The long slog through numerous failed attempts at getting my VA-Inflicted back injury treated was a foregone conclusion nobody was ever going to tell me about. Of course my IRIS complaint inquiries were probably investigated, at least to some extent – none of the findings of which (if any) were ever communicated to me. And thus the cover-up began in earnest at that time, with the following utterance: “Dr. Park doesn’t work here anymore.”
Interesting. I don’t recall ever asking if he did, or if I could see him again, because frankly it would have been a bit uncomfortable. But that was the 1st thing Brinkis said to me as we walked into his exam room. Scary to think, but it’s probably just a stock response to this sort of routine issue. I kinda doubt suspected bad doctors just get fired and that’s the end of it. Seems rather presumptuous to believe a stranger like me is really that stupid, but I guess that’s the preferred approach. I was actually quite well impressed with Dr. Park, from what little interaction I had with him, and suspect the only thing he may be guilty of is inexperience. Whether or not anyone actually knew or realized what happened to me that day became basically irrelevant once the systematic denial and mistreatment began shortly after the surgery.
So I’ll take a liberal tack and investigate the investigation starting with several FOIA requests. I wonder if a smoking gun of malfeasance on my case turns up at the new Aurora VA facility. What happened to me is incontrovertibly recorded in official VA medical records. VA’s response to that information remains highly dubious. Brinkis’ consult written for “lower back pain” not “L4-5 annular tear” was useless. Under the circumstances, I presently believe everybody knows what the problem is – they just refuse to diagnose it, hoping I’ll get better and go away. So referral to the outside providers was met with nothing but reference to chronic low back pain, despite my clear, detailed description of the symptoms not being chronic, with acute pain from that one, single spot. All Gerlach did was improperly collect a co-pay and some x-ray fees, none of which was legitimate, because I don’t do copays, he did nothing, and the VA imaging I carried with me on a CD was higher resolution anyway. He was just collecting money.
I’ll be trying to get a 2nd opinion with the bad consult on the 24th with a different spine doctor. There will be no x-rays, or detailed diagnostic interview. They will either order an L-4-5 discogram, or our visit will be quite awkward and brief. Then, depending on that outcome, I will re-tell the whole story to a VA PT doctor once again on the 1st. My new Primary Care Provider was initially scheduled for the 27th. They got sick, then see below. That would have happened yesterday, but they had to reschedule due to an administrative SNAFU. For me at least, it’s gotten to a point with the VA, to where I just expect delay and screw-ups. All I ever wanted was to know what happened and get my back fixed. This is what I am dealing with in terms of VA scheduling:
I’m pretty sure somebody will eventually end up going in there to clean it up, because it’s in the 3rd or 4th different stage of whatever it’s doing and definitely getting worse – “festering” would be the layman’s term. Only questions are how to find an interested Dr. and how much further damage ensues over this lengthy course of mistreatment. Starting to look like all of 2019 is down the proverbial tubes for me.
(Late Update 09/19) Almost on cue, I got a call from the Loveland Clinic this afternoon to re-schedule yet again. Story was, Denver input the PC change wrong. So they re-scheduled the appointment with the wrong doctor last week, then fixed that yesterday and re-scheduled again – each time getting further away. LATE UPDATE 20231220: Upon review, I am now certainly convinced they knew exactly what was going on – just performing the cover-up.