Archive through November 23, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Update on Hubby: Archive through November 23, 2002

Aussiedeb

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 02:29 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hello everyone,

Its been a hectic couple of days for me. I went down to Dayton yesterday lunchtime and spent hours with him alone which was nice. But around his dinner time we were watching the news and the weather was snowing up where we live, I immediately went into panic as I had nothing with me. We saw an ad for a hospitality house on the grounds of the hospital (only a couple of buildings from where Dave is) and we called and they had plenty of room and it was only $5.00 for the night which included linen, showers, bathrooms, warm beds and tv and tea, coffee etc.. I was so happy.

I didnt have all my meds with me but knew I would be better than driving in snow storms the 2hrs it takes to get home at night.

Dave is doing ok, he is being discharged on Monday and will come home till they contact us for him to be sent to Cincinnati for a 45 day residential program for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They also have a place thats really cheap to stay nearby so I will drive down on weekends and stay there. A lady came in yesterday for his PTSD assessment and said he definately has it and had signs of it almost 2yrs ago..grrrr.. that is what I had been telling them all along. She is setting up phone interviews for both of us for Social Security Disability and will be checking into his VA claim for disability he filed months ago.

She was such a godsend to us finally to have someone who was wanting to help us out. His insurance is still giving us grief and are supposed to fedex a cheque to us by Tuesday, well one can hope or I will lose it with them real quick. I will get my SS disability here but Australia will be paying for it with the new agreement they have and since I was on SS disability in Oz before I came here anyway I dont see a problem. She said Dave has the best case yet for his SS disability here but we are concerned with the INS on how they will take the news. He has earned enough money this year to cover us when we get my conditions removed in May so it should be fine..I hope..that is one thing worrying Dave more than anything right now.

As I got closer to home I saw lots of white everywhere and couldnt believe it as they only had little snow down where Dayton is and its not white, so imagine my joy to see it here although that now means winter..brrr...

Draheid

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 02:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussiedeb: How wonderful to hear from you. And to hear such encouraging news about your situation is even more exciting. I'm happy to hear Dave is doing a little better and that he will get to be home soon even for a little while.

I hope the facts that things sound like they are about to turn around for you all is encouraging to Dave and helps allieviate some of his worries.

It sounds like some of the major hurdles are about to be overcome through the wonderful help you are receiving from this new 'Godsend' in your life! I'm so happy about her too.

We are continuing to hold good thoughts for you and your family.

{{{{{Aussiedeb}}}}}

Wargod

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 02:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Deb, that is excellent news! I'm very glad to hear that you're getting some good news and things seem to be happening finally!

You and your hubby are still in my thoughts and prayers.

Pamy

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 03:36 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{Aussiedeb}}} I am happy to hear things are looking better for you and your hubby. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers

Twinkie

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 04:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussiedeb, that's wonderful news!!! I'm so glad you are both finally getting some help with things! I will keep praying for you and hubby!

Willsfan

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 04:07 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm glad to hear your husband is doing better and you will have someone to help you get through all the red tape at the SS office.

Aussiedeb

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 04:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks..

Draheid, I told hubby your suggestion for the rabbit ears for the TV and he said he had been thinking of that one too but didnt get around to reminding me yet. He said we will try and get some next week hopefully and he can try to hook it up. He said not to get the cheap ones but the decent ones will hopefully work. Thanks for the great suggestion.

Yep he is doing a lot better but it will still be a long haul yet for us for him to be almost his old self, but it will take time and he is definitely worth it :)

Squaredsc

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 07:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
aussiedeb, glad things are starting to get a bit better. still sending positive vibes your way and to your d.h.

Sia

Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 08:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{{Aussiedeb & Dave}}}} I'm so glad that things are beginning to improve! Thanks for updating us; it's good to know that prayers are answered. We'll all continue to pull for you, Deb. Take care and good luck! Keep thinking positively, and keep moving forward. Hugs and prayers!

Lumbele

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 09:02 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Deb, what a relief that someone is finally prepared to cut through some red tape for you. That will give both of you some time and energy to concentrate on getting your DH better without all those added worries. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. {{{Aussiedeb & Dave}}}

Pottedplant

Sunday, November 17, 2002 - 11:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
hope all goes well & fast!

Aussiedeb

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 03:31 am EditMoveDeleteIP
He is home for the time being. We are now just awaiting a place in the PTSD program in Cincinnati for him.

We had trouble with the Social Worker in the ward he was in and we are reporting him. He treats the vets like dirt and since its my major in college I was not impressed.

I will post more later on when I have time as I am about to leave for college this morning.

Deb

Draheid

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 07:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Yeah, Aussiedeb! Welcome home Dave!! Good luck!!! I hope your wait is short for the program in Cincinnati! Good for you for reporting the 'so-called Social Worker'!! That's certainly not something anyone needs to have to deal with. I hope he is dealt with swiftly!

Thanks for keeping us updated and please continue whenever possible.

{{{{{Aussiedeb}}}}}


I hope Dave doesn't mind me hugging you. You're welcome to share it with him! :)

Juju2bigdog

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 08:40 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good luck, Aussiedeb. You are doing remarkably well with all that's been thrown at you lately.

Pottedplant

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 10:36 am EditMoveDeleteIP
good luck on reporting the social worker.....it amazes me sometimes what people do.
and lots of cyber hugs to you & DH {{{{{{{{}}}}}}

Aussiedeb

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 09:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi all,

Well he enters the PTSD program next Friday Nov 29. Hubby will go to Dayton not Cincinnati as Cinci one is outpatient once a week and they feel he needs more than that. I will drive down on Fridays and stay there till Sunday afternoon and then come home for the week. He will be away for christmas but it will be worth it.

He reported the social worker to the Patient Advocate at the VA hospital yesterday and they are taking it into their hands immediately.

His work today called and offered his one weeks vacation he has left for this year as a payment to us which will make up for one weeks salary, but it will take between 1 and 2 weeks to process it, but its better than nothing.

His disability has gone thru again so we are hoping to get those payments real soon, well I am hoping lol

He had a phone interview yesterday with SSA about disability from them and they seemed happy with all the info etc and are sending paperwork now for him to complete and it takes 3 - 4 months to get that one.

So hopefully by the end of december we might start getting organized a little. I am going to hunting for somewhere cheaper to live with low income housing closer to college too.

We had almost a foot of snow during the night and this morning so I didnt go to college today as the roads were a mess with ice as well since it rained when I came home from college last night. Hubby is shovelling our drive and the neighbors drives out for something to do.

So that is the latest here for us. Thanks for the prayers and wishes we appreciate it so much, and it has helped us out tremendously.

Deb

Draheid

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 09:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Deb: That is fantastic that things are continuing to go your way. Thank you so much for the update!!

If you have the time and/or inclination, we'd love to have you join us in chat some evening. I think you would enjoy the conversation! If you're interested, you can look in the Chat Reminder thread for details on how to get into it.

I wish you continued success in your life and will continue to hold you in our thoughts for good things to continue!

{{{{{Aussiedeb}}}}}

Hillbilly

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:44 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Deb...don't forget the DAV. If you run into any snags...they will know how to negotiate them since they've done this many times for many veterans. There should be a DAV office located in the VA Hospital. The one in LR has one and he has been a great help to folks I know.

Car54

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Deb, I have no idea if this is still the case, but my Dad had a 100% service connected disability and received a VA pension and SS, but one other thing that helped us a lot was that he was able to get ID that allowed my mom and him to shop on the nearest Air Force base at the PX.

Food and other things were a LOT cheaper there. I am not sure if this benefit is still available or if you have any military bases near enough, but my mom really found it worth the trip once a month to stock up on basics. We were even able to get our eyeglasses made on base at a fraction of the cost.

I bet the DAV could help you with this.

Pamy

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree with Car, we shop there when we can(it's kinda far from us now) and another benefit of the base stores is that you don't have to pay tax on anything!! In CA tax is over 7% so that is a big savings.
Deb..you are in my thoughts and prayers, hang in there.

Juju2bigdog

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 05:00 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussiedeb, I am really proud of you.

Weinermr

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 05:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hang in there, Aussiedeb. It sounds like you are doing great.

Webkitty

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 05:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Deb, I agree about the DAV. They can really help smooth the way through all the red tape, and understand the stress it causes. I wish I had come here sooner to tell you this.

Its good to hear things are moving the right direction for you and I'll send some "speeding up" vibes your way, I know the frustration. ~Hurry up and wait~ its what my husband says the Army's motto is.

Hang in there kiddo.

Aussiedeb

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 07:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey thanks for the tip on the Air Force Base. The Wright Patterson Air Force Base is only a few miles from the Dayton VA and we go there regularly to the USAF Museum.

Hubby said he had an ID years ago for there as he was inactive reserve, but I will definately check it out next week as I am a service connected disability person from Australia, but carry a US VA service connected card.

I knew the gang here are the best :)

Oh we bought rabbit ear antenna today in wally world, and hubby had boosters here, so he hooked it up and we can watch a few channels but of course our CBS one is the least clearest one..figures lol.. but we can watch Fox and NBC sort of ok. At least we have something now to watch.

Thanks for the wishes it feels so good to read the replies here.

Deb & Dave

Lancecrossfire

Saturday, November 23, 2002 - 12:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Deb, thanks for the update! It's great to hear that things are progressing along for Dave, even if slowly. It seems the most important thing is for him to get into a program that can give him the best chances possible to over come all of this.

It is so great that you are able to work through all of these road blocks and make it from day to day. You both have ceratinly had more than your sahre of stresses to deal with, and it sounds like many more to go.

Positive thoughts your way and I will be thinking of you both each day.