Hate asking for help. Haven’t gone to the food bank or such things because that’s for the “poor” people but starting to come to the realization that that’s me! Recently put in for an increase in my VA benefits but that takes months, if not over a year. Wife can only work so many hours because of the economy and her health.
Been there, done that. Praying for you.
In my case it was weight. I had open sores for months that just weren’t healing along with some pretty serious edema with the major contributing factor being my weight.
Finally my doc said to go on the Atkins diet so I can drop off the weight and worry about the small stuff, i.e. cholesterol, later.
Sticking on the diet I dropped almost 15 pounds the first two weeks and four a week after that. The edema went away and with it the sores as the skin wasn’t stretched too tight to heal any longer. I kept the wounds covered with Neosporin and gauze while they were healing.
In regard to your comment about asking for food: food assistance / food stamps are exactly intended for folks like you and your wife. You are truly in need and there is no shame in asking for some help.
When you are better and your life has improved you can always take yourself off the assistance.
By the way, I understood a diuretic medicine goes a long way in helping Edema. A man I know, a diabetic lost 75 pounds of water while in the hospital on a diuretic they had him taking. Now out of the hospital he still takes them as the doctor ordered. I'm no doctor but wondered if you have looked into this.
Understand completely but with you and your wife being limited, now is not the time to be "penny wise and pound foolish" [grin]. Since you are in Mississippi I cannot help you because I don't know that state's ins&outs, BUT there is probably a state office of Veteran's Affairs for you to contact. Do that and see what they can do for you. As for the VA, did you work with the VA Ombudsman in your local area? If not contact them for any expediting they may be able to do.
Hope the responses you are getting show how much you are valued here. Lots of good advice and some that is ... May God give you all the Blessings you can use. Prayers UP!