How do I get my husband home from deployment, to take care of our child while I go threw medical testing?

Question

So my husband is deployed in Iraq on a 15 mth tour. I need him to come home from Iraq to take care of our two week old daughter while I go threw more testing on my brain and head. I started testing before I got pregnant but had to stop until my child was born. Now I need to go back to the neurosugeon and have more testing and possible surgery for a AVM in my brain. How do I get my husband home for the rest of his tour to help assit in takng care of our child until all my testing and possible surgery and recover are done? What do I need to do, I am not looking for him to just get emergency leave I need him home on rear d. Please someone point me in the right direction of information.

Answer 1

red cross

Answer 2

Going to the RedCross first will not accomplish anything.

You need to speak to your doctors and as others have said get documention that this is a life threatening condition. Then take that and proof that you have no other viable childcare options (don't be surprised if the FRG, Neighbors and even Foster care are presented) to the RD Commander. Sit down and really talk to him, don't present a sob story but a level headed explanation of what you need. Again be willing to accept help OTHER than your hubby! Then if you need surgery you will have a stronger leg to stand on.

If the command feels it's necessary/you show enough proof and are willing to work with them for the testing they will contact the CO downrange and help you with the Red Cross to get him home for a time. Again don't be surprised if it's only for a few days before surgery and the doc's determined convalescent time after surgery. He may not stay home until the end of the unit's deployment but at least he'd be there for that time.

Contact the FRG and let them know you need help, especially the CO's wife. It may not be your favorite option but that's what they're their for and you might make a lifetime friend out of the deal!

Speak to the unit Chaplain/RD Chaplain as well and ask him for help. But don't get your heart set on hubby being home at this point.

This may sound really harsh but it's reality. So be realistic about it and don't DEMAND him home unless it's absoloutely necessary then utilize the chain and don't jump it unless you have to. If you have to then by all means do so but make sure you've done everything else first unless it truly is a life threatening situation or you will just embarass yourself and hubby. (Don't contact your representatives yet! They will want to know if you have done all the above or not). Remember that there are hundreds of women going through similar situations and they can't possibly send everyone home for every situation that arises. I know it's tough but you can do it!
Best Wishes

Answer 3

It may not be possible. if the military decides you have family that is capable of doing so, they will tell you that is what needs to happen. by the same token, the Command may decide that is can be handled by local friends and members of the command already left in Rear D.

somethinga s serious as this should have been discussed before he left. If it was deemd safe for him to deploy, they probably will not be as willing to send him back now that he is already there.

at the very least, use the American Red Cross system that is set up for this sort of thing. Your doctor will need to fill out all the paperwork necessary, and make a recommendation that your spouse be allowed to come home. but ultimately, it is up to the Command, and I seriously doubt, that if they wouldn't let him stay behind in the first place, they will allow him to come home for an extended period.

Answer 4

I truly DOUBT that the military will just let your husband come home while you are having the tests... HOWEVER, once surgery is scheduled, there should be no problem getting him hardship leave---BUT, once you are back on your feet, he will have to go back to Iraq.... unfortunately, it looks like this war will be a long one.....You will probably have to have notorized documentation from your doctors as to diagnosis and when the surgery will likely take place... THEN, once you have that information IN YOUR HANDS, take it to the RED CROSS and tell them your husband HAS to be home....... the military isn't too happy about letting their soldiers come home for MUCH, and they MIGHT even turn you down ---ESPECIALLY if you have family readily available to come help you out....(and they probably already know if you do or not)... but, no harm in trying....

Answer 5

Obviously contact the red-cross (call them up to find out if you qualify) but you should have had prior documentation before he left.

My neighbor is going through cancer treatment and her husband was allowed to stay home from deployment to stay with her during the treatment and once she is cleared from the physicians he will follow the unit to Iraq but that was a life or death situation.

If you were allowed to hold off for the time you were pregnant then it must not be life threatening. Though if your doctors can vouch for the necessity of him being home they will understand that they will have to give the red-cross the information they need for the process to start, but I hate to say it but don't count on it to go through, DO the paper work you need to do, but try to find ways to get by day to day. Call the new parent support program on base, they are really great. Also contact your reat det. commander or FRG to find out if you have the 5 hours of free child-care a month while your spouse is deployed. You need his orders with his name on it to use the hourly care and there are other times it is available too, its called GWOT. You will have to register with the post CYS center as well but the fees are waived when you have the orders with your husband's name on it.

Answer 6

You'll have to address that one to uncle sam.

I am guessing that your testing is being done by military docs. If I'm correct, then you need to wrangle the docs over to your side, as they will be able to throw some weight around with the higher-ups to get hubby home.

No promises, though, and I'm sure they'll tell you the same. You may want to look into alternatives. Do you live near any family or close friends? If not, can you go to them? Could some other military wives/hubbies/army brats help you out? Does your insurance policy offer any type of in-home care?

Hubby's not out on a pleasure cruise, you can't just "make him come home", unfortunately. You'll have to use your wits for this one. Throw your weight around and make all the noise you can.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Contact the Family support unit for your husband's unit. Get a hold of the Red cross. Call your senator and congress man. Your doctor will have to make out a medical emergency report for you . Send a copy to all of the above. You should contact the unit Headquarter's stateside. I watched a program on the Military channel where a soldier was granted emergancy leave due to his dad having a heart attack.

Answer 8

Your Dr. contacts the Red Cross / So do you
You contact the 1st Sargent
Your Husband applies for Hardship leave/discharge
Both of you contact your Congressman

Plan B. Get your family to help if all the above fails

Good Luck with your problem I hope everything turns out fine.

Please Support Our Troops and Civilian Contractors

Answer 9

Red Cross and hardship discharge. Though be ready for a fight. My brother got out of the army in 2003 and yet he was reactivated in 2006 and won't be back from Iraq til late 2008.

Answer 10

Sorry for your troubles but your husband is busy, you surely have other family to take care of the child, what can a husband do with a two week old daughter? A nurse or some other woman will have to be there to supervise him and what he does.

Answer 11

Start with the Red Cross.