Post OCS: Orthopedist

Some good news to report. The MRI took place on Friday late afternoon (but boy that took some finagling and it almost didn't happen even up to the last minute). Unfortunately, the films will be sent to the base where one of their radiologists will write up a report and send it over to the orthopedist. Sadly, I have little faith that this will ever happen, the base hasn't exactly been timely or competent up to this point.

The orthopedist appointment is on Wednesday afternoon and we will have to pick up a copy of the MRI (films minus the report) that morning to bring with us to the orthopedist. Monday and Tuesday will be busy with phone calls as we try to get all the x-rays and reports taken by other people sent over to the new physician for his review.

Progress....

Post OCS: Hip MRI

I thought I would quickly update and let you know that very little progress has been made since I last posted. Matthew still hasn't seen a specialist and his pain medication runs out tomorrow. The red tape is so thick I am beginning to doubt he will ever see anyone. The hold-up seems to be in the referrals...they just can't seem to get it right. The referrals either weren't ever put in (what?) or they were for the wrong body part (double what?) or they were for a doctor on base (which we don't have access to).

The only progress that has been made is that we have an appointment for an MRI tomorrow for his hip. An MRI seems rather pointless at this point without having a doctor to send it to but I guess it is a small victory. They are still working on an MRI referral for his foot and a referral for an orthopedist.

I am distraught to say the least. He is in pain and will be in more pain come this weekend without any medication and no one at the base or the Marine office seems to care. For them this is all "business as usual" but for me this is my husband who sacrificed his body for his country. The least they could do is fix him.

I never thought I would say this, but I miss the days of Cigna.

Post OCS: First Dr. Appointment

The Staff Sergeant from the Marine Corps Officer office picked Matthew up at noon this afternoon for his first appointment at Davis Monthan at 1:00. I couldn't take him since I don't have base privileges. At around 1:3o, I got a call to come to the visitors center so the Staff Sergeant could sponsor me on base to take Matthew to his actual appointment at 3:00. Apparently some wires got crossed about the time.

We saw the doctor right on time and she and Matthew discussed his ailments (hip, foot and now left leg). She was extraordinarily nice and soft spoken and sent us over to the Referral Management Center. Apparently, in order for Matthew to see specialists it must be coordinated by the Referral Management Center and approved by...well someone? He has been referred to see an orthopedic specialist and to get an MRI of his hip and foot. We should get approval in about 7-10 days. It is still up for debate whether he will be able to see civilian specialists or if he will continue going on base. I fear all this waiting will be detrimental to his overall health, as he is already noticing a loss of mobility in his leg which he still had just a few days ago.

He was able to get an x-ray (this afternoon) of his left tibia (shin) for an egg-sized protrusion right on the bone. We should get something in the mail regarding the results of the x-ray in about 3-5 days. In the meantime, she did prescribe some pain medication to get him through until the other appointments can be made.

I cannot describe to you how difficult it is to work within the confines of a military operation when you have no experience doing so. I was simultaneously overwhelmed and frustrated by the experience. We were bounced from office to office, building to building for almost 2 hours. On top of that, we don't have military ID's and Matthew was Marine Corps and not Air Force, which also complicates the situation. I hope it will get easier from here, but something tells me that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

OCS: NPQ

Approximately two weeks ago, Matthew completed the obstacle course where he hurt his left hip. He didn't think much of it at the time but the following day he completed Fartlek training, which was extraordinarily painful. About a week later he completed a 5 mile run where he hurt his right foot. In hindsight, it was probably the bad hip that caused the bad foot.

This past week he completed the Confidence Course and a 3-mile 'Boots and Utez' run in 23 minutes. During both events, the Sergeant Instructors commented on his limping and eventually ordered him to the doctor.

On Wednesday morning he reported to the doctor where they x-rayed his foot and diagnosed sprained tendons and was put on light duty.

On Thursday morning, he reported back to the doctor for a follow-up where they x-rayed his hip. The Navy Lieutenant doctor said there wasn't a problem, and after some discussion allowed Matthew to return to full duty to complete the Land Navigation Course.

The Land Navigation Course required a 3-mile march to the course when a candidate slipped on ice and Matthew tripped over him, where his leg made a horrible popping noise. He was unable to walk so he was vanned up to the Land Nav course which he aced!

During the Land Nav event the Sergeant Instructors took no mercy, saying things like:
"Old Man River broke his hip"
"What are you, 70?"
"Easy Target"

After Land Nav he was vanned back to the barracks.

On Friday morning, he returned to medical where a civilian Physical Therapist reviewed the x-rays taken earlier in the week. She discovered 2 bone fragments that were formerly part of his hip free-floating away from his hip and the same for 1 bone fragment in his foot. The radiologist had also seen these fragments and had made notations, so why the first doctor didn't see these results is a mystery. She confirmed Matthew was NPQ (not physically qualified) and should be sent home.

By 6 p.m. on Friday night he was on a plane, heading to Dallas. By 11:30 p.m. he was at Tucson International Airport and by midnight he was standing on our door step. What a complete surprise for all involved!! I had no idea he was coming home!!

We are now in the process of setting up doctors appointments for a fractured hip and foot, all expenses being covered by the United States Marine Corps. He is expected to be unable to work for approximately 8 weeks and that is only if he doesn't have surgery to remove the fragments.

His hip continues to make horrific popping noises and his only souvenir from this crazy adventure -- crutches.

OCS: My Handsome Marine Candidate

I received an email this evening with a link to head-shots of all the Marine candidates. Matt had told me that they had taken them, but he didn't know why. Now we know! I have the opportunity to order copies, if any of you want some.

8 x 10 = $30.00
5 x 7 = $20.00
11 x 17 = $50.00
8 wallets = $30.00

There is a limited time on these images, so please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible. Also, please specify which image you would like, the left or the right.

OCS: Confidence and Obstacle Course

http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/?dest=ccoJ

OCS: Second Phone Call

Hi everyone, just wanted to check in with you all and let you know that I heard from Matthew last night and again this morning. He is doing better this week, he went to sick call on Friday and they confirmed by x-ray that he has bronchitis. The doctor prescribed something like 9 different medications to get him on the road to recovery. He certainly sounds better and coughs less than the last time I spoke to him.

He decided to leave base after all this weekend because his bunk-mate finally got off of probation and really wanted to leave. They stayed at a hotel last night and had amazing Greek food at a little place down the street from the hotel. He ate until he was stuffed and then back at the room ate more cookies. Amazing!! This afternoon he crashed at the Harbor House (which is a house, but not near a harbor) and had snacks and watched movies.

This past week was really tough on all the guys, and some candidates were cut (voluntarily and not voluntarily). His platoon now has 54 guys (down from 75). Starting this week the upper chain of command will start holding "boards" where they will continue to dwindle the number of candidates down. On his agenda this coming week is the confidence course and the Tarzan course.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers this week, as I know he could use the encouragement. This process has been mentally and physically exhausting but he is half way done!

OCS: Combat Course

This course and the water obstacles look absolutely horrific. Check out all the ice and snow!
http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/?dest=ccoG

OCS: Small Unit Leadership Evaluation

http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/?dest=ccoI

OCS: National Museum of the Marine Corps

I cannot wait to see this museum next month!
http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/?dest=ccoH

OCS: First Phone Call

I was shocked last night around 11:15 p.m. when I got a call from Quantico. Matthew earned liberty which lasted from last night until 7 p.m. Sunday. He wanted me to apologize to everyone that he didn't have time to call each individual person but he was still expected to accomplish a great deal...even during his "off" time.

The Highlights:

1. He had a cold, which turned into bronchitis, which is now a sinus infection. He sounds horrible but he says that has more to do with all the yelling and less to do with his illness. They do have medical personnel on staff if he gets much worse.

2. He was able to leave base, so he and a buddy booked a room at the Comfort Inn about 30 minutes away so they could sleep in warm beds and take long, hot showers. Next weekend, if he gets liberty, he plans to spend it at a place on base called the Harbor House. It is run by the church and it is a place for the guys to decompress, relax, talk on the phone, and get free meals.

3. During the entire phone calls (both last night and this morning) he was eating. He ate cheese sticks, a chicken flatbread sandwich, ice cream, candy bars, nuts, and Cheetos...just to name a few. He was completely insatiable.

4. He is doing very well on his tests! Approximately half of his platoon is on probation because they failed the tests. If you fail, no liberty!

5. He is getting along with every candidate except one. This particular guy speaks nicely to his face but speaks horribly about him to the upper chain of command. Matthew is very unhappy with this particular situation.

6. Four guys have already decided to opt out of further training come Wednesday when they are officially allowed to drop out. There are a few others that he speculates will be cut around the same time.

Overall, he sounds exhausted and hungry. He commented that a lot of what they have him do is "stupid" or "ridiculous" but he hasn't wavered and he is working very hard. I really think he is picking up on the culture and necessary strategies of Marine Corp officer school.

If all goes well this week he will have liberty again next weekend, starting on Saturday night and extending into Sunday. I will keep you updated!

OCS: Fire Team in the Offense

Finally more photos, but no hubby.
http://www.ocs.usmc.mil/?dest=ccoF

OCS: Letter 6

Matt had warned me that I probably wouldn't hear from him for awhile so the next day I was super surprised to find another letter from Quantico.

The Highlights:

1. Liberty starts on Saturday evening and runs through Sunday afternoon. I may get a chance to talk to him on the phone!!
2. It is cold (anyone else noticing a theme?) Since he is in 4th platoon, they are the last to do everything which means they spend more than their fair share in the cold weather.
3. He swam through a water hole which had previously been covered in 3 inches of ice wearing his cammies, a cartridge belt, 2 canteens, a load bearing vest, a Kevlar helmet and his rifle. Afterwords he ran a couple miles back to the barracks. He said it was the most physically painful experience of his life.
4. He loves chow time! (again, noticing a theme?)
5. He currently is suffering from a cold, like everyone else in his platoon. He says it sounds like Kennel Cough
6. The obstacle course is made for people much taller than he is. There is an instructor, however, who is shorter than he is which is encouraging for him
7. His first request: UA basketball scores (which I sent him this morning)

The Menu (what he ate on Saturday 1/22/11):

Breakfast: Frosted Flakes cereal, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, yogurt, banana waffles and a giant cinnamon muffin

Lunch: ham and cheese sandwich (with mayo and mustard), 2 hard boiled eggs, a bag of chips, 2 cookies, a box of raisins, and an orange

Dinner: an apple, lasagna, chocolate cake, rice, chicken noodle soup, potato salad, green beans and a dinner roll

This is just an amazing amount of food for him. In addition, he is eating things now that he previously hated but everything tastes good to him because he is so hungry ALL THE TIME.