Tag: Memorial day

the three servicemen statue

Service to Country

Joanne Dragun, M.D.

Want to celebrate a hero this Memorial Weekend? May I introduce Howard George. “Doc ,I was a true Hillbilly from Western Kentucky. I lost my parents at age 3. I became a Marine as soon as I could”. What a life: Greco Roman wrestling 1960 Olympics, Tours of duty Korea and 2 in Vietnam wars, two injuries leading to receiving the Purple Heart. Ultimately, he became a criminal investigator, then PI and Justice of the Peace. A life of service and wounds to prove it.

This highly decorated veteran whose bravery started at age 3, is fearless facing his current challenge. My questioning of “How are you managing, Mr. George? ” seems ridiculous.

This Memorial Day is not only an opportunity to thank a veteran and pray for those past, but to take action yourself and offer service for home and country. Thanking a Vet is a way to acknowledge that while those who did not serve, went on to education, business, success, the men and women who served, sacrificed so much and are often left behind. Sobering? Yes. When my own Vietnam Veteran combat engineer husband sees a veteran, he does not mention his own service. He just walks up and solemnly shakes their hand and nods. The recognition and bond is immediate.

And so, I will offer, that if you would like to thank a Veteran, and truly help, there are many ways. Give generously to veteran charities. Volunteer at a shelter. Donate to veteran homes and causes. We all have the power to really make an impact. It’s not a commercial. It’s real life. Just this week a very prominent oncologist told me how he lost his father to agent orange and a hairdresser detailed the loss of her own father after Vietnam. The wounds are there. They can be touched and healed. They all need us. As the world at war looks like an action movie, it is not. It may not be near but it is very real.

It is a sacred priviledge to lift these men and women through the abyss of cancer care, trying to assauge greater damage to their lives, and so today, I ask you to open your loving hearts. They and their families need us. Thank you for giving of your own talents and generosity which is also a sacrifice in service to these men and women. Thank you to our inspiring Purple Heart recipient who was eager for me to share his story. God Bless Marine Howard George, all my Veteran patients and those who have and still serve in your own families.

man standing on stage facing an american flag

Protect and serve

Joanne Dragun, M.D.

Brad is tall, handsome, strong and Caroline, his mother, is petite, pretty and calm. They are dealing with a terrible problem alone together. They have asked for help. While Memorial Day heralds the beginning of a bright beautiful summer, this week I am reminded of the sacrifices. Brad has a deadly brain tumor. He has undergone surgery then chemo and radiation and more chemo. It was an unremitting headache that found the harsh reality at age 35.

Brad was stationed at a toxic waste area when he was in the Marines. There is no doubt about the cause and effect. They have met with lawyers, who for all the bravado of their tough commercials, seem to have difficulty putting this together. The government is now asking me as one of his treating physicians, for research on the connection. Cut me a break. Well they want it; they are going to get it. I spend hours reading, evaluating and printing until the cartridge needs replacing. About 600 pages of information easily found. We know the game. Slow walk until frustration makes them give up.

Brad and Caroline have been at this a few years and he needs the help now, as the tumor will start to take more effect and surgeries leave him with greater disability. They are looking for the care and rehab he deserves, not a big payout. As alone they fumble for help that should be coming, it tears at my heart . Caroline’s beautiful boy is navigating a terrible terrain.

During these evaluations, I watch Caroline. Her hand straightens and I know she is trying to keep herself from touching her son. He sits stoically, so it’s a balance to avoid the breakdown. He is tough for her, she for him. Her body language is all in toward Brad and the parent’s protective need is sharp and unremitting. His fiance left after the diagnosis, the father long gone, no siblings. Just Mom. She worries for him more than her own health and prays to outlive him so she can complete her motherly mission in this life.

We know that a mother’s love is immediate and forever. In good times and bad, in sickness and health. It is a relationship that nothing can replace. Others may come and go, but she is there to pick up pieces. Her child is always on her radar.

This holiday weekend as we will honor fallen military heroes, Brad’s visit reminds us that many today continue to suffer consequences. Congress made a show of hand washing the Vietnam Memorial, as if that washes clean the pain and suffering. It does not. We must demand that our children and grandchildren who serve return to respect and a caring nation. While we honor the brave men and women, we must recognize their spouses, siblings, parents, and children, who also carry the burden. We salute everyone who has lost a precious life, form or function in the service of others. It is our honor to lift and at the very least listen. This week when Caroline could not reach for Brad, I can in some way, offer to help and also to reach for her.

On this memorial holiday, God Bless our precious military and their brave families.

Day of Remembrance (NHQ201801250017) (explored)

Tribute

Joanne Dragun, M.D.

As I write today, six herons are perched on the top of the tree next to the pond. They have their heads tucked as if sleeping, but one on the top branch is sitting straight at attention, somehow guarding. If a threat swoops in, they will scatter, there will not be a messy battle. I have no objection to their focus on survival. It is a natural instinct. But survival does not come without effort and often even by others on our behalf.

Vigilance is always required to ensure safety, not just in our own lives but around the nation and the world. As we watch first hand battles unfold, we are gaining greater insight into the bravery required. Our natural state is protection, not aggression, yet while we may not know them personally, forces are keeping the watch for us. We will allow others to stand guard so that our lives may continue unhindered.

Today, however is one day in a year to stop and appreciate that there is a cost to this sense of freedom. I laud the people of Charleston, South Carolina who, after the Civil War set time, space for a Union Cemetery and respect to honor fallen fellow Americans marking days of tragedy on our our land. Generations passed until WW I brought greater awareness to loss and sacrifice. Since then, in our parent’s and our own lifetime there have been far too many times memorials need to be erected. When the small child placed his hand on the wall of poppies this weekend, we appreciate that the loss of one life in service affects generations to come.

In the clinic, if the conversation opens regarding military service, the patient’s expression changes and you can witness expressions as they recall. I restrain myself from leading and sit quietly, reverently. Some will detail how many others in their band were lost. Some have remarked that they are lucky to have lived long enough to have this disease that so many in their teens and twenty’s never had a life- children- a family- a career. I am always awestruck at these insightful comments. When I share that my husband was a Vietnam Combat Engineer, they are so grateful to know that I “see” them. It was a time that conscription ripped young people from their lives, education and peace to fight a world away.

The loss is no less palpable for those who have chosen the career. Our good friend and employee, Shirley, lost her own life to cancer, but carried her heartache for 30 years of her lovely and loving only child who died in Iraq. All the memorials and celebrations at the White house, meeting dignitaries and sharing her special photo album with us could not erase the severe pain in the pride.

I have often detailed that cancer has roots in the immune system. It is devastated by harsh insults. Over the years some patients will share the loss of a loved one, the pain deep and physically altering. Most heart wrenching are those who tell of a young soldier who was taken from their family too soon.

While we pray today for all those affected by violence, terror and now war, remember to be grateful for those who stand watch. Unseen or even appreciated they allow our own lives to unfold. We will never take them for granted. For those who have loved ones in harms way, thank you for sharing their bravery with a grateful nation. And so we pray for them: may you be safe, may you be protected while you protect and defend, may your service to your fellow man be honored and may you know that on this Memorial Day we hold you in our hearts. For those who were lost, we pray for your families and we will never forget your sacrifice.

Mental Balance

Joanne Dragun, M.D.

Exercise, check! Healthy diet, check! Sunscreen, check! No smoking, check! Less alcohol….I said less alcohol… oh never mind. Mammograms, colonoscopies, prostate exams, routine visits, check, check and check! By now you know the ways to protect and defend. But this month reminds us there is so much more.

Mental clarity and health needs our undivided attention. Awareness of challenges of spirit and mind in yourselves or loved ones didn’t need entitled celebrities or royalty (!) reminders. Even when the body has failed, the mind is our soul. Mental hygiene is effort enough, then comes cancer, sneaks in covid, sometimes even PTSD from military and other life traumas. No radiation beam or chemo is going to erase this insult. In fact, therapies deliver added risk. Too often brain chemistry changes without insult: young men in their late teens and twenties are especially vulnerable, postpartum mothers, menopause and mid life, elderly loneliness and dementia. Is anyone safe?

Everyday I am addressing these in the clinic. Trying to balance serotonin, avoid mania with steroids used for cancer therapy, calming anxiety and claustrophobia, helping with sleep and rest which is so critical. I often advise patients or their loved ones to speak to primary care and ask for help. Such a critical aspect of well being too often gets lost in the blood pressure and cholesterol checks.

Counseling is only part of the solution; better living through chemistry is usually required. We need strength which we can gain from exercise, meditation and seeing friends, but no amount of lavender or CBD is going to cure imbalance. Someone reading this needs this message today. Perhaps it will spur you to react for a loved one. Appointments with the shrinking psychiatry specialists are hard to find and delays normal. Check anyway and ask for a call if a cancellation occurs. It can change your life. Self medication with drugs, marijuana or alcohol happens often without good outcomes. After cancer therapy, and now we know after covid infections, memory loss, mental challenges, chronic fatigue all are impacting well being.

Our goal is our best life and often requires medical care. You wouldn’t avoid therapy for heart disease or diabetes. Just because we cannot see mental health on a brain scan doesn’t mean all is well. Do not fear getting an opinion and being honest with your doc.

As we honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day, we owe the debt of enjoying a free and strong home of the brave. To those survivors of war, I say thank you for your service and please guard your own strength now. You offered protection and defense and it is our turn to take care of you. To those who battle physical or mental challenges daily, demand the care you deserve. It is not weak to get help. It may be the smartest and bravest action you ever take. God Bless.

Memorial Day

Joanne Dragun, M.D.1 Comment

Practicing medicine in a military town offers me a wonderful opportunity to care for many veterans and active duty, as well as their spouses. I am the daughter of a tank commander in Patton’s army and the wife of a Vietnam veteran, the honor is always mine. The men and women who present for cancer therapy from age 30’s to 90’s have stared down amazing challenges. Many have come from foreign countries and then serve in the American military. They are proud to do their part. With the new directive to provide care in the community for veterans, it is a privilege to use our state of the art therapy to aid them at this new critical time in their lives.

When a patient presented a few months ago for care, the history reveals him to be a veteran as well. “Where are you from?” I asked. He quietly says, “Vietnam”. I tell him how my husband is a Vietnam veteran Combat Engineer. He brightened and the cancer therapy was forgotten in his excitement. “I was a Captain in the South Vietnamese Army and fought with the Americans!” He was profoundly excited to tell his story and also saw a chance to send a message. He clutched his heart then asked through tears, “Doctor, will you please, please do me a favor? Please tell your husband from my heart how grateful we are. My children have a better life because of the Americans. We owe everything to them. They came so far to help us. I can never thank them enough”. He says this with such conviction and passion. I am very moved. He sits quietly on the exam table shaking his head, “I know how the American Vietnam soldiers were treated when they came home, I read about it over there and it saddened me. Please tell your husband we all knew that Communism is very very bad and we needed America to save us”. I am speechless. This is so much to share. Later that day I gave his heartfelt message from out of the blue to my husband and he was moved as well. I ask what to reply to the Captain. Softly he said, “Tell him it was an honor”. The men have never met yet the bond is sacred. It is the first time in fifty years anyone has thanked my husband for his service.

Every week the brave veterans of many wars bring their hope and strength to this cancer battle. I never take their trials, pain and sacrifice for granted. I sense the weight of those who lost their lives as very young men on foreign lands and families who prayed and waited for them. I learned as a young child that military men and women are a special gift to our nation. I always thank them for their service. Guiding these patients toward healing helps me to extend that appreciation to those we will never see.

Thank you. To all those who lost a loved one in the service of our country. To all those who serve now and to the families who sacrifice with them. Know that a grateful America will never take you for granted again.