No Longer a Peace Corps Volunteer

In the hospital, at every morning and evening shift change, the entire staff would come in my room, say hello and ask me how I was doing. During my stay one nurse gave me the wrong pill at the wrong time and another thought she was giving me Celebrex, which I'm allergic to. The physiotherapist (PT) was giving me electric stimulation when I told him the pads on my back and neck weren't working. The TV didn’t work the entire time I was there and that's the main reason Peace Corps gave me a private room. First world problems in a developing county!

After 6 days on drugs, in traction and with VERY little PT, the pain was reduced, but I still had significant issues. The Peace Corps put me in a hotel and I continued PT, but couldn’t get beyond the numbness in my fingers and pain down my arm and back. Dr. Shava, the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO), asked me how I felt about going home for continued care? Within 2 days I was on Medical Evacuation (Medevac) to the US. I’ve been back in Chicago for over 6 weeks now, which is the maximum time allowed for medical leave and I’m in the process of administering everything for my Close Of Service (COS).

I’ve gone from only being comfortable in a recliner, or lying down and not being able to type at the computer, to just a little stiffness and slight pain in my upper back. But, that’s not the kicker! During the PT for my back we were also working on my shoulder and, well, the shoulder never got better. The pain wasn’t nearly as bad as the issues resulting from my neck, but not being able to sleep well, or do basic things without pain was not fun. So, last Friday I finally had an MRI and I have what they call a full thickness rotator cuff tendon tear. The recommendation, surgery.

As of the 28th of March I’m no longer a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) and I'm currently working on a Federal Employment Compensation Act (FECA) workman’s comp claim and possible disability through the Department Of Labor (DOL). I’m returning to Truckee as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) and I didn’t receive an Early Termination (ET) since it was a medical separation. I have an option to complete my PC service when I'm medically cleared. Enough acronyms for ya?