Medical and Dental Review

Despite my ongoing battle with TRICARE and trying to find a primary physician, I completed my medical and dental reviews. Unfortunately TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Standard do not have the same doctors in their network and, by surprise, I have to pay for all of my medical expenses. The total was $440 so it definitely could be worse. I spoke to someone today who had to pay over $700 for the same examination.

I am learning that during the application process nothing goes smoothly. My medical and dental reviews are no exception to this rule. The dental hold I was totally expecting. I'm addicted to Diet Coke and therefore have a couple cavaties that need to be filled. No big deal since I do have dental insurance AND my wonderful new dentist is giving me 50% off because its for the Peace Corps. There is one problem though. The dental officer at the Peace Corps office says I need to have a crown on a tooth that I hada root canal on a few years ago. Two dentists have both said that it is too risky to put a crown on. I'm hoping that's a good excuse and I don't have to destroy my tooth to appease them.

The medical results are what I'm really nervous about. My blood work came back and I had my dad interpret the results for me. He told me that there was something wrong and it appeared that I had lost a significant amount of blood and my iron levels are about 60% of what they should be. I've been told that you are medically deferred until you can prove you are no longer anemic. The iron supplements my dad gave me made me horribly ill so that's not going to work. I could eat more red meat...but then my just passable cholesterol will increase. My best reasoning is that since I donate blood every 8 weeks I don't have an opportunity to fully restore my blood counts. Perhaps if I just keep my blood to myself for a while I will regulate. I haven't actually heard back from the medical officer...but this is what I am preparing myself for.

Other than medical and dental stuff I've been looking into ways to prepare myself for service. I had two trips lined up with school, one to Nicaragua and the other to Mexico to work in health facilities. Both trips fell through. Right now I'm thinking I'll do a volunteer project in Ecuador. It's expensive, but I want to know if this is something I'm good at and enjoy before I devote 2 and a half years to it. I've also been in contact with the CT Dept of Public Health trying to get into an AIDS Educator class. They are impossible to reach. Between phone tag and unanswered e-mails I am getting a bit frustrated. I know I can at least count on finding a first aid/cpr course over the summer. Those are offered everywhere.

So now I am back to waiting. I would love to hear some good news, but right now any news would be good.

Cheers,
Nikki