OK, I'm used to the V.A., where most there hate their jobs, you wait many MONTHS to be seen, and…read moreget pretty poor treatment from pretty poor docs, with the exception of eyes and dental. I was MISdiagnosed there 2 YEARS when I had lymphoma UNDER shrapnel from an Iraq War wound. I was told, "You are getting OLD, and it's an old war wound..." DISSED for 2 YEARS??%$#@! finally, I went outside w/Medicare, got a proper diagnosis, (CANCER in that bone under the 'old war wound'), and referred for treatment-- finally the V.A. got involved because I threatened to go to the press if they didn't take over. The docs at St. Francis radiation center were GREAT. But nothing worked as it's a rare cancer and it didn't respond to radiation, and kept coming back. Finally, with MY research (I'm a retired surgeon) I found a treatment that may work for me and they referred me on after my oncologist AGREED. MAHALO PRES. TRUMP for 'Care in The Community', as we can now go to outside docs if we live far away--and they took me seriously, I got treatment the V.A. doesn't have anyway--and they listened to me, treating me with respect as a fellow doc.
PALI MOMI WAS THE LATEST DOC TO SEE FOR BONE SURGERY--a big surgery, a VERY long 18 month recovery=MAJOR.
I saw Dr. Aratani, who is highly specialized in ortho and oncology--one of only 2 on island. The only other is my friend @ Tripler but he was deployed so unavailable and he got me in to see Dr. Aratani. She was enthusiastic about my research, said YES--and referred me on to Queens for one treatment before she operates...but PALI MOMI WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. I was pretty lost there as I never go to Aiea, living in Kahalu'u, and it's grown so much all my old landmarks are GONE--but after finally finding it, employees directed me every step of the way as to where to go, what building/floor/etc. OMG! That NEVER happens @ the V.A. I was totally--no lie--slack jawed by the time I got to her office! EVERYONE was so FRIENDLY--and not put on--I mean genuinely friendly, helpful...as my leg HURTS and walking HURTS...so so many folks there offered to help..I am BLOWN AWAY. It is BY FAR, the BEST medical facility I have EVER been in--and after getting wounded, I've had 15 surgeries, multiple scars/shrapnel/debility...etc. I just am very impressed=PERIOD. Much aloha to all you guys!!! Your assist and help was SO appreciated! I've been really down about all this, the time I lost getting treated and where it's at now--needing major surgery, possibly crippled for life...yadayada. But you guys there really cheered me up. MAHALO!!! Sorry so long, but I just feel VERY strongly here!