We all know the Sick Bay Commandos, did not being one hurt you in the long run?

Exactly right PO3 Samuel Walters, it seems we are victims of our own decisions to stay available for our unit. Too many times I was given Motrin for an issue that at the time seemed enough but in reality only saddled me with long term injuries now in my 40's. I recently went to podiatrist because of extreme foot pain, after I saw the x-rays the Dr. asked me "how did you not know you had bone fragments in your ankles, how did you not know you had fractures down there?" My answer was, I had a job to do! I always thought that the bumps on my heels were extremely hard callous, but found out they were bone spurs. I am recovering from Achilles surgery after I had one them removed because it grew into my Achilles causing some of the worst pain in my life. Wish I was smart enough to have that documented when I was in.

Ain't that the truth still fighting with the VA on disability for my shoulder because I was afraid to report it it when it happened. Now 54 I need a shoulder replacement. The decisions we choose to make.

While I went threw basic training at Ft. McClellan it was tough. I began to get rashes, coughing up blood and blood in my stools, I also had gotten gerd and acid reflux in my stomach. I managed to be strong and get threw basic with a drill Sargent screaming in my ear when I would bend over in pain what soldier do you think the enemy will take you to a medic get up lets move. But finally he sent me to sick call a few times to find it was real problems but not enough to send me home at that time. Everything continued AIT hospitalized for my lungs onward I still kept working hard and dealing with it. I kept part of those records. I got so bad at my final duty station that they discharged me honorably under medical. Began having heart troubles, lost a baby, then had one that seemed ok at first as she got older began to deal with issues trying to learn. My second baby was born with deformed bowels, feet turned inward and chemical brain imbalance. I was asking for help off and on. Tried to get evaluated with VA they left me alone with my children and I continued to try to soldier up after my husband and I got divorced and tried to be that soldier in everything life threw at me. My health was so bad doctors could not believe so much could be wrong with someone. Finally got SSDI and had a work permit to try to do what ever I could even to making a home based business. Then my sickness kidneys thyroid and rashes and more got worse and was bed ridden more then up and about, they said I had PTSD. Now say prior PTSD but after the first evaluation they put me to 60% service connected only because I kept my own copies to prove things. Then it came out about Ft McClellan and the toxic poison there being so bad they closed it down in 1999. The side effects from those toxins is so bad and they say it was the most toxic place on the planet and one glass of water effected you. But when I tried to make a claim on Ft. McClellan they just bumped me up to 100% and dropped the claim on Ft McClellan. This is bad for all the soldiers that were there and began showing symptoms after leaving the military. Mine showed up right away. I have to be careful about going places I have no immune system left pill antibiotics don't help me. My memory gets worse some days. I don't like people to see me cry so have done much of it alone with my service dog. People do not understand the conditions if they can not see them on the outside. Now my bones are having troubles. Summer is better for me, but some people don't understand what they can not see. I had to go threw a lot in my evaluations and show many reports and have some friends and family write letters before I got my help. But now I can barely drive alone very far and life seems to be almost non existing other then the computer and people here and facebook.Of course I still craft a bit on days I can to keep my mind from the agonizing pain that rips threw my body. A nurse comes twice a month. But when they asked at the VA what they could do for me I said I want me back. And one doctor said you no we can't do that we can't stop the toxins and they explained I will die. IT is sad that some have suffered most of their lives and struggled before getting any help too. But God still has me here for a purpose and maybe it is to help others with what I can. But some nights when I talk to him I ask why I can not find a love who would be here or would ask some nights please do not let me wake up. Yes I have had counciling still do. But they understand what I mean. There is a purpose for us all and so now I am just a soldier for God. Bless you all and the ones in need my prayers are for you. I think this should have went to the bottom of the comments sorry tried to move it but couldn't.

Thank you PV2 Violet Case for sharing with all.

Thank you too SFC Boots Attaway for being there. When I get it off my chest and someone like you comes along, it is like you have handed me a tissue to wipe my tears that fall behind the walls. Even tho I am sick I will continue to soldier on some days better then others. But some days when the reality hits the tears come. They say it is ok for me to cry even tho it was pumped in my head soldiers don't cry. You no sometimes it helps to do that instead of holding it inside. Holding it inside only brings anger that this woman does not want to carry or always show. hugs to all my brothers/sisters wish I could carry each and everyone of your pains with me.