NiCOE

Yesterday we began our second week here at NiCOE (National Intrepid Center of Excellence), at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center post in Maryland.  This has been an amazing opportunity that I am so glad we have given.  We are definitely doing our best to take full advantage of all it has to offer.

First off, I just want to say that all of the staff here has been amazing.  I love the fact that they are all a team, and communicate with each other daily, about Allen and what he needs.  Another thing that I love is that they consider him a part of the team, not just the patient.  He is considered an intricate, and valuable part of the team with a voice!!  Why isn't all medical care this way??

So far, Allen has had lots of testing and interview type appointments.  He has also though, had the chance to try several types of different therapies.  One of the Occupational Therapists told him today that one of the great and unique things about NiCOE is that there are always alternatives, and alternatives for the alternatives!  They keep searching for things that work with each individual until they find what works.  On the first day, he was trying acupuncture, something he had never tried before.  On the second day, he was given a series of injections in his head to relieve headaches.  The next day he woke up without a headache, the first time in almost 4 years!  If we get nothing else out of this, just that was well worth it!!  Can you imagine what it would be like to be headache free after almost 4 years of a constant headache?  Indescribable!!

I am so excited about the possibilities that this could all lead to.  I see the hope for greater independence for Allen as well the hope for a more productive, stable, and peaceful life.  This would help all of us in so many ways!  Of course, we still have the house thing to figure out, but I have no doubt that will all work out as well!

On a little bit of a different note, being back to together with Allen after not seeing him for 10 months has been wonderful, but also a bit of an adjustment.  In many ways, we've had to figure each other out again.  He's done a lot of changing while in the program in California, and it's been a work in progress figuring out what he can manage on his own, and what he may still need help with.  It's been really awkward at times, which is really awkward in and of itself.  It shouldn't be awkward being with my husband!!  I'm happy to say though, that we are figuring it out and learning to communicate with each other again.  We are beginning to click, and it feels good!!  It makes me really want him to be home again.  Hopefully it won't be much longer before we have a home for us all to be together again as a family!!

Even Now..........Gina