Blog

Hello all,

Enlisted in Portland in 1974 and was first assigned to VC-2 NAS Norfolk as an aviation supply airman. Got married and was a civilian for 4 years, spent 2 years working in civil service at NAS Norfolk and then NAS Key West during the Mariel Boat Lift from Cuba transferring supplies from nearby ships to support the reuygees as they were processed by the Navy for entry into the US before we went up to Scranton. PA for a few years. Came back into the Navy in 1982 and switched to Aviation Aircraft Mechanic, sent to NAS Alameda where I worked as an aircraft handler supporting flight ops then spent 2 years at NARF working on T-58's. After re-enlisting, I went to VP-46 for the first time, deployed to Diego Garcia, then went again before going to NARF NAS North Island. Went back to VP-46 at NAS Moffitt Field and after a year was discharged to a multiple of medical problems at 50% disability.

Spent first year in Sunnyvale, CA before moving to Cape Coral, FL. It took me about 2 years to decompress from all the stress of being a woman in a largely male environment, ending at a time of huge expansion of females into most aviation ratings and many of the career males being highly p.o'd over the whole business. Fortunately, the younger guys had no problem working with women as many realized our smaller hands could often get into tight engine spaces, and let's face it, women both look better and smell nicer at the end of a long day than the guys did.

It was difficult to get out after almost 16 years. I had enjoyed the travel, being paid equal wages, and having all the benefits afforded military personnel. Didn't appreciate going through four marraiges, but overall think it taught me to fight for my rights, which became vital as my health problems increased. It took from 1993 to 2009 to become 100% rated, and that didn't happen easily.

Started working on my B.A. at the University of South Florida in 1995, moving up to Tampa when the satellite campus in Fort Myers was closed. Managed to graduate with a degree in Mass Communication in 1999, and was hired by the university a few months later, where I worked for five years.

Two weeks into a new job in 2000, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, then in 2006 thyroid cancer. Eventually the doctors in endocrinology and I put together that I had developed petrochemical poisoning from all the toxic fluids I was constantly coming into contact with, as well as using triclorethane frequently while at the flight line at NAS Alameda. Luckily, the VA hospital in Tampa is rated as the number one in the country, and I receive excellant care there.

Acquiring a change from 90% disability to 100% didn't occur until I was granted Social Security Disabilty and hiring a law firn for representation. I found that in that process and fighting with the VA with the help of the DAV that I had to go to Release of Information at the hospital and request massive copies of my medical record. When I went before the judge at Social Security I had over two thousand pages, and the job counselor agreed with my claims of being unable to work due to all the ongoing appointments at the hospital, repeated need for physical therapy, and frequent operations. To date I have had 36 operations, 24 of them under general anesthesia.

I have come to realize that losing physical ability opens up opportunites for new experiences, after spending years mourning the loss of no longe being able to climb mountains, snow ski and overall do anything from helping friends with re-roofing to other myriad house repairs. I learned to buy and keep my own tools, and eventually that I could no longer live without a companion. That was really difficult, but when you need help it's pretty dumb not to get it. 

My first long-time roommate, a friend from CA who moved out to FL shortly after I did, was killed crossing a busy road while I was visiting my best friend back in CA in 2002, but when I had a nervous breakdown after hurricane Charlie I met my present roommate who has now lived with me for 6 1/2 years. As he's 12 years younger, he's able to do many of the things I can no longer do, and I cover the majorithy of our living costs. He has had to learn to do many things as a caregiver he had never expected to, and fortunately for me understands and helps support me with my memory problems, the need for him to come with me to most of my appointments and errands, and has shown me many kindnesses, Today I went by myself to an appointment at the Women's Center, and had a bad fall shortly after dropping the car off at Valet parking. A neighbor kindly brought my roommate to the hospital as I couldn't drive after the pain shot. Guess I won't try that again any time soon.

I have had to relinquish a lot of pride and independence, but I have a companion glad to go with me to Walt Disney World  in Orlando and the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, where we have recurring annual memberships. I sing with one of the best church choirs in Tampa, with whom I went to sing at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. last fall, and we are planning a trip this next year to either Geneva, Switzerland or Montreal, Canada. I have sang with the Tampa Oratorio Singers for the past three years, and made many friends from both organizations where lots of the men have served in the military.

The women seem to appreciate the different view I have on life as a woman thanks to my living a far different life than theirs of child-rearing, and my having survived two bouts of cancer. They are invariably supportive when I recover from surgeries for multiple orthopedic problems, largely a result of the physical abuse endured by anyone who spent numerous years working in any of the aviation maintenace ratings. One thing I can tell you all is that not claiming benefits from the VA as you experience ongoing health problems you can trace back to your time in the Navy is just plain stupid. We're lucky enough to live in a country willing to take care of its military vets, so if you think you may qualify, start the process and keep fighting until you get all you need.

I'm glad to have found this site, and hope to hear from the rest of you as time goes by. My next post I'll share some of the more humerous instances I had while both in the service and as a patient at the hospital.