Just heard back from the Hospital for Special Surgery regarding my upcoming total hip replacement. They received the authorization fax from Tricare this morning.
I’m still waiting on my copy of the authorization, but it looks like things are all set for January 5th. Only 75 days away!
Just got home from the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Had my first meeting with my new surgeon, Dr. P.
I chose HSS because they are the #1 rated hospital in the country for orthopedics. They perform around 2,600 hip replacements each year and more joint replacements than any other hospital in the country. They’re located on the opposite side of Manhattan on East 70th.
After stopping by radiology for a couple x-rays, I headed to Dr. P’s office. I didn’t wait long, and after Dr. P examined my gait and range of motion, he looked at my x-rays. He explained that due to the avascular necrosis, my hip has basically become a square, instead of the nice round shape it was previously. The damage is so extensive that my only option is a total hip replacement. (more…)
Received a giant retirement certificate from the Marine Corps this past weekend. The package also contained an official “U.S. Marine Corps – Retired” lapel pin.
Turns out this is the same certificate even retiring generals receive.
Photos: (more…)
Received a certified letter last week from Bethesda. On July 15th, a Marine Corps Colonel and two Navy officers met in Washington, DC and determined that my “disposition be changed from temporary to permanent disability retirement.”
I sent in my acceptance yesterday, and sometime in the next 12 weeks I will be permanently retired!
Reported to Bethesda Naval Hospital as ordered for my the temporary disability retired list (TDRL) periodic physical examination (PPE) today. I was told to arrive at 7:15AM. As soon as I got there, I was checked in, and sent to the orthopedic department. After they took my vitals and a few x-rays of my hip, I was seen by a Navy Lieutenant Commander orthopedic resident. He asked me about my activities of daily living, pain, and plan for my hip. He then evaluated my range of motion and strength. After talking things over with a colleague, they decided that I’d never be able to be a Marine again, and that they would put in the paperwork for my permanent retirement. It’s still possible that the retirement board will disagree and I will have to report back to Bethesda in another 18 months, but hopefully not. I look forward to hearing their decision.