Comprehensive Study Will Help VA Provide High-Quality Care

Health Editor Note: Will the results show a difference in the way female and male veterans experienced the Vietnam Conflict? Will this affect healthcare for women? Carol Ware Duff MSN, BA, RN

RECENT VA NEWS RELEASE

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2009) -Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching
a comprehensive study of women Veterans who served in the military
during the Vietnam War to explore the effects of their military service
upon their mental and physical health.

Data:  33 Deaths for Nov 1-18, 20009
Age groups:  30-1;40-11;50-10;60-5;70-4

Military Service:  USA-13;USN-6;USAR-2;USMC-5;USAF-7:NG-1;civilian 2;Active duty 2

Death data:  hospital sudden -1 ,hospice 1; home unexpected 1; home 8; Hospital 6; motorcycle accident 1; ALS 1;MS 1;ALZ 1; Cancer unspecif 3, Pancreatic Cancer 2; Brain Cancer 1; Leukemia 1

Multi theaters: Vietnam and Gulf War 6; VN, Panama, DS 1;DS+OIF 1; DS+OIF+OEF 1

The Controversy continues IS THE VA Using the Best Test?

Gulf War Veterans 1990-91 Demand Real Diagnostic Testing and Action NOW

I fully anticipate an attack but this article that follows is well written and addresses one issue.  That issue is Science being corrupted and how it impacts veterans.  The veterans of Gulf War 1990-91 are ill and not getting better.  In fact I have the obits I am working on for October and November.  I know I am not getting all the obits but these show a small picture of the impact and losses.  How many of these went to the VA at all, I do not know.  How many are rated by the VA, I do not know.  I do know we the veterans are not getting all the facts.  I can guarantee you that we are not getting the tests that are mentioned.  Would the tests spoken about lead to more truth?  Why aren't these test being used in research, I don't have that answer but could guess.  The gulf war veterans of 1990-91 simply went and did their duty and came home ill and have been seeking answers and help.  WE have no choice but to continue to seek answers in biomarkers, diagnostic testing, proactive care to include active screening for all diseases and diagnosis, and to push for treatment!  And to demand compensation and all assistance, we went healthy and came back ill!  WE need help rapidly just as much as OIF/OEF/Koskovo/Vietnam Veterans/Agent Orange/ WWII vets.  WE need assistance that is being offered to OIF/OEF veterans in new legislation but we are not being covered.  Why do sick and ill veterans have to battle every step of the way to get any help?  We are the unseen casualties and the uncounted casualties.

The Problem with NAS/IOM Reviews of Gulf War Illness

Spent the day deep in research and as we all know there is a problem in River City this time it is the Potomac River ie DC.  Over and over again Gulf War Veterans have identified a central problem with the NAS/IOM studies that is Huge and Gaping!  The NAS/IOM only is allowed to review published peer reviewed journal articles of research.  As anyone knows a great deal of research is never published in peer reviewed journals!  Below is a critique of the problem with DU studies and items missed.

Health Conditions of Gulf War Veterans 1990-91 is Incomplete 

Sharing an informative article that appears below.  My comment is quite short and concise!  VA and DOD must release the data on Diagnosed illnesses of the Gulf War 1990-91!  We need to know specifics first off: How many Cancers of each specific type and the number expected in the normal population!  We must also have a system that allows veterans not using VA care that go to civilian medical to have their diagnoses inputed into the data system. 

What we have is inadequate collection of all data on the health of gulf war(1990-91) veterans.  The VA only has data on those that are able to get into the VA system after fighting for a rating of disability and the DOD has data only if they are on active duty.  This is indeed a problem!

DEALING WITH BEHAVIORS SUCH AS STUBBORNNESS AND UNCOOPERATIVENESS 

CAREGIVER TIPS FOR THOSE WITH DEMENTIAS/ALZHEIMER'S

by Carol Ware Duff MSN, BS, RN

The person with dementia may be stubborn or uncooperative because of changes in the brain and an inability to control behaviors. 

Harvard study shows that for every American killed in Afghanistan in 2008, 14 military veterans died because they lacked healthcare coverage.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A report from Agence France Presse indicates that the number of American veterans who died in 2008 because they didn't have healthcare, is 14 times higher than the military death toll in Afghanistan, for the entire year.

Two Harvard medical researchers analyzed data, comparing U.S. combat-related deaths in Afghanistan, with the number of veterans who died because they lacked the ability to seek out adequate healthcare and access medical services. All of the veterans surveyed were under the age of 65.

Gulf War Illness Research and the CALL FOR ACTION For Every American that Say They Support Veterans!

Each year Gulf War Veterans who are ill and a couple of well known advocates storm the Hill in DC to literally beg for funding into biomarkers, diagnosis, and treatment for Gulf War Illness.  Each year they beg US Representatives and Senators to back Reearch Funding thru the DOD CDMRP(Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program) GWI(Gulf War Illness). 

The Committees on Defense Appropriations and Defense Authorizations have not even given them the courtesy of committees hearings to hear directly from them on the needs.  Each year a very small group of Senators and Representatives step forward to back the effort.  Since somehow in all the wisdom of Washington DC they have labelled this as Earmark legislation and you know how they run from those words in public.  This is not Earmark Legislation it does not target benefits to any state or legislative district. 

Training Sites contamination and Effects on Health

In the article below that appears in New York Times, we again see the delay in acknowledging Health Hazards.  When the Military has to get ready for war we expose populations to health hazards and push on to ready for war.  The same delay occurs after a war and identifying health hazards that our troops have experienced.  For Agent Orange it was at least 20 years. 

The bill that helped Agent Orange Veterans of Vietnam was finally done in 1991 at the same time we were then having our newest generation exposed in Operation Desert Storm returning home.  Now we still have not handled hazardous exposures in war, thus we see the denial and continued slow response to acknowledgement for the Desert Storm/Gulf War 1 (1990-91) exposures.

GULF WAR VETERANS OPERATION REUNITE

Desert Storm Veterans OPERATION REUNITE Part 3

The list of facebook sites continues below.  This is the objective:  Gulf War Veterans 90-91 ie Operation Desert Storm Veterans Reunite by unit specific pages and find the old unit spirit to help each other.  With one in four ill that served in the Gulf it is imperative that we reunite and find who is ill, who is dead, who has diagnosed illnesses, who has received VA benefits, who is receiving what care, and to help share information and help each other.

Health insurance reform opponents continue to spread myths about the recently-passed Affordable Health Care for America Act, including saying that reform will undermine the health care that veterans and military families have now. The latest myth spread by some Republican Members is that the bill passed by the House fails to ensure that veterans and service members will have the choice to purchase insurance through the Exchange. But the facts continue to knock these myths down.

MYTH: "The House-passed health insurance reform bill reneges on a promise to ensure veterans, service members, and their dependents have the choice of enrolling in the new Health Insurance Exchange."

OPERATION GULF WAR VETERANS REUNITE on Facebook

DESERT STORM VETERANS OPERATION REUNITE

Earlier in the year we at Veterans Today put the focus on helping Desert Storm Veterans of the Gulf War 1990-91 to reunite and find each other.  WE are still encouraging this effort.  Any person that served in the gulf war 1990-91 can be a leader.  Take the opportunity and make your unit specific page.  Use the Title  Gulf War/Desert Storm/ Your unit   so that others that are searching can find you!

OPERATION GULF WAR 1990-91 REUNITE

On Facebook Several Unit Specific pages have been started.  Here is an example of one that has now grown to 14 members.  This is a great way to locate your old unit members.  A great way to share information on help for claims and care.  A great way to get all unit members reunited and to find out how many are ill with GWI, those that have died, those that need help and guidance.  WE are hoping that other gulf war veterans 90-91 get active and take the lead to set up their own unit specific page.  Use the Desert Storm/Gulf War/ your unit specific Title so other unit members can find you on Facebook.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER'S 

 By Carol Ware Duff MSN ,BA, RN

Dementia affects all areas of the brain including areas of memory and sensory inputs which are vital for communication.

The ability to store what was said in “short term memory” may be lacking in a person with dementia, making sharing everything from simple needs to more complex ideas very difficult.  If the information cannot be temporarily stored, the ability to respond is lost.        

Sometimes the person will store only part of what is said and will act on only that one part. The response may be correct for the message that is received, but there are many areas where the message can become garbled or misunderstood.  Very often, a response, even if the question is understood, can be very different from what was meant.

 DEPLETED URANIUM AND HEALTH

By David K. Winnett Jr.

The tools of modern warfare are vastly more effective now than in previous wars. They are more precise and infinitely more lethal, and some pose great risk to those who employ them. Case in point is depleted uranium - or DU.

DU is a byproduct of enriched uranium, a highly radioactive substance. Since 1991, the United States has used DU in the manufacture of protective armor plating for tanks and armored combat vehicles, as well as heavy armor-piercing ammunition. We not only shield our combat vehicles with DU, we also fire DU-coated ammunition at enemy vehicles, with quite deadly effect.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) DEFENDS RELIANCE ON "ANTIQUATED" H1N1 VACCINE PRODUCTION DESPITE SHORTAGE 

ROBERT LOWES

Editor Note: CDC explains why it is taking time to make sure vaccine is safe.  Adjuvant-modified vaccines are not approved in the United States.

Carol Ware Duff MSN, BA, RN

HERPES ZOSTER(SHINGLES)- YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO AVOID IT!

By Carol Ware Duff MSN, BA, RN

Shingles is an malady that can cause blisters which can produce intense pain and affect the way you deal with the usual activities of daily living.  There is an  adult vaccination that can give you protection against Herpes Zoster.   

Gulf War Veterans Forgotten in the US House of Representatives and US Senate?

Gulf War Veterans have been asking for Senate VA Committee Hearings or Joint House and Senate VA Committee Hearing in regards to the loss of a 75 million dollar research effort at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas led by DR Haley.  Its supporters Ross Perot and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson have been strangely quiet.  The major media has also chosen not to investigate and report this story.

SPC Dennis you are still in our thoughts!  We still want contact directly with you!  Email DSNurse1@yahoo.com 

Reference previous post to a column article and recent articles on follow ups to SPC Dennis I had posted.  URGENT  CALL FOR HELP-I PICKED UP THIS COMMENT FROM MY SEPT 21 2009  ARTICLE

I hear you!!!  I and others do care.  I am one of the nurses that was there in 90-91  Desert Storm TapLine Road LOG BASE CHARLIE --7th Corp area....Air Force Flight Nurse with MASF Mobile aeromedical staging facility.  Please ----people, your fellow veterans, do care!  Do Not off yourself stay in the fight do not let them win!!!  WE were in touch with VA they said they are in touch with you but we want to hear from you!  You are not alone and other veterans want to buddy up with you!

Shinseki, Gates Address Unprecedented Forum

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are hosting a first-of-its-kind national summit to address the mental health care needs of America’s military personnel, families and Veterans, harnessing the programs, resources and expertise of both departments to deal with the aftermath of the battlefield.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI): JUST THE FACTS

 By Carol Ware Duff MSN, BA, RN

Injuries to the brain may be more common than you know. With exposure to blasts, the military is a prime target for such an injury.   

Careful Work: Veteran Fred L. Stanley sews medical labels at the Veterans Administration on Wilshire Boulevard Thursday afternoon. photo by Brandon Wise.

By Kevin Herrera Santa Monica Daily Press

WESTWOOD — When Vietnam veteran Fred L. Stanley visits the 99 Cent Store, he does with pride for he carries with him a reusable grocery bag. Not only does he feel good about protecting the environment by using fewer plastic bags, Stanley also loves the attention he gets when people ask him about his bag, which features the logo of the city of Santa Monica.

GULF WAR ILLNESS RESEARCH REPORT FROM FRANCE

Among several factors, implication of pyridostigmine (PB) in late cognitive dysfunction is highly likely. As a hypothesis to explain these behavioural disorders is a potentiation of the operational stress effects by pyridostigmine. We have previously described that repeated stress combined to pyridostigmine treatment induces learning dysfunction linked to genomic cerebral modifications.

Latest study results:  Suggest that pyridostigmine may have central effects, under stress, via indirect mechanisms emerging from a peripheral pathway.

MILLBURY — The cause of an Oct. 16 fire that destroyed a local police officer’s home is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office, although the blaze is not thought to be of suspicious origin. Meanwhile, the Millbury Police Association is holding a fundraiser to help defray the cost of replacing Officer Robert J. Guyan’s belongings, including clothes, toys and baby items that belonged to his 8-month-old daughter, Lorianna Rose. The family’s two dogs were seriously injured in the blaze and recovered at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton.

Gulf War Syndrome: Killing Our Own

After the Vietnam War, hundreds of thousands of U.S. veterans suffered toxic reactions, neurological damage, and rare cancers due to exposure to 2,4,5,-D and 2,4,5-T dioxin that was used in the form of the defoliant Agent Orange. Unfortunately, the U.S. military denied the problem and failed to heed any of the lessons of this chemical butchery.

Instead, it expanded its harmful legacy to the current generation of soldiers and civilians exposed to new, more deadly chemical toxins in the Persian Gulf.

Just an update.

WE a few Desert Storm and Vietnam veterans did not just ignore a comment to a posted story but did all they could to get in touch.  SPC Dennis we hope and pray you are okay and will contact us  DSNurse1@yahoo.com.

Just a nice story for the day about our flight attendants that care for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines and ideas that need to move forward!

I have transfered the story found online below.  And wanted to Thank all those unsung citizens that do care for the troops and veterans.  These people need to be remembered by all of us troops and veterans!  From those that serve as greeters, volunteer at USOs, write us when we are far from home, send us care packages, and try to help any way they can.

URGENT  CALL FOR HELP

I PICKED UP THIS COMMENT FROM MY SEPT 21 2009  ARTICLE

I AM ASKING PLEASE SPC DENNIS G please email me so we can get in touch by phone!!!  DSNURSE1@yahoo.com  is my email  I will be up checking for you. Get me a number I can reach you at....I will call you!