Vipers Vietnam Veteran Message Board: He

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Posted by Jen on 5/4/2009, 8:56 pm
71.10.97.105

He's more than a Veteran... he's my dad,

but the VA doesn't care about anything other than paperwork, procedure & policies.

It began alittle over a year ago.
Well possibly sooner, we aren't sure- because the government never warned my dad about his exposure to agent orange in Vietnam and what it could mean to his health.

While he was having some symptoms that, right away, suggested possible prostate cancer, nothing was initially done.
Finally, I biopsy was performed and came back negative for cancer. He was treated for urinary tract infections.

Our relief was short lived however.

His troubles continued and finally by October 2008 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer which had spread and was inoperable. Along with the prostate cancer they also found bladder cancer. Of course, one has to wonder if the VA would have found the cancer a year ago, when problems first surfaced.... could he have been cured?

He is only 60 years young. He has a wife, three adult children and eight grandchildren ranging from 1-18, he has a lot to live for.

Treatments began and our hopes were high.
The bladder tumor was removed, and treatments for this began. Although the cancer was considered terminal, we were told treatments could keep it from spreading for a long time...... two years, more, who knows?

Suddenly the treatments lost their effectiveness and this is where the trouble with the VA begins.
Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't say that, because dealing with the VA is not easy either way. From the endless paperwork-which they (VA) repeatedly lose, to the frustration in trying to call the VA & speak to a human being for any reason, to the hours upon hours our Veterans are sitting in the VA working their way through the 'system'
System, it cannot be called that.... its more like chaotic, stressful waiting game which could drive a very sane person over the edge.
My dad's prostate cancer has spread to the bone... initially it was just in the hip bone but he began having severe back pain so an MRI was ordered. No one ever called to schedule this, even though my mom repeatedly contacted the VA.
Three separate doctors have ordered this MRI trying to push it through the 'system' and over 5 weeks later he has yet to have it.
The MRI would show where the cancer has spread & help figure out what treatments should be next to attempt to prolong his life. Not to mention may predict a way to help with his extreme pain.
It would be impossible to explain this entire situation in an email, but trust me- the public needs to be made aware of what these poor Veterans are being put through.
The government gave my dad cancer via agent orange.... that is unfair enough, but they continue to rub salt in the wounds with their 'system'
My dad is a great man- of course most daughters would say that.... he truly is my hero, shouldn't he be a hero in general for fighting for our Country & now slowly dying for it as well??
There are a staggering number of Vietnam Veterans dying off in their fifties & sixties because of agent orange... that's too young! That's unacceptable! And though what's done is done.... couldn't the VA, the government find a way to treat these poor honorable men the way they deserve????
The way the VA is treating (and not treating) my father, and Veterans like him, doesn't only affect them... it affects the whole family. My poor mother is stressed out, had to take a leave of absence from her job just to keep up with this VA 'system'
I'm hoping you are unlike the VA and actually have a heart.
I'm hoping you are unlike the VA and don't think of Veterans as a number.
I'm hoping you can help me get the word out....... to let other Veterans know they are not alone, to tell the public what is going on behind closed VA doors and to hopefully change the 'system' ....... because although it may be too late to help my dad, there are many more Veterans who deserve it and maybe,,
just maybe........... my dad's struggle can make a difference.
If things truly happen for a reason, maybe making a difference for Veterans, can be the reason.
Please, please help.
Contact me for more information as to exact details of how the 'system' has been slowly killing my father & making his last days miserable.
In honor of a Veteran, my dad.... Steve Emery
http://caringbridge.org/visit/steveemery
Jen Bakken
jlynnb70@yahoo.com