We have a date!! Jolly is finally scheduled for his barium enema procedure. The appointment is Feb 5th at 10am.
Ironically enough February 5th at 10am was when he was scheduled for his VA C&P exam for his disability claim. The VA knew this was the only time he was scheduled for anything yet for some reason without calling or communicating with Jolly they spoke to the hospital on his behalf and made the appointment. We decided we’re not gonna let these continued roadblocks stop us anymore and immediately got in touch with the C&P provider and luckily he was able to reschedule the C&P (if you’re familiar with this process you’ll know that you are only able to reschedule a C&P once before the VA will push the claim forward without the necessary exam most often resulting in a denial)…but I digress.

Following his procedure on the 5th he will meet with the surgeon on February 11th to go over the results. If everything goes right the surgeon will then schedule the ileostomy reversal surgery. Surgery will last several hours and he will spend about a week in the hospital after surgery.

After over six weeks he has still not received the referral for mental health care which continues to boggle my mind. We are also still awaiting the approval/denial of the VA caregiver assistance program and SSDI appeal.

We have been in contact with our local congressional office but there’s not been much traction other than them saying the VA is working on it. I plan to reach out again today and ask for clarification on what their plan of action if any regarding demanding accountability from the Navy and USS Boxer command over the 2016 fuel incident looks like. A few years ago members of congress were demanding accountability (USS Boxer Accountability ) yet my husband lies here fighting for his life while being gaslighted, intentionally neglected and thrown to the wayward by the VA. I mean I could literally write a book on the travesties I’ve witnessed with my own two eyes.

We live in a world where empathy is no longer enough. We must be willing to take action. If you are following along on this journey you are equipped with the tools to be an agent of change. You can write your legislators, you can make videos, you can reach out to your local news or media outlets, you can get in a car and come spend a day with Jolly letting him know he’s not alone. There are a myriad of actions you can take today that can directly impact the lives of not only this veteran family but over 1,800 others. These are all not only tangible but truly attainable. Together we can make a difference. You have a choice either fall victim to the notion that no one person can change the world or decide today that you will take the first step toward the change you wish to see. 

Stay Blessed. 

In eternal gratitude,

Ash