Well Begun is Half Done
25 11 2008There have been a few bumps along the way, but altogether my experiences here at Knox have been better than I expected. Some even good. Few very good/excellent. My primary care manager has truly been a blessing, and is truly about as good a doctor as I’ve seen - military or civilian.
Overworked, and overwhelmed I’m sure, he has done his best to manage my pain and attend to my other medical needs. When a medical matter is beyond his ken, he refers me. When I ask for something or to try a certain method, he listens, and 99/100 times assents. He recognized very early on, to his credit, I am not your average junior enlisted soldier.
He’s done a great job annotating every symptom. Every change - good or bad. What works. What hasn’t. And he’s based his opinions re: prognosis, treatment plan, etc. on what’s known (rather than on ignorance as some here have done in the past). When I have a question, he answers it, regardless of how long it takes. He goes the extra mile for me. He treats me with respect, and seems to admire and appreciate my level of understanding and involvement in my treatment plan. A plan in which I am given choices regarding what will and what won’t be done. I must assume he does the same for every soldier under his care. We are fortunate to have him.
My Medical Evaluation Board was formally initiated this week. I trust, because of my primary care manager’s efforts and proficiencies, the process will move with relative speed and its conclusion will be fair. I see a neuropsychologist when I return from Thanksgiving pass. My PCM and I have already arranged a meeting to go over the neuro’s narrative to make certain all is in order.
Once complete, I’ll do two physicals - Phase I and Phase II. Then I enter the Physical Evaluation Board - a point in the process during which a disability rating is assigned based on impact of injuries and syndromes on my ability to perform my primary MOS. I have no doubts that will run smoothly and fairly too ( a belief based almost entirely on Doc F’s care). The Army needs more docs like him.
