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The Toughest Fight
November 23, 2016 Grunt.com Admin

The Toughest Fight

By: Kerry Reed

The toughest time in my life was after getting out of the Corps as an E-5 with disability. An ongoing battle fighting to get the right help from the VA. I loved the time I was in the Corps and brotherhood is like no other. Between the contaminated LST’s and the tainted water at Camp Lejeune I face an enemy hard to defeat. I am currently fighting Lung Cancer for the 3rd time. All of these are new cancers not repeats. Both kinds of lung caner Small Cell and Non Small Cell. One of each in the right lung and Small cell in the left lung. I quit smoking along time ago, this is NOT from smoking 20 years ago. There is no other case like mine. For me to get treatment through the VA I would have to travel 130 miles to a VA center capable of treating me. But the VA clinic that is 20 miles away disqualifies me from getting Non VA local healthcare. Even tho they can not treat me it counts under the 40 mile clause. Imagine traveling 130 miles while sick as a dog 4 times a month for 4 months. The only saving grace was/is private health care insurance and now just Medicare. I have battling this now for 9 years. Semper Fi.

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Comments

jerry powers - June 15, 2020

just like to say hi usmc 72-73

Gene Spanos - June 15, 2020

Hang tough Marine.In the meantime…..get a hair cut, shave and stand tall…….Semper Fi sir. Best. /gs

SSgt Jim Leonard (Ret) - June 15, 2020

This new system is no good go back to the old way, so we can read the whole story.

Kenneth L. Heston - June 15, 2020

Hi Cpl, I get a 10% discount from Lowes with my PINK discharge ID. Its all they ever ask for here in Longview, WA. Here is a solution for the VA. Put all of the elected officails and their families under the VA system and it would get fixed in less then a year. They would not put up with that crap if it was their children and wives getting messed with! KL Heston, Sgt USMC ’68-’72

Henry K - June 15, 2020

Served with G-3-8 at lejune 51-54 there was a dougherty in our mortar section. any relation??? Guess I was lucky had no problem with affects from water. I never had any dealings with VA

Kendel Scaffe - June 15, 2020

As a former Marine of 1970’s and 80’s at Swamp Lagoon, I’ve trying for the last five years just for VSO’s to listen. The problem is I’m FEMALE and Pat me on my head and tell me to go my merry way. It’s hard to do when one has neurological disorders that mimic MS. So, I feel for you brother. I just hope you get the treatment you need. SEMPER FI.

Bruce Mally - June 15, 2020

get A HOLD OF THE VFW SERVICE Officer at the VA hospital or the nearest VFW/ DAV Post, They can help you.

Frank Morelli - June 15, 2020

Agreed on the suggestions to receive treatment via the choice program or a local facility .Contact the Patient care advocate at the clinic or hospital if no satisfaction contact your local Congresman or Senator .Copy a Service Officer from a local Association DAV !!! Semper Fidelis ” Doc “

matters not - June 15, 2020

I have a 320 mile round trip to a VA Medical Center, I cannot travel due to my injury. When I did go down with the pain, I found the idiot who did not see my issue as a hardship, I told him that I would pray for him, pray that hell find he and his loved ones.

Dwayne Wimbley - June 15, 2020

Use your Chain of command. If the VA is not treating you illness correctly you need to write an e-mail, or a letter to the commander in chief, that right The president of the united states, he does listen and can make things happen, secondly ,write an e-mail or letter to the director of the VA. it will also get you action. I have done this myself and got real action in my own trials and tribulations with the VA health care system.

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