hi outlivecancer - when you are talking about PTSD, are you talking
about the stress of the cancer treatment or the feelings that was
brought back from vietnam?

i can not speak for anyone else.  i'm not going to try to say it was any
better or worse in what happen over there.  all i know is that the
feelings i had over there, came back when i got the news of doom - so to
speak.  i felt like i was in a situation of doom in nam and didn't think
i was coming home again.  i can't explain, it is just a feeling you get.
and then to be told that you had cancer and, of course, we all know what
the outcome of that is if you don't get treated, but the bullet is
coming with your name on it.  

anyway, it brought up similar feelings and then the original feelings
worked there way into the new feelings and left me to try to sort it
out.  all the while, you get it with post surgery depression and hormone
depression.  

the good news is that i feel like i'm winning the battle now and it's
appears to be getting better.  

on this note - we have talked about how the VA takes care of the vet.
well, i went in back last year in sept and told them i was have PTSD and
had it for some time but it was a lot worse.  what did they do?  not a
thing........and made an appt for me in feb 2004.  i then went to the
patient advocate representative they have, in case, you feel there is a
problem  that was in early october after i had my last surgery from the
complications of the RP (excessive scaring) i told the advocate that i
didn't think it was right that i wasn't being treated for what i've
describe on the feelings i'm having and what did they do?
nothing...........never got back with me, no phone call, no
letter......nothing.   well, here it is.....also feb, so i get to go in
for my regular scheduled visit.  i wonder if they will do anything THIS
time.

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional