Who has had and won their battle with cancer?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 20:26:56 -0400

I have noticed the last five years or so that there are a great number of our brothers and sisters in arms that have had and beat their battle with cancer. I know of three just in the last year that I have met and are still active. Have you known a Soldier that battled cancer? Have you yourself battled cancer? Keep HIPPA in mind if you wish to share a story of a Soldier you know.

Response by MSG(P) Michael Warrick made Jun 18 at 2014 12:53 AM

MSG(P) Michael Warrick — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:53:17 -0400

My grandmother did and she lived to be 89 years of age!

Response by PO2 Katie Benson made Jul 14 at 2014 4:44 PM

PO2 Katie Benson — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:44:28 -0400

Thank you for your question I am currently active duty and currently battling thyroid cancer. It's tough!

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 10:03 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 10:03:39 -0400

I am nearing the end of my career as a military oncologist and have spent much of my professional life treating our folks with cancer.

I can proudly tell you that once you get to one of the major medical facilities, military care for cancer is outstanding and there are essentially no limits to the treatments your oncologist can get for you.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 13 at 2014 3:22 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 15:22:22 -0500

My little Hitomi is in remission as of last year. Of the women in her Japanese association in Tucson, 15% have various cancers. The national rate of cancer in Japan is very low (3.5%). The Japanese have a much higher percentage of organic foods and use much more natural pesticides that are much healthier to the environment. A 450% increase in cancers makes you think that we need to be aware of what we are cramming in our bodies. Of course, it could be the air, the water, a coincidence, their biology, etc. But 7 people out of 64 seems alarmingly high to me.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 13 at 2014 7:13 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 19:13:27 -0500

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in 2009 and beat it in 2010 after going through chemo.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 10:42 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 22:42:30 -0500

My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and after surgery and radiation is doing fine today. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May this year and had surgery in June so far so good. They still keep a close eye on me and I hope not to need radiation. But you just keep your faith in the lord and all will work out.

Response by PO1 Chris Crawley made Feb 17 at 2015 5:53 PM

PO1 Chris Crawley — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:53:01 -0500

I caught my colon cancer right as it went from pre-cancerous to stage I, and surgery in July 2012 got it all. I was still 3 years away from age 50, when men normally get the first buttscope. I noticed changes in my craps, then saw blood in the water. Don't ignore things like that!!!!!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Feb 17 at 2015 7:23 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 19:23:20 -0500

Thank God I have not had CA. BUT - there are lot's of Viet Nam and Gulf War vets who have. It is well established that the toxins (Agent Orange and others like it) from 'Nam and many environmental factors from the Gulf War have caused various kinds of CA.

If you are a vet of one of these groups of conflicts, please see the appropriate VA website re presumptive conditions for your time in country/place.

If your cancer isn't on that list, don't lose hope - we've successfully fought for a number of types of CA not on the presumptive lists.

If you're a Gulf War vet (post 9/11) and have CA, and the VA is fighting you on it, go to the Wounded Warrior Project - they are the best. For prior to 9/11 - go to the DAV or contact me off line...

Response by SP5 Fred Waters made Feb 18 at 2015 5:12 PM

SP5 Fred Waters — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:12:51 -0500

I am a survivor of prostate cancer, I had a procedure done in 1998 and I am still kicking. The Lord has blessed me and I am cancer free.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Apr 29 at 2015 7:02 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 19:02:24 -0400

I came down with pancreatic cancer in April of 2004. I was 20 years younger than the average age for men. I had the "Whipple Procedure" so they removed over half of my pancreas (instant diabetic), my gallbladder and 10" of duodenum. Then 6 months of 24/7 nasty chemotherapy that had me on the couch the last month. (Instant neuropathy in both hands and feet). The stats are not good. By the end of Year 1 it claims 96% of victims, by Year 3 it claims 99% and by Year 5 [almost] all are gone.

I beat it so far. I still have to get tested every month and during the BIG surgery the cancer had spread to the T3 nerve and the sheath of the nerve came off with the tumor. I will experience intense pain for as long as I survive. Oral morphine, hydrocodone and Fentanyl patches for 8 & 1/2 years then I got an Intrathecal pain pump. It's implanted in my lower (left) abdomen and I have a handheld device for up to 5 extra "shots" per day for breakthrough pain. It all sucks but I'm still here, 11 years this week after the first (of three) surgeries!

Pain pump was implanted the same day as Benghazi....

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jun 20 at 2015 3:01 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 03:01:10 -0400

I thought I did but going for round 2. First diagnosis took about 5 years, cold thyroid tumors. The whole thyroid and a parathyroid are gone. Still working on the follow up care. Once identified, in late December, I was asked "ok, Christmas Eve or New Years Eve; I asked if we could wait til 2 Jan. whoever did the stitching had to have taken home ec for years. Can't even see the scar.

The speed of the care this time is astounding! I am still in the fight, not going down easy and feel certain I am in great hands. A problem I encountered was civilian contracts expiring and doctors moving on. I fell through several cracks. This one is from CCA and has assured me he is sticking around. Did you know that technology has come far enough that they no longer have to take a bone marrow sample and can instead do blood tests?

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 20 at 2015 1:26 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 13:26:49 -0400

Chronic Mylogenic Leukemia, 2013 in remission now

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2016 7:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 19:29:47 -0400

I had stage 2A breast cancer, went through three surgeries, chemo and radiation. I was diagnosed November 7, 2014. I am now on medications and cancer free. The side effects from the meds are horrible in themselves but hey, I'm still in, active duty, and can pass a PT test! No permanent profile for me! I will keep fighting to get back to normal!

Response by LCpl James Poff made Oct 9 at 2017 11:07 AM

LCpl James Poff — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 11:07:57 -0400

I am a survivor of papillary thyroid cancer. I was diagnosed last July, had a total thyroidectomy, right and central neck dissection, where they took 81 lymph nodes and found cancer in 6 levels. Since then I have undergone Radioactive Iodine therapy and have resumed my life with very little change.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Oct 9 at 2017 8:52 PM

PO3 Michael James — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 20:52:45 -0400

Will not say weather or not I beat Cancer.. I had it Removed from me, and I returned to work.. However, after 8 months or so, I had Cancer again.. different from the first... I had this removed too, but this surgery was much more of an impact on my body, took longer to recover.. It has been approximately 15 years now, no re-occurrence, but I will not rule it out.. Because of this I have had kidney issues, Aneurysms, and 8 heart attacks as well.. I went to the best rated hospital in the area.. which was not VA.. The biggest issue with cancer (and health issues) is the VA... they are convinced that I purchased the Cancers and my health issues at the local Wal-Mart...

Response by PO3 Stephanie Washington made Nov 9 at 2019 7:03 AM

PO3 Stephanie Washington — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 07:03:29 -0500

Had breast cancer at 35, I am now 50