Good morning!  While I normally would already be at work I have a follow up today related to my years’ long struggle with chest pains so rather than waste this time I thought I would write.  In the past, my journal entries might have touched on this health issue once or twice but in the past two month the increased frequency of these pains has meant breaking down and seeking medical advice and attention.  Something veterans, like me, do not always do well.  I have had the biggest chip on my shoulder about again bringing this issue up to the Department of Veterans Affairs for consideration that they are–in fact–service connected.  I do not enjoy being “under the microscope” so to speak and I can tell you people do look at me funny when I mention I’ve dealt with this on and off again issue for eleven years now.  Currently, I am working with civilian doctors on my case and have thus far done an EKG and a stress echo….there are times I am REALLY grateful I have female providers because these tests are very personal.  When I went to complete the stress echo I was quite mortified to see I had a male technician but after speaking with him about my comfort level I had two female staff members replace him: one placed (and removed afterwards) the sensors and the other read the ultrasounds before and after the treadmill test.  My follow up with the cardiologist will be in September so I don’t have too much longer to wait for those results.

I do realize I have yet to provide a 2006 to 2016 comparison so while I am a day off, please have some patience with me.  I am also still unpacking a house of stuff to make it a home.  I am very grateful for my living arrangements but with coming home at six pm (and an ideal bedtime of nine pm) I don’t have copious hours of time during the week to accomplish all I wish to do.

Thanks again as always for your patience as I unpack my experiences (and my house!) and shed light on thoughts of other things (as they occur) going on related to our military and veteran community.

~Cheryl