5/1/2007
The experience of Walter Reed Part 1.
American Soldier says,
AS Point of View
I’ve been sent to Walter Reed to receive some medical treatment. I will say that the ride was long and tiring. My wife has accompanied me on this trip. I don’t think I would have done very well if I drove alone. Flying would have been fine but not driving. So we left last week and have setup a few miles from the hospital. We are on the government rate so there is nothing fancy but the accommodations are decent.
Today I had my first round of appointments. This morning as we drove to Walter Reed it was a bit stressful. Getting to the hospital was somewhat challenging. People drive a little crazy around here. We finally made it to the grounds but were denied the first gate we tried to go in. It was open but the guards turned us around. So we went in the next gate and had no problem from there.
One obvious about the gates of Walter Reed is that the media is gone. What was once a story no longer has a voice. I won’t get too deep on that subject. Just pointing out the obvious here.
The parking garage was a very a crowded place. All kinds of license plates from around the country. I dropped my wife off at the main entrance and went to find found a parking spot. As I walked in the hospital it was a bit overwhelming. I looked around and saw fellow wounded warriors all around me. As strange as it sounds, but I felt comfortable and had the feeling you’d get after a long hike and coming into a base camp with friends around a camp fire.
My wife does not do elevators so we had to take the stairs to our appointment. Needless to say, it wasn’t on the first floor. I was a little confused about the floor numbering. They actually have half floors!
We went to one flooring only to be sent to another floor, then from one ward to another ward. Not a big deal, we made it to our appointment. The people were generally nice and receptive to our questions.I met with my case manager. She was very nice and came across like she knew exactly what to do and was going to care about making my experience a good one. We went through the routing history questions and why I was there. She explained all my appointments and even gave her opinion about the neglect I received from my former med hold situation. She just shook her head and ensured that it would not happen here.
My wife couldn’t go to my first appointment so she went off and visited the area. We agreed on a time to meet and off I went. The first appointment was a bit frustrating. They were the type of tests that assess some of the things that I know are still affecting me. I’d rather not get in complete detail.
When they were done I met my wife and we sat out front and ate some Subway subs. They have one right in the hospital and my wife being the great wife she is, got some lunch before I was done. So we found a nice shady spot and sat down to eat. We talked about the tests and a few other things and enjoyed the nice sunny day.
We had another appointment to go to and it was back on the same floor and ward. This time it was a psychologist. Again I went over my history and talked about my injuries. I was getting a bit frustrate but managed through it. I have picked up the habit of drinking more than I need to at times and I didn’t want this to be the focal point of my treatment. I told the person that although I do drink; my injuries are still going to be there. In her defense she did say that drinking isn’t real conducive to a healing brain. I fully agree with her. It is something that I am not really proud of but it is what it is.
After it was done my wife and I walked slowly off the floor and out to our car. I wanted to see a bit of the campus so we drove around it and towards the Malogne House. We will have to explore more another day. As we drove home we reflected on the day’s events and what we would be doing the next day. I am a bit nervous to find out all that is wrong with me. I just hope it can be fixed.
Mrs. AS Point of view.
Well, today was a long day for us. We were up early and ready before we knew it. I think we both had some apprehension about going to this big hospital that has taken a lot of heat lately.
We left the hotel and headed out. We didn’t talk much on the way. I think we both had a lot on our minds. Neither of us really knew what the day was going to hold. Would we get there and meet with the case worker? Would he have other appointments to attend? We just didn’t know.
Once he found a spot and we got to his appointment it was obvious that these people were going to take care of him. His case worker understood that he was different without having met him before. She did not rush him when he was trying to think of what he was trying to say, or when he was trying to remember the details of the accident. She also listened to the things I had to say about the changes that have gone on since he’s been home.
After that meeting he had to attend his next appointment alone. So we walked down to get a coffee together and parted ways from there. I went to the car for a few minutes to get my book. I thought I’d read while I waited for him. I went back to the lobby/waiting area and waited. While there I noticed so many things.
I saw lots of couples entering to get treatment for a number of injuries. I noticed one couple, younger in age. He was in a wheelchair and she was pushing him. The chair had a stick of some sort that could wiggle the chair like a steering wheel. As they were heading out the door I noticed him wiggle the chair and laugh while she told him to stop. He did it again and she laughed too. It warmed me to see this. I thought about how long it must have taken to get him ready in his uniform, into his chair, into the car, and to the hospital in time for this early morning appointment. I mean, even though he had these severe injuries they were laughing and enjoying life.
I saw similar situations through out the day. And it really makes me proud to stand by my soldier. To see all these wives and girlfriends with their soldier, when they are injured it is not always easy. But these other couples were doing it too. God has blessed their soldier with a very special person.
Anyway, we met up for lunch. It is beautiful down here! We sat in the grass and were in awe of the green. After lunch it was the last appointment of the day- the psychiatrist.
Now before we drove down here AS and I talked about his “issues”. What things had I noticed that were different, what things did he notice. We talk about these things on and off actually. But sitting there watching him talk about the thing, like his drinking, were making him noticeable uncomfortable. We had talked about this issue last week. And he is worried and recognizes this weakness. But I think it scares him to think that he is not dealing with this as he may have thought.
The woman we met with was understanding. He asked her how they could help him, and not just with this issue. She told him how they could/would help him in the long run.
Well, we both left there with a sense of peace. This has been a long year and now we are going to fix him. Going to get answers and a real course of action to help him heal. It’s going to be good.
The drive back to the hotel was spent talking about the day. This is going to be a good thing.
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10 Responses to “The experience of Walter Reed Part 1.”
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Glad things are starting off well. Thanks for the update…keep us posted. You are both in our prayers. (hugs)
Thank you for sharing your story. Your family is in our prayers.
I am so glad you are finally at a place that can help. Prayers.
Thanks to both of you for sharing your experiences. Although I realize this is difficult, it sounds like experience was more positive than expected. I hope you continue to improve in both your physical and psychological healing. Both of you will be in my prayers.
You are both strong and supportive of each other…..tht is the key to success.
I do not believe drink is a weakness (having worked in the bar and restaurant biz in my past life for about 23 years before the nursing gig)
I do think it is a habit tht tends to grow with time as one’s tolerances increase. The “have to have more to get the same effect” type thing. And there in lies the danger. “pickeling” one’s organs is never good for the healing process. Do not be ashamed or defensive—lay it on the table—and look at it…….really, only you and yer wife have the answer here.
You are a man of courage with a loving wife and family and you will succeed in yer goal to be whole again. Looking forward the pain of the past will recede…..I believe and pray it will be true!
God has given you a huge mission. To carry forward the memories and values of those no longer able. It is a terrible burden and a great gift at the same time. Would tht any of us could take some of the pain away……would tht you could feel all the love we have for you and the Mrs.
We pray for you daily. Yer blog is a gift to us and I look forward to hearing of yer life whatever it may entail…….Be well my friend.
We are all pulling for you!! God will bless.
Web Reconnaissance for 05/02/2007…
A short recon of whats out there that might draw your attention….
Just came to your site, thank you for your sacrifice for our country. I believe in the cause you were there for. If you ever come down to South Carolina I’ll buy you and your wife dinner.
Hope your healing progresses well.
Welcome home trooper I am Vietnam Vet 1st 12 Cav 68 69
Our 1st CAV Organation supports our Solders to the man
Need any help with any disabilty issues please contact use
welcome home trooper
Best wishes and hope you are doing alright!
You all will be in my prayers. Thank you doesn’t feel like enough, but it’s all I can think to say right now. God bless you both.