Mesothelioma Help Cancer News
Veterans Still Facing Long Wait Times at VA Facilities Despite Reforms
A year after it was revealed that sick patients at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals were dying due to lack of care, the number of patients waiting more than 30 to 60 days for medical appointments remains flat, reports the Associated Press.
“VA statistics show that the number of patients facing long waits has not declined, even after Congress gave the department an extra $16.3 billion last summer to shorten waits for care,” writes the AP.
In April 2014 CNN reported that 40 U.S. veterans died waiting for appointments with the Phoenix VA health system. A retired clinical director from that system told CNN that the Phoenix VA deliberately covered up delayed veteran care through a secret wait list.
The scandal grew to include VA facilities nationwide. An investigation by Senator Tom Coburn released in June 2014 concluded that over a 10-year period, VA misconduct resulted in 1,000 or more veteran deaths. An internal VA audit ordered by the White House found patient wait time manipulation at more than 60 percent of VA facilities investigated. It concluded there was a “systemic lack of integrity” within some facilities.
The findings resulted in the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and the $16.3 billion Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act. Signed into law by President Obama last August, the Act aims to speed up veteran access to healthcare by funding the hiring of more health care workers and allowing patients facing long delays to receive private sector care.
But according to a new report by the Associated Press, from August 1 to February 29 nearly 894,000 VA medical facility appointments did not meet the agency’s 30-day timeliness goal, including around 230,000 appointment delays of more than 60 days.
Delays were unequally distributed across the VA network, with a high percentage clustered in the Southern states of Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Facilities in these states accounted for fewer than 6 percent of patient visits but were responsible for 20% of the appointments delayed 60 or more days. Long wait times were also found at facilities in New Mexico and Colorado.
It’s worth noting that the VA is dealing with rising demand. VA system enrollees increased from 6.8 million in 2002 to 8.9 million in 2013. The VA added 800 doctors and 2,000 nurses between April and December and is building new health centers, but demand still seems to be outpacing capacity.
“We are doing a whole series of things…to deal with the immediate issue,” Sloan Gibson, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, told the AP. “But we need an intermediate term plan that moves us ahead a quantum leap, so that we don’t continue over the next three or four years just trying to stay up. We’ve got to get ahead of demand.”
The VA provides health care to nearly 9 million veterans. It also offers monthly compensation and other benefits to veterans.
You can use our online tool to find out whether you qualify for VA benefits.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Mesothelioma Researchers
The study of mesothelioma is led by passionate scientists, doctors, researchers and advocates who have dedicated their lives to making progress leading to a cure. Once a year, at the annual Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation conference, they get re-charged by meeting the victims and their families and by putting faces to the patients and families struggling with mesothelioma.
How does the next generation of researchers find out about mesothelioma and become impassioned to study towards a cure? There are several initiatives that are aimed at college students to gain the opportunity to learn and study about mesothelioma.
One is through the Jan Egerton and Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarship open to all U.S. college students, sponsored by MesotheliomaHelp. The scholarship is designed to spread awareness of mesothelioma, by having college students research and write about mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos. Increasing awareness of the facts regarding mesothelioma, also increases the number of young people who become knowledgeable about the history of the disease. Spreading the word to a younger generation, and encouraging them to get involved with the mesothelioma community, expands the community in a very positive direction.
Another initiative is a fellowship by the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Union, named for their General President, The “James A. “Jim” Grogan Endowed Fund for Excellence” at Notre Dame University. Three students from Notre Dame, will be funded as a student intern in asbestos-related medical research, focusing on early detection, effective treatment and cure of asbestos diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer. The start of their fellowship is attendance at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma. Hearing patients’ journeys firsthand gives the students a very personal perspective before they head to the lab.
As a new generation is learning and researching towards a cure – and the current researchers continue to make groundbreaking discoveries – we hope and pray, that together they will be successful in their research!
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
Help Ease the Pressure On Mesothelioma Caregivers
Being a caregiver for a mesothelioma patient is a challenging, yet rewarding, experience. When you are helping out a loved one facing mesothelioma, remember to care for the caregiver as well.
Living three hours away from my parents, I was a part-time caregiver for my father. Helping him accomplish tasks that he used to do without hesitation was challenging, but mostly on an emotional level. Having family members and friends to talk to helped me tremendously. It was tough to see such a strong, active person as Dad having to ask others for help cutting the grass, cutting down a tree, moving something heavy. Being able to voice my concerns and share my feelings was (and still is) invaluable to me.
You might wonder what you can do for the caregivers, family members, and friends. As I said, for me, a listening ear made all the difference. You might offer to prepare a meal for them or to give them a night off and take over their duties for the evening. Sometimes, it’s tough to get out to run errands; pick up some groceries for them!
I know that for my Dad, it was hard to be stuck in the house in the cold weather. He loved being out in the snow, but with the meso and its effects, it made it difficult for him. In cases like this, go visit them. Take over a movie or a board game; make it a fun night in for everyone. This could also allow the caregiver some light-hearted time. They appreciate the gestures and company just as much as the patient does.
Above all, remember that just because someone has mesothelioma and their family and loved ones are caring for them, they are the same person as before their diagnosis. They need prayers, love, and support. Your friendship and concern can provide respite and peace to them when they need it the most.
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
Meet Miss March (and May) of the Mesothelioma Warriors Calendar
In December, we brought you information about the group of UK women who created the Mesowarriors calendar to raise money for the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund. This month we highlight the March mesothelioma advocate: Angela Caulfield of Cumbria, England.
Why did you do this calendar?
My wonderful, beautiful daddy fell asleep in 9th May 2011, 4 1/2 years after diagnosis of mesothelioma. My dad was a true family gentlemen, he worked hard all his life to give my mum and my siblings the best upbringing any child could ever want. My dad has always been my rock, no matter how, he was always there, he loved all his grandchildren and mesothelioma stole the earth’s most genuine, most funny, most caring and most loving dad any child could ever be blessed to have. My dad never smoked, he wasn’t a big drinker, he went to the gym, he always ate healthy, well unless he got caught – lol. The rollercoaster of emotions everyone goes through is horrible.
Was there a point where you wanted to back out from doing the calendar for fear or nervousness?
Ha! No, I didn’t want to back out for one minute! I enjoyed every single second of sharing and doing this, with some meso warriors I haven’t even met. It was quite stressful at one point, but the laughs we had and the wait of people uploading their photos was so funny. I loved every minute of it!
What does the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund mean to you?
I had heard of the June Hancock charity, but have not used their services. But I believe it has helped so many meso sufferers. There has to be more successful research to find a cure for mesothelioma, more awareness to stop people contracting mesothelioma and also removal of all asbestos from schools/buildings etc should be made compulsory.
What message would you give to patients and families who are battling mesothelioma?
Reach out. If it wasn’t for the impact of the mesothelioma warriors, many of us have walked alongside each other for years, through good and bad, without this bond, without each other, I don’t personally think anyone who is associated with warriors would have gotten, or could still get through the journey with mesothelioma, as we have. We lean on each other for support, we have each other for laughs, this group can never be replaced, never be bought and can’t just be joined, it’s a group of unity and thank God we have all got each other.
About The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund
The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund of Sheffield, England, was established in 1997 for June Hancock and her mother who lost their lives to mesothelioma. The funds raised by the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund go toward sponsoring vital epidemiological research into the causes of mesothelioma, raising awareness of the disease amongst healthcare professionals and the public at large, and to provide good quality up to date information and advice for mesothelioma sufferers and their carers, according to the organization’s website.
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
Father to Amanda Stetler, Faces of Mesothelioma Writer, Loses Battle with Mesothelioma
Amanda allowed us inside her family’s life, through her blog posts on “Faces of Mesothelioma,” while her father David fought pleural mesothelioma. Sadly, he passed away this week after more than two years of dealing with the cancer.
David was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in January 2013. He traveled to Philadelphia where he received care at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman Center. He underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery and weeks of rehabilitation before he found himself itching to get back to work and on with his life.
Trying to put the cancer behind him, David proudly celebrated his 60th birthday in July, 2013 with his family and close friends. The sand and sun of the Jersey shore afforded the family a nice break before David returned to UPenn for chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
In addition, David went on to participate in an immunotherapy clinical trial and underwent more rounds of chemotherapy and radiation while trying to keep his mesothelioma at bay.
“Dad continues to amaze me with his will to fight against this nasty cancer,” said Amanda after her father’s last hospitalization as he recovered from dehydration.
Throughout his treatments, David tried hard to maintain normalcy and be “his hard-working self,” as Amanda said. Whenever he was able, David was out in the yard cutting the grass, repairing things around the house, working on his vehicles, or even stacking wood.
Amanda and her father had the chance to enjoy some time alone just several months ago at their favorite vacation spot—the Jersey shore. “We will both cherish this father/daughter vacation week forever,” Amanda wrote about their time together.
Amanda and her family had planned a spaghetti dinner on March 21 in support of David. The event will still be held beginning at 4:00pm at the Williams Township Fire Co #1.
“The dinner will still go on despite the heartbreaking news of my father losing his battle to Meso this past Monday,” said Amanda. “It is now a celebration of his life.”
David leaves behind his wife Annie, his daughter, Amanda, and two sons, Andrew and Adam.
The Mesothelioma Help community sends our condolences to the Stetler family and wishes them much strength during this very difficult time.
Please take the time to read about Amanda and her father’s journey with mesothelioma through Faces of Mesothelioma.
Free Mesothelioma Patient & Treatment Guide
We’d like to offer you our in-depth guide, “A Patient’s Guide to Mesothelioma,” absolutely free of charge.
It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
Download Now