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Topic: Personal TENSION and war results (ww.2) (Read 517 times)
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george burrows
redpatch43
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2002
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lHello everybody: My congratulations to Mike who does a super job with the news and to keep us posted on own men and their activities. Also I note a reasonable amount in the press and TV about injuries and sickness as well as personal TENSION among our men.
Having been through it in WW 2 I know what they mean. It is very true what the average Infantry Soldier suffers from, not just during enlistment and in battle but the effects of it for the rest of your life. I will try and give you some insight into this area with a list of my own problems because of it. I have never dcussed this before with anyone because the very moment you do, everybody feels sorry for you etc.
During the war, after we invaded Italy in 1943, late in the fall aroung November as I recall, quite a laot of us developed Colon problems from HIGH PERSONAL TENSION. The problem persisted for years, during the war and still does today..WE began first with Diarrah then Constipation. See the MO and get a pill for either one.The relief wold last about five to six days, then completely recurr again. This was the beginning of a lifetime of problems for a lot of Vets that survived. Veterans affairs cared for us back home for a few years until some relief and progress was made. In my case my tension was so high I had to go to Westminster Military Hospital in London, Ont. for A SOLID MONTH.. While there I was kept under full sedation for 24 hours periods with the exception of waking up 30 minutes before each meal, taking anaother pill, have breakfast, lunch or supper, then back to sleep again. The sedation sure helped a lot. Following that I had my appendix out ( army food), then my Gall Bladder came out ( again Army food plus Ice cream, milk and other similar foods.Lost all of my Teeth, had Dentures made in 1945. In 1986 Had a severe ANGINA attack. plus a COLON OPERATION WITH 1/3 OF IT REMOVED.
I was warned by the Colon Specialist at Westminster Hospital to watch this organ very very carefully as the possibility of having the colon develope Cancer was rather high through out the balance of my life.In 1986 the very symptons he mentioned showed up. I immediately seen my own doctor, had an examination within three days, found two growths in my colon, and had surgery two days later. When my colon was opened up I had one small growth - Non Malignant and one in full transition. If not removed then, it would have turned to full cancer within 3 weeks.Since that point in time I have been under full control by VETERANS AFFAIRS, who for me, HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB AND WATCH ME LIKE A HAWK. Since then I have also lost some of my hearing and now have hearing aids, due to the war. I am pensioned for most of these items and receive all my medical care through Veterans Affairs Canada. Believe it or not I would prefer to be whole again, without the pension.However this is the gamble you take when you put youir life on the line for your Country. I have NO REGRETS and would do it over again if I had. to.
Hope this helps everybody to better understand just what our men in Afghanistan ARE HAVING TO PUT UP WITH IN SOME SMALL WAY. IT IS STILLL VERY HARD FOR ALL OF THEM. MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL AND CONTINUE TO HELP THEM WIN THEIR BATTLES ---- SAFELY:.
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Hi George and all: a very good write up here. I hope it helps some of the guys and gals out there today.Gives one an insight on things we do not see ,but vets feel and suffer with.I do hope yours stays as good as it has and all goes well. ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Geeez George, your colon must have been doing flip flops! My mom has had colon cancer twice, both times, thankfully, successfully treated. Chop chop and chemo... You were very lucky, brother, very lucky indeed that they found the polyps in time.
I too am very, very lucky as well. I was forty two when my mom confronted the beast for the second time and it was ONLY to please her that I consented to having a colonoscopy. To my great surprise, two polyps were removed. Undoubtedly, eight years later, they would have gone into the malignant zone and I'd either be dead, fighting the good fight or on the way out... Ive had it again since, again, polyps were removed.
Of course, there is a lesson to be learned, eh? A self evident one, I propose. In fact, I hope there are some of my brother in arms who are reading this. The procedure is utterly painless, hell, I went to the Y for a swim two hours later and could have easily driven home... Now you guys that are at risk, and you know who I mean, stop procrastinating....
On to the stress issue. I have to tell you George, post traumatic stress syndrome became an issue in the forces as I was being medically released. I personally spoke with many who were suffering while I was at NDMC getting repaired prior to release. IMO, they were not being treated very well and were pretty well left alone to sort it out themselves. This situation is even going to be worse. The lads today are seeing and experiencing a lot of brutal things, we are fighting an enemy that would slaughter women and children to get at us and the visual after effects are going to have a profound effect on those who were there for many years to come. Frankly, I fear, with the closing of NDMC and no mission specific treatment options, the same thing will happen again.
Maybe they had the right idea in your time, George, even if the prospect of a month of sedation seams extreme. Yet clearly it worked, yes?
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Well Mike ,my first reaction to that is no way, but, but, i did read all you and George wrote and have decided it is time i go do the same.. like it or not, you are right it is the only sensible thing to do.. and glad to hear all has worked out allround... ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Gerry Connors
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42 years old now; had colonosopy (and a few other tests) done a couple years back (about 40 at the time) due to excruiting lower abdomen discomfort about twice a month for about 4 years (tried to ' suck it up'; didn't want to appear 'weak'  ).Mentioned to the doc on a medical - had beaucoup tests (including 'up & down periscopes' ie both ends  ); finally diagnosed with GERD (recurrent heart burn); H-pyloria ( bacteria in gut usually now diagnosed for precurrsor to an ulcer - cleared after 1 month treatment of 3 or 4 different antbiotics and another med) & 'mild' IBS - irritable bowel syndrome.
-funny thing is use to have major bowel discomfort about twice a month, with some mild discomfort peppered in; released 14 august of this year and haven't had any discomfort yet (knock on wood).
Recommend guys if you have any medical concerns, get 'em checked out soonest; try not to be a 'hero' or 'suck it up' like I did (and I was a snr nco medic for 18 years for crissakes!)
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1RCR Duke's Coy '82 - '87; Cyprus '84 / '85
LOTPed medic 1988; CFH Halifax '88 - '90
119 AD Bty medic, CFB Chatham '90 - '95
2RCR medic '95 - '00; SFOR Bosnia, 2RCR Roto 4 '99;
42 Hlth Svc Gagetown '00 - '02
CFRC Gagetown / Fredericton '02 - '06; 'retired' Aug '06
HMCS Jolliet, Sept-Iles QC, medical staff / 'tiffy' (reserves)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Sucking it up when you got cancer is a death sentence. Specially in the colon, where it is prone to spread. You were lucky, gerry, the beast was at bay.
I'm telling you, lads, don't screw around with this.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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george burrows
redpatch43
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2002
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Mike , you are right on. DO NOT FOOL AROUND WITH IT GUYS. Ask youself this question!!!
If you were in the front line , facing the enemy, WOULD YOU WALK UP TO HIM IN BROAD DAYLIGHT or TAKE PROPER PROTECTION? When you avoid the obvious you approaching the enemy waiting to get shot.
After I had 1/3 of my colon removed, My Surgeon who did the operation, insisted I get another scope IN TWO YEARS TIME, then another at FIVE years. The one at two years was fine, but the one at FIVE YEARS showed TWO MORE POLYPS.These were removed at the time of the scope. Since then I have had four additional scopes done. Each has been clear. For your information - they will only do scopes until your age of 80 years. The surgeon told me that after that if you develop cancer in the ciolon, that they grow so slow in real old age that you will die of other things first. But up until then do not wait.
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Young Ken
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Fort York - 2 RCR 67-70 * 1 RCR Recce 70-74
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I'm not sure where or when you became sick but if you have trained or were stationed at CFB gagetown during your time in the military, I would suggest that you check out the Agent Orange string in (General Discussion) on this message board. Many of the people who have become ill after service in Gagetown have very much the same problems as you have discribed.
Good luck but do NOT suck it up.
Ken
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Ken Young
Kentar@telus.net
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Well Gerry ,it does not surprise me that you sucked it up and you were a Snr Medic for 18 yrs, it is a known fact that a majority of medical personnel , military and civilian , are their own worst doctor, take care of their own health last, but at least you did get it done in time.. and scared hell out of me too you guys, so yes i am going in shortly...good stuff and thanks for getting this out here for us all.. and nice to see the reminder from Young Ken on Agent Orange exposure at Gagetown... ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Gerry Connors
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Yes, your right as you would know, Ranrad; being a medic we were our worst enemy (do as say, not as I do sort of mentality). Also being an ex Royal (once a Royal...), didn't wanna appear 'weak' in front of old (and new) buddies my from ground-pounding days. Hi Young Ken; I was in Gagetown (last posting) for 11 years (5 as a medic with 2RCR - beaucoup field time) but from 95 until 06.
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1RCR Duke's Coy '82 - '87; Cyprus '84 / '85
LOTPed medic 1988; CFH Halifax '88 - '90
119 AD Bty medic, CFB Chatham '90 - '95
2RCR medic '95 - '00; SFOR Bosnia, 2RCR Roto 4 '99;
42 Hlth Svc Gagetown '00 - '02
CFRC Gagetown / Fredericton '02 - '06; 'retired' Aug '06
HMCS Jolliet, Sept-Iles QC, medical staff / 'tiffy' (reserves)
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Gerry; Have you checked out the Agent Orange site and got on the petition etc?? There is much on this site about it ,thanks to Young Ken and a few others.Have a look if you have not seen it, ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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Well, i finally got it done. Although was supposed to go for colonoscopy several months ago, it was postponed when they found 3 blockages in my heart that were mega packed...then the Bypasses have been postponed , as i had some intestinal bleeding, or so they thought.. i had both the up and down scopes done and have been given a clean bill of health ,so now can move on the bypasses at end November...so i add my voice to Mike Gerry and George... get it done...and ,by the way, it was really nothing , very easy to tolerate, the worst i found was the fast and cleanout the day before.. so . no excuses boys... for your own sake and that of your family.. get it done as soon as you can.....ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Bout time! snicker. BTW, I have a suggestion for those who do not like the prostrate check.... have the dude do it while your in lalala land with the colojuice.
One to more important issues.
Afghanistan veterans not getting needed mental health care, audit finds
Mike Blanchfield
CanWest News Service
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
OTTAWA - The Canadian Forces are falling short in meeting the mental health needs of soldiers returning from Afghanistan because the demand for care is "outstripping available resources," Auditor General Sheila Fraser said in a report to Parliament Tuesday.
The shortfalls, which came to light as part of a broader audit of the rising cost of military health care, suggest the military has yet to learn some hard lessons of the past decade, when retired general Romeo Dallaire, now a Liberal senator, offered himself as a poster boy for the mental health suffering of many Canadian peacekeepers who served with him in Rwanda or on other operations in the Balkans.
This latest audit suggests that the Defence Department is failing to meet the needs of the new generation of men and women currently serving in Afghanistan as part of the military's most demanding combat mission since the Korean War more than half a century ago.
One disabled veteran of Canada's involvement in the first Persian Gulf War of 1991 questioned how the Forces can justify purchasing $20 billion worth of new planes, helicopters and other hardware, while neglecting the well documented mental health needs of their personnel.
"The care of families for mental health is quite small compared to some of these equipment purchases," said Sean Bruyea, a former intelligence officer who has battled post-traumatic stress. "The most important resource of the military is the soldier, and the family is the primary support of that
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Check who treats soldiers — Fraser
Auditor general warns military to verify certification and billings of doctors, nurses
By MURRAY BREWSTER The Canadian Press
Wed. Oct 31 - 6:16 AM
Auditor General Sheila Fraser says the military fails to properly check the medical credentials of health professionals who treat its soldiers, suggesting some may not even be licensed.(BILL GRAVELAND / CP)
OTTAWA — Unlicensed doctors, nurses and other medical staff may be treating sick and injured Canadian soldiers, sailors, aircrew members and their families, the auditor general warned Tuesday.
Sheila Fraser’s latest report says the military has failed to keep track of whether its health-care staff have maintained their licences and certifications following enlistment.
Fraser said at a minimum the Defence Department should know the professional status of each of its 2,275 regular force health staff.
"All regulated professionals, both military and civilian, are licensed and certified before they are hired by the department," said the report to Parliament. "However the department does not monitor its military health-care practitioners once employed to ensure they maintain their licences or certifications and are in good standing with a regulatory body."
Since they do not keep track, Fraser said defence officials conceded "they do not know if unlicenced practitioners are currently providing direct patient care."
The Defence Department estimated in 2006 as many as 20 per cent of its military health-care providers may not have been licenced.
Fraser’s report also raised concerns about the billing practices of civilian doctors who work on contract for the Defence Department. There were some cases where it appeared doctors were paid for work at clinics that were closed and other examples of double-billing for hours.
Fraser said that the matter has been referred to the department’s internal auditors.
In the course of her audit, Fraser’s staff tried to do their own their own survey, asking military doctors to show proof of their licences. Of those who responded, 69 per cent were able to show they were registered with a provincial college of physicians and surgeons.
"National Defence does not have some of the basic information we would expect to see in a well-managed system of heath care," said Fraser.
Aside from licencing, she also suggested military medical staff are not keeping up with the latest developments in the rapidly evolving health-care field.
Few health professionals take advantage of skills maintenance courses because "they believe they cannot be spared from regular duties."
In responding to the complaints, defence bureaucrats said they currently maintain a database that keeps track of the credentials of dentists and pharmacists. That central registry will be expanded to include doctors, nurses and technicians.
The opposition Liberals attacked the Conservatives in the Commons on Tuesday over the absence of certification checks. "This is a government that doesn’t seem to take the health and well-being of our soldiers seriously," said defence critic Denis Coderre.
But a spokesman for Defence Minister Peter MacKay says the department is looking into both the question of possible extra billing and the certification of doctors.
"We are asking for a list of options on how to better manage the issue -- we know they were all certified when they began, now we want to make sure there is a system in place that monitors certification," said Dan Dugas in an e-mail.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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The age old story, once we have what we need from them , theyre on their own..sort of...this is a sad state of affairs...these people have given their all , unquestioning, doing their duty and MUST be looked after properly....ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Gerry Connors
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"they believe they cannot be spared from regular duties."
Part of 'the problem' is & has always been that a lot of medical personnel try to take advantage of skills maintenance, but when youv'e been on, ship, in the field, military trg, deployed, military courses, etc, little time is left over, let alone for a home life.
Part of 'the problem' is & has always been retention: doctors in particular. Doctors get their trainiing here and are head-hunted down to the states; Doctors in the military get their 'schooling' by DND and most leave after their obligatory service. Some are head-hunuted for the states. Money keeps being thrown at the problem in the way of bonuses, first base post pickings, etc
'The problem' isn't just a military - medical 'problem' but a military one in general - eg; retention
What's the solution; the f**K if I know; but what has been tried since '88 when I took down the Star off my beret and put up the 'worm ona stick', certainlt ain't freakin' working.
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1RCR Duke's Coy '82 - '87; Cyprus '84 / '85
LOTPed medic 1988; CFH Halifax '88 - '90
119 AD Bty medic, CFB Chatham '90 - '95
2RCR medic '95 - '00; SFOR Bosnia, 2RCR Roto 4 '99;
42 Hlth Svc Gagetown '00 - '02
CFRC Gagetown / Fredericton '02 - '06; 'retired' Aug '06
HMCS Jolliet, Sept-Iles QC, medical staff / 'tiffy' (reserves)
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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I believe part of the problem is an overall lack of numbers... people have to be available to cover for those off on upgrading training...the Forces were cut to the bone, and into the bone....now they have a big problem, likely fixable, but we have a record of downsizing unless we are going to war....it barely worked in WW2, to re up the numbers, and was only accomplished by a hell of a lot of hard work and overtime... and good luck....today , all military skills are so much more complex, need time to learn , time to hone, time to perfect and time to maintain... btu you have to start with reasonable numbers of personnel... who has a handle on what is required?? .. ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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