Thought I would share this with y'all...
I got it from a very good source yesterday that the Coast Guard is looking at possibly changing the manner in which the Service handles retention/separation of individuals with cancer - especially metastatic cancer.
This decision stems from a fairly recent Formal Medical Board for a Coast Guard E-7 who is a long-term survivor of metastatic pancreatic cancer, has stable disease, and is presently on an Avastin regime.
Hopefully the Coast Guard will determine that cancer can be managed just like many other chronic diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and diabetes (members suffering from these chronic illnesses are typically retained). If the Service does revise the policy and improve retention options for those members with cancer/metastatic cancer perhaps the other services will follow suit.
I will keep you updated on how this washes out.
- SpongeBob
