Urgent Prayer and Help Request for MistyCA's Hospitalized Vietnam Veteran Brother

MistyCA

[Jim Robinson]

Here is the request from MistyCA:

I need help. My brother is in the hospital in Santa Barbara. He is dying. He has 10% heart capacity left after having (since Vietnam) three surgeries to replace infected valves and a resection to remove diseased tissue. The most recent surgery was done in Palo Alto by Dr. Burdin two years ago. He has chronic infections and needed a transplant but the VA denied the transplant.

Now he is sitting in the hospital in Santa Barbara waiting for the VA to get off their butt and get him in a VA facitility so he can get the care he needs. Here is his story in his own words.... dang...I can't remember how to make a link.. http://members.cox.net/jkk/vet.htm

This vet needs some freeper noise and help. Is there anything anyone can do here to get someone to move the VA to help him? Please. :( Can someone help me do a thread for my brother?

[Bizzy Bugz]

Misty, How my heart goes out to you. I will be praying for you and your brother, for healing, courage, and strength to do what our Lord would have you do.

[takenoprisoner]

prayers for your brother.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Prayers to you and to your brother.

Several have provided you with some excellent ideas. The only other suggestion that I can come up with is for you to contact the local news station. You might even try a back door approach by asking them to send him a card or asking if they know of any resources that you could contact. Sometimes they even have a reporter that specializes in problem solving and does a story on it.
The VA does not like negative press.

Please keep us posted.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Jim for posting this prayer thread.

Misty, I'm so sorry to hear your brother has taken a turn for the worst. Prayers for him, you and the family.

I'm providing the link to a thread that tells his story of his fight with the VA. .

One Vietnam Vets Battle with the VA - Dec.17th, 2002

You've already gotten most of the advice I would give from oyher Freepers. Contact your State and Federal Senators, and Congressmen. Most of the major Veterans groups, the VFW, DAV, AmVets and American Legion have VA representatives at the VA hospitals, contact their office.

[Valin]

One fervent prayer...on the way.
You hang in there lady! It will all work out, it always does.

I'm thinking you might need one too so..
One prayer...on the way.

[nmh]

I will say a prayer for him. This gentleman has been to hell and back. It's heartbreaking to read this. How dare we treat a vet in this manner. I hope someone can help him.

[MistyCA]

So far we have sent a message to Frist and Capps. I will send the email to the others as soon as I figure out who they all are. I haven't paid enough attention to Minnesota politics since I have been here, as I wasn't intending to stay this long. Appreciate your help and I will freep you with a copy of our email. Thanks.

[MistyCA]

Sam, I am so worried for my brother's two little kids. It has been hard for them to understand the frustration my brother has had just trying to stay in good health. Thanks for your thoughts. I am on a email writing campaign right now. You have been a wonderful friend. Thanks.

[MistyCA]

Thank you, Valin.

[Peach]

Thank you so much for finding the appropriate name!

[NormsRevenge]

Im from the Alexandria area originally , lake country. I spent a bit of time working in the Metro area in the 70s... been in California for over 20 years.

In the mid70s, I called on a Senator's office, Hubert Horatio Humphrey's, for assistance and he came thru or his office did anyway. HHH - One of the last of the decent democrats.

Maybe Norm Coleman can pull a string or too, I don't know about Dayton, he seems pretty dense..

Wish your brother my best and thanks for his service to his country.

[PhilDragoo]

I concur with the suggestion to contact Bill Frist and AmVets.

The hospital is in Santa Barbara so perhaps you should contact Congresswoman Lois Capp of the 23d District at

http://www.house.gov/capps/

Also, definitely talk with your congressman, specifically constituent services director.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[MistyCA]

Oh yes, Humphrey use to live across the street from my Grandmother. Small world. I moved to California as a very young teenager. My great-grandparents settled in Big Lake and helped to build that community many moons ago. My great-grandfather donated land for the community church. Being here again floods my soul with memories and nostalgia.

[Spirited]

We do treat our veterans with less concern than we do the veterans of other nations. It disturbs me.

May healing from The Lord envolop and raise him up. I will be praying.

[MistyCA]

Oh, duh! I should have known by your name! LOL!

[mafree]

I'll pray for your brother and for the rest of you. My father, a Korea vet, always had a decent experience with VA and its hospitals- hope your brother's situation straightens itself out.

[MissAmericanPie]

Her brother is in my prayers.

[ladyinred]

I read your brothers story and I emailed him to tell him how thankful I am for his service and how I will pray for him. I know how badly the VA treats the vets and have been at our local one complaining on deaf ears. I hope you will contact your congressman asap as this is the only route I can think of too.
I am so sorry for him and for your family, and will be praying that God will intervene and get him the help he not only needs, but darn well deserves!

[Tribune7]

Prayer bump