Post by twodogsandababy on Mar 5, 2013 2:02:49 GMT -5
Please help me not panic and figure out logistics.
H is being flown off his ship to a US hospital on a foreign US base. I guess it is a small hospital and if he needs surgery he will be flown to a larger base. We've never dealt with anything like this. Is this something that I would be able to meet him at the second hospital if needed? How will I be notified about what is happening? Should I contact my ombudsman? I am kind of freaking out.
How did you find out about it, from your H? Are you in contact with him now?
Call your Ombudsman and tell her the situation. Due to confidentiality there is likely not a lot that the command will be able to tell her to relay to you. Ask for the CMC or his department LCPO to contact you if possible (or the XO if your H is an officer) to fill you in if she can't help you. Give the Ombudsman your phone number and email address to pass along to the command. If you are able to be in contact with your H through this though you may have an easier time getting information directly from him.
As for being able to meet him, it would basically be your choice and travel costs would be your responsibility.
Post by amaristella on Mar 5, 2013 11:50:53 GMT -5
I just wanted to add that the Ombudsman is the person that you will want to contact. He/she may not have a lot of answers but should be able to contact the command to at least ask.
I'm sorry that this is happening and I hope that it turns out okay.
Post by twodogsandababy on Mar 5, 2013 12:18:32 GMT -5
Thanks ladies. I've been in contact with the OMB and also his COC. As of right now he is able to communicate with me but my concern is if things get worse. He lost consciousness yesterday. They said once he is at the hospital he will have to be my poc. Just scary to have to depend on that not knowing what his state of mind will be. Also, I fully expect/understand that if I were to meet him there any expenses would be my responsibility. I just feel so helpless and scared.
If you're still in contact with him when he gets to the hospital, can you get him to give your contact info to the staff? If he approves it, they should be able to update you about his condition. At least, that's how it works with civilian hospitals, and I can't see it being different at a military hospital when it comes to health information. All my family has me listed as a medical contact person, even though I'm an ocean away.
If you're still in contact with him when he gets to the hospital, can you get him to give your contact info to the staff? If he approves it, they should be able to update you about his condition. At least, that's how it works with civilian hospitals, and I can't see it being different at a military hospital when it comes to health information. All my family has me listed as a medical contact person, even though I'm an ocean away.
You should, at least, be able to do this even if you can't meet him at the hospital for whatever reason.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on Mar 5, 2013 16:57:41 GMT -5
Goodness. I know this is scary for you. I've been in a similar situation. When he gets to what ever hospital he is headed to, his CoC will still be contacting them for updates. If he is not able to call you, they should be able to keep you updated to what is going on. When my husband was hurt, I was told I would only be able to go to him if he was going to be there for more than 7 days. I'm not sure if that is still true, but I would check into it. The Ombudsman should be able to give you that information. Hang in there.
Post by twodogsandababy on Mar 10, 2013 16:10:01 GMT -5
H is on his way to the larger hospital, but being flown through several other bases. We are still not sure what is happening, as they were unable to do any diagnostics at the first base other than confirm he needed to head to the larger one. I am scared. He is not feeling well, and last I heard from him he did not know what base he was on, and did not have a power adapter for there, and since we are keeping on contact via email, he could only email saying he would contact me when he could. The waiting is hear from him is so hard. I am hoping it is something they can fix at the hospital and he can finish out he deployment, because if he is sent home, it will likely mean it is something really wrong with him. I have never wanted him to not come home early from a deployment so badly.
Anyway, I just wanted to give a minor update. Thanks for all the advice so far.
Oh, man, this sounds rough. I hope they get it figured out soon, or let you go to where he is soon, or at least figure out a way to get you better information.
Thanks for the update. The not knowing would be scary.
But, if he is sent back, that's not necessarily proof that there's a major problem. There are just some things that either take a long recovery or aren't waiverable. I knew of one guy who'd injured his shoulder. No biggie, but he couldn't carry a weapon for long, so he came back.
H once went to the ER because he was having severe chest pains. They did rule out heart attack, but couldn't figure the cause. So, for months, and continuing pains, he went through various cardiac tests. It turned out to be... reflux! Which was causing some muscle spasms.
I know it's just anecdotes (hopefully worth at least a chuckle), but try if you can to not let your mind wander to worst case scenarios.