This is not the epic rant I planned as I have calmed down and decided a plan of action is BETTER than popping off.
For those who follow me on other social media, they know that I have been having a difficult week. MY DADDY, is in the hospital and well, he is still alive and things are more hopeful now than they were last Friday. So here is the run down.
On July 16th, my dad’s blood pressure dropped low enough that his heart nurse demanded he go to the VA Hospital in Wichita. The Emergency Room triaged him, saw he was low on potassium and basically sent him home. While he was being examined, the individual caring for him treated him rudely and his bedside manner upset my dad so much that his blood pressure skyrocketed; not a good thing for a heart patient with a pacemaker. Had he been sent on to a doctor, I am convinced his condition this last week would not be so serious.
Last Friday, the 24th, Mom called to inform me Dad was in the ICU at the VA and that his pacemaker defib had to fire (at least twice and possibly 5 times) between late the 23rd and noon on the 24th. It is certain that he would be dead without his pacemaker defib.
The findings on Friday revealed he had a blood infection and his heart attack was a result. The heart cath revealed 2 90% blocked arteries and we had 3 choices. 1. Bypass surgery at the Columbia Mo VA, 2. Stints put in at Wesley hospital in Wichita & 3. Medications.
The Columbia VA refused my dad because he is too high risk to do the by pass. They pick and choose who they want to care for basically, they are to ‘skairt’ to take care of Dad’s condition. So the heart doctor decided to attempt putting in the stints and he is scheduled for Friday the 31st. AT this point I want to ask those who pray, to pray for MY DADDY and the doctor.
I took the time to visit with some folks who work at the VA and they expressed frustrations at the overwhelming number of new vets requiring services, particularly in the mental health area. I feel that the patriotic citizens can step up and help without the government controlling things. I feel that we need to gather a team or army of mental health workers who are retired or willing to offer free services to assist the VA with evaluating the new mental health vets and perhaps provide services to those vets who don’t require extensive mental health services and leave those who do require more extensive services to the VA mental health workers.
I also think that we need to set up a work force of volunteers to help with other areas. The VA already has a volunteer work force but we can do more if we organize and take charge of caring for our Kansas veterans as the federal government is so stifled that nothing gets completed in a timely fashion. We also should be able to organize corporations to help fund things that the government is failing to get done for the Kansas Veterans Hospitals. Anyone who has any ideas needs to help me figure out how we need to organize and implement these ideas and more. The VA system services Hays, Wichita, Salina, Topeka and Kansas City. I feel that we can easily organize to help and serve the Hays, Wichita, Salina and Topeka areas. We need to take action and not just talk about it as the congress, department of defense and administration spend more time yapping and gapping with total inaction.
Anyone wanting to do something to help can send an email to mary_powell25@yahoo.com with ‘educated cowpuncher VA’ in the RE: line.
Please share this post with those who you think can help and again, thank you for the prayers as we still covet them for Daddy and the doctors, nurses and everyone who is caring for MY DADDY and all our Kansas Veterans.
Educated Cowpuncher 