I think I am over the feeling sorry for myself stage I have been presenting in the last couple of posts. As much as I would love to be home and I look forward to coming home; I have had my chances to do just that, and if I wanted could be back real soon. The thing that keeps me here is I am not that type of person.
With the arthritis in my knee caused by the events in chapter one of my book; I require a waiver to be here. Back at Ada, the military doctor told me that Camp Atterbury would have to process a waiver for me to be able to deploy, and she recommended I not be allowed to deploy. Once at Atterbury the doctor said the only way I would be able to deploy is if my Commander knew of my injuries and restrictions and allowed me to go anyway.
Now that I am here, with my injuries documented all it would take is one trip to sick call and I would be on my way home. My knee has been hurting, mostly from walking on all the rocks over here; but it certainly is bearable. The thing that isn’t bearable is being home because I couldn’t take the pain and decided to check out on my guys here. I don’t just want to be with my family; but I want to be someone my family can be proud to be with.
We are proud of you. Very.
Comment by Amy — June 20, 2007 @ 12:10 am
Thank you.
Comment by Debbie — June 20, 2007 @ 2:35 am
Joel,
Hang on in there. Your courage is something to be proud of. If I had a fraction of it, I would sail through my challenges.
I am sure your family want you home too, but their pride should spur you on.
I’m working on my budgets now thanks largely to the admiration I have for your efforts. Not quite gotten there, but a spreadsheet of sorts is in construction.
Once I have the business failure negotiation out of the way, I’ll know where I stand and be able to plan.
Thanks again for the continued inspiration!
Comment by Ian Denny — June 21, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
You already know I’m proud to know you Joel! The only other viewpoint I would be looking at is long term damage to the knee. I don’t know that much about arthritis and I’m not sure if it has any long term effects because of agitation - just something to think about!
Comment by Andre — June 21, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Ian,
Thanks for your kind words!
Thanks Andre,
I appreciate your support and can’t wait until I’m back in the DC area again so I can hook up with you.
I was real careful to document my injuries prior to coming on tour so that I can receive medical treatment when it is over. Ultimately I will have to have knee replacement surgery at a relatively young age; however, it is to my advantage to hold it off as long as I can endure the pain.
Comment by Joel — June 23, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Don’t you wish everyone cared that much?!
Praying God will continue to keep you safe. Praying for all the soldiers!
Laura
Comment by Laura — June 24, 2007 @ 4:33 pm