Michael is due back in the states in just 2 short days, and let me tell you it can't come soon enough. Since my last update just about everything that can go wrong-has!
1. We found out that Brendan will have to have a bone graft in his hand. We are only waiting to find out if it will come from his wrist or his hip. We are hoping for wrist since that will mean the damage isn't as bad as it could be.
1a. Because of said surgery Brendan will not be able to get his fire fighting certification. He will still get his college credits, but he will have to basically start over to get certified because the doctor has put the cabash on any and all physical activity involving his wrist, and he put a cast up to his elbow to ensure his compliance. Well, maybe it was to stablize the wrist, and to keep it from getting any further damage, but the result is he has to comply with doctor's orders.
2. Something is wrong with my van. My guess? EGR valve, so I have to get that fixed. Cost??? Don't know doesn't really matter because it has to be fixed.
3. Windshield of Michael's car was hit by a flying rock. Normally this would result in a chip that could be repaired, but following the rules of "Michael's Gone Syndrome" the rock hit, and the windshield immediately had a crack over a foot long.
4. The Exceptional Family Member office here neglected to tell us they decided I have enough health issues of the right type to warrent enrollment in the program. No big deal, right? WRONG! Along with not telling us I was enrolled they also did not tell us that meant in order for me to move to Barkdale with my family I have to be approved by the gaining hospital. This means another physical, just 2 weeks after my last physical, and a dental appointment.
Again, no big deal excecpt for the fact that they need all of this paperwork, a meeting with the medical board, and they have to send it to Barksdale who has 14 business days to respond. Ok, I couldn't even get a dentist appointment for almost a month, and that was after begging. They were going to make me wait 2 months. When I went to turn in the dental paperwork no one was even in the office early on a Thursday afternoon, and no one would be back until Monday. This was just 9 days ago. The paperwork didn't even get sent to Barksdale until Monday or Tuesday. Michael will be home in 2 days, and I still am not authorized to travel. This is the Air Force's idea of expediting the paperwork. Good thing they are trying to hurry or I might not be able to move until Christmas--of 2012.
5. Finally, the most stress inducing situation of all, the Air Force has decided to change high year tenure. Which in a nutshell means instead of retiring in 3 years, which was the plan we were following, Michael will be retiring in 1 year, unless he makes Senior. Then we will be back to the 3 year plan. I never realized how short one year was until trying to condense 3 years of finanical and student and career planning into 1 year. I just don't think it can be done. Don't they know I am an exceptional family member? I can't handle any more stress. I mean, you would think they would take that into consideration considering it was their idea and all.
Ok, that's it. Now Michael is due home in 2 days, will be home for 3 weeks, and then he is off to Barksdale. Brendan and I are to follow in June when school lets out. Can this please, please, please be it? I am going to try really, really hard to keep out of trouble for just a little while longer. I mean, it has to end somewhere, right?
Praying for peace,
Ella
