Michael

Michael had a 20-year career in the Navy as a Seabee. He deployed to Al Jubail during Desert Storm/Desert Shield. His unit drilled water wells for 2-3 weeks, before working on "camp crews" where he dug holes for Marines to park Humvees, establishing communication sites. Arriving in Kuwait days before the war ended, Michael remembers passing through the minefields and barriers. Oil droplets from the oil fires stained his green uniform dark brown and black and led to "all kinds of crud" when blowing his nose and he had an ongoing cough. He experienced repeated exposures to burn pits. He wore his MOPP gear twice and had 2 PAM chloride on-hand in case they were exposed to nerve gas. He had “had a bajiliion shots" but was never informed what vaccinations they were.

Michael has experienced migraines that began after returning from the Gulf and tried several medications that didn’t work before settling on zolmitriptan, which has been more effective. He also noticed his temperament changed after the war: "My wife will tell you. She says I'm not the same person," because of a new temper. He had squamous cell throat cancer discovered in 2001. While he readily admits to the role smoking and chewing tobacco likely had, he also wonders if his exposure to burn pits may have contributed. He had surgery and 39 radiation treatments to treat his cancer. During treatment, he developed an allergy to medication designed to protect his salivary glands and taste buds, so they are now "fried." He had a bout of diverticulitis and then a perforated colon which was surgically repaired.

Michael received health care through civilian hospitals until 2009 when he enrolled in VA care. He had postponed applying because he was "stubborn and hard-headed and didn't listen” to friends and coworkers who told him to file. He now has 30% disability due to his migraines and hip pain. "I think the VA healthcare…is better than the civilian healthcare." Although he has had some challenges seeing his VA doctor due to appointment availability, he appreciates the friendliness and ability of VA providers who make him "feel a little more at ease" compared to civilian providers. He likes that many of his VA providers are Veterans themselves or have worked for the government, which allows them to understand his experiences.

Michael has been married for over three decades to a "strong woman” and has three children. He makes efforts to eat right, manage his weight, avoid confrontation, and "just kind of chill" in attempts to maintain his wellbeing. He spends time outside hunting, boating, and fishing and enjoys baking bread walking his three dogs. He interacts with other Veterans at work and mingles with his in-laws and wife’s friends, but: "My wife says I could be just fine on a mountain by myself." He encourages other Gulf War Veterans to “Get evaluated. Don’t hold it in. I mean, just get out there, put the word out. I’m not going to say don’t be afraid, but don’t be shy.”