Viet Nam Vet exosed to Agent Orange

Joe Carr

I am a 68-year-old Viet Nam Vet that was exposed to Agent Orange and have been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma that resulted in End Stage Kidney Failure requiring dialyses. Dialyses treatments are three days per week four hours per day and I am often fatigued on other days so I can't find a job to fit my hours. In the past I taught the Level 1 Class but now I can’t do two consecutive days.

I have been fighting cancer and end stage renal failure for nearly two years and the expenses are piling up. Last year my out of pocket expenses exceeded $30,000. The regular co-pays and expenses to several medical specialists ($100/month), chemo drugs ($450/month) and treatment ($200/month), blood transfusions ($300/year) along with dialysis co-pay ($800/month) and normal expenses add up quickly. My out of pocket medical expenses will total at least $15,000 this year if I can stay out of the hospital. Since I can't work my only income is a small Social Security payment.

My chemo treatments interfere with my dialysis and we may have to try a new cancer treatment that puts me in isolation in the hospital for two weeks at a time. My copay will apply. The oncologist believes the cancer may be spreading to my liver and may add to my chemo treatments.

The VA won’t help me and the grants I received all expired on July 1. I can reapply to the Lymphoma Society and a couple of drug companies for new grants for 2018.

Thank you for your consideration.

Joe Carr