Agent Orange or contaminated water?

By SkipS

Last Updated:

1 min read

I was diagnosed in October 2020 with non-invasive bladder cancer. I’ve had 6 surgeries to remove tumors and have also had BCG treatment. We are not sure if it’s from Agent Orange or the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. I’ve also lost a kidney due to cancer. I’m rated 100% permanent and total disability due to these cancers.
I’ll find out this month when the next cystoscopy is done if I’m clean or not.

This is my story.

Share Your Bladder Cancer Story Today
Help others feel a little less alone

Share My Story

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The BladderCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Laura MacKenzie Member

<inline-mention username="SkipS" user-id="4576758"/> thanks so much for taking the time to share your story. Wishing you well for your scope. Please let us know how you get on. Wishing you well. Laura, Moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>
CommunityMember327 Member

Be strong, brother. I may not need to tell you this, but the VA assumes anyone who spent more than 24 hours "in country" in RVN was exposed to Agent Orange (AO), and it also assumes that bladder cancer in someone who was exposed to AO got that cancer because of that AO exposure. Since you're already rated at 100%, you can't get more compensation, but -if you haven't already - you should apply anyway, because it can be to your surviving spouse's benefit if you die from any service-connected disability, so the more service-connected disabilities you're rated for, the more likely one of them will be listed as a cause of your demise, and thereby benefit your spouse. I spent 37-and-a-half months in RVN, and I was diagnosed with bladder cancer about 6 months ago and am going through "the process". I'm already rated 90% due to several other problems related to AO exposure, and am awaiting a decision on several more, including my bladder cancer. As a high school classmate and co-member of our HS wrestling team once told me, "AO is the gift that keeps on giving." He died of cancer over a year ago, as has another classmate and wrestling team partner who also served in RVN. Our country killed us, and owes us - and our surviving family - compensation.
1. Charles Anthony Ulloa Member
 
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember327" user-id="4741119"/> thank you for your service to our Country. I wasn't alive at the time, but I am so thankful for your heartfelt sacrifices. I hope you are able to experience a miraculous healing of your own. Sending my best, Charles (Moderator / <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>)
2. Linda Urbanski Member
 
 @CommunityMember327 - I have read of so many people affected by Agent Orange over the years. I hope that anyone who has medical issues as a result is able to have the help they deserve. Thank you for your service. My best Linda Urbanski ( moderator, <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>Bladdercancer.net</a> team member)
Charles Anthony Ulloa Member

<inline-mention username="SkipS" user-id="4576758"/> thank you for sharing your story. Mostly, I have to thank you for your service to our Country. So many Baby Boomers and Gen Xers had such exposure to Agent Orange. Mom told me many Veterans were treated poorly once they came back home too. I'm so sorry for all of this and now the battle before you. Thank you for all you do, and I pray you keep room in your mind and heart for the miraculous. Sending prayers your way, Charles (Moderator / <a href='https://bladdercancer.net' target='_blank'>BladderCancer.net</a>)
SkipS Member

Thank you