It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Gary Lupole, Veteran and husband of Patricia. She is, after all, the reason this site exists. She had the farsightedness to give me a voice in August 2008.
Gary fought VA long and hard for service connection and in the end, it eluded him. He was the quintessential Vet who took on the VA over jet guns, used lancets, unsanitary dental procedures, etc. There probably wouldn’t be a Risk Factors Questionnaire if it were’t for Gary.
Patricia put the message up on her facebook page several hours ago. I believe she needs our support right now. We all know this day will come for us non-responders. We know it will be much sooner than the time of our choosing, too. Gary was robbed of time and his health by a war. He came home and was robbed of his compensation. Now a grieving widow has been robbed.
Patricia has a business website that we all use to contact her. Email her and thank her for carrying the water for Gary, you and me all these years.
HCVETS@AOL.COM
Postscript… Here is what Gary has left us. It’s a beginning for many on a long journey.
http://hcvets.com/data/claim_statement.htm
I add this as a PostScript. I received it today( 2/9)
This is the link
http://www.hcvets.com/includepage/MemorialFund.htm
Donations for Gary can also be mailed to:
Tricia Lupole
C/O HCVets.com Educational Website & Support Forums
110 Glover Cir
Staunton VA 24401
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
Veterans Claims Help 
So sorry to hear about this individual’s passing–RIP. Can you post the website & FB link?
_____________________
Also, thank you for this blog. The VA probably has access to a ton of unpublished reports. We need to find a way to see that research.where ever it is.
Something new I’m reading about is that HCV can pass into the brain. This could explain the “brain fog” that is experienced by even patients with Sustained Virologic Responses (SVR).
Can patients with SVR get rated?
Oddly, they can be rated. Just because you achieve SVR does not relieve you of other symptoms such as fatigue and malaise. DM2 is often a byproduct as well. Check out Patricia Lupoles’s Facebook page for a posting on HCV invasion of brain cells
http://www.facebook.com/Tricia500
Thank you again. My husband’s cognition has declined since his year-long treatment (in a private health care system in 2004) and his energy level has declined significantly as well. He served as a combat Marine (2nd Cag–don’t know the unit yet) in Vietnam for one year. I am just beginning the research and claims process because it’s too overwhelming for him.
Important question #1: Do you have the software that can record online video streams–that don’t have embed codes? I have come across a remarkable 2011 presentation by a VA doc and I don’t want it taken down before it has been copied. There is some hopeful information on it but some appalling statistics too. I can send you the link via your email.
Important question #2: The DOD removed MUNJIs after concerns about their safety.
Has anyone requested from the DOD for all the research behind that decision. Perhaps using Freedom of Information Act?
Now that is an area of expertise I haven’t ventured into. I rely on all of you and Patricia for jetgun info. unless it’s in a BVA/CAVC decision. As for the recording of the video, I’ll have to huddle with Cupcake on that one. What I know about C-boxes leaves much to be desired.
I tried copying the video–it’s 59 minutes long–with free Cam Studio. The sound is poor in my experiments.
Here’s the link–someone must copy it while it’s available. Lots of good info.(Pause on slides to copy citations.)
January 13, 2011
Title: “Challenges for HCV Treatment in 2011:
Can we make a difference and save more lives?”
Speaker:
Samuel B. Ho, MD
Section Chief, Gastroenterology
San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
Professor of Medicine
University of California – San Diego
Must have run out of space. Here’s the link.
http://medicine.utah.edu/internalmedicine/Education/grandRounds/2011/Jan2011.htm
You mean that Tricia had the INSIGHT to bring you into the fold. 🙂
I have learned so much from everyone involved with HCVETS and I really appreciate her website as much as I can appreciate your blogs here. My condolences go out to Tricia and Gary’s family as well as to all who knew him.