The following is a personal story submitted to Civilian Exposure and published as part of our new series: “Contamination Chronicles: Personal Stories of Exposure”. If you would like to submit your story, you may fill out our form here or send directly via email to share-@-civilianexposure.org.
When I first started this endeavor four years ago when my husband was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, I never thought it could become worse. To say the least it has.
We received a phone call from his new primary care doctor at the VA on February 1st. He has been diagnosed with lymphoma. We will be seeing an oncologist on the 26th of February. The ugliest truth of this new diagnosis is that his white blood cell count has been elevated since March of 2018. His original primary care doctor dropped the ball assuming it was elevated due to his renal failure.
It is of my personal opinion that it was absolute negligence due to the fact that the said doctor is no longer employed at the clinic. We received no notification, letter, or phone call when Joe’s primary care doctor stopped working at the clinic. The negligence of the VA medical facilities and health care has got to stop. This newest diagnosis may have just cost my husband’s life to be shortened even further.
We are still embattled with his appeal hearing. I reached out to our Congressman’s office again after this recent diagnosis. To summarize that conversation it was plainly put as this: homelessness, financial hardship, or a letter from a doctor stating the patient is terminal are the only options to expedite a hearing with the VA Board of Appeals.
To all that are embroiled with their illnesses and injustices of being exposed to multitudes of toxins, I pray for you all that there will be resolution soon.
Note from the Editor: The author currently resides in Pocola, Oklahoma. The account/editorial is verbatim from the author without edit, with only the omission of their name to preserve anonymity.
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2 comments
Disgusted and sad at the treatment being given to former Camp Lejeune residents!
Why did our great Country lieing to us about the Camp Lejeune water problem for so many years. I Trained there in 1954 and 1955 and I am sick and tired that the VA has not done anything to help Marines like me that have had great problems with my Urinary track. Colon Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Stage 3 Kidney disease and a bladder that requires Medication to function. In addition I experience a leaky urine problem. all because I wanted to serve my Country.Thank You VA for nothing.