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I had an appointment with my Speech Rehab specialist today...

She said that I should not be ashamed of the fact that I have to write things down or use a datebook...most people use them and never think twice about it. She also said that I am doing remarkably well...having said that, she is confident that I will NOT need to see her anymore. So, she took me off all restrictions which means that I can eat anything (that is not a no-no because of my Coumadin), and said that I should be able to adapt to any situation that arises due to my speech or short-term memory.

I did also get some good and bad news from the patient rep. at the VA. She said that VA policies are different for admit and for transport. Because of that, the VA is going to take care of my ER visit locally and they will take care of the Des Moines VA bill, but the transport between Knoxville and Des Moines will be my responsibility. Why they will take care of the ER visit but not the Ambulance trip that they asked for is beyond me, but they do not cover it. The good news is that the VA has agreed to take care of the ambulance ride to and from Des Moines Methodist. The reason given to the patient rep. is that  the care given at the local hospital was available to me at the Des Moines VA, the care at Des Moines Methodist was not, so they will cover one trip and not the other. Clear as mud now? Same here.

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