So, what makes a Veteran?

[Mike ET]

Semper Fi, all you veterans!

Let's see, now, how I am to interpret this new discussion group?

Does this mean if one is a member of the oldest ostomy support group (CIRA), founded at the old Valley Forge Military Hospital in 1949, he or she is eligible to participate in this Veterans discussion group?

or

Does this mean I may be eligible since my ileostomy took place at the US Naval Hospital in Philadelphia in 1965?

On both counts I think I may qualify.

Welcome aboard!

Mike ET

[To Dream a Dream]

Being from a long line of military veterans, I am so happy to see this new forum. Hope it will be of help to many who deserve our thanks & appreciation. God bless!

[Jimbob]

Mike; You certainly Qualify, when you said Semper Fi Am i to infer that you are a Brother L:aetherneck???

And Dream; Semper fi to you also.

[Rotorhead]

The one group I can represent - at least for another year or two - is the active duty folks. There isn't much help for them at the Military Treatment Facilities (MTF's) beyond the medical care, based on my experience. I want to provide education and a path back to full-duty status for any AD folks who have received an ostomy and are now wondering "what do I do?".

After nearly two years I regained flight status and "fit for full duty with geographic constraints". Ostomy care would be difficult at best when haze-gray and underway - I'm on shore orders for now, and will likely retire on them. Just happy to be alive really.

Aloha
RH
CDR, USN

[kbsparta]

Rotorhead, I am surprised that you have been allowed to remain on active duty. Good for you. I dealt with UC for the last 18 years of my active duty career in the US Army and was very lucky to have remained fairly healthy during that time. It wasn't until 3 years after I retired that my health took a turn south. I'll be having a proctocolectomy next week at the VA. At first I was very apprehensive about having surgery at the VA, but as it turns out, the colorectal surgery team is coming from the U of Wisconsin which is co-located with the VA in Madison. Whew! Good luck with the rest of your career. Thanks for serving.

Kirk

[Mike ET]

Jimbob,

Not a Leatherneck, just a swabbie. My salutation was offered with the utmost respect for the brave Marines who are truly the point of the spear when called to duty.

I was just a lowly E3 who managed to make the most of his duty in life after the ileostomy and discharge. I found my true calling as a budding ET for ostomy rehabilitation even though I was an aviation ET (attached to VP-16 in Jacksonville) while in the Navy. Ironic, was it not?

Mike

[susan f]

Military wife here... that doesn't count does it? He is a retired Navy SeAL. I had some treatment in military facilities way back, but nothing recently. I'll point veterans here though

[Jimbob]

You are always welcome Susan.

Everyone knows that spouses serve also.

[Ed in VA]

USAF veteran, 4 years, Korean War, reporting in. Was a very good four years of my life, and got to see some of this big old world!
Ed

[michaelchristensen]

I would be honored to be a part of this discussion, as I seved in the Marine Corp during the Vietnam Era. I had my surgery in the VA hospital in Salt Lake, due to colorectal cancer. I've been thru Chemotherapy and Radiation. Rectum removed in January, 2011.
I've also been HIV for 27 years. I use the VA for all my medical needs. SEMPER FI .
Thanks everyone. This forum has been very good for me.
Michael

[Kymimi12411]

Being the daughter and wife of a veteran, I'd just like to say a big, "Thank You!" to all you vets. You are all heros in my book!

Louise <><

[badmax]

Well I am A Vietnam war era vet . I had my colostomy done at Gulf Coast Va Hospital in Biloxi Miss. In 2008. My reversal was done this past May 2011 at Michael Debakey Va Hospital in Houston Tex. I have been a textbook case of what could go wrong and what to do to correct the problems. By now i know the Va healthcare system very well. Does this qualify me ?

[wsmrbob]

U.S. Marines Corps 1977-1987. Now supporting all our troops as a radar technician in weapons testing/develpment. 23 years at Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG) Arizona and now at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) New Mexico. One son in the Air Force, one in the Army and one just graduated high school still figuring out what he wants to do. Semper Fi

Bob

[Jimbob]

Badmax;

You are certainly welcome, In fact your intimate knowledge of the system could probaably be a great resource to many others in your situation.

Thanks for posting Jimbob

[badmax]

Thanks will be happy to be of any help. I am so grateful for all the information that I gathered from this board. I still search for answers for problems I encounter.