Well I just got back from a general discharge under honorable conditions.

Here's the story:

Basically I went through 2 weeks of boot camp and was having problems with severe chest pain. We had an intensive training day, and I swear I never felt soo weak in my entire life. It was honestly a joke how weak it was, but something was amiss with my body, as even a fat turkish guy was doing better then me. The pain was soo severe that it escalated my heart rate considerably, even after relaxation. I spoke with the Chief, and he looked at me like I was stupid, and making up some excuse to go to the hospital. I stayed for another day in boot camp, doing the PFT day (mile and a half run, push ups, pulls ups, etc..). By then I was just sweating when walking, and it wasn't the humidity. I knew something was amiss, as i've never really felt that sick before, so late at night, when the moronic Chief was gone, I went to the night patrol and asked to go to the hospital. They immediately called the EMT's after looking at me. I had a 155/95 on the machine they used (I believe a 95 pulse, but I dunno what the other number means).

Luckily the doctor there wanted to look at me for more then my vital signs. He decided to have me do an X-Ray. When he came back I was horrified. He told me I had a huge tumor in my chest. He then proceeded to tell me that they were going to keep me there for another day, and also perform a CAT scan. After the CAT scan it was confirmed that I had a large growth inside of my chest. They decided to perform a biopsy immediately. Unfortunately they didn't have the means to do so at the Chicago VA, so they sent me to a hospital in Milwaukee called Froedtert.

Apparently the doctor from the VA didn't tell me what he told my family. He told them I had 10 days to live (WTF!!!). The growth is near my heart, and some of the arteries that run through the upper region of my body. My family took an immediate departure to see me.

Let me tell you, having a biopsy sucks ass. They cut through my left chest, removed part of a rib bone, and took out a 2 cm specimen from the contaminated area. I was hoping it would be benign, but i'm not that fortunate. It is malignant. The fortunate thing is that it is Hodgkins Disease, and has a high success rate of being cured. They said that it was 11cm by 7cm (I'm not good with the metric system). I'm looking at being bed ridden for 6 months with chemotherapy now. The Navy basically isn't gonna cover me, but showed me some alternative ways of receiving medical care through government funds. The Navy also basically banned me from ever joining any military again, though they gave me an RE-3 code (Meaning I can join, but only after 5 years of being cancer free).

Pretty surreal feeling, thinking I was healthy and not knowing that I had cancer.

The only good thing I can say is during the 2 weeks they had me in the mental ward they call Medical Seperations Unit I beat everyone I arm wrestled, proclaiming that they let a cancer patient beat them :p

Holly:eek: , wow sorry to hear that. At least on the bright side it seems it has a good chance to cure it.


Man good luck and keep us updated.:)


PS. Man i cannot even belive what your family went trough when that guy told them that.

damn thats crazy, freaking navy being a bunch of dick asses for one of their own and not covering your loses!! one of my friends whos in the army ended up being diabetic with high blood pressure when he was stationed in korea, and he ended up gettin transfered for fort walterreed. he is getting compensated for that and is getting paid pretty well for doing nothing by sitting in a office.

i don't see how they gotta dick you over esp since your seriously fucked up. then i again, i guess its because it wasn't the navy that caused your problem whereas in my friends case, the army caused him "stress" that lead to him getting high blood pressure and diabettes.

Yeah, it's considered a pre-existing condition. Therefore they will not cover me. I will have to go through medi-cal. It looks like my Dad has pulled a few strings, so I am hopeful that I can receive treatment.

Should be cancer free after 6 months of chemotherapy. It will suck during that time though.

:eek2: holy crap man. atleast you have a good chance of recovering right....

11cm by 7cm is close to a frickin LITER. thats a big ass tumor. good luck man.

:frown:

Damn!

That's some crazzzzyyyy shit mang. Good luck with the therapy, and definitely keep us posted man.

Fuck Bobby, I'm sorry to hear that... :(

Get better bro.

Wow...I'm really sorry to hear about that. I hope your treatment goes well. Stay strong.

sorry to hear that man...good luck and let us know....does that mean no driving for 6 months?! :o

not good to hear about that. at least you were put into the best hospital in the midwest. froedert seriously is like 20 min from where i live. Pops actually works there. i dont think he'd know who you were though if i asked name, but im sure he could look it up. he's the one that files all the x-rays and such.

:eek2:

Did you have any symptoms at all before joining?

I really hope that you'll be able to recover from this. Maybe it's a good thing that you ended up joining, otherwise they may not have found the problem until much later

I think it's safe to say Bobby got it from excessive heavy accelerating in his Trans Am. :D


Seriously though... get better.

yeah man, definitly keep fighting and good luck bro.

WOW! hang in there and stay strong! shit happens and lifes not perfect, but its what you make of it. Keep us updated

wow, what a wakeup call.

i'll pray for you (i don't pray too often... don't wanna bug the big guy upstairs, but this stuff is important) I couldn't imagine what i'd do if i were in your shoes, but your brave as hell man and tons of respect coming your way. At least you found out under navy care (i'm sure they are taking that initial hospital visit bill from you) and i'm sure you'll be fine after the chemo. I'll get everyone to donate a buck for a cap for you custom made AF logo so you know we care. (anyone in?)

^count me in, get well soon 2000LS1Z28

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about that. I really hope you get better soon. Cancer is a serious issue that I've recently come to the shocking realization. My brother has leukemia and was hospitalized for almost 2 months with chemotherapy treatments. He's also diabetic like myself but he has always been the healthy one in the family... ie. never smoked or abused himself. He was just released this weekend but still needs to do outpatient treatment. It's nice to know your in good hands. Get well, man...

good luck man, i know how scary it can be to have something like that. Im sure you will pull through though.

Wow, sorry man. Have you ever wondered if you never went i nto the navy if you would have even known? Thats scary stuff. I know you'll get better.

wow, sorry to hear that, glad they found it now though, and it has a high cure rate, best wishes to you and your family. Get better!

Shit man, I'm sorry to hear that. At least it isn't terminal. Take it easy and keep us updated.