Kathy McRae's Story

My Story starts in 1972 at 10^th Medical Laboratory in Landstuhl, Germany. I was a very healthy 18-year-old PFC in the U. S. Army. The exhaust vents didn’t work well there, and I began to be ill. First pneumonia then kidney infections then menstrual problems and finally I developed asthma. I left Germany went to Ft. Sill, OK where the "female problems" and kidney problems continued. The military said my husband was cheating on me and that was the root of my problems. The problems continue to worsen no matter what treatment I underwent and I think I took them all; I am warned that I may have to have a hysterectomy. The next pleasant surprise I received was a lump in my breast. Diagnosed as fibrocystic disease, I was told not to worry. In 1978 I am pregnant for the third time and placed under "at risk" because of the problems that I am having. My only child is born eight weeks early because of the inflammation. In 1980, I have my tubes removed because cysts had blocked them. I left my husband in 1981 and the problems continued to worsen. He vowed he had never been unfaithful. The fibrocystic breasts start to express a milk-like liquid from them and again I am told not to worry since I am not experiencing any chronic pain at this time but am again warned that I may have to have a hysterectomy. In 1984, I go to pick my daughter up from the bathtub and cannot straighten. The pain was awful. I now must have a hysterectomy. The doctors exam me and now say they cannot find anything wrong with me but because of my history and pain will perform the hysterectomy. When I wake up after the surgery, the doctor asked how did I walk into the hospital on my own two feet? I had fibroid tumors, cysts, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and adhesions. The doctors said this surgery would cure all my ailments as they performed a TAH-BSO and appendectomy. In 1995 Synthroid is added to my list of medications because according to the doctor I had the hysterectomy at such an early age my thyroid is now not functioning well. The kidney problems and breast lumps kept coming. The VA did not treat "female problems" at this time so it wasn’t until 1997 that I found out that would now see me. I was granted 50% disability for the hysterectomy. The lumps in my breasts are denied as well as the kidney, thyroid and asthma problems. In 1998 the pain in my breast became constant. My husband left me. He said I was faking being ill. The lumps were not coming and going but staying. My gynecologist sent me to a surgeon who told me when the pain gets bad enough he will cut them off for me (he was having a bad day). After seeing several surgeons, I get a very nice pair that informs me that fibrocystic mastodynamia this severe is rare but the older of the two had encountered one other case. They ask let us start the treatments from the beginning again to see if they can save my breasts. First, I had to eliminate estrogen, coffee, chocolate, and caffeine. Then a treatment of evening primrose, vitamin E and ibuprophine was given. Next, I could only wear sports bras that bind. They could not find the cysts. (Sounds familiar huh, just like the pain with the hysterectomy) The pain got so bad I could not wear a seat belt or even drive a car over a speed bump without tears. Alternative medicines, spiritual medicines, and anything else I could get my hands on were tried. The doctors referred me to several Internet sites. The information said women with this severe a problem generally developed breast cancer within two years and had a survival rate of less than five years after that. If the mastectomy is performed before this develops or spreads any further, I have a hope of total recovery. My regular doctor agrees with this. Tamoxifen then Danizol (pill forms of a chemo-therapy for breast cancer) are prescribed. The gynecologists starts to suggest a mastectomy and because by now I have developed allergies to all narcotics and synthetic narcotics does not recommend implants but the tram-flap repair, I am informed that the incision is under the breast and fat is used to replace the breast tissue taken out. By this time the surgeons are running out of ideas so we start talking about the surgery. I see a plastic surgeon for a consultation. I ask my questions and he informs me that it is muscle not fat to be used. I have a new ultrasound now the cysts are in my left kidney and liver, but I should be glad because it is not metastasized cancer, yet. Finally, the day for the surgery arrives. I have an asthma attack while waiting to go into the surgical suite. I wake up after the surgery and when the bandages are removed, imagine my surprise when I see circular cuts and no nipples. Even more surprising is the bruising of my right breast. I am informed all will heal but I must start to walk right away. The drainage tubes but one are removed after a few days. The stitches then are removed and replaced with steri-strips. At last the day comes when the last drainage tube is removed. The right breast and portions of the abdomen, and left breast do not heal. The plastic surgeon sees me and removes the dead tissue to allow for the wounds to heal naturally. I ask about the dog-ears at the end of my abdomen incision and am told we will take care of that when you are healed from this. At this point my husband came back home profusely apologizing for not believing the seriousness of my illness. My incisions are healed and I have been sent to the gym to begin mild exercise to strengthen my muscles since I now have been three years with not much exercise. I have relocated to Phoenix because my husband was transferred here. I saw the plastic surgeon here who said come back in three months to see the effects of exercise because my general provider nor he have any idea what the effects are going to be how much I will get back or anything else. I see the general doctor on Wednesday to schedule a new ultrasound. My husband informed me the reason I was asked to come here to Phoenix and for his return was because of his feelings of guilt. The VA still does not recognize my breast problems but inform me maybe before the end of the year they might increase my disability but in the mean time they do recognize the cysts in my kidney and gave me an increase of 10% for a total of 60%.

Well the results are in; I still have the cysts in my kidney and liver also two new lumps in my breast. The doctor thinks I have a hernia but since it close to my ribs who knows. I know I have a hard time breathing if I fold over. I am now off all medications. No more hormones, synthriod, asthma, or allergy pills. The VA gave me a new physical for the increase in disability I am suppose to receive the increase by Dec01, the doctor’s comment to me was that this was elective surgery since it wasn’t life threatening yet. I tried to explain that I just didn’t wake up on morning and say I want my breasts gone but he didn’t care. Below are my questions to the VA but of course no answers.

Do I have five years because the cysts have spread? Will I be okay now? I graduate from college in October but still have the next surgery so still can’t go back to work. Suggestions on how to support myself?