PCSing with a medical child

How do I start this off? PCSing in general is stressful, and for those who have no idea what I am talking about; PCSing is just a term that means switching bases. In our military career (and yes I say our because I myself used to be in but also its never just the soldier it’s the entire family involved) we have moved 4 times. Georgia, Germany, Texas and now here in Virginia. It stressful but add a medical child to the equation and your stress goes from a 10 to 10,000 if that is even possible! What I wish someone would have told me about PCSing with a medical child is the paperwork. You have EFMP Paperwork that you have to make sure if updated (if the one thing you do MAKE sure you do the update) it could be the turning point of where you can and can not go. Case managers are going to be your best friend. Literally you will be talking about to your case manager more than your own family when your getting ready to move. Lists. Lists of doctors, medicines, diagnosis, anything that your child might or might not need write it down. Even if you think its small, write it down.

Let’s start with traveling. Now for us we could never drive with Dean.  Dean was flighted from both Germany and Texas.

 

I can’t necessarily tell you what to do when you are driving but I can sure tell you what to do when your flying. I always carried a file, well a file folder one that is like the accordion file, I kept the following list

·         EFMP updated paperwork

·         Drs notes

·         Diagnosis sheet

·         Medication chart

·         Birth certificate, SSC, insurance card

 

 

Now most of the time the flight time will tell you how many bags you can bring. We were able to bring 1 each. I had a big one for myself that had enough clothes and essentials to last till I knew the rest of the family was there. For dean I had a bag for about 2 outfits, most of the time they will be wearing hospital gowns anyways. I had any comfort items for him, I had food (he is on special food the hospital didn’t have) and any little item that you think he might benefit from.

Before we moved, I labeled everything that was to be packed and what was to be given back to the other medical company. This helped a lot seeing as the flight team moved up our flight 4 days ahead of schedule and Brandon was left overseeing all the moving himself.

Once you are moved and settled into the hospital, make a list. I know I know another list, but this list will help you maintain your sanity while you are in the hospital. This list will contain all the drs you have meet their names their specialties, what they recommended and when is the next time you will need to see them. (Lists are my favorite!)