More stupidity

After fighting with the Veterans Administration for 6 years trying to get WLS I found out Sunday that the Dallas VAMC is doing a clinical trial and actively seeking participants in the study. I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to get the surgery. So I emailed the clinical research coordinator. She replied that the study was open only to Dallas area veterans. What an absolute pile of nonsense. Oklahoma City VAMC has to send WLS patients to Jackson, MS VAMC. So, I figure Dallas is closer and it would be more cost effective for the VA....... but they apparently are not concerned with saving a few bucks.

Sorry for the rant I just had to get this off my chest.... Thanks

Oh and I do have an appointment tomorrow morning for a heart stress test. I have no heart problems at all, but they are trying any tactic they can to give them an excuse to deny me WLS. Anyway the director here told Senator Inhofe that if I have "appropriate clinical results" they will be willing to submit my paperwork to Jackson VAMC. So, I am very worried and concerned about the test tomorrow. I would appreciate it so much if you could take a moment to pray for me to pass this hurdle.

Again thanks to all of you wonderful people. Even though I don't actively participate a lot here, I do read each and every post on a daily basis. You just don't realize how much support you can be to people.

Love you all,
Wayne

Sounds like you have a very legitimate reason to rant...  I hope that your test will go well and will most certainly say a prayer for you in that regard!  Have a good one.

keeping you in my prayers

Good luck!  Hopefully you will be seeing sunny Jackson, MS really soon!

Wayne I have personally met Senator Inhofe and I think he is an extraordinary man so I do hope he is on your side here in this journey.  Iwsh you the best of luck in your tests and in getting this life lifting surgery.

Best of luck to you Wayne.  My DH is a vet and it is his only insurance.  He's been very fortunate but he did have a bout a few months ago when they decided to DOUBLE his BP med, DOUBLE his allergy med and DOUBLE some other med that he takes.  He blacked out for over 2 hours.  Rushed him to VA (we live near Dallas).  They admitted him, stayed 5 days while they took their sweet time running tests.  It was like one test per day.  Efficiency and our tax dollars at work.  If I had not started raising all H### he would still be there.  I started screaming that we needed to get out of there, I needed to be back to work full time, etc.  You know, you can't leave a loved there unattended for fear what the morons will decide to give.  My MIL caught them numerous times attempting to medicate my FIL with incorrect meds meant for the next room.  They finally discharged DH with a discharge paper indicating that his problem was "overdose."  Like HE overdosed himself.  I'm still ticked on that one.  He was only following instructions, but they label it as he did it.  He has an appt later this month which I will attend and I will make every effort to straighten them out and make them alter their records to reflect that DH did not overdose by choice, but by their instructions.  BTW, while in hospital, they decided to reduce meds back to regular dose.  Got to love the VA.  I'm grateful for them and they serve a greatly needed purpose.  I hope you are successful with getting your WLS.  Also, makes no sense that they won't allow you to come to Dallas VA as near as you are.  If you could swing the Dallas VA instead, be sure to let us know.  I will come visit you. - Carol

Thanks to everyone *****plied, I really appreciate all of you so much. I'm just overwhelmed at the stupidity that I see and experience at the VA. There are some very good doctors and very good people who work there, it is just the system that is so screwed up.

Carol, thanks for the offer I would gladly take you up on your offer, but I really doubt that will happen. It makes too much sense

Wayne

Every time I think about the VA I get ticked. A good friend of mine had to divorce her husband so that he could get his VA benefits. He hurt his hip in 'Nam, and they wouldn't compensate him since he was married. So, they divorced in order to do it..and lived together until his untimely death. He couldn't work due to his debilitating pain.

So, I understand your frustration with the VA. I'm praying everything moves forward so that you can get the surgery.

And thank you, Veteran.  I appreciate you.

Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words. Now that I've got Senator Inhofe involved I believe it will happen, just a matter of when now.