Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Posted on Jul 19, 2019
Does anyone have a spouse with MS (Multiple Sclerosis)?
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I'm just looking for others that are in a similar situation and how they manage everything at home and work.
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Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
19D: Cavalry Scout
Military Family Family Home Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) 19D: Cavalry Scout
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 22
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Yes, my wife was diagnosed with MS in 1974 while we were stationed at Langley AFB. (Before MRIs were invented.) Fortunately, we were stationed at Scott AFB in the late 1970s and she was accepted into a study program at Barnes-Jewish hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. TRICARE cooperated with the research and we paid very little expense for the experimental treatment. Treatment included removal of an abnormal thymus gland and treatment with post-operative drugs. She did amazingly well. The rapid advance of the MS was dramatically slowed. Within a year she was "normal." We continued in the USAF with assignments to Alaska, Florida, and back to Scott AFB. I retired in 1991. She completed her BSN in 1999 at Barnes School of Nursing. The Doctor who had led the research always stopped her in the hall when he happened to see her at Barnes, gave her a hug, and told her she was his miracle patient. She was the only one in the research study with such great improvement. Dr. Trotter passed away a few years ago.
It was sometimes difficult to balance military and personal life. Fortunately, she was able to care for herself throughout my military career and did a great job of raising our three children. She didn't become physically disabled until I had been retired from the AF for over 10 years. Again a blessing.
If your spouse's MS progresses rapidly, with fewer and shorter remissions, then you will need home assistance to keep your military career going. The assistance may be minor at first, such as somebody to come in and clean the house weekly. We used the Base Child Care Center quite a bit until the kids were old enough to care for themselves if Mom had a bad day--or week--while I was at work. Living on the military installation is a big plus. Your commute to work is short, emergency return hove takes little time, and the military medical facility may be close. As the disease progresses, you may need in-home health care during the time you are not at home. This can be expensive. I'm not sure if TRICARE will cover any of this cost. Look into it. (I retired from my very good civil service job in 2013 to take care of my wife full-time.) Relatives may be able to help if you need to go TDY or be deployed. Plan ahead!
Also, find the best neurologist you can within reasonable distance of where you live. I see you may be in Hawaii. The military medical facility there may have a neurologist. Hopefully, he or she can care for your spouse, but might also refer you to somebody "downtown." Check with the Universities' medical schools to see if they run an MS clinic or are doing MS research. Make sure your neurologist orders MRIs of the head and spine to keep track of any damage MS is doing. Also link up with the local MS Society chapter. They may provide education for you both, sources of assistance, and references to clinics and specialists. There have been many advances in treatment of MS, so the therapies my wife underwent probably aren't used any more. And, there may be a cure within your lifetime as we learn more and more about autoimmune diseases. Pray.
Always let you supervisors and commander know your spouse has a debilitating disease. Know enough to explain MS and how it effects you spouse. They will be a lot more understanding if they have advance notice that a personal emergency can happen. Do your part by having plans in place to provide care for your spouse and children if necessary while you are TDY or deployed. Learn how to work through the Red Cross if you are deployed and must make an emergency return home due to your wife's health. Also, know how the compassionate reassignment system works, so you can use it in the future if needed.
Consider changing to an MOS that offers opportunities for "desk jobs." Many of these types of jobs are in combat service and combat service support areas. Having a job where you are "home for dinner every night" is a big plus with a partially disabled spouse. I did that for 7 years and it was a big help in raising the kids.
Finally, hang in there. Be prepared to become a full-time caregiver at some point in your life. My prayers go with you both.
It was sometimes difficult to balance military and personal life. Fortunately, she was able to care for herself throughout my military career and did a great job of raising our three children. She didn't become physically disabled until I had been retired from the AF for over 10 years. Again a blessing.
If your spouse's MS progresses rapidly, with fewer and shorter remissions, then you will need home assistance to keep your military career going. The assistance may be minor at first, such as somebody to come in and clean the house weekly. We used the Base Child Care Center quite a bit until the kids were old enough to care for themselves if Mom had a bad day--or week--while I was at work. Living on the military installation is a big plus. Your commute to work is short, emergency return hove takes little time, and the military medical facility may be close. As the disease progresses, you may need in-home health care during the time you are not at home. This can be expensive. I'm not sure if TRICARE will cover any of this cost. Look into it. (I retired from my very good civil service job in 2013 to take care of my wife full-time.) Relatives may be able to help if you need to go TDY or be deployed. Plan ahead!
Also, find the best neurologist you can within reasonable distance of where you live. I see you may be in Hawaii. The military medical facility there may have a neurologist. Hopefully, he or she can care for your spouse, but might also refer you to somebody "downtown." Check with the Universities' medical schools to see if they run an MS clinic or are doing MS research. Make sure your neurologist orders MRIs of the head and spine to keep track of any damage MS is doing. Also link up with the local MS Society chapter. They may provide education for you both, sources of assistance, and references to clinics and specialists. There have been many advances in treatment of MS, so the therapies my wife underwent probably aren't used any more. And, there may be a cure within your lifetime as we learn more and more about autoimmune diseases. Pray.
Always let you supervisors and commander know your spouse has a debilitating disease. Know enough to explain MS and how it effects you spouse. They will be a lot more understanding if they have advance notice that a personal emergency can happen. Do your part by having plans in place to provide care for your spouse and children if necessary while you are TDY or deployed. Learn how to work through the Red Cross if you are deployed and must make an emergency return home due to your wife's health. Also, know how the compassionate reassignment system works, so you can use it in the future if needed.
Consider changing to an MOS that offers opportunities for "desk jobs." Many of these types of jobs are in combat service and combat service support areas. Having a job where you are "home for dinner every night" is a big plus with a partially disabled spouse. I did that for 7 years and it was a big help in raising the kids.
Finally, hang in there. Be prepared to become a full-time caregiver at some point in your life. My prayers go with you both.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you for the advice sir! I have been sure to inform my PL/PSG as well as my CO/1SG whenever I have had to change troops/platoons. For the most part, all have been extremely accommodating. My wife has had numbness in her legs and they have given out on her on a few different occasions. They allow me to take her to any appointments she has and are aware that I may have to leave work to care for her with short notice.
My main concern is if/when I am assigned somewhere that the leadership isn't as understanding or accommodating. I've called tricare to inquire about a home nurse and they said that is only for the SM.
I've brought up stem cell therapy to my wife a few times, but that is very expensive and has some significant risks. I've also met with the ACS loan/grant specialist about the cost of the procedure; unfortunately, it would be a long shot to get anything from them for the cost of the stem cell therapy.
My main concern is if/when I am assigned somewhere that the leadership isn't as understanding or accommodating. I've called tricare to inquire about a home nurse and they said that is only for the SM.
I've brought up stem cell therapy to my wife a few times, but that is very expensive and has some significant risks. I've also met with the ACS loan/grant specialist about the cost of the procedure; unfortunately, it would be a long shot to get anything from them for the cost of the stem cell therapy.
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Amn (Join to see)
After an MRI i was diagnosed of MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. After years on medications, symptoms worsened with tremors on my right hand, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness and loss of speech. Fortunately last year, I learnt about Rich Herbal Gardens (ww w. richherbalgardens. c om) and their effective MS Formula treatment through an MS support group on facebook the Multiple Sclerosis treatment made a great difference, most of my symptoms including balance, weakness, falling alot and others gradually disappeared. I improved greatly over the 4 months treatment, its been a year since the treatment, i have no symptoms. I have a very good quality of life and a great family!
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MIDN 3/C (Join to see)
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in October 2011, at the age of 44. I woke up one morning with numbness in my lower back and legs, I couldn't feel my feet touching the floor. I saw my doctor and had an MRI to see if I had a disc problem, it was negative and she told me she feared MS. I was sent to a neurologist, had two more MRIs, and was told that night that I have four lesions on my spine MS. I tried every shots available but nothing worked. In 2015, my neurologist and I decided to go with natural treatment and was introduced to Mayaka Natural Clinic natural organic MS Herbal formula, i had a total decline of symptoms with this treatment, the numbness, terrible back pains, stiffness, body weakness, double vision, depression and others has subsided. Visit Mayaka Natural Clinic official website http://www. mayakanaturalclinic. com This treatment is a breakthrough for all suffering from Multiple sclerosis, i am strong again!
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https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support/Find-Support/Join-a-Local-Support-Group
This looks esp good, though, of course, that search I'd sent also had numerous others, as well, obv....
This looks esp good, though, of course, that search I'd sent also had numerous others, as well, obv....
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https://search.aol.com/aol/search?q=multiple%20sclerosis%20support%20groups&s_it=loki-tb-sb
You might find these useful....
You might find these useful....
multiple%20sclerosis%20support%20groups - AOL Search Results
Download A List Of Questions You Can Ask Your Neurologist About Multiple Sclerosis. Sign Up To Receive More Information On How You Can Be Proactive About Brain Preservation.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you sir, I'm on numerous support pages on Facebook and have a good understanding of the disease. I'm looking for other military members that have spouses with MS so I can see if there's anything more that I can do. Thank you for the comment though sir!
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I follow, I had extensive training on it for my clinical allied health doctorate, though we shut my license after my total perm disability, so I'd treated many patients with it while I'd been in residency...hope, if nothing else, it'd be of use, if you haven't called them, I'd at least give it a whirl, maybe, just a thought, of course....
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Amn (Join to see)
45 years old female with very aggressive Multiple Sclerosis that does stand up comedy. Ms has negatively impacted my life in so many ways, but I gotta say that it has made me stronger and a better person in a lot of ways. I feel so happy and excited to see myself recover from MS very fast. I can talk very well and walk freely now. Here is herbal centre that helped me recover incase you need their help (besthealthherbalcentre. c om).
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