We can’t thank you all enough for continuing to share and encourage others to sign the petition. I wish I had a more positive update but things remain pretty dreary here. The VA has apparently misplaced the referral for Jolly’s procedure and surgery so even though the doctor has now sent it over 3 times the referral keeps magically disappearing. His spirits are low especially because the longer they put it off the higher the likelihood of things healing too much and him not being able to have the reversal of his ileostomy. His mental health is the lowest I’ve seen it in the 8 years we’ve been together and I have to admit mine is not much better.
On top of all the medical issues we’ve got past due bills piling up and our new home we just bought is falling apart. We have an electrical issue that the city is fixing but will be tearing up our driveway to do so and we’ll be responsible for paying to have it repaved. We also now have a plumbing issue even though we just had someone out a week ago it seems they didn’t properly fix it and our finished basement severely flooded with sewage yesterday. We’ve reached out to several resources and nonprofits for help but all are tapped out on funding or don’t have the means to help. We’re at a total loss of what to do at this point. With Jolly’s health the way it is I’m his full time caregiver and finding outside work just isn’t an option right now for us. We’re trying but it feels like one step forward 100 steps back.

We did manage a little fun in the snow this weekend and made a snowman together as a family. Through all this it really is the little things that keep us going. 

Please continue to send positive energy our way and share the petition. Every signature counts and leads us towards meaningful change for every veteran living with the repercussions of being exposed to toxins during service. 

With love,

Ash