POLL: MORE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN?
I intend to write a post about my thoughts on the ongoing U.S. commitment in Afghanistan and the possibility of more military personnel being sent to that region. Before I do so, however, I want to know what other Americans think about the possibility of more servicemen and servicewomen being deployed overseas.
ARMY WARRIOR TRANSITION UNITS
In my last post, ONE YEAR LATER…THE SAGA CONTINUES • October 6, 2009, I stated that I expect to be “fixed” within the coming year. One of the Army resources that can help me to realize that goal is the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU). In the simplest of terms, wounded Soldiers are assigned to the WTU to do one thing only — heal.
Rather than try to explain it, I’ve provided a short 1-minute video to give you a quick snapshot of what this program is all about. I’ve also attached an article titled ‘WARRIOR TRANSITION PROGRAM_July2008’ – and yes, it is a very beneficial service resource for Soldiers with conditions requiring treatment for more than 6 months. My physician recently recommended that I be assigned to the Fort Hood (TX) WTU. A special board convenes this month to review my medical records and supporting documents, and determine whether or not I will be granted the WTU assignment.
I am anxious, yet hopeful, about this whole process. My health does not seem to be improving, and I can’t even begin to adequately explain the severity of the fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath, depression, etc, that I experience nearly 24/7. And if it seems as if I am repeating certain ailments in these last couple of posts, it is because they are ailments that now consume my time and physical abilities. I pray that I can get the chance to get my life back…
“ I am a Warrior in Transition. My job is to heal as I transition back to duty or continue serving the nation as a Veteran in my community. This is not a status, but a mission. I will succeed in this mission because…I AM A WARRIOR AND I AM ARMY STRONG.”
WARRIOR_TRANSITION_PROGRAM_July2008
ONE YEAR LATER…THE SAGA CONTINUES
More thoughts from the mind of D. Guidry
You know, the reason that I don’t update this blog regularly now is because of something I discussed in an earlier posting…I am ill…no, I’m sick.
I just realized that my last significant post was almost exactly one year ago. When I posted “GO TO THE DOCTOR…(Part II)” • September 15, 2008, I was really frustrated with all the ailments that were creeping up on me. And YES, I did follow my own advice by making every effort to see physicians regularly. Unfortunately, however, I have had a difficult time getting consistent and effective treatment. In the Army each Soldier is assigned a primary care manager (PCM), a doctor designated to provide care for that Soldier. Well I was assigned a PCM early last year, but was not seen by her until last week for the first time. Up until then I would see any doctor with whom I could get the earliest appointment…usually a different one every time. And with each visit and each new doc, I would have to start from the beginning and recap my entire medical history (or as much as I could in the short time allotted for each visit).
Because I could not see one physician regularly, that led to my care being reduced to generalizations since the docs I saw were not familiar with my medical history. Additionally, I was prescribed so many different medications because each physician would assume that the previous doctor did not give me the right meds because my health was continuing to deteriorate. So about every second or third clinic visit I could expect to be trying something new from the pharmacy. That has not been a very good experience. Another thing that would happen is that many of my docs would end up deployed overseas without having to inform patients. That became a critical issue for me when my cardiologist, who actually was helping me tremendously, got sent to the Middle East…and this is only one of a few similar occurrences. Without dragging this out, I am finally seeing my assigned PCM, and she is probably one of the most competent and caring doctors I’ve ever known in the last 19 years of my Army career.
My list of ailments is too long to detail here, but I am most concerned about my high blood pressure, hypoactive thyroid, and aortic aneurysm. But don’t worry, good things are happening and I expect to be “fixed” within the next year…I’ve got a lot of faith riding on that.
Once again I am making a promise to try and update Third Eye Vision more often. It’s really tough right now though. The thyroid condition causes me to suffer from extreme and chronic fatigue. You have no idea just how hard it is for me to be writing this at this very moment. You’d have to experience it yourself to really understand just how debilitating this condition can be. I am tired…no, I am literally exhausted nearly every moment of the day.
Thanks for taking the time to read my words…I really appreciate your interest in 3eyevision…more to follow….
3EYEVISION 