The VA

[MTT]

I am now having my medical needs taken care of by the Reno VA. I wish I had gone sooner. Fast efficient and friendly. I am a type2 diabetic. My prescription was out. In one day they got me registered. Doc assigned. Blood work done. Prescription filled. I have some other issues also. Maybe they will fix it all.

Finally got something done without road block after road block.

I talk with someone else Thursday. Looks like I might end up a disabled veteran.
Not the life I thought I would have but better than being homeless

[muted]

Good to hear

[skifishbum]

My bil retired as the assistant to under Secretary of the VA and still does some consulting
Should you ever need a hand with road blocks
Problems or questions
Feel free to call and he'll make shit happen 4 u

[old goat]

Glad to hear that. You must have mentioned being a vet at some point; I feel foolish for not suggesting the VA.
In the medical world the VA has a good reputation for quality of care, once you get in the door. (I don't know if they've solved the access issues but obviously it worked for you.) I know some VA surgeons; they're excellent (because I helped train them.)
The VA pioneered the use of the electronic medical record which is a great thing no matter what old disgruntled docs want to tell you.
I believe one of the access issues in the past had to do with the military's medical records being still on paper and they were having trouble transferring them to the VA system.

[Peruvian]

So your saying that federally operated medical facilities are fast, efficient, and generally well liked?

But Fox News said that was socialism.

[old goat]

So your saying that federally operated medical facilities are fast, efficient, and generally well liked?

But Fox News said that was socialism.

It is. The military itself is socialism. Look at all the other countries that have armies--China, North Korea, Cuba. Communist all. We should defend ourselves with private for-profit militias.

[MTT]

I was there again this morning. Talked to my doctor for the first time. I had to give 14 more vials of blood. And she listens to me. Am getting scheduled for a CT scan while shooting die up my leg. FYI. I can barely walk now. 40 or 50 feet and I am done. I can't stand long enough to unload the dishwasher. Hopefully they see it and. Fix it. I worked in several hospitals. This is the best I have ever seen

[detrusor]

Only issues I’ve ever had with the VA is “people rise to their level of incompetence “ and trying to get a case started at 3pm. No incentive to be efficient.

Care is outstanding though. When I was a Med student I brought a fifth of good whiskey to the badge office and the IT office. Had the best service for the next 14 years. With occasional refills for the staff.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[old goat]

Only issues I’ve ever had with the VA is “people rise to their level of incompetence “ and trying to get a case started at 11am.

FIFY.
And I once got a ticket for slow rolling a stop sign on the grounds of the Tucson VA at 2 in the morning with not another car in sight. The federal cop was obviously waiting for some hapless resident to do it. Federal offense, so I paid the damn thing.

One caveat about the VA--although they have ER's, don't ever go there for a true emergency. They are not set up to handle it.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

So your saying that federally operated medical facilities are fast, efficient, and generally well liked?

But Fox News said that was socialism.

Just like Medicare? I love all the old folks and morons blathering on about socialized medicine and how it will ruin healthcare in the USA. A nation of ignorance.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[jackattack]

Just like Medicare? I love all the old folks and morons blathering on about socialized medicine and how it will ruin healthcare in the USA. A nation of selfishness.

FIFY

[MagnificentUnicorn]

FIFY

A bunch of both...


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Peruvian]

Just like Medicare? I love all the old folks and morons blathering on about socialized medicine and how it will ruin healthcare in the USA. A nation of ignorance.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Medicare is different in that it is a nationalized health insurance plan. The VA is a federal/national health provider.

VA doctors are federal employees.

[detrusor]

FIFY.
And I once got a ticket for slow rolling a stop sign on the grounds of the Tucson VA at 2 in the morning with not another car in sight. The federal cop was obviously waiting for some hapless resident to do it. Federal offense, so I paid the damn thing.

One caveat about the VA--although they have ER's, don't ever go there for a true emergency. They are not set up to handle it.

Hah! I rolled through on at the Portland VA at 1am. Paid it as well.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Medicare is different in that it is a nationalized health insurance plan. The VA is a federal/national health provider.

VA doctors are federal employees.

Uh, no shit. They’re both forms of socialized healthcare.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[old goat]

Hah! I rolled through on at the Portland VA at 1am. Paid it as well.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

Nowadays they use federal marshals and they don't ticket you--if you're lucky they throw you in an unmarked van and question you for hours. Or they just shoot you.

[MTT]

Nowadays they use federal marshals and they don't ticket you--if you're lucky they throw you in an unmarked van and question you for hours. Or they just shoot you.

I can't speak for the whole country but in Reno they have VA police. With well appointed VA cruiser's. I suspect that like most .gov agencies they have their own standing army

[old goat]

I can't speak for the whole country but in Reno they have VA police. With well appointed VA cruiser's. I suspect that like most .gov agencies they have their own standing army

Yeah, I was kidding about the marshals. Reference to current events.

Tucson VA is gorgeous. Spanish colonial building set in a large grounds of native Sonoran Desert--saguaros, ocotillo, the whole deal. I use to run the perimeter. Guys would check into the hospital in the winter from whatever snowy climate they lived in the rest of the year. I don't think they can do that anymore.

[MTT]

Today at the VA I had a pet scan. After the first go round a second person was brought in. And they did another one. Only they really pumped in the contrast dye. My whole body got HOT. Except my left leg.
I overheard a couple things. Vascular desese,. No contrast below left knee.

Radiologist mentioned that they have a very good vascular surgeon on staff!!

So exactly what I thought all along. And after two years watching my leg die. It looks like I might get repaired?

Just sayin

[splat]

Interesting, Mike. I just had a thing done that said my left leg circulation is sub-par.
They said it might have been the knee surgeries that cut off some flow. idk...

[PB]

Love that flush of the contrast dye; close my eyes and pretend I'm falling into a volcano

[old goat]

Today at the VA I had a pet scan. After the first go round a second person was brought in. And they did another one. Only they really pumped in the contrast dye. My whole body got HOT. Except my left leg.
I overheard a couple things. Vascular desese,. No contrast below left knee.

Radiologist mentioned that they have a very good vascular surgeon on staff!!

So exactly what I thought all along. And after two years watching my leg die. It looks like I might get repaired?

Just sayin

After you see the vascular surgeon if you need any help understanding what they said or reassurance let me know.

[MTT]

After you see the vascular surgeon if you need any help understanding what they said or reassurance let me know.

Thank You.
My only worry would be saying they can't do anything for me.

But I am upbeat. I don't think they are going to let me lose my leg.

[old goat]

Thank You.
My only worry would be saying they can't do anything for me.

But I am upbeat. I don't think they are going to let me lose my leg.

Very unlikely they would say they can't do anything. Depending on how bad the problem is they might tell you you're better off doing nothing for the time being. IF you are in danger of losing your leg--that's a big if; most people with blocked arteries in the leg even diabetics, are not in danger of losing the leg--the success rate in saving the leg is very good.

[MTT]

Update. I am going to be very unhappy when I have to go back to normal employed person healthcare.

They got all my records from St Mary's called me in for a consultation on an issue with my esophagus. Going under this month so they can look at it. Likely will stretch it out with a balloon thingy?
Leg,. Because all my records are computerized gastronomy consultant told me vascular surgeon is gonna unblock my leg and other stuff with a balloon thingy.

A pharmacist calls every week to go over blood tests blood sugar. I am under control with blood sugar. AIC Was 7,1. Tuesday. Today 101, 99, 112.

But coolestoral is hi. 230. So they are mailing me pills for that.

With check it all again in 90 days.

This is how everyone should be treated. They call. They follow up. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing. And all my labs appointments and notes are accessable to me online. Though the DoD database.

Sucks to have issues but within 2 months of walking through the door the VA is gonna restore my quality of life. Save my life. Because I have a DD 214