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OK, the latest. I have resisted using any services available to veterans of the US military for 54 years. I had that “vacation” in Germany, with opportunities to visit other countries, Berlin when it was surrounded with fence and walls several times, and friends in France at the time.

Other veterans of my time  were dealing with severe war injuries. I can’t forget those who died, so  am glad I honorably served my three years of active duty when too many others were draft dodgers.

The whole thought process is complicated and just how I think about why I shouldn’t use services that men and women in my generation’s war and all that came later seriously needed more than me.

Whew! So when my physical condition warranted more help than friends could give or were available to give in the near future, I followed the dialysis nurses’ insistence that I try the available public transportation that is just around the corner from me! The veterans affairs people authorizes payment of all fees charged, the driver took care of getting the wheelchair I needed this time to get to the oncologist’s office, and he stayed in Scottsbluff till I needed a ride home. He had some chores to take care of related to his driver’s job, and showed up at just the right time to pick me up!

He answered many questions about the transportation service, too, was a pleasant fellow, and he convinced me having a wheelchair would make future trips easier since the vans have a ramp to up load passengers and their wheelchairs. I’ve looked for one already. The selection is huge!

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Getting to the appointment was conquering a mental roadblock and seeing that being a war veteran is not the primary justification one can use services available to all veterans. I recall, actually, how my brother, a US Navy veteran who served among other places in Thailand during the Vietnam War, used veteran services during times he needed transport to doctor appointments and treatments for medical issues. How could I not make the connection?

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I met Dr. Tjan and her nurse, Barb. I’ve had phone calls with Barb, who eased me through early questions and expectations. She helped me deal with confusion and stress, something I appreciate a lot! On top of it, once my driver took me to Dr. Tjan’s, she took over pushing me to the meeting with the doctor, which was when I learned she was “that Barb” who’d been so helpful and I now had a chance to thank her for all she’d done to allay my concerns up to then!

Dr. Tjan did the questions and family cancer history, my medications, and other questions. She let me know a surgeon from Regional West would see me in Alliance. At that time, I’d learn when I’d have the cancer removed from my breast and whether I’d need radiation therapy. Stay tuned.

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During the ride home, I had the low February sun warming me on one side and a wind noise on the other. The combination made it hard to stay awake.

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My cardiologist called from Rapid City. We sorted through a matter of which blood thinner I was on – none yet – and which one of two I would take. One requires lots of follow-up care, but is affordable. The other just requires taking it but is very pricey, the reason I didn’t want to take it. Dr. Bitar said he’d try to get a price break for me, though, it sounded like it would be a 30 day introductory price for a still-pricey drug. Jeez! Not to take a blood thinner is to risk a stroke. To take it might cost me financial issues!

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All in all, yesterday was a very productive day.

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What a mess! Andy needs a good brushing at the moment, but he’s a very clever kitty when it comes to avoiding me when I want to brush and detangle him.

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