Well, I have good news. I just looked at the FAA Airmen Database and found my name there with a medical date of February 2020. So, here's whats transpired in that time:
So, after the medical (which was February 11), I followed my AME's advice and waited a month to see what would happen. Mid-March I reached out to AOPA to complete an inquiry with FAA on my behalf. They came back to me stating that the FAA had not received my medical application or medical documentation. Argh. So I contact the AME and relay this to them, and they indicate to me that they definitely submitted everything. They said that they would reach out to the FAA and get back to me. Heard nothing back from them after a few days so I called them back again and they told me that when they talked to the FAA, the FAA did in fact have the medical application, but did not have my medical records. (This could partially be my fault as I elected to let the AME submit the application and records, and not take care of the records myself). So the AME told me that they would re-send the documentation. I never did hear from them again, I made one follow up call after that to make sure the records had been sent, but the office never returned my call. So I reached back out to AOPA again and told them what the AME told me, and they said that it could be 3 weeks until the FAA got the records scanned into their system (after they received them). They told me that they added me to the inquiry list for March 30, and that they hoped I'd hear something by then or sooner. Then of course the pandemic hit. So I really didn't worry about reaching out to them because I was not even sure AOPA Medical or AMCD were even operating at this point. My cousin (who is a CFI) reached out to me last night and said that on a whim he ran my name in the Airmen Registry and found my medical listed. YAY!
The important thing to note was that he also pointed out that there was no listing of a special issuance restriction. So it appears that my medical was issued as a regular medical after all. Which makes me happy as there should be less mess to go through come renewal time.
I've yet to receive any indication from the FAA of the issuance of the medical certificate, apart from the aforementioned entry in the airmen database. But I would presume that if it shows up there that its a done deal. Do correct me if I am wrong.
On to training! Thanks for the listening ear.