I did all of the stress tests, but my liver was never examined at all. They were going entirely off of the blood test. In the mean time I was appointed to a GS-11 position with a Federal Agency in the DOI. Which was good timing since my unemployment had just run out. The government moved me to my new job in a small town 900 miles to the West. That was last November 2010. I immediately signed up for Health Insurance and planned to work my HCV through the Federal Health Care Plan.

In the mean time I went into the VA outpatient clinic (small town) to get the results of the stress tests. The VA came back with a diagnosis of Stage 3 and that I passed all of the stress tests and should begin INT-RIBA treatment ASAP. Well as it turned out, the GS job there was a scam, a set-up whatever one chooses to call it. They had planned on getting rid of whomever was the unfortunate soul to walk through the door. It was a small jobsite and they aren’t the ones who hire for the positions. I was sent there by the State Office.

I was harassed from day one in order to force me to resign. I was stuck. I couldn’t leave for the obvious reasons. They fired me after being on the job for about 30 days. No mis-conduct. They merely stated in the termination letter that I was too dumb to learn at the pace that was expected of me. What-ever that was supposed to be! I had no money to move back to where I came from. I hocked my van to get a loan to pay for the move.

I came back to the small town that I left and rented a small house with my last paycheck. Now I am trying to find a job to somehow make some money before I become homeless next month. I signed up with the DOL DVOP program as a Disabled Vet to take part in their “intensive services” whatever that is supposed to be. I didn’t work there long enough to get unemployment benefits. The State DOL/DVOP rep is trying to connect me with people that are hiring, but I need some rent money like today.

On the upside I am getting some job interviews and one company has expressed an interest beyond the interview. So I am pursuing viable opportunities. The thing is I need to start the chemo soon and I have no idea how that will affect my ability to work. I am an office worker so the physical demands are not a problem with the job. At least the VAMC in Sheridan was willing to give me treatment. The PA there told me it could be “dicey” for the first couple of weeks, whatever that means! About the only information that I have been given is that the treatment will last for 6 months and I need to take a pill every day and get a shot once a week.

At least the VAMC in the other place was willing to treat me. Here at the VAMC in where I am now, they shut the windows and locked the doors! I talked to the DOL/DVOP rep today and discussed my health. I said: “okay I get a job, then what do I do? I need to start treatment as soon as a I can. I have no idea how the treatment will affect my ability to do the work or if I need any time off from work.”

Thanks to Mr. Nod on this site my claim for SC is on track. I just need some guidance on what I should do right now with no job and no income and no savings. I also don’t know how the treatment will affect my ability to work or what the risks to my health are. I have heard that the treatment is brutal and affects people differently. I have heard that having an auto immune disease when treated could kill a person. The VA is already compensating me for Rhuematoid Arthritis, but then recently they have tested and the VA now says I don’t have RA.

I got a call from my grand-daughter (Skype is a wonderful invention). Yesterday I took a drive out in country with my dog and watched nature. The hills are greening up and the trees are finally getting some leaves now. I really enjoy life just that the roadblocks to living a fruitful and happy life become frustrating at times! Thanks for the guidance and thanks for being here! 🙂

Come to find out that sometimes EMG tests are needed to determine the extent of liver damage with Hep-C patients. It is entirely possible that they could fail to replace one of the 20 needles after an HCV patient is tested. And it is entirely possible that they could replace one that wasn’t properly sterilized after the last use.

1) That I color my hair before going into an interview

2) That I reduce my resume to two pages

I contacted the VA to see what I could do and it has been:

I’ll call someone….who will call someone else…..who will call someone. But no one has called since the last guy who said he was going to make a call.

I just don’t fit on their decision tree. I have six years of college and 30 years experience as an engineer and scientist. No mental illness, no substance abuse, highly educated with extensive work experience with numerous service excellence awards. No trouble with the law. I think I got a speeding ticket once. And I am a highly decorated, disabled Vet with an honorable discharge.

So I fit in the category of 1.6% of those Veterans who will become homeless and thus society says I am not in need of assistance. Not old enough to get social security and not disabled enough to get disability. I already have a college degree.

Since this last recession, depression, whatever, the corporations have figured out that they can hire people half my age who will stay at the job longer, for half the salary.

So I am in the process of getting my pup tent out, camp stove and sleeping bag and then climbing into the van with my dog and hitting the road. I will put my things into storage, have a rummage sale for what I can’t hock. Stop in to see the grand kids, get some food and just wander from there.

Two years ago things just started to go wrong. First my wife dies suddenly and tragically, then I lost my job because of the recession, then I got sick and was diagnosed with HCV. It has been a downward spiral from there. I moved around trying to find work and in the process my savings and investments were wiped out.

On the upside, the Government owes me a lot of money. The Government is hoping that I will give up or die off before they have to pay up, but I am planning on surviving to collect. Also, my liver isn’t in the best of shape but it isn’t that bad yet either. I will be alright during the summer, but may need to head South with the geese this fall! 

Well if anything came out of this at least the VA gave me a doctor’s appointment to a general practice MD in August. The way things are going; I won’t be here for the appt but golly-gee I actually got one! 🙂

Sent my NOD off today…certified mail, return receipt requested! And I thank you for that Sir! 🙂

Just don’t slug down any booze BEFORE the big one hits! 🙂