So, I was on a liquid diet yesterday and fasted last night and took a deep scrubbing shower with anti-bacterial soap and got up at 0530 and got everything set for the kitties to spend a night without Dad, and my friend came by at 0700 and we spent an hour (!) going the 12 miles from here through the most congested freeway interchange on the planet (US101/I-405) and crawled through traffic to get to the West LA VA hospital, and I was there on time, and all seemed well…
I must have missed the post about surgery. When you write today that “the machine is broken “ I got nervous for you. My late husband had robotic surgery to remove his prostate. He got an unrelated infection and nearly died. He came through all that to live another almost 20 years. But I’ve always wondered if the robot missed a few cells that resulted in him getting other cancers, one of which he died from.
Sandra, I’m so sorry about aspects of what you describe here. Another 20 years is wonderful and reminds me of my journey with my own husband who suffered a massive cardiac event, fatal for several others who fell victim to the same circumstance but didn’t come through… Earl lived another 20 years, including a stroke after which he persevered to be strong for us and to stay with us as long as possible… But I just want to acknowledge your story and how we can all pay attention, learn, be part of advocacy… yours is a tough story. Sending warm wishes.
Earl just worked so graciously, with such dignity, to be with us as long as he could. And we made it through so many crises, when he passed, it had felt like he’d be home by Christmas and we would just operate differently because of his condition… But that was not to be. He wanted to be here with us and for us as long as he could. Your statement is true.
Robots are more accurate than the surgeon’s hands, but it’s the surgeon that programs and controls the robot! I have had two total spinal surgeries with robotics and I credit their success to my amazing neurosurgeon. Pain is another story altogether.
Best of success wherever you go Tom! Frustrating day I understand!
So many people think that just because they are white, straight, and male they have nothing to worry about. Wrong. Shitification is setting in everywhere. When a white, straight, male vet, with some measure of prominence, and a knack for vulgarity, can get jacked around, nobody is safe. And the gaslighting sucks. Like we all walk around with that nasty antibacterial soap. Good fucking grief.
TC, how about this: the next time you’re at the VA hospital, you swap the Dilbert portrait (without getting caught of course) with one of Harris? Then fade into the background and watch the chaos unfold when the powers-that-be notice and have a full-blown tizzy fit.
Borrow someone's paintball gun, fill it with black paint, and if your aim is good, you can get a reasonable facsimile of a historical figure's signature mustache. May have to work at night on this one.
That’s up there with the worst. I would not have kept my cool! 😎 Just reading about it happening to you in LA land yet is infuriating. I’m so sorry Tom. But the model on your front porch might soften this afternoon somewhat?
Assertiveness + conscience = one powerful package. You da best, Tom! I'm not so sure I could have apologized, even once recognizing it was the right thing to do. I'm really sorry you had to manage such a mess and now have to go through all it takes to reschedule and get what you need. I hope working on your latest model helps you through.
As my best friend once said when we were driving a mountain road with her at the wheel: "Shit, F**K, dammittohell!" as she tried to brush the glowing ember that fell off her cigarette to her crotch. No harm done and not long afterward she signed up to quit smoking.
Good Lord. What a story! Your knack for storytelling makes it feel like we’re right there with you. So disjointed, unprofessional, and in no way does it match the journey you experienced from your side of it… Hope it was a good breakfast and for sure the kitties will be really glad to see you. Sharply awake, or not, enjoy some good coffee anyway. That’s always a perk. (Oh my, almost a 3rd grade pun hidden there! Haven’t seen or heard a coffee percolator in a long, long time… But I remember them well. Including the sound.) Setting to work on that model sounds like a good plan. It’s sad to hear of this brokenness. I’ve had little or nothing to do with the VA since Earl’s passing. We were always very pleased with the care and service, as it sounds like you were, at your VA facility, in times past. I’m not one to subscribe to prosaics such as ‘everything happens for a reason’ but in the long run… this will be OK. Still, sorry it played out this way. Your community here is always glad to hear from you.
The problem of Los Angeles is that it is a 21st century city with a population larger than that of the entire state when the infrastructure - particularly transportation - that it depends on was developed in the 1950s. The entire population of California didn't get to 10 million until the 1960 census; the population of LA county today is 13.5 million.
Oh, I remember the teaffic. About 15 years ago we drove through LA on our way north. For several hours, our GPS told us it was 5 hours to Santa Barbara!
Breeze brother breathe… Sorry to hear it all went belly up… Well, maybe that’s not quite the word… Anyway, hang in, hang on, hang out, hang by your thumbs!
Not really much here to "like" Tom. Terrible news about the hearing aids. That's a puzzle. Your "non-functioning machine' report is truly infuriating---the scheduling business is the same. How far "we" (USA) have fallen. Garbage at the top, garbage in the whole system. Hopefully today is the turning of the tide in the elections! Be looking for your post --- power to California
What a teller of tales you are, Tom! And what a daytime horror show. On the other hand when the cracks are showing everywhere, maybe postponement is a safer option. I keep wondering why it is old rupert's crap instead of just some decent music. Stay cool and enjoy your kitties and a new model.🐸
This. Is. Infuriating. Medical NON-system. I do hope and pray your procedure is soon, safe and most satisfactory.
Ditto what MaryPat said ❤️
Same here...
I must have missed the post about surgery. When you write today that “the machine is broken “ I got nervous for you. My late husband had robotic surgery to remove his prostate. He got an unrelated infection and nearly died. He came through all that to live another almost 20 years. But I’ve always wondered if the robot missed a few cells that resulted in him getting other cancers, one of which he died from.
Sandra, I’m so sorry about aspects of what you describe here. Another 20 years is wonderful and reminds me of my journey with my own husband who suffered a massive cardiac event, fatal for several others who fell victim to the same circumstance but didn’t come through… Earl lived another 20 years, including a stroke after which he persevered to be strong for us and to stay with us as long as possible… But I just want to acknowledge your story and how we can all pay attention, learn, be part of advocacy… yours is a tough story. Sending warm wishes.
Thank you, Katherine. I guess we both married tough old birds. :p)
Earl just worked so graciously, with such dignity, to be with us as long as he could. And we made it through so many crises, when he passed, it had felt like he’d be home by Christmas and we would just operate differently because of his condition… But that was not to be. He wanted to be here with us and for us as long as he could. Your statement is true.
Shit
Says it all.
Robots are more accurate than the surgeon’s hands, but it’s the surgeon that programs and controls the robot! I have had two total spinal surgeries with robotics and I credit their success to my amazing neurosurgeon. Pain is another story altogether.
Best of success wherever you go Tom! Frustrating day I understand!
And Oh Yeah: 4200+ critical front-line medical personnel short staffed in the VA.
Sic transit gloriam
Yes, there's the fault. The person who was supposed to call me didn't exist.
Will happen more and more, betcha
:-(
Total bummer! I am so sorry you had to go through this.
An important post.
So many people think that just because they are white, straight, and male they have nothing to worry about. Wrong. Shitification is setting in everywhere. When a white, straight, male vet, with some measure of prominence, and a knack for vulgarity, can get jacked around, nobody is safe. And the gaslighting sucks. Like we all walk around with that nasty antibacterial soap. Good fucking grief.
TC, how about this: the next time you’re at the VA hospital, you swap the Dilbert portrait (without getting caught of course) with one of Harris? Then fade into the background and watch the chaos unfold when the powers-that-be notice and have a full-blown tizzy fit.
I'd need a 20-foot ladder to get up there - I think I'd be a bit obvious.
No ladders after age 70, Tom. It's a rule.
I’ve been wanting to find somebody with an AK-47 to blast that chump billboard near me in Texas…
Borrow someone's paintball gun, fill it with black paint, and if your aim is good, you can get a reasonable facsimile of a historical figure's signature mustache. May have to work at night on this one.
(Yes, my inner child lives on.)
A younger me might have tried that. Great idea about that mustache, would say it all…
That’s up there with the worst. I would not have kept my cool! 😎 Just reading about it happening to you in LA land yet is infuriating. I’m so sorry Tom. But the model on your front porch might soften this afternoon somewhat?
Sending you hugs from the other coast.
Oh, believe me, there was yelling. Followed by apology to the guy that I was mad at the system, not him.
Assertiveness + conscience = one powerful package. You da best, Tom! I'm not so sure I could have apologized, even once recognizing it was the right thing to do. I'm really sorry you had to manage such a mess and now have to go through all it takes to reschedule and get what you need. I hope working on your latest model helps you through.
As my best friend once said when we were driving a mountain road with her at the wheel: "Shit, F**K, dammittohell!" as she tried to brush the glowing ember that fell off her cigarette to her crotch. No harm done and not long afterward she signed up to quit smoking.
Well, see? Just like Katherine said - everything happens for a reason!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smart lady
Fuckers.
Good Lord. What a story! Your knack for storytelling makes it feel like we’re right there with you. So disjointed, unprofessional, and in no way does it match the journey you experienced from your side of it… Hope it was a good breakfast and for sure the kitties will be really glad to see you. Sharply awake, or not, enjoy some good coffee anyway. That’s always a perk. (Oh my, almost a 3rd grade pun hidden there! Haven’t seen or heard a coffee percolator in a long, long time… But I remember them well. Including the sound.) Setting to work on that model sounds like a good plan. It’s sad to hear of this brokenness. I’ve had little or nothing to do with the VA since Earl’s passing. We were always very pleased with the care and service, as it sounds like you were, at your VA facility, in times past. I’m not one to subscribe to prosaics such as ‘everything happens for a reason’ but in the long run… this will be OK. Still, sorry it played out this way. Your community here is always glad to hear from you.
Sorry about your phonak, ours work great. Sorrier about icky LA traffic. And sorriest about the VA. Take care of yourself .
The problem of Los Angeles is that it is a 21st century city with a population larger than that of the entire state when the infrastructure - particularly transportation - that it depends on was developed in the 1950s. The entire population of California didn't get to 10 million until the 1960 census; the population of LA county today is 13.5 million.
Oh, I remember the teaffic. About 15 years ago we drove through LA on our way north. For several hours, our GPS told us it was 5 hours to Santa Barbara!
Sardines
Awful, sorry TC
Breeze brother breathe… Sorry to hear it all went belly up… Well, maybe that’s not quite the word… Anyway, hang in, hang on, hang out, hang by your thumbs!
Not really much here to "like" Tom. Terrible news about the hearing aids. That's a puzzle. Your "non-functioning machine' report is truly infuriating---the scheduling business is the same. How far "we" (USA) have fallen. Garbage at the top, garbage in the whole system. Hopefully today is the turning of the tide in the elections! Be looking for your post --- power to California
and LA. (Nice weather in Encino last week)
Yes, it was very nice.
Pardon my French, as we used to say..........FUCK A DUCK!!!!
What a teller of tales you are, Tom! And what a daytime horror show. On the other hand when the cracks are showing everywhere, maybe postponement is a safer option. I keep wondering why it is old rupert's crap instead of just some decent music. Stay cool and enjoy your kitties and a new model.🐸
Music beats TV in many cases, guess I should qualify that