[madisgram]

hi pc friends,
just got back from admitting david again for psychosis. frustrated with the VA right now. they put a band aid on a big problem and now he's back to where he was when i took him about a week ago for the same problem. i'm getting better with coping thru this than i did last time. will get a good nite's rest and finally eat today...it's 1030 pm here and i haven't had a bite all day. but not depressed or anything OR mad at david. he's just not well at all. i'll just keep on banging on doors until the VA gets it right. no need for me to elaborate. schiz. can be difficult to manage i realize.
talked with son tonight on the phone when i got home. he hasn't had therapy, thus not the coping skills i have learned and am leaning on right now, to get me thru this mire. so son's frustration level at va is peaking right now. sometimes i feel like i'm trying to fix this over here and another thing pops up over there. glad i still have my sense of humor. i feel like putting on a red fire hat and go put out fires. seems i'm getting lots of experience in that department lately.
so just hugs will do if ya got one to spare. you all have stood behind me already on my caretaking dave.

[Safron]

madisgram,

I'm new and I'm good at leaving hugs around the place.

{{{hug}}}

Stay strong and stay above the battles and take care of you.

[Capp]

((madisgram))
you are in my thoughts
please take care of you

Peace and Power,
Cap

[Berries]

((((((((((madisgram))))))))))

[pegasus]

Gosh I can't believe they let David out so soon after what happened before!

I guess the only good thing you can take from this is that they won't let him out of there again until he is more stable. You can point that out to them if they try to discharge him early.

I'm so sorry you are going through this again but you are strong! So glad you can still smile!

Hugs ((((((((((((( madisgram )))))))))))))

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by pegasus

Gosh I can't believe they let David out so soon after what happened before!

I guess the only good thing you can take from this is that they won't let him out of there again until he is more stable. You can point that out to them if they try to discharge him early.

I'm so sorry you are going through this again but you are strong! So glad you can still smile!

Hugs ((((((((((((( madisgram )))))))))))))

thanks peg...what a very kind response. yes, my sense of humor saves many a day!!! seems that the VA minimizes the mental health situation, puts on the "band aid" and sends the patient home. my son and i are problem solvers...maybe it's genetic, jk, and we've decided if they don't zone in on the solution this time we will go up the "chain of command". it's not only david that may not be getting sufficient treatment, many older vets, and now many new vets from iraq needing help. so if we need to, we will report this problem and in turn perhaps many people will benefit, not just david. with my son being caeer military it has enabled us to know how to go about the reporting and to whom.he even knows personally some of the "muckity-mucks" up the chain.
with my having a mental health condition it enables me to pinpoint the problem better also. i got excellent help in 1991, thank goodness, and know that quality mental health care can be done resulting in a more functional patient.

[hurtingintn]

(((((madisgram))))) dont forget in all this to take care of yourself also

[rappacinisgarden]

((((madisram))))



Rap.

[Junerain]

Here's to quality mental health being done!! I feel it has been done for myself as well! Some things ARE truly good in this fallen, crazy world.

[kebsfroggy]

Originally Posted by madisgram

thanks peg...what a very kind response. yes, my sense of humor saves many a day!!! seems that the VA minimizes the mental health situation, puts on the "band aid" and sends the patient home. my son and i are problem solvers...maybe it's genetic, jk, and we've decided if they don't zone in on the solution this time we will go up the "chain of command". it's not only david that may not be getting sufficient treatment, many older vets, and now many new vets from iraq needing help. so if we need to, we will report this problem and in turn perhaps many people will benefit, not just david. with my son being caeer military it has enabled us to know how to go about the reporting and to whom.he even knows personally some of the "muckity-mucks" up the chain.
with my having a mental health condition it enables me to pinpoint the problem better also. i got excellent help in 1991, thank goodness, and know that quality mental health care can be done resulting in a more functional patient.

You are so right madisgram, Americans need to shake up a lot more than just the oval office. For some reason, our country sends of forces into battle without reservation. Then when they come home broken and torn send them home and expect them to just resume their lives. There is a great percentage of vets young and old among our homeless. Why as Americans do we allow this to happen.

Oh dear, sorry, I'll leap down from my soap box.

You have such amazing coping powers to still retain your sense of humor. I know I would be a basket case for sure.

Just keep knocking and knocking and knocking. With your determination I'm sure david will get the help he needs.

I have 2 sons who are career service men. I guess I'm lucky as they are both Navy.

Good luck and keep fighting.

[AAAAA]

The VA system in this country is absolutely criminal. I get so angry when I think about it so I try not to. We have it better here, small town, with the major VA hub within less than an hour. I'm so happy that David has you to bang on those doors. If you don't get the answers you want, whip off an email to your representatives. It's sad to say but dealing with the military it is the squeeky wheel that gets the grease.

It's an incredible thing you're doing. You are restore my faith in humanity.

[notz]

My friend, if you carry a purse please put some snacks in there to tide you over for long days like the one you just had. Nuts carry well as do granola bars, etc. You know what I mean!!

You are a rock! Family lucky to have you!

notz

[Sannah]

Jan, so glad to hear that you are in a better position mentally/emotionally this time around! I am sorry that David is not stable though .

[kittykins9]

Madisgram!!

I just keep thinking how good it is that you do have all those coping skills, though it must feel at times that you're at your absolute limit.

I sending good thoughts your way, strength for the journey.

Kitty

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by kebsfroggy

You are so right madisgram, Americans need to shake up a lot more than just the oval office. For some reason, our country sends of forces into battle without reservation. Then when they come home broken and torn send them home and expect them to just resume their lives. There is a great percentage of vets young and old among our homeless. Why as Americans do we allow this to happen.

Oh dear, sorry, I'll leap down from my soap box.

You have such amazing coping powers to still retain your sense of humor. I know I would be a basket case for sure.

Just keep knocking and knocking and knocking. With your determination I'm sure david will get the help he needs.

I have 2 sons who are career service men. I guess I'm lucky as they are both Navy.

Good luck and keep fighting.

hey krebs, i'll join you on that soapbox!!! yes, and we're "knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door" as we speak!!! as my military son said, the most effective way to get results is going up the "chain of command". HOWEVER, he works at CENCOM and does have an in with the generals plus their email addressess'. it's a shame all vets don't have the same cause there would be a whole lot of shakin' going on, don'tcha think?
i will keep y'all posted and thanks for your uplifting reply, froggy#1., from froggy #2.

[kebsfroggy]

Just this morning on the news they reported that 1/3 of homeless are vets. I agree with AAAAA, our VA system.

You here all the time about what strides they are making in limb replacements and such. However, they forget to mention how unsuccessful their treatment is for vets with mental illness.

Just one more example of how broken our system of government is.

There are bright spots here and there, this morning on CNN/HLN they interviewed a vet who has now dedicated to helping is fellow vets left homeless.

I am so glad your son has some extra pull. That sometimes is the only way to make things happen

Please keep us posted on David's progress.

[lou99pop]

(((((madisgram))))) hugs to you

[CalmCarl]

(((((madisgram)))))

Take care of yourself too!

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by kebsfroggy

Just this morning on the news they reported that 1/3 of homeless are vets. I agree with AAAAA, our VA system.

You here all the time about what strides they are making in limb replacements and such. However, they forget to mention how unsuccessful their treatment is for vets with mental illness.

Just one more example of how broken our system of government is.

There are bright spots here and there, this morning on CNN/HLN they interviewed a vet who has now dedicated to helping is fellow vets left homeless.

I am so glad your son has some extra pull. That sometimes is the only way to make things happen

Please keep us posted on David's progress.

thannks, krebs, but the wheel turns slowly. my son and i were talkin' about all this the other nite...most vets don't have advocates...the pdocs also said the family member just drops the mentally ill vet off at the door. course i think now we're their (pdocs) worse enemy, chuckle, cause they can't shake us loose.... anywhooo, we talked about the fact that what we are doing to make it happen for david, should be done for all vets. we're hoping to make a difference. first tho we have to make sure dave gets the help he deserves then we'll tackle the other issue...it's deplorable and no one cares it seems. one vet in the ER said, they don't take care of their "own". we already have new vets coming home from iraq, wounded souls, who also won't be heard... vietnam revisited. homeless heroes. it is so sad.
i hope i have the physical and mental fortitude to help make change occur. i feel committed to do this. i just hope i can and caretake dave too.
my son this morning called the pdocs caring for dave. he asked them, do i have to get the IG involved for you to hear me?!!! there's so much more to this lone story. gosh knows all the horror stories i/we am not aware of. it's time we as americans hold our government accountable, jme.
thanks for u're support, krebs.

[Capp]

((madisgram))

my mind is off on a tangent, but sometimes good comes from a restless mind...
I agree with the sentiments everyone has expressed so lovingly

now...jmo
You can't be pulled two ways. I understand how you feel about the care of other vets, but tread slowly, not necessarily softly, so you will get the most out of any effort you make...
When you are concentrating on David's care, I'd like to suggest you keep a record of absolutely everything...in a prominent notebook. If asked about it then reply it's so you don't misunderstand any instructions.
There should be no objection from anyone when/if you do this.
Notate the date/time/place/any and all people who have contact with you/David/son. Do the same thing if it's a telephone call. Details are important, no matter how small they may seem to you.
#1 It will help you keep track of your own experiences with the VA.
#2 a pattern will begin to emerge that will show how the VA people are handling things. With details that can be matched with who was on the schedule that day along with signatures that are required for any type of treatment/testing, it gets easier to spot discrepancies.
When you are able you can transfer your data into a Word document, or whatever program you use.

Years ago there was a shake up at the VA hospital at Tuskegee...cleaning it up and getting problems solved took little time after the details were made public.
The stink about Walter Reed and the conditions there? An investigative reporter...
Ditto Ft. Lewis in Washington.
These reporters love detailed accounts of mismanaged care, and they have the power to bring it to the attention of the public. The higher ups dance very fast when the fire is lit.
Another plus is they always double check the facts...theirs matching yours is a powerful tool.

The hardest part for you is keeping the detailed records. It's something you are most likely doing for David anyway, this way it can end up helping other vets.
Honestly? Keeping track of David's care can be the seed, but please don't think it's your "duty" to do this if you are worn out.
There are enough of us already on the attack to keep it going...it is harder now because of the economic disaster that has battered our country.
The most important thing on someone's mind might be putting food on the table, and their energy won't stretch to cover vets and their lack of care...

We will not forget nor will we give up
a motto we use

Cap