[rooter]

As the years have moved by many Vietnam vets have their turn at dealing with one or more of Agent Oranges issues. So I guess it is my turn at bat. What the VA thought was a “fatty” bulge in my right lower leg turned into a surprise for the VA surgeon when she cut open the bulge she said “this is Not what we thought it to be”. Laying on the table a the Haley VA hospital finally having this procedure was not an unpleasant experience the dr. was a small woman about my wife's size with a wit and we conversed the next hour or so as she worked at extraction. When I said well if this is not what you thought does it have a name without hesitation she said “Let's call it George.” Will George turns out to be Malignant Soft Tissue Sarcoma. So they have moved my care to Moffitt hospital across the street in Tampa. Supposed to be one of the top 3 cancer hospitals in the country with the VA picking up the tab. Uncertainty of the road ahead at times seems like one of the days being the 1st guy out the gate at Dong Ha in 68 heading out to work on the road, that word uncertainty was there. Or when in PhuBai I and another guy would on weekly basis head to the water pumping station on the Perfume River. Beautiful drive if you weren't in a mobile crane that sounded VERRRRY loud with brush scrapping along the side. You understand. Anyway the point I wanted to share is this. I filed a claim of course and if needed you should too. I'm not certain of what rating this kicks in BUT, when you die if the the death certificate mentions disability rated items related to death the wife will get lifetime compensation from the VA. Interestingly the local reps. initial response was “It's not on the list!” when I pointed to the item the silent OK was deafening. So do your homework they are human. Perry