I contacted my Congressman about this because the problem may be a serious problem she's already had surgery for. She's already been called in to her CO about this & is afraid if I push for good medical care she'll get in trouble. Any ideas? Thanks.
2006-11-18 18:29:13 · 12 answers · asked by Bunny 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Her former doctor, who did the surgeries and is head of the orthopedic oncology dept at a university hospital thinks she has Chronic Unifocal Osteomyelitis or that her tumor has regrown. He's worked wonderfully with us advising on which tests she needs and doctors who would know best how to treat her... but the military sent her to a nurse practicioner instead of an orthopedist.
2006-11-18 19:10:08 · update #1
Who said she needed a CT Scan? And what was the surgery for? There is not enough information in your details. They are to vague. Going by what your saying she is IN the military so she should be part of TriWest Healthcare Alliance. If your having problems then it would be a good idea to get a consult from her Primary Care Dr to have a referral on the outside (civilian) and see a specialist and see if the specialist has the same diagnosis. If she does not get a referral she can still see an outside Dr but will have to pay for it. If she goes through TriWest, they will pay for it. There is a TriWest representative in every Military hospital. Have her talk to them. Good Luck. I have sent you their website.
2006-11-18 18:48:07 · answer #1 · answered by ncamedtech 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The way the military medical system is set up is they always drag their feet i know i am a combat medic in the army. The only way for her to get the CT scan that he needs is you have to keep on them all the time or it never gets done she will not get in trouble. When it comes to having a medical problem there is nothing that her chain of command can do to stop her. Don't try to go through her CO get her PA's number and talk to them directly then work your way up to the highest ranking medical officer in her unit. If that still does not solve it you should talk to the MP's or the CID unit and start a case of malpractice on them that will light a fire under their rear end and get things moving. I will go talk to my PA and see what he says about it and what you need to do and i will post another answer up here for you.
I hope everything works out for you and your daughter you are in my prayers.
Doc Kellen US Army Combat Medic
2006-11-19 06:39:51 · answer #2 · answered by DOC 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact Michael Moore if you dare, but a better contact might be Keith Olberman on MSNBC or McAfferty at CNN or Opra. But if you get it out in the open there will be risks, I'm sorry to say. The guys that publish Stars and Stripes might be willing to advise you. They'd be in familiar territory, I'm sure. Handling it quietly is, of course, the preferable way. Maybe a doctor with clout could help. Or the doctor that performed the surgery. Sorry, that's all I can think of.
2006-11-19 02:50:04 · answer #3 · answered by phoxee2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the doctor she has seen has decided that she does not need the CT Scan then she can always make an appointment with another doctor to get a second opinion. When she calls the clinic to make her appointment she can request someone other than her Primary Care Manager.
2006-11-19 02:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If a serious problem is involved, I wouldn't worry about "getting her in trouble." She's your daughter, for heaven's sake. Which is more important -- getting her the help she needs, or making sure she doesn't "get in trouble"?
She could be in a much worse kind of trouble -- medical trouble -- if she doesn't get proper care.
Perhaps you could have your family doctor (or whoever took care of her before) forward the relevant information to the doctor at her base. Or forward it to your daughter, who can then take it to the base MD.
.
2006-11-19 07:24:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where ever they sent her for medical care. I'm guessing the clinic at DLI. She needs to go back and ask to speak to the patient representitive, or contact tricare directly, phone or online, and work from there. She needs to be a greasy wheel and she will get she will get the help she needs. If you have started a congressional investigation someone from the congressmans office should have told you the same thing.
2006-11-19 05:13:15 · answer #6 · answered by jessica a 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I grew up a military brat and I'm now a military spouse. I've lived this my entire life. I can tell you that military medical care is sorely lacking. In all my years, of which there are 32, I've had ONE good doctor in the military. ONE!
In 2000, shortly after the birth of my first son they found nodules in my thyroid. My doctor wanted to have tests run but I was breast feeding and they couldn't do it at that time. They did run tests in 2003 after the birth of my second son. The nodules had grown but they did not think it was anything serious. Then I started having other complications. An internal med doc told me straight up she thought I had thyroid cancer. I had a surgeon tell me that it was no big deal, "It is so slow growing. If I had cancer that is the kind I'd want." Gee, that makes me feel better. They did a fine needle biopsy which was inconclusive which was later revealed they did it wrong. Later another doctor ordered a scan and the radiologist canceled it. Without knowing my history he said it wasn't necessary. I actually ended up talking with this doc in person and he told me, "Some cancers aren't meant to be found." ?!? He was bascially telling me that it was possible I had it but he didn't want to do anything about it. I was crying and explaining that I had children and wanted to get to the bottom of it. Here it is 2006 and it hasn't been resolved. I tried to console myself by thinking if it were cancer I'd have some more problems by now. But one doctor said to me, "Not necessarily. It is so slow to grow and spread." So for six years I've gotten the run around and I still don't know if it is cancer or not. I did go to the base hospital's quality control department and they helped a lot. They forced that radiologist to do the scan. They have done follow ups to make sure I'm getting everything I ask for. I went to base legal to see what my options were as far as legal action. I can file a claim against them if I see fit. My husband can't but I can. Your daughter probably has no foot to stand on in that area but she can contact quality control in the hospital and let them know what is going on. They should be able to work for her.
She shouldn't be worried about getting in trouble. This is her health and she should be able to get the care she needs. Let her handle it though. I think it is better if she handles it instead of having her parent step in on her behalf.
Hopefully she can get done what needs to be done. The thing about the military is that their doctors do not care. They really don't. They think we're all hypochondriacs with nothing better to do. They just want to slap a band-aid on everything and hand everyone a bottle of motrin and send them on their way. I have so many stories, including one woman who died, because the doctors did nothing. She complained of chest pains and they didn't even look at her. They sent her home, telling her she was just having anxiety. They ran no tests. They didn't even take vitals. She died later that night. She'd had a heart attack. I've had military ob/gyns prescribe dangerous drugs that should never be taken during pregnancy. My sis-in-law had the same thing happen and she miscarried. All of this happened in military hospitals. I've heard doctors talking about patients behind their backs. I overheard two talking about me while waiting for one of them to see my son.
Anyway, I hope your daughter gets this resolved.
2006-11-19 03:37:14 · answer #7 · answered by Amelia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why do you think if you push for medical care you will get her in trouble?? your trying to help your daughter,since when has that been a crime?? especially since you belive there may be a serious problem.
Mabey dont go through the military..just go through a hospital or a doctor.Im not to sure, but keep on pushing..parents know best!
2006-11-19 02:37:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was in the Army 6 years. I NEVER had a problem with any medical care. Is this x-ray something you think she needs or a Doctor has said she needs it & she's waiting for the X-ray department to give her? If a Dr wants the X-ray then she go's to get it.
2006-11-19 02:34:58 · answer #9 · answered by CHUCK 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Candy- Keep pushing...your daughter deserves the medical care, whatever it may be..I have seen far too often vets and military getting poor medical attention.
What a shame...she volunteered to serve..and this is how she's treated!
Remember..the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
Goodluck...I hope all is fine.
Candy- a wimp?...GMAB
2006-11-19 02:52:10 · answer #10 · answered by kissmybum 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋