Veterans with Cancer

Carcinoid cancer

Hi there, my name is Petra and I lost my husband to cancer in 2009. The first time he was diagnosed was in 1998 with lung cancer ( never smoked). They took out the bottom lobe of his lung and concluded that they got it all. In 2006 he went on His 2nd tour to Afghanistan. About 2 months in I was informed that he had fallen very ill and was sent to Kuwait to stabilize him enough to be sent to Germany for further evaluation. Anyway, turned out he had liver cancer then. He also never drank, except the usual drink at supper or at get together and the once every 2 years get drunk parties. He joined in 1986 and died as a full serving member in 2009. He was at first in the artillery 1RCHA in Germany. He was in the artillery until 1992 when he got his remaster to MP. Now I our case the military took the blame for his cancer in 2006 and VAC contacted us because he was diagnosed on foreign soil. Apparently this is an automatic ‘oops we killed him’. I don’t understand how 2 people with the same cancer can be treated differently because of the location the were diagnosed at. I’m at the receiving end of this and often feel bad for other widows who don’t get the benefits I do because their husbands were at home. Please feel free to reach out.

Petra MacDonald

An update on Cecil Draper’s story

This an update to relate the outcome of the appeal. I am happy to report that on July 30, 2024 we won the appeal and Cecil will receive a 4/5ths entitlement for PSC related to his diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. We are still waiting on the summary assessment. The VRAB decision # is 100005469075 on the CanLii.org website

Marnie Draper

There is a massive disconnect here

I was an army medic for 23 years. I was a front line medic in Afghanistan attached to the infantry. I was a mess when I got back and I didn't know what was happening to me. Lots of symptoms which were downplayed by the military medical system. The lack of understanding and recognition of symptoms for combat trauma astounds me considering that is what I did over there. How is there such a disconnect? Is it purposeful ignorance? A form of medical gaslighting!

I was medically released in 2015 and was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer with no family history. This means that the cancer was growing while I was still in uniform. My cancer was extensive, I had 9 tumors and it had spread to my lymph nodes. I was an athlete and felt strong. Any symptoms I had I assumed were related to working out or playing soccer, getting older. Definitely not cancer! Looking back on it the signs were there. Problem is the medical system needs to look at us as a whole. All the symptoms and to listen to the patients history. Details always matter.

All my symptoms were downplayed. No transparency with regards to exposures.

The military goes on and on about soldiers being athletic and healthier than the general population. Well that is not the case if our bodies are harbouring and growing cancers we developed thanks to our service.

If I had found it sooner the level of treatment, suffering, effects on my children and dealing with all the residual symptoms would be less! Fear of it returning would be less!!

Knowledge is power… we NEED to know! We need to be able to advocate for ourselves. What about all of the veterans without a family doctor? How many are missed?

The US has far more money and has done the research!

The president signed off on the presumptive conditions.

Time for our government to follow suit! Anything less is pure negligence when the information is available all over the internet.

I was told that the US has only agreed to these cancers to help their veterans with healthcare! I’m absolutely shocked by this answer! I’ve been through hell and this is blatant ignorance. I could give dozens of examples of exposures.

There is a massive disconnect here.

I will also note that VAC ended my having a CM during my cancer treatment!

They have a ways to go when it comes to actions vs words.

Alannah Gilmore

A Story of Perseverance and Success - Keep Fighting until You Win

I served from Jan 3, 1991-sept 4 1993. MOC 411 vehicle tech. Posted to 2SVC BN.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal metastic prostate cancer in October 5, 2018. Was given 3-5 years to live originally. My cancer is hormone based. I did 21 days of radiation, along with chemical castration to kill my testerone to keep my cancer under control.

Was on chemo pills for 4 years till January 3, 2023 till found out it came back. I did regular chemo for 3 doses and killed it again.

However the drugs prior to chemo gave me a heart condition. Had heart rate of 195 and 201 with what they call an SVT.

I end of august in 2023 I found out I had a tumour of prostate cancer behind my right eye and was forcing my eye out of my head. I did 5 days of radiation again. Also started immuno theropy in September 2023.

By January 2024 only a wisper of cancer left. By end of June this year I completely beat cancer for the 5th time.

My family, friends, and oncologist all say I’m going to out live rocks. In never going to give up my fight with cancer. I’m retired and volenteer at our local stock car race track Edmonton Int'l Raceway which is keeping me going and alive.

Always keep up the fight. October 5 will be end of year 5 start of year 6

Jason Olson

Stomach Cancer

Hoping that my story may help someone looking for answers/action. My Service spouse passed away in 2015 from stage 4 stomach cancer (49 years old, in his 27th year in military).

Never attributed it to service until I started reading the research coming out of the USA and the presumptive cases - one of which was stomach cancer.

He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006/2007. I applied through VAC about 1.5 years ago & wrote extensively about the research & the PACT Act. I was expecting to have to appeal, but To my surprise, it was approved at 100%,making his cancer and death attributable to service, which gave so much closure.

Feel free to reach out.

Obituary
https://cmcen-rcmce.ca/lp/wo-f-j-evans-cd/

Our cancer Story:
https://taskforcefrank.wordpress.com/

Sandi

Afghanistan Veteran

Exposures continue!
Tons of us have been diagnosed since 80’s as well.

I was a front line medic in Afghanistan 2006/2007. I was diagnosed Stage 3 breast cancer in my early 40’s 3 years after medical release which means I had it while in uniform in my 30’s.

Burn pits, meds, environment, air quality, burning drug fields, combat stress, injury, combat injuries, weird flesh eating microbes, PTSD, Tbi etc….

The states has confirmed presumptive conditions for Iraq and Afghanistan and Canada would prefer to say that the states is doing these soldiers and veterans a service by “helping” them with their cancer because they don’t have our health care system!

Complete load of crap!!
Too many of us with young cancers!

DND AND VAC need to be accountable to all who have likely developed cancer due to being exposed.

Also the lack of transparency that we were exposed is even worse! For years and years I just rationalized away my symptoms. I was young and healthy!! Even seeing medical professionals they didn’t do anything except diminish my symptoms.

So I’m all for having a chat on this subject.

It took me 3 years after retirement to go for testing - a non cancerous cyst got my attention and I was lucky enough to find a family doctor. My cancer was extensive! I was littered with cancer - I had 9 tumors!

If I had been caught earlier everything would be different! my Cancer would have been less, maybe I wouldn’t have needed a mastectomy (Breast amputation) or developed chronic lymphedema in my arm that has to be managed forever now. Or the amount of chemo would have been less, the amount of radiation would have been less.

The residual symptoms from all the treatment and the constant fear it will come back would have been less!! My kids dealing with an extremely sick single mom at the ages of 6 and 9!

A good friend and comrade died from breast cancer! She was diagnosed just a couple months post retirement. She served for over 30 years with numerous army tours, and on ships. She was dx stage 3 as well. Well she died less than a year after her retirement. It makes me sick!!!

No they just don’t get it!!

It’s seriously messed up! Major disabilities from Afghan war time just starting to be looked at as well as TBI etc.

Feel free to reach out.

Alannah

Alannah Gilmore

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