@A-Jay 

I’m not familiar with this program. It isn’t what I think it is, is it?

14 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I’m not familiar with this program. It isn’t what I think it is, is it?

Not sure.

This is where I started at.

https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_benefits.asp

 

A-Jay

Keep up the good fight and our prayers are with you.

I was referring to hospice. From the link you provided that doesn’t appear to be the case which is a relief. 
 

Stay strong you two!

12 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I was referring to hospice. From the link you provided that doesn’t appear to be the case which is a relief. Stay strong you two!

No Sir, not that.

This is a program that helps me support her.

As an eligible primary caregiver, I may receive:

Access to health care insurance through Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mental health counseling.

(and we all know I need all of this I can get) 

Certain beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to appointments. 

At least 30 days of respite care per year, for the Veteran. 

Respite is short term relief for someone else to care for the Veteran

while I take a break.

A monthly stipend (paid directly to the caregiver.)

A-Jay

As always Andy in our thoughts and prayers.

It's a tough road you travel, my friend, and I can sympathize. Nora has been bed-bound for 2 years now, but the state provides payment for a PCA to come in and provide personal care to give me some breaks. We have a wonderful gal now who we've even become good friends with...and her 4 kids (ages 9-15) call us 'Nana' and 'Papa'.

 

Stay strong, give Lynn our love.

11 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

It's a tough road you travel, my friend, and I can sympathize. Nora has been bed-bound for 2 years now, but the state provides payment for a PCA to come in and provide personal care to give me some breaks. We have a wonderful gal now who we've even become good friends with...and her 4 kids (ages 9-15) call us 'Nana' and 'Papa'.

 

Stay strong, give Lynn our love.

Thank you ~

Life's the ultimate challenge and I can only imagine what that's like for you both.

So glad to hear you're getting what sounds like effective & most welcome support.

This is how we both role my friend.

Remember when we took a day on the water for granted ?

Not any more. 

Be well Sir.

A-Jay

 I sure hope you get approved for this program. We love y'all. The prayers continue............

Thinking about you both man. Never feel like needing a break is failure. None of us are made of stone and packed with energizer batteries. Take what you need because it will only make you better for her overall. Something I had to watch my father learn the hard way over years of caring for my grandmother.

44 minutes ago, Functional said:

Thinking about you both man. Never feel like needing a break is failure. None of us are made of stone and packed with energizer batteries. Take what you need because it will only make you better for her overall. Something I had to watch my father learn the hard way over years of caring for my grandmother.

Sage Advice my friend.

Thank You.

Sharing is caring.

Sounds sappy but it's true.

A-Jay

Today's a better day ~

Past three- not so much.

Lynn just spent the last 70 hrs plus in the rack in total darkness

with a crushing migraine headache.

If you get them you know. 

Like there's not already enough going on. 

Not a new thing as these have been part of her deal for the last several years but it's been a while.

Past scenes have almost always included serious dehydration and a trip to the emergency room.

You know you're there too much when the ER staff knows us by first name,

as well as all of our personal information by memory.

Well, we avoided that this time, but it was close.

Rest & recovery today.

My version of that includes 90 minutes in the home gym.

Stay Safe & Heathy 

😎

A-Jay

 

It's been a minute since I've added anything here.

That's usually a good thing because generally speaking

with this deal, no news is good news.

However in the past several weeks, there's been some stability, the good kind.

And Lynn's doing her best to make the most of it,

whatever that may be.

Doesn't mean it's all butterflies & rainbows,

but it's not Intensive care and dialysis either.

We've been taught many of life's lessons, some hard, some for the better.

Not knowing what tomorrow may bring makes today precious. 

A-Jay

 

Every day is a gift. Sometimes it takes a life altering event for one to realize that. It did me. You two aren’t taking anything for granted and you’re making the most out of each day. 
 

Keep up the good work net man!

On 3/12/2025 at 4:05 PM, A-Jay said:

Given the current state of affairs regarding Lynn's decline in health

and the outlook that accompanies that,

last week I applied for the Veteran Administrations Program of Comprehensive Assistance

for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).

It was a tough decision for me.

Admittedly the reality of it is hard to put into words.

Very thankful that the VA does recognize the important role of family caregivers

in supporting the health and wellness of Veterans.

So far the folks we've been in contact with have made the process

fairly painless, and that is most definitely a relative term.

There are several steps along the way to where 'eligibility' is determined.

So far we are about half way through.

I am looking forward to the support and the training they offer

as well as knowing that I can be the best version of me for Lynn in these trying times.

Stay Healthy & Safe.

A-Jay

 

 

 

On 3/12/2025 at 4:37 PM, A-Jay said:

No Sir, not that.

This is a program that helps me support her.

As an eligible primary caregiver, I may receive:

Access to health care insurance through Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mental health counseling.

(and we all know I need all of this I can get) 

Certain beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to appointments. 

At least 30 days of respite care per year, for the Veteran. 

Respite is short term relief for someone else to care for the Veteran

while I take a break.

A monthly stipend (paid directly to the caregiver.)

A-Jay

 

It's been a minute since I've updated this one.

As always with this deal, no news is good.

And we are mostly quite happy that there's no news.

Lynn's health has been mostly 'stable.'

Which is another way of saying that somehow Lynn's managing 

Lynn has managed to overcome eight incurable diseases.

Her spirits remain on the right side of the line, as do mine.

So that's the good.

On a different note, after completing a number of interviews

and online video meetings with various VA 'screeners,'

unfortunately, my application for Veteran Administrations Program of Comprehensive Assistance

for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) (quoted above) was DENIED. 

For a second time.

Not what we were hoping for.

We knew going into this what the 'prerequisites' were and felt like we were qualified.

However, in the big picture, it basically means this situation needs to be much worse before being approved.

That being the case, I'd rather be denied over & over & over. 

A-Jay

 

I dont know much about the VA system, but would getting a Lawyer to better make the case for/with you potentially help the process? Probably not the cheapest but could pay off significantly in other ways if it gets you approved. 

 

Overall, really glad to hear everything has been stable. Loved to see you were able to get her out again with you also. 

I was just wondering the other day how you two were doing. I'm glad to hear that Lynn's health has been staying pretty stable. Thanks for the update. Praying for you guys. 

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

However in the big picture, it basically means this situation needs to be much worse before being approved.

Sharing my feelings here about this situation would likely get me banned, so I'll just leave it at, love you two, and you remain in my prayers every day. 

She is one remarkable woman! Here’s to continued memories together for the two of you

She's a badass! Hang in there! 

Lynn's holding steady.

Her blood tests have been moved to only twice a month.

The same applies to her infusion medication schedule.

As we honker down for the winter,

we continue to count our blessings every day.

Photo from our day trip last week.

A-Jay

 

Great news A-Jay! 

Love this!

Wonderful news!