Child Abuse Recovery Journal

The new home of Suite101's Child Abuse & Recovery Feature Writer, Susan Maree Jeavons. Susan is a child abuse survivor who provides articles, commentary, poetry, support, and information on topics related to child abuse.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Life's Trials Go On

Hello All,

Well, thanks to an angel, I have a new computer. But I also have some sad news to share. In September, my husband of 22 years was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He spent 8 months on the DMZ in Korea in 1969 during the Vietnam war, where they sprayed agent orange. He is now receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Wade Park VA in Cleveland (a hundred miles round trip daily,) 5 days a week. He just finished round one of chemo and has several more rounds to go. The doctors are trying to shrink the large tumor enough to operate. It is a dangerous tumor that is pressing on his heart and vocal chords. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

As a child abuse survivor, I thought I had already conquered the biggest mountain that I'd have to climb, but as the wife of someone with cancer, I can't begin to tell you how hard it is watching my husband suffer through these treatments. It breaks my heart to see him struggling just to eat or get out of bed every day. He has gone from 165 pounds down to 137 pounds. He had to have all of his teeth removed before chemo and that makes it even more of a challenge to find foods that he can eat. Chemo also gives food a metallic taste, so that adds to the difficulty. He'll be able to get dentures in about 4-6 more weeks. Hopefully, then he'll eat more.

I'm sure there are others out there who have gone through this with loved ones. Each day is a roller coaster ride of emotions. With him not being able to work, and me having to stay home to take care of him, we have had to rely on friends and family for many things. The Veteran's Service Commission of Ashtabula County has also been a big help. His cancer is listed as presumtive service-related because of the agent orange that was sprayed, which means he would receive a pension. Hopefully he won't have to fight for that.

My husband Sid Jeavons was in the US Army, B Co. 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry 7ID. He was stationed in Camp Hovey in 1969 and 1970, and would like to find others who were there then too. The only names that he can remember are the following:

Mark or Bob Wilson from California
Sergeant Pearl from Montana
Arcwell from Boston
Bob Cross from Seymour Indiana
Tony McElrath from Detroit Michigan

If anyone out there knows these guys, please have them email me at smjeavons@windstream.net

Sid would like to hear from you.

I hope you all understand why I have not written any articles on child abuse lately. Someday I hope to get back to my mission. Until then, I still answer emails from survivors who just need to talk.

Blessings and Miracles,
Susan Maree

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