In 1997, my brother retired from the US Marine Corps after serving 20 years. I don’t know a lot of the details of his life lately, as we have been estranged. Now he’s sick, and that changes everything. The VA seems to think he has Hashimotos Encephalopathy, “an autoimmune disease with symptoms that can mimic many different neurological disorders… (and) may be misdiagnosed as stroke, early dementia, Alzheimer’s, psychosis, brain cancer, primary progressive aphasia, and others.”[i] His military duties included: serving as a chemical operations specialist; a Gulf War tour that included exposure to the smoke and contaminants released by the Kuwaiti oil fires associated with Gulf War Syndrome; as well as exposure to toxic levels of chemicals in Camp LeJeune’s drinking water (1957-1987)[ii].
In October, a cousin contacted me with a barrage of distressing and confusing information. Until then, I had been unaware that his health had started to deteriorate. I wasn’t sure that I wanted any part of the drama, but feared that he might be in danger. Several phones calls helped clarify the true circumstances, and I spoke to my brother for the first time in ten years, and was relieved that he is well cared for and safe. He is docile now; whereas before, he was always somewhat soft spoken, but capable of incredible intensity.
His wife, a retired VA employee is all too familiar with the pitfalls of the VA health care system, and had not seen the progress she desired in Tennessee. Though treating him for thyroid issues, Hashimotos had not been considered, and it is a condition where time is of the essence. They’ve since relocated to the Northeast to be closer to her adult children, and in the care of another VA network. I’m afraid to ask too many questions— both out of respect for her role as his primary advocate, and/or, well, I’m not sure I want to know.
I can’t bear the thought that he might have been irreparably harmed by his military service. The loss of a limb or a sense, particularly sight and/or hearing, is catastrophic, but there are prosthetics. A person’s mind is another story, and this is my brother.
I am far from alone in this situation. There are so many veterans and their families dealing with seen and unseen injuries from our wars. Just in my lifetime, there’s been the Vietnam Conflict, the Invasion of Grenada, and the Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraqi Wars. My father fought in World War II and Korea. That’s a lot of veterans needing quality healthcare. We can’t shilly-shally about semantics. Is it Agent Orange? Is it Gulf War Syndrome? Is it Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? It is a travesty that there are any homeless veterans.
Our soldiers and protectors need our help, and they need it now.
I read the news stories about young soldiers who’ve come back from war unable to cope— the tragedies of broken lives. I shake my head and think about the last ten years— not just the stupidity of estrangement, but the absolute absurdity of our country’s economic status as the result of rampant greed and missteps on the part of our elected officials— both parties. Nobody gets a pass here.
Healthcare is imperative. Opponents of universal healthcare point to Canada’s healthcare system with its limitations and waiting lists. What do you think is happening to our veterans? Ask them about waiting lists, limitations, screw-ups, etc. I don’t want to call my brother’s hospital room and have him not answer— knowing that my next step is calling the nurse’s station so a kind-hearted nurse can go to his room, answer and hand him the phone. I am so grateful that they care enough to do that for him (and for me), but I want him to be able to answer the phone.
I am grateful that the VA is running an extensive battery of tests and that his wife really loves him. Now, I want his country, our country, to make him a priority. Why aren’t we doing everything possible to make our veterans whole and secure in the knowledge that we appreciate and admire their courage and sacrifice. Are we are willing to forego our own comforts to ensure theirs?
Ancient cultures esteemed their warriors— that seems like an admirable model.
Thank you to all of our veterans, especially my brother.
[i] Seminara, Beverly. Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy: A Neuroendocrine Disorder.
< http://www.thyroid- info.com/hashimotos-encephalopathy.htm>
[ii] The chemicals that seeped into Camp Lejeune’s water (used for drinking and bathing at the base) were PCE (tetrachloroethylene), a dry cleaning agent that has been linked to cancers, and TCE (trichloroethylene), a degreasing solvent. Levels of PCE in the camp’s drinking water were measured at up to 200 micrograms per liter. The Environmental Protection Agency allowable limit of PCE in drinking water is 5 micrograms per liter or less. The contamination at Camp Lejeune lasted for 30 years, until the affected wells were closed. Meanwhile, the Marines and their families drank the water during military assignments on the base that averaged two years.
