[webb1104]

Any veteran aircraft maintainers with multiple myeloma?

by webb1104 on Sun May 24, 2015 7:33 am

Good morning,

I am a Gulf War veteran as well. I never served in theater on the ground, but I was involved with all the other engagements, like Northern and Southern Watch, Desert Fox, Gulf War 2, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

I can't remember all the shots I have had throughout my 24 year career in the USAF. Being an aircraft maintainer, I have had the opportunity to work on just about everything with wings to include all the chemicals, fuels, and fluids that go with it. Not to mention ionizing radiation like radio, radar, and conventional to nuclear weapons.

I am only 43 years old and too young to have gotten this disease. I spent the last 18 months of my USAF career in the hospital with 2 stem cell transplants and 3 spinal surgeries. I was medically discharged with 100% disability. Thank goodness for that!!

I was wondering if there are any other veteran aircraft maintainers with multiple myeloma. Could it have been my military career that gave me cancer?

[kullybunnny1]

Re: Any veteran aircraft maintainers with multiple myeloma?

by kullybunnny1 on Sun May 24, 2015 2:37 pm

I was an aircrew member on transports and participated in all conflicts from Panama to Afghanistan. I'm not thinking that my service caused my illness, but I will be open to facts if they are presented.

Thank you for your Service!

Kully

[curiousG]

Re: Any veteran aircraft maintainers with multiple myeloma?

by curiousG on Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:06 pm

My mom has multiple myeloma and worked in the aircraft engine industry for 30 years. While going through get stem cell transplant, last month, she met two other people with multiple myeloma - both worked at Boeing.

[dianaiad]

Re: Any veteran aircraft maintainers with multiple myeloma?

by dianaiad on Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:43 pm

I did not. However, my husband worked for the Lockheed Skunk works, and he died of throat cancer in 1995. During the time he worked there, he would come home with all his work clothes covered in all the chemicals and dirt, and I had to deal with them.

that may or may not be a factor in anything...but then again, I also spent a couple of years disarming faulty land mines, and dealing with that explosive that turns your fingers orange...does anybody remember what that was?

Every time I think of that period of my life I have to shake my head; stupid, stupid, stupid....

[Eric Hofacket]

Re: Any veteran aircraft maintainers with multiple myeloma?

by Eric Hofacket on Tue Jun 02, 2015 12:31 am

Disarming faulty land mines Diana? I bet you have a lot of interesting stories you can tell about that part of your life. I was not expecting that. You cannot be that stupid or you would not have survived that to be here today.