Adams Family Update

My entire life, I’ve been a “dependent” of the United States Military. First with the Coast Guard, and then again with the Air Force. (When I really started thinking about it, it’s one of the larger parts of my identity.)

It’s so backwards, but the inconsistency of the military has been my only consistency for 30 years.

The unknown of it all is weirdly comforting to me.

So maybe this update isn’t an update at all? Or maybe it’s the start of something totally new and unknown to our little family. But here’s what’s going on with us!

Lucas called me a few weeks ago and jokingly said, “I’ve been discovered.”

He started having foot, then hip, then back pain while we were in Alaska. After lots of appointments here in Blacksburg, he was finally diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (or A.S. for short). It’s a type of arthritis, but is manageable on medication. And this medication isn’t necessarily ‘kosher’ for the military’s strict health requirements. BUT, since we’ve been in Blacksburg and aren’t stationed at an actual military base, he’s been able to fly under the radar. We knew this would come eventually, just not exactly when.

What does this even mean?

He had an official appointment at Langley Air Force Base this week to meet with an Air Force doctor. He brought the million medical papers he’s collected the past 2 years and this was the start of the medical board. I’m not the know-it-all military wife-type, but the gist is this: a team will meet to discuss whether or not Lucas can stay in the Air Force with his current medical condition.

He could get medically retired. He could get medically discharged. He could be allowed to stay in (with certain restrictions on where he can/can’t go).

So we play the waiting game, the military waiting game that they are very good at.

If you’re the praying-type, we’d love some prayers as we start to figure out what this all means for our family.

So what’s next?

I have literally NO idea. We need to submit our dream sheet in the next week or so for our potential next duty station. (Those options are actually a little comical – more on that another time.) But maybe we are discharged? Then maybe Alaska for a few years? Maybe traveling as a family for a few months? Maybe start our Christmas Tree Farm sooner than we thought?

Who knows!

But wherever it is, you’re welcome anytime…

Thanks for being here,

Regan