More Medical Madness!
                                       10-16-07

I had to share this one - another situation with ACC that sort of blew me away.  Let me share the details and then let me know what you think.  (Let me say for some perspective that I was a Medical Corpsman in the service and worked about 12 years after getting out of the Air Force as an emergency room nurse in California community hospitals.  That being said, I think I have a certain understanding of how medical delivery systems (like ACC) work.  Because of that, I am also able to understand how it might be to work in a clinic like ACC.  In other words, if it were busy and I had to wait, I think I would be able to acknowledge that and be able to be understanding about delays, etc.)

So let me share what happened.  For about 2 weeks, I had been noticing an occasional irregular heartbeat.  I didn't think it was anything serious, but I decided to e-mail my doctor and let her know about the problem.  I sent this e-mail at about 1 in the morning as I was up doing other things.  This is not unusual for me.  I figured that I would probably get a reply from my doc the next day.

Sure enough, I got an e-mail from my doctor explaining some possible causes.  She said that she was actually off duty and was just in her office doing some paperwork.  She kindly said that if she did not have somewhere else to be, that she would see me herself.  She asked me to come to ACC as a "drop in" and the doc on duty could order an EKG.  That sounded fine to me so I decided to take a quick shower before going to ACC as the air conditioning was out and it was hot in my room.

When I got back to my room after showering, there was a phone message from an ACC nursing person indicating that my doc wanted me to get an EKG and to please come in to ACC.  I called right back and told the person answering the phone that I got the message, that I had just taken a shower and would be down to ACC shortly.  In about 5 minutes, there was a knock on my door and I was a bit shocked to see that it was our Home's ambulance crew here to take me to ACC.  Wow, if I didn't know better, finding an ambulance crew at my door might really freak me out!  Instead, I was pissed off!

I knew that the crew was just following orders, so I was not angry at them, just at the situation.  I explained to them that I had gotten a call from ACC about the EKG and would get myself there very soon.  I told them I was sorry for their trip for nothing, but I did not need help.  Further, I had already told ACC staff that I was on my way.

I finished getting dressed and proceed to ACC.  I signed in at the desk and was called in just a few moments.  I was put into a room to wait for the nurse after my vital signs were taken.  The nurse came in within a few minutes from a group of about 6 staff people at the front desk, some of whom were reading magazines and none seemed to be doing work.  I wondered why there were so many staff on duty, especially on a furlough day.  It was about 1:30 pm, so I didn't think there was a shift change in progress.  The nurse began his interview process.

Then, for some reason, I was taken to another room.  I think they said it was larger and was easier to do an EKG there.  Three staff people accompanied me into the other exam room.  Now had I been sensitive or anxious as a patient in medical settings (which ironically I am!), I may have thought there was something wrong with me!  Those three staff members remained in the room and 2 of them hooked up and completed the EKG.  I have never had more than one person do an EKG on me, so why did I need three?  I just "went with the flow" and observed the situation.  When my EKG was done, the nurse completed his evaluation and all three staff left the room.  I was told that the doctor would be in to talk with me after she looked at my EKG.

Well, after waiting for a while, there was still no doctor and my back was hurting more and more.  I have a herniated disk in my lower back and cannot sit comfortably for very long at all.  Then, one of the medical assistants came in and moved me to yet another room.  This was getting to be a bit annoying as this was the third move to a different room.  I was taken to a room on the back hall of the ACC - I had never been back there before.  I looked at my watch and it was straight up 2 pm.  I decided that if I had not been seen by 2:30 pm, I was going to leave.  I was a bit surprised that no one popped there head into the room in which I was waiting just to give me an update or to let me know about how much longer I would be waiting.

I continued to sit, stand and walk around ... still no doctor and no visits by any staff person.  I was firm in my mind that I WAS leaving at 2:30 pm if I was still waiting to be seen without getting any updates from staff as to how much longer it would be before I would be seen.  While there was an occasional person who walked by the room, still no one said why I was waiting so long or why I had still not been seen.  Just knowing that would have helped.  I did not hear a lot of activity in the ACC and, again, I could not understand the long delay.  One of the places I wanted to go before it closed was the BX.

Some may wonder why I didn't speak up, why I was not more assertive in trying to get myself seen by the doctor.  For one reason, I felt perfectly fine.  Except for back pain from sitting so long, I was in no distress.  And, I wanted to see just how long it was going to take before I was seen.  Like the scabies incident (if you have read that article), they (ACC staff) were SO concerned about my treatment, yet when I got there ... it seemed like I was just forgotten! 

So, I continued to wait - my back getting worse from sitting and standing and it was probably worse too from just being ignored and having to wait, wait, wait.  At one point, I heard a person approaching, but it was not the doctor and it was getting very close to being 2:30 pm.  Was I going to extend my time or was I going to leave like I had planned?  (I also wondered if there was anything wrong with my EKG.)

When my watch hit 2:30, I decided to follow thru on my decision to leave.  I left the exam room, went to get my mobility scooter and drove out of ACC and out of the hospital.  I expected someone to ask why I was leaving, but no one did.  There were still a number of staff members around the ACC desk.  After leaving the hospital, I headed for the BX as I only had about 25 minutes before it closed.

While riding to the BX, I reviewed the situation in my mind.  Why was there the urgency about getting me to the ACC and then the virtual ignoring of me once I got there and had the EKG.  Why was I allowed to sit, sit, sit without any updates or without just an estimate about when the doctor would be able to see me.  

I think it is situations like this where the ACC gets a bad name.  But more importantly, just a little effort on the part of the ACC staff would make it so much easier for the Members it serves.  I know this from working "on the other side" being the caregiver rather than the patient.  I think most of the time, I did a good job working with my patients.  For the times I did not serve them to the best of my ability ... shame on me!  Sure, there are times when it gets so busy or when there is an emergency and patients will have to wait longer than usual.  But, in times like that, all it takes is the kind voice of a care giver saying something like this: "I am really sorry for the delay.  You are next to be seen.  Are you doing okay?"

Hey, if someone would have taken the 60 seconds to do that with me, I would probably have waited until I was seen and would have let the BX close before I could get to it.  

I have 2 messages to conclude - one is for fellow Members, the other is for our care givers (such as: nurses, doctors, lab techs, nursing assistants, x-ray techs, social workers, etc.).

Members: Do be patient (pun intended J) when you visit the ACC, but also be assertive to ensure that you are being given the care that you deserve.  Keep your eyes open.  If you see a lot of other patients and staff busy and running around to meet the patients' needs, do be patient and expect that there may be some delays.  But also expect to be treated with respect, caring and professionalism - you deserve every bit of that!  Do NOT be unnecessarily rude or demanding with your care givers.  Remember, they are caring for your health needs and you want to get the best care possible, so treat the staff like you would like to be treated if the situation was reversed.

My roommate gave me a great idea when we were talking about these matters.  If you have a negative experience with a care giver, write up a "Code of Conduct Violation" and present it to their supervisor.  There is no reason why care givers should not be held accountable for performing their duties in a professional manner.  So, if you have a negative experience, take down names and submit an accurate report to the appropriate supervisor.  (Depending upon the feedback I get about this, I may design a form to make such reporting easier.)

Caregivers: Just treat the Member patients like you would want to be treated.  Remember that you deal with medical problems every day.  Patients tend to be anxious, nervous or just plain scared when they come in for care.  DO keep your patients informed when it is busy and when there are going to be delays.  This only takes a minute or two.  I think it is appropriate to do this every 10 to 15 minutes.  If there is going to be a long delay, offer your patient the option of waiting in the lobby if appropriate.  Medical exam rooms are not pleasant places for patients.

When a Member patient is registered, either get them in quickly or let them know about how long it will be before they are called in.  Waiting and not knowing is very anxiety-provoking as my visit above shows.  Remember your "competitor," St. Helena Hospital ER guarantees: "No Wait - Emergency Care Upon Arrival."  



Of course, that is not totally practical for a setting like the ACC, but the staff can follow after St. Helena and try to get patients in as quickly as possible.

Don't underestimate the importance of the Receptionist's position.  S/he is the first person that Members see when they come in for care.  I was literally greeted with some sort of grunt.  Had I been in a different mood, I would have nicely told the person how she was coming across by greeting me like that, which was that I was wasting her time and didn't deserve the respect of being greeted with kindness and compassion.  It takes so little energy to greet the Members kindly and with respect.  Just be nice and chances are you will be treated nicely in return.  Conversely, there is no reason why you should not be treated with respect by the Members.  There is no excuse for Members who "bark" at you or who are demanding or vulgar.  If you cannot resolve a negative situation, contact a supervisor to intervene.

Okay, that brings this article to a close.  I am still puzzled by the way I was treated yesterday and I should not have been treated that way.  Hopefully this article will help Members to be more assertive in assuring that they are treated with respect, kindness and dignity when being seen at the ACC.  If not, let's not just take it but let's remind the ACC staff that we expect to be treated appropriately.  If we continue to be treated poorly, let's follow up the verbal requests for positive treatment with a written "Code of Conduct Violation" form submitted to the supervisor of the employee who treated us poorly.

Members, if we are to demand to be treated in a consistently positive manner, then we must present ourselves in a positive manner, treating the staff with kindness and respect - the way we want to be treated.

Caregivers, remember what it is like to be a patient.  Many of us present with problems that cause us to be fearful and anxious, so please try to put us at ease and treat us the way you would want to be treated.  Caregivers, please NEVER forget that THIS IS OUR HOME!  Many of us will not leave here alive; for many of us, this is our final home and after we pass on, we will be buried here in the cemetery.

May all of us remember that we all have bad days and we cannot always present ourselves the way we should because ... because we are human!  But let us work together, be kind to one another and simply treat one another as we would like to be treated.  Life is just too short to behave in any other way.

 

          

(This commentary is late, because if I had written right after the incident, it would have been dripping with anger and frustration, and that is not the intent of this message.)

                                   Scabies Scandal
                                                                 10-16-09

Let me tell you what happened … and I am abbreviating here to save space and your eyes!  I was basically threatened with being kicked out of the Home if I did not take treatment for scabies.  Now let me say that I had no signs or symptoms of scabies at the time this happened.  I was angry, hurt and could not understand why I was being treated with such disrespect and why I was being threatened with discharge for not taking a medical treatment for a condition that I did not have.

Okay, there are some gaps that I need to fill in because I was missing information that completely changed my mind about what was happening.  I knew that there was a scabies problem here at the Home and I was being careful.  In fact, just the day before, I went to ACC with a rash on my neck that was scraped for scabies.  However, the test came back negative and the next day my rash was gone.  I was told that scabies does not go away overnight.  So, I was fairly convinced that I did not have scabies.

What I did not know at the time was that one can be a “carrier” of scabies – that is, one can have active scabies on their body without showing any symptoms and this can go on for up to 6 weeks before symptoms appear.  With this new information, I could understand why it was important for me to undergo treatment.  I certainly did not want to be transmitting a disease without even knowing it and I certainly did not want those ugly bugs crawling around on my body!

There were still some confusing things that happened like a fellow Member on the same hall as me having a pretty serious rash, but the ACC nurses failed to show TWICE to give him his treatment.  This did not make sense to me … they were going to kick me out for not taking treatment when I had no symptoms, yet a comrade just down the hall could not get treatment when it looked like he had scabies.  Something was wrong here!

While I never got a real apology for the way I was treated, I do understand now why there was the urgency for me to get the treatment done.  The reason I was given for the fellow Member with the rash not getting immediate treatment was that there were limited resources for a problem that got very bad very fast.  Looking back, I think our medical team was in sort of a panic trying to get a very contagious problem under control and not knowing exactly how to do that with the resources they had.

The other problem I have with this whole thing is that unless you are directly involved, you probably won’t hear too much about the scabies problem.  You will notice the TV room being shut down and there may or may not be a reason given.  You may also hear a little bit said at meetings, but again, unless you are directly involved, you are likely not to hear much.  I think this presents a problem because information is power and the better informed we are, the more likely we will be to do what is needed to stop the spread of this annoying disease.

That is one of the reasons that I have put together the page on scabies.  I urge you to review it so you are informed and so you have the information to help keep you from getting scabies or, if you do get it, to help you get fast treatment.  Wishing you all happiness and health! ~Miles, your Webmaster J  (You may find the scabies page by clicking on <scabies>.) 

                                                 Dental Disaster

                                                   (Posted: 8/25/09) 

     What can I say about dental care here at the Home?  I have only seen a dentist twice during my 2 ½ years here and I had one good experience and one bad experience.  Between seeing the dentists, I saw the dental hygienist, who was top-notch!

     The first dentist I saw was because I had a crown come off.  During this visit, I had x-rays, an exam and my crown was replaced.  Today, the reason for my visit was that I had a filling fall out.  I anticipated that there would be some Novocain, some drilling and then the replacement of my filling and I would be good to go.  Well, I was sure wrong!  I was not impressed (in a positive way) with the dentist I saw today.  To begin with, she didn’t introduce herself; I asked her if she was Dr. Smith (by the way, that is not her real name) and she said yes, then I introduced myself.  (That was the first strike against her.) 

     She did a fairly thorough dental exam, to her credit.  I asked her if the tooth in question was salvageable as she indicated there was some severe decay.  She sort of abruptly responded: “We’ll get to that.”  (That was strike two.) 

     Well, after the exam, she looked at me and said the news was not good.  I had a number of cavities and the tooth I asked about was not salvageable.  In fact, there were 3 teeth that she said needed to be extracted.  I was not even having trouble with the other 2 teeth, but I was so shocked by this news and the way it was delivered that I didn’t think to ask further questions. 

     She said, “Something is going on with your health that would result in that many cavities.”  (I had x-rays done shortly after I got here, so I guess in the 2 years, I grew 2 cavities.)  She asked me about sweets, but it was not a … “nice” question; it had an accusatory tone.  And she kept saying something was going on with my health to cause so many negative dental changes in such a short period of time.  Still, there was nothing at all caring or kind about her tone.

     Then after telling me about the decay and the 3 teeth that needed to be pulled, she just asked me what I wanted to do.  I was still in sort of in a state of shock as I had NO idea that I would have 3 teeth that needed to be pulled – I just went in to get a filling replaced. 

     The fact that she just dropped this news in my lap and wanted me to tell her what I wanted to do was strike 3.  I couldn’t think straight after getting this news in such a manner.  How could I need to have 3 teeth pulled?  Were there no alternatives?  She certainly gave me none.

     To give Dr. Smith the benefit of the doubt, I should mention that I have had several rotten (pun intended!) experiences with dentists.  The first one was in childhood where a dentist apparently threatened to kick my parents out of the room if I didn’t straighten up.  I guess I was about 4 or 5 years old – I don’t specifically remember this negative event, but I do remember the intense anxiety that I had which was related to this early, negative dental experience because it surfaced whenever I went to the dentist.   

     Then, when I was about 12 or so, my parents found a great dentist to take care of some rather severe dental problems.  I think I had to have 3 teeth pulled then, but the dentist was very gentle, spoke softly and spread the extractions out so I didn’t have to have all of the teeth pulled in one day.

     Getting my teeth back in order with this kind dentist almost cured me from the dental phobia I had from that early, negative experience.  Then, I went into the Air Force.  Not long after basic training, I needed to have a filling in one of my front teeth.  Well, all of the healing I had done regarding the negative experiences with dentists when down the tube very quickly.  When the dentist was injecting the anesthetic, it hurt so bad that tears started streaming down my face.  When I said how bad it was hurting, the dentist said: “Well maybe that will teach you to take better care of your teeth.”  I was appalled!  Knowing what I know now, I would have certainly reported this dentist. 

     And now back to today – after having a chance to think about the news I got this morning – there is no way that I am going to have the 2 teeth pulled that are not even bothering me, especially with essentially no explanation at all as to why the need for the extractions. 

What a shame that things seem to have gone full-circle for me – starting out my life with a very negative dental experience, then having some positive experiences, and then today going into the dental clinic for help and having another negative experience with a dentist. 

     So, what am I going to do?  Well, I am NOT going to have 2 teeth pulled that are not even bothering me!  I seriously doubt that I will return to this dentist unless there are no other alternatives.  And, as for alternatives – I am going to see if there are possibilities for dental care outside the Home.  For ANY of us vets to have to put up with such uncaring dental care is beyond comprehension and inexcusable!  How sad that the current state of the budget has left us with such inadequate care.  The dentist I saw today even said that they can't provide comprehensive care to the Members – they basically try to keep them out of pain.  Ironically, I was not having any pain until I went to the dental clinic this morning!

     For fellow Members who are in need of dental care (and I would guess that would be just about all of us), I wish I could suggest some other alternatives aside from our dental clinic.  If you try our dental clinic and have a negative experience similar to mine, all I can suggest at this time is to encourage you to seek outside care perhaps by contacting the Napa County Dental Society at 428-3894.   

     As I said before, it is a total shame that we older veterans have to be subjected to inadequate dental care due to the budget deficits, but unfortunately it is a problem we are going to have to deal with until money matters in California improve.  I wish you the very best of luck with your dental care.  ~Miles

Response to Article about Linda Martin in 
June 11th, 2009 edition of The Grapevine 
by: Lou Zauner (Posted 6/29/09)

I had to respond to the article in the recent Grapevine about Linda Martin and what Clinical Social Workers are supposed to do here at the Home.  I will try to keep this response specific with my encounters with Linda and the members of her Department.  Before going on, let me say that my last 20 years of work before coming to the Home were as a Social Worker.  I worked for years as a “Staff Social Worker” and then worked my way into the supervisory and management positions of Social Work Supervisor, Director of Social Services, Program Director and Clinical Program Manager. 
So, I had many years of experience working in the social work field and had gained a lot of expertise to share.

After I finished my orientation, I really wanted to do some volunteer work to give back, stay busy and hopefully share some of my experience.  I was very surprised, even shocked, that I ran into so many roadblocks in trying to do that.  One 
of the main things that I was hoping to get started was to make sure that each new Member had a face-to-face meeting with his or her building’s social worker within the first week of admission.  That is a period of a lot of stress and adjustment as any Member will tell you.

I was also surprised that the social work department did not have an accessible mission statement or information about what the social workers at the Home were supposed to do (aside from a simple list).  I wanted this so I could become familiar with the Department and determine how I might best help them.  I say “help them” because when I was admitted to the Home, Linda was “Interim” Chief and, to me, seemed quite overwhelmed.  I was appalled to learn that her supervisor was a cardiologist and not a seasoned social worker!  No wonder she was having challenges!

Looking back, perhaps I showed too much zeal and enthusiasm in trying to get involved and perhaps Linda just didn’t know what to do with me.  Anyway, after an initially positive meeting with Linda, things quickly deteriorated and I began to feel like persona non grata. What a shame – here after spending virtually my entire life in the helping professions, I was not going to have a chance to share my experience here at the Home.

I wish this story had a happy ending, but not too long thereafter I had a number of medical problems surface and could not put forth the effort needed to try to work out these challenges that I had with the Social Work Department.  The Social Workers still do not see new Members during the first week after admission.  Much of what I see as just basic, fundamental social work practices doesn’t get done.  I think that is a shame!

For me, well I moved on to a new adventure, but also found another way to give back.  You see, if I had not been turned away by the social work department, you Members might not have your own website, OurVeteransHomeBlurb.com!  While sad that I was not able to share my social work knowledge and expertise, I am fulfilled doing the website.  I think the website has filled a valuable need and I enjoy doing it.

As for Linda, I wish her the best.  As for you (Members), unless things have changed more than I see … well, I hope 
you do not have the need for a Social Worker in your life!  
Do, however, take full advantage of the therapy pets!

Miles@OurVeteransHomeBlurb.com.


                                            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

                                 NOT AGAIN!  (DiningRoom Problems.)
                                     (Posted 3/30/09)

It is SO frustrating yet again to have been ignored by the Dining Room Managers, Sharon Parda and Pat Schultz.  This problem goes back a couple of years and is related to letting the Members know in advance about extra charges for Guest Meals when there is a special occasion.  

Were it not for a computer “crash,” I could share with you the number of e-mails to dining room managers about problems in letting us know about Guest Meal fees in advance.  Before this website was born, I asked for notices in advance about meals for which there would be an additional charge.  Further, I asked simply that a footnote be placed on the weekly menu indicating this extra charge.  

The footnote on the menu has never happened.  Flyers indicating the special meal menu along with the price have been distributed, but not in a timely manner.  For instance, in Section D, we did not get the flyer until the Sunday prior to the meal – just a 3-day notice.  That is NOT adequate for planning, especially if family or friends are coming from out-of-town.  

So, that is the latest update about this ongoing problem, which is so easy to remedy by Sharon, Pat or the person they delegate to do this task.  I will continue to post the menu on the website as I have been doing and I will do my best to let you know about additional costs for the Guest Meals, but this depends upon how much info I receive from the dining room staff.  

By the way, the cost for a Guest Meal for the upcoming Founder’s Day lunch is $15.00.  This seems excessive to me … but that is the story for a different article!  As with several other special meals, I have elected to boycott the Founder’s Day lunch as my way of protesting being ignored by the Dining Room Managers.

PLEASE share with me your thoughts and ideas about this or other issues.  Your feedback about the Founder’s Day events will also be appreciated.

Wishing you all the very best of the Founder’s Day activities here at the Home.
~ Miles

There is a Food Advisory Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the dining room.  Members are invited to attend.

                                         ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~

Having Problems with Your Doctor
Here at the Home?
Posted 3/19/09

I have been here at the Home for just over 2 years and have heard a number of stories about Members having challenges with their doctors.  Along with this, there seems to be confusion about how to resolve challenges that a Member is having with their doctor.  Further, and perhaps the most disturbing, there is pervasive fear expressed by some that if a Member complains about their medical care, there may be negative consequences that befall them, even affecting their residence here at the Home.  Of course, this is not only unethical and immoral, it is illegal and I think it is more farce than fact.  (But if you have this fear, it is real to you.)

For me, I want a doctor that I can really trust and feel comfortable with.  I consider this person to actually be holding my health and life in their hands and I don’t want a person that I cannot trust with this.  And, for my first year here at the Home, I had that.  But then, one of the best doctors that I have ever had transferred to another unit.  The physician that I then got, by default I guess, was only mediocre at best.  While he would be okay for simple medical problems, I did not trust him for the number of complex medical challenges that I have.  In his care, I think that a number of important medical things fell thru the cracks.  This began a trek that is still ongoing – a trek to get another doctor – hopefully one that I can trust.

While it is not appropriate for me to go into the details here, I want to say to other Members that they have the right to have a competent, trusted physician.  While I am still on the path to find that, I hope that the following will help fellow Members who are having problems with their current medical care or with their assigned doctor.  

I would like to suggest a plan of action for those having challenges with their doctors:

-  First (and this may be difficult), have a conversation with your doctor about your concerns.  Since this may be a stressful conversation for you, take some notes with you so you can stay focused.  I would suggest taking with you a support person – this could be a trusted roommate, friend or relative.  Try to keep the conversation as calm as you can and attempt to problem-solve.  Remember that the doctors are here for us.

-  If you feel that the meeting you had with your doctor did not produce results or if you do not think your problems have been solved, take your situation to Dr. Julie Howe, the Chief of the ACC (Phone: 944-4660).  You may do this either in writing or you may request an appointment to speak with her.  

-   If Dr. Howe is not able to solve the problems that you are having, you don’t have to stop there.  You may also contact Dr. Michael Loftus, Director of Medicine (Phone: 944-4506).  You also have the option of contacting our Advocate, Dorothy Eliason at 944-4522.

-  I recommend trying to resolve the problems with your doctor internally or within the Home.  However, if you feel that you are getting nowhere or if you think you have exhausted the above suggestions and have still not gotten a satisfactory resolution to your problems, you may take your complaint to the State Medical Board, a consumer agency that licenses physicians and handles related complaints.  The website for the Medical Board is www.mbc.ca.gov.  Their phone number is (916) 263-2528.  The forms that you need for filing a complaint are available online.  This may take some time, but don’t give up!  You deserve the best possible medical care and if you are not getting it, there are steps that you can take to resolve the situation.

-  At some point in this process, you will need to make the decision as to whether or not you want to request a transfer to another physician.  I suggest that you take this step only after you have attempted to resolve your challenges by other means.  If you do decide that you want another doctor, make your request to Dr. Julie Howe.  I suggest that you do this in writing along with listing your reasons for requesting a new doctor.

I hope this information has been useful to you.  As mentioned before, having a doctor that you can trust is extremely important as that person has a vital role with your health, wellbeing and even your life!  Don’t continue care with a doctor that you cannot trust or who is not meeting your medical needs.

Also, keep in mind that doctors are human, too, and they have “bad” days and challenges of their own with which to deal.  So, don’t make a decision to “fire” your doctor after just one appointment that did not go well.  

While I cannot (and will not) give medical advice, if you have questions about any of the above that does not involve dispensing medical advice, I will be happy to help you in ways that I can.  I can be reached at:
Miles@VetsOrg.org.  

I want to wish you the best of luck in resolving the problem(s) with your doctor.  This should be done WITHOUT fear of retaliation.  As mentioned earlier, you are entitled to file complaints without worry of negative consequences.  This is guaranteed to you by law.Don’t be hesitant to ask for help if you need it. Good luck! ~Miles 

Remember that as a Veteran and as a Home Member, getting top-quality medical care is our right and not a privilege!



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