, I think it is funny.

I didn't get mine from Iraq. Nope. I got mine from Zaire. Do you know where Zaire is? Didn't think so. It is now called The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Before my experience I became a Golden Shellback, I have both the official and unofficial badges for it. This means nothing to most of you, but it means something to many veterans.

Yesterday at my head doctor appointment, he told me that I am one of the few that can disassociate myself from my experience. Most of the time I can, sometimes not so much.

I hope as I start my life with a future wife and possible children that I can still be one of the few.

2008 Year in Review

I am a little late this year with my review, no fault but mine on this one. So without further ado:

January we came back from Iraq. There was many delays and lots of cluster fucks but by the 31st we were on American soil. I had come back with a lime green cast on my left arm due to an injury I incurred while performing my duties. I was surprised to find my Mom waiting for me with all the other families as we stepped off the buses. This significant since this was a first in thirteen years.

February stated with a few days with my Mom, we had received pedicures and I took many showers. I also started renting a room from some people that I wish now that I hadn't. At the end of the month I went on leave and took a more scenic route to Wisconsin. I had visited three other bloggers in their homes on the way. Very exciting and very fun. Definitely a major highlight of my vacation.

The beginning of March I ended my leave by visiting a few more blogger friends and had a blast. Which came to the end by going back to work shortly there after. By the time April came around "we" found out my original diagnosis was wrong and my treatments and future surgeries would be taking a different turn. The problems in my wrist ended up being worse than original expected at this point.

May ended up being a pinnacle month since I settled on the home I was to buy and started vigorous negotiations. By the end on June, I purchased a home in the middle of Jacksonville, NC. It has a travel time equal to both Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, so going to work and going to see the doctor is not an evil evolution. Plus the bennies is that everything else is no more than a fifteen minute drive away either. This wasn't the major factor in buying this home, but it was something I carefully considered.

When entering July it was crunch time since moving in and fixing the little things like the shower had to be done before I had surgery. This was my third major surgery since being hurt in Iraq and was going to be laid up for a few weeks afterward. I did okay, the shower did not get completely done until a few days after the surgery, but it did get done.

For the months of August and September I spent mostly in Occupational Therapy and spent a weekly sessions with a head doctor. I was also gearing up for the fourth surgery that everyone knew had to happen. Basically after the third, the doctor discovered that I had three ligaments that were completely destroyed and needed to be replaced.

October was the month that my forth (hopefully the last) surgery took place. I had several major complications after the ligament replacement surgery. One of the big ones was my tolerance to the drugs that I have been taking since the injury. So within the first days of my surgery I had a Pain pump and a needle two feet long sticking out of my chest. I used the pump for about a week and then started taking lesser drugs like morphine and percocet. All of November was spent in the house except for one Friday. I just decided I had to get out and interact with someone, so I went down to a Marine bar close to my home(fifteen minute walk). I was thinking that if nothing else I could get a cold glass of soda and a conversation in. That was the day I met Kim.

December I was back to work. I started seeing Pain Management. I had Kim and her son Alec move into my home. I should really say "we' moved them in since my lifting capacity is till sucking greatly at this point. We spent Christmas in Mississippi and Arkansas. I met her parents,her sibling, and a few other relatives and she met my brother and his family. Other than the driving, I would say the holidays was a complete success. After all I did receive her father's blessing.

Meeting the Parents

The next few days we are embarking on the journey to meet the parents. Not mine but hers. My only hope is too not come off as a dumbass. We are spending about 2 and half days with them and some of her aunts and uncles too. We are getting a day or so with my brother and his family so she can probe him for stuff I didn't tell her or conveniently forgot.

Hope we make it back with cheers and jeers.

And, Everyone have a Merry Christmas!