Some Needed Relief

On Thursday, June 24, I was able to receive my fourteenth epidural steroid injection (ESI), to treat a bulging disc at L5/S1. The treatment, thus far, has been a phenomenal success, my sciatic symptoms have abated to relatively zero, although the arthritis is causing some discomfort, now... Ah, life begins at 50... Yeah, it begins to hurt! Next year, I get to move into some new territory, the 60's.
I am totally indebted to Dr. David Gover, Major, USAF. He's the guy who told me about ESI, and it's the best thing anyone has ever done for me. I initially started my treatment with Dr. Ezell Askew performing the procedure, Dave has inherited the job, and has performed it well. On this occasion, Dave was assisted by a Dr. Edmonds, who happens to be a neighbor of my daughter, and is a friend of my son-in-law, Peter. Dave is trying to instill confidence in me, of Dr. Edmonds abilities, I'm quite sure, but Dave has already told me that he is capable, and that's good enough for me. It's quite nice to know your doctor beyond the hospital, so I know that Dr. Gover is a very conscientious guy, and would not give his recommendation lightly. I believe that Dave is trying to prepare me for a time when he is no longer there, and it really isn't necessary. I've been around military medicine my entire life; born in a military hospital, treated in military hospitals both as a dependent, and a sponsor, ever since. I've never been in a civilian hospital, well, a couple of ER's maybe.
I guess I just realize that Dave is an Air Force doctor, and won't be at David Grant forever. Lord, how many Primary Care physicians have I had? Nine, I think, since 2005 alone. You get used to being treated by different people. Some are great people, with great technical skill; some aren't, but both accomplish the same thing. My new Primary Care physician is Dr. Pettit, a Doogie Howser-esque young man, who has already endeared himself to me by apologizing for his youth. I told him "No problem. That just means you have the latest info on stuff." He smiled, and thanked me saying, "I wish everyone had that attitude..."
I just got through a physical with him, and my numbers were all very good. He knows about my back problems, and has talked with Dave about my treatment. He's very responsive when I call for pain meds, because he knows I don't abuse them.
Despite the almost constant changing-of-the-guard, I've been very pleased with the military health care I have received, and especially for the way my family has been treated. We've had everything from subluxations, to strokes, to sclerosis, to brain surgery, and have been treated with the utmost care throughout. When Mary had to have her brain surgery, I asked a friend, within the hospital, to quietly find the best person for the surgery. I was presented with several pages of information, and the best person turned out to be a Dr. William Henry Harrison, LCOL, USAF, currently assiged to David Grant Medical Center, and Mary's assigned surgeon.