Showing posts with label medical process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medical process. Show all posts
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Medically Cleared!!!!
Yes!!!! After a very stressful month of sending numerous faxes over to Peace Corps (see previous post), I am medically cleared!!!!!!! I am excited to now begin the placement waiting process. My only concern is that I have to go to a region that can accommodate my shellfish allergy.... (anyone have any idea where that might be?!) I am hoping that provision still allows me to go to my original nomination region of Latin/South America.. but time will tell and I'm more connected to the idea of being a youth development volunteer =)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
It's been awhile
Hello everyone,
Its been awhile since I've been near a computer in which I could access this site. There have been a lot of highs and lows in this medical process thus far, I debated even blogging about it....but honestly, if some of you guys had not blogged about your own medical journey, my own experience would have been even more difficult. So in light of 'to whom much is given, much is required' I will share what has been happening over the past several weeks.
So that good or bad update form March 23 was a bad a update. The WORST possible update you could ever have. Seriously, I got a letter saying my allergy was so severe that I could not serve in the Peace corps. Not a one year deferral, or even a two year deferral.... NOT EVER!! Needless to say I was pretty devastated when I received this letter, and immediately called my mom (who isn't too thrilled about this but will always encourage me to pursue my dreams). So through a teary eyed convo with my mom, I learned that that my allergy wasn't really an allergy but I simply choked on some medicine. In order to still be considered for the Peace Corps, I had to send in a convincing appeal which would be reviewed by their medical board.
So what do I do? I drove to the hospital the next day, picked up ALL my files from my hospital visit over ten years ago, faxed it to my doctor who wrote me a letter (I waited for this letter for a week) and then faxed all of this (with a personal statement) to my PC nurse. She literally made a decision the same day and sent me a letter saying that my medical review can continue but she had an additional letter for me.
First thought: Yesssss thank GOD! Second thought: what else could they possibly need? Well actually they wanted a lot. They need a retest of one of my blood tests and several personal statements about my allergies to shellfish and garlic powder (don't ask about the latter one, its so weird) So I'm going to finish all this this week.
I am really THANKFUL that they started reviewing my file two weeks after it was in and that my nurse is SO on it. Even with all these mishaps, my medical file has still been in for only a month, hopefully I can wrap everything on my end this week. I'm just thankful to still have an opportunity to serve.
This medical process has reinforced my desire to serve in the Peace Corps. I see why people say the application process is a mini preview to serving. I've learned a lot about myself already and I've experienced the entire spectrum of emotions in this process. This is still my only plan so God willing I will be able to see it through.
Its been awhile since I've been near a computer in which I could access this site. There have been a lot of highs and lows in this medical process thus far, I debated even blogging about it....but honestly, if some of you guys had not blogged about your own medical journey, my own experience would have been even more difficult. So in light of 'to whom much is given, much is required' I will share what has been happening over the past several weeks.
So that good or bad update form March 23 was a bad a update. The WORST possible update you could ever have. Seriously, I got a letter saying my allergy was so severe that I could not serve in the Peace corps. Not a one year deferral, or even a two year deferral.... NOT EVER!! Needless to say I was pretty devastated when I received this letter, and immediately called my mom (who isn't too thrilled about this but will always encourage me to pursue my dreams). So through a teary eyed convo with my mom, I learned that that my allergy wasn't really an allergy but I simply choked on some medicine. In order to still be considered for the Peace Corps, I had to send in a convincing appeal which would be reviewed by their medical board.
So what do I do? I drove to the hospital the next day, picked up ALL my files from my hospital visit over ten years ago, faxed it to my doctor who wrote me a letter (I waited for this letter for a week) and then faxed all of this (with a personal statement) to my PC nurse. She literally made a decision the same day and sent me a letter saying that my medical review can continue but she had an additional letter for me.
First thought: Yesssss thank GOD! Second thought: what else could they possibly need? Well actually they wanted a lot. They need a retest of one of my blood tests and several personal statements about my allergies to shellfish and garlic powder (don't ask about the latter one, its so weird) So I'm going to finish all this this week.
I am really THANKFUL that they started reviewing my file two weeks after it was in and that my nurse is SO on it. Even with all these mishaps, my medical file has still been in for only a month, hopefully I can wrap everything on my end this week. I'm just thankful to still have an opportunity to serve.
This medical process has reinforced my desire to serve in the Peace Corps. I see why people say the application process is a mini preview to serving. I've learned a lot about myself already and I've experienced the entire spectrum of emotions in this process. This is still my only plan so God willing I will be able to see it through.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Another Week...Slight Progress
Based on my one of my previous posts, I took the advice of several people (thanks) and sent out 2 emails, one to OMS and the other to CYD Placement.
OMS: I sent the email Sunday night, I got a phone call at 8:30am the next morning! (impressive) She was really nice and informed me that I was "theirs" during service so they needed to know about each and every allergy. "unknown" as my doctor eloquently stated would not work! So I had to figure out if I was allergic to shellfish immediately and my doctor needed to complete the form again.
So one of my favorite girlfriends came over that night as we tried chicken and shrimp fried rice. I had a wonderful time fellow-shipping with her. I was okay that night (or so I thought)...yes allergy gone!! SIKE. In the morning my throat was itching and I felt so weird. I took some benedryl and immediately felt better. I had leftover chicken and shrimp fried rice the next day and tried some shrimp again---similar reaction but more immediate. Sigh the allergy was definitely still there. So I called my doctors office and they will redo the form (thank God I made copies of everything!)Hopefully I will fax this back to OMS by Monday....
CYD Placement: I really like this lady for some reason. She informed me that I'll have a 2 part review 6-8 weeks after I medically clear (so much for my timeline lrl)She also told me that I would not be tested on my language, they would just verify that I followed through on gaining the level of proficiency required. She also told me to potentially volunteer with an HIV/AIDS org, complete grassroots level work with outreach & education, work with youth, teach or develop ESL skills. (other than the HIV/AIDs and ESL, I definitely do this everyday!)
Legal: BTW I had a legal hold on my account and I had no clue why. After reading Serah's blog, I asked her for the legal department's number. After calling and speaking to another awesome guy (too bad I cannot remember any names) I had a check where the hold had been the next day =)
BTW one of my guardian angels (you will probably see me refer to my family and friends as guardian angels because I believe God has placed them in my life to challenge, guide, && inspire me on my path) blessed me with monetary funds for my PC journey. She had NO idea how on time this was.
So today, encouraged by my progress with my medical packet/legal and my guardian angel's card, I decided to figure out what I could do about these 2 fillings I needed. I called several places but because my insurance only offers a discount program....I am looking at about $300-$400 for these 2 fillings. I was overly discouraged by this but God will provide I'm positive of this so I will hopefully do some research on Monday.
In the meantime, I'll focus on more budget cuts (as if I buy anything outside of groceries and gas as it is) for this upcoming dentist appointment, continue studying Spanish, and keep praying that I will be able to leave August 2011 for my original nomination =)
OMS: I sent the email Sunday night, I got a phone call at 8:30am the next morning! (impressive) She was really nice and informed me that I was "theirs" during service so they needed to know about each and every allergy. "unknown" as my doctor eloquently stated would not work! So I had to figure out if I was allergic to shellfish immediately and my doctor needed to complete the form again.
So one of my favorite girlfriends came over that night as we tried chicken and shrimp fried rice. I had a wonderful time fellow-shipping with her. I was okay that night (or so I thought)...yes allergy gone!! SIKE. In the morning my throat was itching and I felt so weird. I took some benedryl and immediately felt better. I had leftover chicken and shrimp fried rice the next day and tried some shrimp again---similar reaction but more immediate. Sigh the allergy was definitely still there. So I called my doctors office and they will redo the form (thank God I made copies of everything!)Hopefully I will fax this back to OMS by Monday....
CYD Placement: I really like this lady for some reason. She informed me that I'll have a 2 part review 6-8 weeks after I medically clear (so much for my timeline lrl)She also told me that I would not be tested on my language, they would just verify that I followed through on gaining the level of proficiency required. She also told me to potentially volunteer with an HIV/AIDS org, complete grassroots level work with outreach & education, work with youth, teach or develop ESL skills. (other than the HIV/AIDs and ESL, I definitely do this everyday!)
Legal: BTW I had a legal hold on my account and I had no clue why. After reading Serah's blog, I asked her for the legal department's number. After calling and speaking to another awesome guy (too bad I cannot remember any names) I had a check where the hold had been the next day =)
BTW one of my guardian angels (you will probably see me refer to my family and friends as guardian angels because I believe God has placed them in my life to challenge, guide, && inspire me on my path) blessed me with monetary funds for my PC journey. She had NO idea how on time this was.
So today, encouraged by my progress with my medical packet/legal and my guardian angel's card, I decided to figure out what I could do about these 2 fillings I needed. I called several places but because my insurance only offers a discount program....I am looking at about $300-$400 for these 2 fillings. I was overly discouraged by this but God will provide I'm positive of this so I will hopefully do some research on Monday.
In the meantime, I'll focus on more budget cuts (as if I buy anything outside of groceries and gas as it is) for this upcoming dentist appointment, continue studying Spanish, and keep praying that I will be able to leave August 2011 for my original nomination =)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Another Check on My PC Screen
Its been a week... I wish I could have updated my blog sooner but my job has decided to block blogspots....no more reading PC blogs during lunch #blankstare
Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised to find an email from PC saying that they had updated my toolkit...they received my medical packet on March 9. #success
The only issue is that I am sure I will get a phone call because my doctor didn't really answer the question about my shellfish allergy. Because, we do not really know if I am still allergic. So, I am supposed to go out and try it on my own. Through this so far I have discovered that I am not allergic to tilapia and salmon =) on deck...shrimp fried rice...hopefully my throat doesn't close up and my face doesn't swell up.
The next thing I need to do is scrape together enough money to go to the dentist and get this cleaning or filling that I need so that I can be dentally cleared. Since I do not need that to receive an invite, I think I will wait until I get my April paycheck.
Furthermore, I filled out a letter of intent stating that I will not return to my current teaching position. That experience made this journey real all over again. No more job security or a steady paycheck after August. So prayerfully I will leave August 2011.
I've worked so hard to accomplish this dream that I did not create a plan b and I don't want to!!!!
Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised to find an email from PC saying that they had updated my toolkit...they received my medical packet on March 9. #success
The only issue is that I am sure I will get a phone call because my doctor didn't really answer the question about my shellfish allergy. Because, we do not really know if I am still allergic. So, I am supposed to go out and try it on my own. Through this so far I have discovered that I am not allergic to tilapia and salmon =) on deck...shrimp fried rice...hopefully my throat doesn't close up and my face doesn't swell up.
The next thing I need to do is scrape together enough money to go to the dentist and get this cleaning or filling that I need so that I can be dentally cleared. Since I do not need that to receive an invite, I think I will wait until I get my April paycheck.
Furthermore, I filled out a letter of intent stating that I will not return to my current teaching position. That experience made this journey real all over again. No more job security or a steady paycheck after August. So prayerfully I will leave August 2011.
I've worked so hard to accomplish this dream that I did not create a plan b and I don't want to!!!!
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