Harmonie finished packing up the car, we talked about if we needed anything else and then got in the car. The trip was finally underway.
As we left Las Vegas, the excitement was racing through us. We couldn’t believe we were finally heading down to a major University for medical treatment. It’s something we had waited over six months for. The drive down seemed to go by quickly. We stopped for lunch about half way, just long enough to stretch our legs and eat, then continued on.
When we entered the Los Angeles valley, the usual southern California traffic became a nightmare. We fought traffic and made it to the hotel and got settled in. We stayed at the same hotel where we went for our one year anniversary, the Travelodge Santa Monica . We like to stay there because they have a full kitchen in the room, so we don’t have to waste money eating out.
We decided to call it a night early, greatly anticipating the next day’s appointment. We tossed and turned all night. When the alarm went off in the morning, we had only gotten minimal sleep. Our adrenaline was surging. We might finally be at the doctor that can help me walk again. We loaded the car back up and took the short five minute drive to the clinic.
We got to the building and took the elevator to the second floor. We checked in and filled out some paperwork. We were called back fairly quickly so we took that as a good sign. The nurse took my vitals and then we waited.…
And waited.…
Finally one of Dr. X’s resident doctors came in and started inquiring about my pain and what I was exposed to in Iraq and Afghanistan. He seemed intrigued by everything and told us that we had come to the right place and they would be able to help. He left the room to go confer with the doctor and again we waited.
After a little while Dr. X walked in. Wearing a pin striped suit with purple socks, he momentarily seemed very nice. Until he started talking.…
He proceeded to tell us the following things:
So as you can see, these things didn’t make Harmonie and I very happy. Now, let me cover these from my point of view and from what I have been told from five previous doctors:
I would just like to add this is the fifth doctor we’ve been to over the last six months. My physicians have watched these “tumors” grow and the detriment it has had on my ability to walk. Everyone who has been involved in my case agrees that these growths are abnormal and need to be biopsied and researched further. It has only been due to the high risk of performing surgery on me that others have been unwilling to do so. However, no one has had the audacity to simply pretend there is no problem.
To say the least, our trip to UCLA was a complete bust. We got no help whatsoever. This doctor may as well have told me that I should be able to get up and run around. I rolled out of there completely disappointed with the feeling that we were taken advantage of. At the end he said he wanted me to come back in a month.
If there is nothing wrong with me, WHY WOULD I NEED TO COME BACK IN A MONTH?????
Sorry, but I had to vent my frustration. I even went to the appointment guarded, but nothing could have prepared me for the ridiculousness of Dr. X.
If you have any questions please leave a comment or get a hold of me through the contact page. I look forward to hearing your responses!
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