Health Care

A few months ago a friend suggested I might be eligible for VA benefits based on my prostate cancer and time in Vietnam. It turns out he was correct. I filed a claim and was approved for VA medical benefits because of my exposure to Agent Orange. Agent Orange has been linked to a number of illnesses among Vietnam veterans, one of which is prostate cancer. It was pretty much cut and dry, if you were in Vietnam and if you have prostate cancer you qualify. We went to the McAllen VA medical center with my medical records and Army discharge papers showing service in Vietnam and I walked out with VA medical coverage.

I wasn’t about to turn it down. So I got a check-up and labs and all of that. At the time I went in there was “money available” for cataract surgery. I was checked by a contract doctor and I thought, approved for cataract surgery. I had the pre-surgery physical and everything, but then for some reason it was canceled. I’m going to check on it but in the mean time I’d like to think that maybe somebody at the VA is looking out for some of your tax dollars. I do have a cataract as determined by my previous health care provider, but only in the right eye and at last check not ready for surgery. I think maybe the contract doctor down here was a little too liberal in his diagnosis and maybe a little greedy. Anyway it’s off. No cataract removal at this time. Now we have to go to Mexico and get some new glasses.

Anyway the VA medical is good to have but it gets kind of confusing as to what to use. I have VA, Blue Cross and Medicare now. We just switched to Blue Cross from Kaiser in Portland and don’t have doctors here yet although Kat has an appointment upcoming. I’ll get it all sorted out sometime maybe. But I have options. I went in recently and had an X-ray on my knee. Now I’m waiting to hear from a contract orthopedist ( ? knee Dr.). I hope we don’t get stuck here too long waiting though? We're both getting kind of itchy to leave.

Old Mexico

We don’t come down here without going to Old Mexico for our vision, dental, and drug (prescription of course) needs. In Mission we cross into Progresso, Mexico. It has a heavy population of eye clinics, dentists, and pharmacies. All to service the needs of thousands of Winter Texans who come here and go there for exactly that purpose. And we are Winter Texans! You may find Snowbirds in California, Arizona, or Florida but here you will find Winter Texans. Anyway we drove down to the border parked in the huge parking lot near the bridge and walked across to Old Mexico. Right away we found a likely looking dentist and I had my teeth cleaned for $20. The office was very nice and had all the latest equipment and the dentist and technician used the latest methods. We walked around a while and looked through some of the shops and had lunch, checked on some possible eye clinics, got some drugs and came on back. We had our Passports to get back in although we’re told you don’t need them yet for walking across the border and back.

We weren’t crazy about the Mexican military presence, but it still seems mostly safe. There were lots of gun toting soldiers right at the border. But its not like we were all alone. We’re walking and shopping with a large number of gringos like us. So I’m sure we’ll make another trip or two before we’re out of here. I do wonder about the Air Force C-130's flying the border day and night now?

Mission Accomplished

Third Street all decked out for Christmas-The Craft Girls and there new sweatshirts-The Bentsen Grove parade float.

Mission has been our goal since March of ‘06’ when we first came through here. We liked it so much we planned on spending a couple of months here the next year in the winter of ’07-08’. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it because of my medical situation. But Bentsen Grove saved our deposit for us until this winter of ’08-09’ and here we are.

It has lived up to expectations. The park has all the activities we could want and then some, and of course in this lifestyle we always meet nice people and make new friends. I have joined the woodcarving group; the Easy Bleeders, and most recently taken up ‘Pickle Ball’. Carving has been a kick. We have a really good group and I am learning some new stuff. Quite a bit actually. Our nominal leader, Tom, has been carving for 30 odd years and is very knowledgeable. He has given a couple of classes, but it’s all very relaxed and fun. It’s one of those groups where a thick skin helps because of the good natured ribbing. “The first liar doesn’t have a chance” kind of a place! Pickle Ball is great. It’s maybe best described as a combination of table tennis and real tennis, played on a smaller court than tennis with a paddle and whiffle ball. There is less ground to cover and we play doubles (men’s, ladies and mixed too, of course) which makes it better for us seniors. Being seniors there is much less testosterone in evidence than there would have been in years gone by, but there are a few of us who get a little competitive when playing each other. But we’re nice most of the time. It’s a little slower than tennis, but challenging and good exercise. My knees have not been cooperating very well though. I’m trying to work through it. I’ll either make it, or it will kill me. Kat has taken up Swimnastics and crocheting and knitting in a big way. She goes to the pool two hours a day four or five days a week. I join her sometimes after her class and then she even does more. And we go other times to the pool and hot tub just because we can. Kat took up knitting a couple of months ago just to fill time and relax while riding. She has really taken it to another level down here. Now its knitting and crocheting and new projects. I think she is the ‘online expert’ for her craft group which meets three or four nights a week to knit and gab. I think mostly to gab. But she keeps up on the news that way. We don’t do that in carving (LOL). Her latest project was a cover for my Pickle Ball paddle. It’s blue and white with a red pocket in the middle for looks. Real cool! And the envy of all.