Day 53 - Aug 23

UGH!!!!  What a day!! :(  Emotions have been everywhere today--excitement, pain, frustration, happiness, anger--and the list goes on and on. :(

After formation this morning, we headed over to PT.  They added weights to Jake's ankles during the exercises today to start building up his muscles again.  It was quite painful for him, but he knows that it's a step that he needs to take.  We then headed over to see Sgt. to get the final con leave paperwork so that we could go back to the hospital to get our flights worked out. 

Sgt. didn't have good news for us. :(  The commander will not sign Jake's leave form because his dental profile is amber--which means that Jake has to get a dental exam before he can leave.  We can't believe this!  A dental exam to go home??  Come on.  He's going for a vacation and is coming back.  Why can't he get the exam when he comes back here?? 

I am so frustrated. 2 1/2 weeks ago, during inprocessing, the dental guy told Jake that his dental profile was green--which means that he was fine and didn't need an exam -- and, that he didn't need another exam until January 2011.  So, what happened in these past weeks to change his assessment!!?? 

We then headed over to dental to get a form stating that he was green.  The lady at the desk listened to Jake's plea and asked him if the man who signed his inprocessing paperwork was a civilian.  Jake replied that he was.  She just bowed her head and shook it.  Not a good sign!!  She told Jake that he needed to come back early tomorrow morning because he does need the exam.  Oh boy. 

We also went and saw his Nurse Case Manager about other questions and issues about Jake's leave.  That was another run around--no answers to any of our questions--just more questions. :(  It was so confusing and so frustrating!!  Jake has been having some issues with pain this past week and has been trying to get answers and help for the pain.  There was a huge miscommunication about Jake's pain meds, which ended up with something being changed, which has caused this increase in pain.  So, the nurse case manager made an appointment with a nurse practioner to get Jake some relief.  The appointment was a total joke! 

She said that she couldn't do anything because the pain doctor wrote the script and he has to be the one that makes the changes.  UGH!!!!  Jake has been in tears all morning because of this whole issue and his eyes filled up again when he heard this.  All she could do was to increase the dosage of a sleeping pill to try to help him sleep better.  Once again, no help for the pain.  She did offer him a shot that would help him the rest of the day but Jake refused it because it wouldn't help him when he needs it the most--at night.  So, Jake has to wait until Wednesday when he has an appointment with the pain doctor.  Two more nights of awful pain. :( 

Jake's frustration level is very high today.  My heart goes out to him. :(

The best part of the day?  We went upstairs to see Matt (Jake's inpatient physical therapist) and to give him some gifts from VT. :)  This was the first time that I saw Jake smile, laugh, and joke around all day.  It was great to see those two kid around with one another again. :)  This visit was exactly what Jake needed.  Thank you, Matt!!

Hopefully Jake will get a good night's sleep tonight and have a better start on the day tomorrow.