Tomorrow marks 2 weeks since Jolly was supposed to have his procedure to see if he will be able to have reversal surgery for his ileostomy. We are STILL waiting on the referral from the doctor to be approved by the VA. The only news we’ve received since my last update is that we were denied the VA housing grant to help make our driveway and home more accessible for Jolly. Spirits are low here in our home. Jolly still hasn’t received mental health care from the VA and has called numerous times but keeps being told the referral is “pending” for mental health. This is why we lose 22 veterans a day. Today our phones were shut off due to being not even a full cycle late. We’re working to get that resolved but it’s a process. The progress on the petition has slowed almost to a complete halt and the messages of encouragement and support have all but stopped entirely. Right now this feels like an unwinable battle and I’m not sure our family has the strength to keep pushing forward on our own but we’re trying. I apologize for the dreary update but I think honesty and transparency in this journey is imperative. I hope the next update I’m able to share will bring more positive news. 

-Ash