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  • in reply to: Vietnam Vets with Cholangiocarcinoma #20686

    Lourdes, sorry to hear about your dad. My original claim was denied and I am in the process of appealing the denial. I did a lot of research on this and am willing to share the information I have with anyone that might need it. I have a fb page titled Vietnam Vets in cholangiocarcinoma or you can send me an email at
    petitti.mario@yahoo.com
    Because of the research I have done and of more Vietnam Vets getting this cancer, I cannot see how it is not related.
    I also have been in touch with Sheila Harrison and she is great with helping others who are going through this.
    Let me know if I can do anything for you.
    Anne Petitti

    in reply to: Vietnam Vets with Cholangiocarcinoma #20667

    I am so glad to have found this site. My husband, Mario, was diagnosed with ulcers in November of 2009 and also had gallbladder issues. He was starting to look yellow to me, had some pain in his right side in January, 2010. I took him to VA emergency room and was told that although his bilirubin was high, it wasn’t that high and that they couldn’t tell if he looked yellow or not because of the lighting and they did not know what his original complexion was. The next week his urine started turning dark. Called the VA emergency and was told it was probably something he ate! Called our regular gastroenterologist and he told us to see him. He took blood tests and had a CAT scan which showed a mass, an MRI, which didn’t show anythng, then a PET scan which showed cancer. Because of the PET scan and bloodwork, a liver biopsy was done and they found it was cholangiocarcinoma. My husband had served in Vietnam in 1969-1970. I truly believe, he contacted it there. Both his dad and mom lived until their 90’s and his brother’s are in their 70’s. My husband was diagnosed the end of February, had his first Chemo on March 1st, and passed away on March 13th. I, too, will do anything to make other Vets aware of this, so count me in on any help that is needed. I have put a claim in with the v.a. and am gathering information. I have also emailed Sheila Harrison, who is sending me information regarding her claim which has been approved. As you all probably know if you google Vietnam and cholangiocarcinoma, her name will come up, because she is also trying to fight the battle to get this recognized, so other vets can be aware. Wishing all of you good luck who are fighting this disease. I believe in miracles and am wishing them for all of you. I can be contacted through facebook under Anne Rossi Petitti. I will share any information that I get concerning associating this as being service connected and letting our Vets know to be aware of it. Hopefully, the more noise we make, the faster the government will respond. I want something positive to come out of my husband’s death and the only think I can think of to do right now is make others aware. Thanks in advance for reading this rambling message, but it helps me to get my husband’s story out. He was a great husband and father. He was only 61 and looking forward to retire on his birthday this year.

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