You’ve been hearing horror stories about how veterans have been treated by the V.A. Let me describe our (my husband, who’s the vet, and me) experience yesterday at our local V.A. clinic. It’s typical of the horrible treatment he has received there.
After he did his 3:00 check-in, we began our wait. By 3:05 someone was coming around to see how long everyone had been waiting, to push things along if necessary. A few minutes later we were in the exam room, talking to the nurse, who took his info. and vitals while we chatted amiably. A few minutes after that the doctor arrived.
He clearly explained a couple of concerning blood test results, took my husband for a walk to determine oxygen levels, then sat him down in the room for more of a physical and a discussion that helped us understand what’s going on inside my husband’s lungs. He ordered an antibiotic to have on hand so we wouldn’t have to wait for an Rx to be filled at first sign of an infection, which can be deadly to my husband. We talked about my husband’s weight loss and why it’s important to get it back up and keep it up, then the doctor excused himself to consult with the dietitian. The doctor acted like we were the only people in the world he needed or wanted to work with at that time, staying with us for about an hour.
Then the dietitian–the doc had asked her to see us now rather sometime in the future–came into the room and advised us and arranged for food supplements. She, too, seemed to be in no hurry. Finally, at 4:45 we were headed home.
Throughout, both of us were treated with respect, concern, some levity to soften the situation, and warmth. This has been the case for the five years we’ve gone to this V.A. clinic.
I realize that others haven’t been as fortunate as us with treatment through the V.A. I just wanted you to know that humanity thrives at least at the San Jose V.A. clinic.