Nothing new

So its the 27th of July and nothing is really new. Jason has an appointment with pain management on the 29th which he seems a little nervous about....keep in mind, its the 28th there now because of the time difference. Unfortunately, I'll be here in North Carolina during this appointment, but it seems like this doctor might be able to give us some much needed clarification about whats happening and when. I am so blessed to have such an understanding husband and so blessed to be able to work on school the way Auburn has allowed me to do so.

Surgery?

I haven't written in a while. I lost sight of if or why this was important to do so. I initially started this as a way for friends and family to keep in touch, but luckily, the most important people in our lives already do with or without a blog. So now this blog takes on another daunting task, keeping family in friends informed about Jason's surgery and medical care.

Jason is working as if not much is going on and hasn't been contacting people about this. I don't enjoy the task of calling 60 separate people and telling them exactly whats going on and honestly, some of the well intentioned responses can be quite offensive. So, if there are any questions - please refer to this and I'll try my best to keep it updated. Promise!

We've tried to keep this unknown by most except for our family and closest friends, but the reality is that this is not something we can keep hidden much longer. Jason has been experiencing back pains for almost 5 years now. They first started right after his 1st deployment to Iraq which ended in the Fall of 2005. He had been seeking treatment on and off for the pain, but was mostly given X-Ray's which did not show anything specifically. At one point, he was given an insole and told that one leg was shorter than the other. He then went on Deployment #2 which ended around Spring of 2007. During that deployment, his back had definitely taken a turn for the worse, so he sought medical attention again and was told that he should complete physical therapy, because nothing was showing up on the X Ray. Of course we got engaged and then married, I finished college, life went on, but there was still a pain in his back. He pushed through and did not really pursue more medical care because we trusted the doctors and what they had said to do. (Side note: Its not their fault either, there is quite a bit of protocol to go through to get an MRI and all of that stuff, as well). So Jason then went on his 3rd deployment in the Spring of 2008. Again, the back pain was still present, but we got orders to Okianwa and everything changed so quickly, I don't think we really had time to pursue proper treatment.

Once we got to Japan, everything happened so quickly. Jason went to Cambodia, I got into graduate school at Auburn University, Jason went to Australia, I was going to and from Okinawa to Alabama/North Carolina, but then Jason went to Korea. While he was there, he said the pain became unbearable and we agreed that he needed to go back to the doctor. We really hadn't wanted his back to affect his military career, but unfortunately, it has.

At this point, I had gone to Alabama to work on school work and had decided to stay home for the summer session. Jason went to the general practitioner on Camp Kinser who referred him to a specialist. Initially, they were convinced that Jason had a herniated disc and referred him to physical therapy. Originally, he could complete 20 of the exercises, but then the next week he could only complete 8 and finally, he was reduced to 4. Obviously, the doctors realized that physical therapy wasn't treating the problem so he was referred for an MRI. Jason had the MRI done on a Saturday and by Monday morning, there was an email from the doctor telling him that he needed to make sure he came to his appointment Tuesday morning. He went in and was told that in his Lumbar region he "the back of an 80 year old man" due to a lot of disc degeneration, arthritis and God knows what else. He was put on light duty and referred to a Neurosurgeon - the only one on Okianwa. The doctor recommended trying pain management first, but from what we're told, the Marine Corps has 6 months to try to improve Jason's back before they review his case to decide if he should be medically retired, medically separated or stay in and finish the next year and a half remaining on his current contract. The doctor said that once the pain management had been tried for an adequate amount of time, they would do a spine fusion surgery to fuse together 4 vertebrae in the lumbar region of his spine. (Side note: apparently, the bone won't grow properly if you smoke and the doctor had told him she would refuse to do the surgery if he was still smoking...reason #4598 of why not to smoke.) After that, he'll be in the hospital for a period of time and then home. After some recovery at home, he'd have to go to physical therapy. Then...who knows?!

As for the Marine Corps, they have a period of time to try to 'fix' him. After that, it will go before a board as to if he'll finish out his current contract or be considered for medical retirement or medical separation. Its quite a mess and a lot is changing very quickly. The neurosurgeon already said that he would not be allowed to be in the military in the future, but it seems that its up for debate to some extent.

I'll let you guys know on here if there are any changes!

Big Yay!

We've had a stroke of great luck lately...
(1) So our stuff was located and yes, our express will be late, but our EVERYTHING shipment is coming early! :) I guess Karma is making up for some of the silly stuff we've had to deal with since we've gotten here! (2) I had to have a filling done and my dentist went to Harvard which DEFINITELY made me feel much better. You never know who you're going to get, but hey, I'll take it! (3) Also, we found out that Jason's unit might be sending another Sgt. in his place who hasn't had to deploy yet, so we might get a WHILE together before we have serious separation (i.e. more than 3 months). We're very lucky that our marriage is strong enough to endure absences, so we'll deal with whatever is placed before us, but we still enjoy seeing each other. I've always been proud of Jason for volunteering and stepping up to the plate when other lesser men walk away - so he's definitely not trying to get out of anything, but if we can avoid a fourth deployment, than we won't complain! (4) I got a job as part-time nanny for another military family. The little girl is 1 year old and precious!! The family is really laid back and just wants to be able to go out a few hours a day every once in a while. We're figuring out our schedule this next week coming up, so that'll be a great! I really enjoy working and making my own paycheck, so hopefully that will cure my 'I-hate-living-off-my-husband's-paycheck'-itis. (5) I've found places in Japan that feel so much less city than where our base is located. I tend to prefer trees to buildings, so Northern Okianwa definitely has made it a lot easier to be here. (6) I've made a few friends here who are wonderful people. Everything is easier to face with good people by your side!

Everything is going well and things are getting increasingly better by the day! We're very lucky and very happy at this point. I guess things always work out for the best! :)

TMO...I hate you.

For those of you without the "notebook of military acronyms," TMO are the people in charge of getting all your stuff to Japan, organizing the move date and all of that great stuff. I only tell you this because its crucial for the rest of the story.

Anyway, we sent out our first shipment March 16th which consisted mainly of an air mattress, all of our kitchen goods, towels, sheets and clothes. All of these items are important, but some are more important than others. For instance, while we've been here - we have had no microwave, no pans to cook with, we did buy a kettle to boil water, but to say the least - my cooking genius has been compromised. Our diets have consisted of fruits, lots of salads and eating out! Before I left America, I decided to try the vegan diet which was great and I loved it, but it definitely mandates that you eat at home a lot so its been compromised to merely vegetarian for now. Anyway, the point of the story is that I need my kitchen stuff. I'm going nuts. The end. No, no, no, not the end. We were told that this 'express shipment', as the military calls our first shipment, is due to be in Japan on April 22nd. All last week and this week, I've been so excited! So, Jason goes to work and calls TMO to find out what time everything is to be delivered and to make sure I am home. TMO has no idea where any of our stuff is at this time and it certainly will not be delivered on the 22nd. Not to mention our main shipment is MIA which has priceless things in it such as paintings my Dad purchased, a lot of clothes...ok, well, the paintings are all I'm really working with right now that I'm concerned about.

I hate this and seriously, this might just ruin the rest of my day! I think I'm going back to bed and reading my book of "The Hour I First Believed" by Wally Lamb. If anyone has read it, you can witness to the amazingness of it all!
Blast you, TMO!

Everything else is going fine. We bought a TV because I couldn't handle the silence anymore. One of our other TV's was on express which we thought about holding out for, but I am so glad we didn't. I joined a Bible study for Protestant women which starts next Tuesday at 9 A.M. Hopefully, that will help me feel less isolated here. Jason's workdays are consisting going to work at about 4:30 AM and coming home about 5:30 PM. He usually is in bed by 9 or so which gives me a lofty 3 1/2 hours with him a night and an hour is usually spent at the gym. So in reality, we've got 2 1/2 hours together a day, but tough days were made for tougher people and at the end of the day - we're fine. School starts in June for me, so hopfeully that will help pick up the pace of my life here in Japan. Here's hoping!

Ok, long train of thought.

So, apparently many Japanese people wish Americans were not here on the bases. I was told that if I get into a car accident its always going to be my fault: if someone rear ends me, its my fault because if Americans were not here - there wouldn't have been a wreck; if I am in a Taxi and the taxi driver is rear ended - again...my fault. Trust me - this causes severe panic when I am driving because a.) who wants to be in a wreck, b.) I don't want to hurt anyone, c.) I don't want to give any Japanese people a bad taste in relation to Americans, d.) I heard Japanese prison is VERY different than American prison! (Hopefully, I'll never know the true answer to d.) As I was driving, very nervously, through Japan this morning, I began to think of why people are so fiercely protective of Japan. Its beautiful, of course, but the only thing I can really think of is that it's their home, their history, it is their country. In an odd way, I wish we all had this overprotective, mother hen mentality about our own country...well, not to immigrants necessarily, but seriously, the Japanese people take so much time to cultivate and preserve their own history that I feel America lacks.

I believe that we all have an innate right to protect what we hold dear to our hearts: children, family, relationships and spouses. This last point has caused me much grief since, well, I got married. I think that my protectiveness and reliance on Jason has multiplied infinitely since we've gotten to Japan. It's amazing to move here, be stripped of almost everything you own, but still have your spouse. When Jason and I first were married and he left for Iraq, I became oddly independent of Jason. I would call my Mom first with any good news, call friends secondly and would email Jason. When he came home, he moved up the food chain, but still was 2nd to my Mom. One major upside to coming here is that Jason has to be first. He's the only person here for me and with me. When I feel that its threatened by other people's actions, I get very protective. Then again, I feel that I have a God given right to protect my marriage. The most important thing to remember though is to truly separate out the perceived threats against actual threats. I try to only act on the actual threats, but who knows. All you can do is follow your heart and protect what you know to be yours!

Ok, too much deep thinking and the furniture guy just delivered our television console thingy, but of course left it in the box. Doesn't really matter, we won't have a T.V. till next week, but hey! It makes it feel more homey!

Shuri Castle pictures!

The King's throne. This is totally where I'd sit if this was the Miller house! :) The part I'm leaving out here is that I had to walk a quarter of a mile, barefoot, in a building with a LOT of other people to get to this point. Gross, Gross, Gross! When in Rome...

The view of Okinawa from the Guard tower at the castle! Yes, it's insane how everything is all smushed together!

Seriously, I can't get over how amazing it is!

Look! I'm the the little white spot! I didn't alter or brighten anything in this picture! It really is THIS colorful!

This was outside the gate going into the castle, but at this point I thought this was as cool as it could be. Truth be told, I love the red and blue.

The main part of the castle! It was built in the 15th Century, blown apart during WWII and then rebuilt.

I apologize, as well, for these pictures being SO out of order. I'm still getting the hang of it!

It's been a while.

Wow! We've been in Japan for about a week and a half and I haven't really had time to write anything. I apologize profusely. To say that it has been a fast paced week and a half is quite the understatement. I'm sitting in our apartment on base that we moved into this morning. I know it sounds odd, but for some reason as I see our clothes on the floor because we don't have our furniture until June 2nd, it's truly dawned on me that I really am in Japan. Japan. As in the other side of the world? Gosh knows where our stuff is at this point. We really have surrendered control with this one! In an odd way, I do believe that God plans our lives to show us lessons which need to be learned in that exact moment. I believe the lesson learned for me is that I need to trust that things will be fine in whatever capacity they are meant to be...his capacity! Sure enough, on my lowest of days, I went to the exchange and thought to myself, 'It will be a good day when I come here and actually see a familiar face.' Low and behold, I run into Karen Allen, a friend from Camp Lejeune, who's 4-year-old had to use the bathroom, so she had stopped in the exchange to let him use the bathroom. What are the odds?! I am convinced it was God's way of showing me that it will be fine. I will be fine. Just trust in his plans for me and that my wishes are not falling on deaf ears despite what it feels like right now. Ok, enough about my faith, I'm sure my Dad would accuse me of being evangelical at this point and would warn me that people might think I am a 'religious nut'.

New topic!

It seems that Jason will be leaving me sooner than later and I really will be on the other side of the world by myself! When I got married at 22, my family was very concerned that I would not truly know independence. The Marine Corps has a funny way of making you have your independence regardless of your own choice. It really is like jumping and hoping that the net appears. At our 'Welcome Aboard' brief, a man stood up and said, "This is an accompanied tour for the Marine and an unaccompanied tour for the spouses. Your servicemember will always be gone." Seriously?! Awesome. Things are still up in the air as to exactly if he'll be on a MEU, in Afghanistan or Iraq, but its looking like the MEU. Apparently, he's more likely than many to deploy to Afghanistan or Iraq from Japan because a lot of the Marines here haven't deployed and don't have the experience. So if you deploy a few times, its only fair you have to do it before someone else who hasn't?! Jeez, things don't make sense sometimes, but what can you do?!

Another great thing is that I've gotten my LISENCE here. Yep, I'm a professional driver for the United States Government. Apparently, my liscense is granted by the American government instead of the Japanese government. With their endorsement, they are saying I am equivalent of a professional driver. Really?! Anyone who has ridden with me might beg to differ, Uncle Sam. Aside from the crazy road signs (pictured above), things are great and Jason and I managed to make it to Shuri castle. I'm adding a new post for some of those pictures.