Sunday, October 31, 2010

Pin Cushion or Guinea Pig?

This week we will be in Sioux Falls at the VA for a series of tests, aka poking and prodding.

Sean will have Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), a series of different breathing tests due to persistent sinusitis and repeated bronchitis along with a pulmonary sleep study.

CT scan of his sinuses, audiology evaluation, and an exam by ENT.

A colonoscopy and endoscopy.

Compensation and Pension review with mental health to evaluate his PTSD. 

Compensation and Pension review with optometry to evaluate his vision loss.

The C and P exams will be used to determine if Sean qualifies for a permanent and total disability rating.  The frustrating part for him is that these disabilities are already established and they are asking him to prove that he still has them and deserves the higher rating.

His reward for enduring all this will be a hunting trip.  We will meet up with my dad on the way home so they can go deer hunting in the Black Hills for the weekend.  No deer for Sean this year as he didn't apply for a license, but he will go along for the male bonding.  They always seem to have a wonderful time. 

Some of you may be thinking, "Is it really a good idea for a blind man to fire a weapon?"  If Sean applies for a license he just needs to designate a shooter to be with him.

Now, off to pack.

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