Afternoon guys. Off to a funeral in Hayward when Lynn gets home from work. Oh joy. Her 52 year old cousin died.

 

That's too bad Jay.


I was almost a Chinook mechanic. I was booted by my doctor 4 weeks from graduating top of my class in AIT. At the time, I was having trouble standing and was pulled out of class for fear of falling off the air frame. When I went in, I was in too poor of shape and pushed too hard too fast by my BCT company (comprised of mostly Rangers). 2 knee scopes later, I'm better, but now I have big spurs on my femurs that are grinding on my knee caps. I'm talking with the surgeon next month for possibly doing partials with the UHMW puck on the back of my caps. We'll see if they'll consider it or if they'll waive me off as being too young (again). I'm starting to make some progress with my current ortho intern (convincing him to carve on me again), and he was active 26 years in the guard as a nurse - so he's not new to medicine and is actually a pretty good doc by me so far. He's extremely conservative on care though, so it's been a year long process getting him to understand that the chicken grease is better than nothing, but I'm still not able to be as active as I want, and walking isn't always easy with my limp after being too active for my knees current condition. I need new wheel bearings!


My care in the neurosurgery department has been fantastic. I've had some excellent residents, and the head of the department did two of my surgeries himself. Dr Lamb is a good guy, and surgeon. He also appears to run a good department there.

 

It's really great to hear they're taking good care of you. We've always heard a lot of bad things about the VA healthcare system, so it's good to hear something good.

When I left the the Army the first time in '07 I dealt with the VA hospital in Dayton, OH a few times. Not bad people, but it took months to get in to see a doctor. I went active again in '10, and I have no experience with the VA since then.

 

Yeah, the admin side is typical of a government agency, but the provider side has been very good to me. In 15 years, I've fired one GP, and that's because he and I just didn't seem to communicate well (not that he was bad, just that he didn't see where I was coming from and what I wanted to accomplish when being treated). I've had one that I really liked go off to work in cancer research, and I've had several interns/residents who've graduated to go off into the private sector (which I can't fault them for).


It's not the best healthcare on the planet, but it's better than being stuck in the Medical Assistance BS and or being taxed for not having a private policy. The people that matter, typically genuinely care about and doing right by us vets.

 

It's a disgrace that we ever hear bad things about the VA, vets deserve much better.

Thank you Tom, and Jim, for your service to our country.

 

You're very welcome. One of the proudest moments in my life was completing BCT and feeling that I earned the right to wear the uniform.


The whole experience changed me for the better.


My doctor discharging me when he did also spared me from a much worse outcome. His discretion wasn't acknowledged by me for 12 years (I resented the guy), until I learned what would've happened had my bursitis gone un-treated (with rest, as he clearly told me before filing my med board). He was looking out for me and I was too young to know it.

 

Good evening guys.

 

Good evening everyone.

 

Good evening gang!

Worked on getting the new transmission in the 7.3 tonight. All in place so now to finish up the final stuff and test drive tomorrow night hopefully.

 

Changed fuel filter and figured out how the "with lid" ones snap together, and got my "without lid" filter put in the aftermarket lid. So now I just need an oil change and a drivers door switch panel, and the rest of the stuff on the to-do list can come when I get around to it.

 

Good morning and have a tasty beverage on this last thirsty Thursday and day of March MN

 

Good morning Jim and everyone else!

 

Good morning Jim and the rest of the crew.

It's thirsty Thursday already so enjoy a cold beverage and stay hydrated.

Jim T., aftermarket filter lid? Sometimes aftermarket isn't always better. Research to make sure it fits correctly. I know the 6.0 oil filter lid needs to be stock or oil bypasses filter. I don't remember what you are working on. Good luck!

 

Good morning Dave. I see you crept in while is was typing.

 

Good morning everyone!