Hi folks. I have an appointment with a VSO on March 17th and am trying to gather information and as much data as I can about claims. I am, however, stuck on a situation with how to proceed with proof and case for infertility.
Here's some background on me with this: I served in the army for 7 years. (1990-1997) Throughout this time, I had episodes of irregular bleeding. For instance, following a "Post run" (every unit participated in this), I had a situation where I had severe cramping w/bad back pain and was bleeding. Being newly married, I thought I was having a miscarriage. I was driven to the medical facility where they tested me for pregnancy and when my lab results returned negative, I was diagnosed with possible "pelvic inflammatory disease" or UTI. Which, by the way, was extremely insulting to me since my husband (whom I am still married to) was my 3rd and final partner so I don't or didn't consider myself to be a promiscuous woman.
So the above is an example of what happened to me the entire time of my service until the end when I finally requested to be seen by OB/GYN for possible infertility. Keep in mind that, well, I don't know a woman that would "request" this type of examination unless there were concerns. Anyhow, at my examination, once I mentioned that I had concerns considering my husband and I weren't taking precautions to prevent pregnancies that I wasn't sure if I could have children. The captain basically dismissed my concerns by telling me that my reproductive organs were all in tact. That was the end of that.
In 2002, I finally was referred to an infertility doctor and after having a hysteroscopy, tubal ligation and finally laparoscopy diagnosed me with severe endometriosis with lysis of adhesion on my right fallopian tube and adhesion of my left fallopian tube to my left ovary. My doctor then put me on depo lupron to cease six months of my cycle in hope that by giving my body a break that it would heal itself. The lupron didn't work and we discussed IVF as the only way I could conceive. I was 33 at the time. The process of diagnosis pretty much emptied my bank account. I'm sharing this information with you so that you'll understand that money was the only reason of delaying my IVF attempt.
It took me three years to save the money for the IVF treatment and costs. From 1997 to 2005, I went experienced anger, disapointment, guilt, basically, in general just a ticked off woman. I don't know if I have a claim for this. I don't know if it's even fair for me to say that had the military diagnosed me correctly, that my symptoms would've been treated and I would've been a mom at a much younger age. In 2006, my twin sons were born but at the expense of all aspects of my life. I've been told that children conceived thru IVF may also be infertile due to the forced process so, my sons may never have children. Or at least I won't know until they start trying. Imagine the mental and physical pain I went thru to have my sons and now add guilt on top of all of it.
What do you guys think? Do I have a claim? Do I stand a chance? Thank you for reading this. I look forward to your suggestions, comments and any advice you may have. BTW, I do have all of my records of "irregular bleeding" in my service record as well as all surgery and files from my infertility doctor. I apologize if I've posted in the wrong board.
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Jak
Hi folks. I have an appointment with a VSO on March 17th and am trying to gather information and as much data as I can about claims. I am, however, stuck on a situation with how to proceed with proof and case for infertility.
Here's some background on me with this: I served in the army for 7 years. (1990-1997) Throughout this time, I had episodes of irregular bleeding. For instance, following a "Post run" (every unit participated in this), I had a situation where I had severe cramping w/bad back pain and was bleeding. Being newly married, I thought I was having a miscarriage. I was driven to the medical facility where they tested me for pregnancy and when my lab results returned negative, I was diagnosed with possible "pelvic inflammatory disease" or UTI. Which, by the way, was extremely insulting to me since my husband (whom I am still married to) was my 3rd and final partner so I don't or didn't consider myself to be a promiscuous woman.
So the above is an example of what happened to me the entire time of my service until the end when I finally requested to be seen by OB/GYN for possible infertility. Keep in mind that, well, I don't know a woman that would "request" this type of examination unless there were concerns. Anyhow, at my examination, once I mentioned that I had concerns considering my husband and I weren't taking precautions to prevent pregnancies that I wasn't sure if I could have children. The captain basically dismissed my concerns by telling me that my reproductive organs were all in tact. That was the end of that.
In 2002, I finally was referred to an infertility doctor and after having a hysteroscopy, tubal ligation and finally laparoscopy diagnosed me with severe endometriosis with lysis of adhesion on my right fallopian tube and adhesion of my left fallopian tube to my left ovary. My doctor then put me on depo lupron to cease six months of my cycle in hope that by giving my body a break that it would heal itself. The lupron didn't work and we discussed IVF as the only way I could conceive. I was 33 at the time. The process of diagnosis pretty much emptied my bank account. I'm sharing this information with you so that you'll understand that money was the only reason of delaying my IVF attempt.
It took me three years to save the money for the IVF treatment and costs. From 1997 to 2005, I went experienced anger, disapointment, guilt, basically, in general just a ticked off woman. I don't know if I have a claim for this. I don't know if it's even fair for me to say that had the military diagnosed me correctly, that my symptoms would've been treated and I would've been a mom at a much younger age. In 2006, my twin sons were born but at the expense of all aspects of my life. I've been told that children conceived thru IVF may also be infertile due to the forced process so, my sons may never have children. Or at least I won't know until they start trying. Imagine the mental and physical pain I went thru to have my sons and now add guilt on top of all of it.
What do you guys think? Do I have a claim? Do I stand a chance? Thank you for reading this. I look forward to your suggestions, comments and any advice you may have. BTW, I do have all of my records of "irregular bleeding" in my service record as well as all surgery and files from my infertility doctor. I apologize if I've posted in the wrong board.
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