When you’re dealing with cancer, it’s not just your body that’s affected. Your mind goes through a lot, too. You might feel scared, angry, overwhelmed or sad. Maybe you’re worried about your treatment, your family or what the future holds. These feelings are valid and normal and you’re not alone in having them.
For Air Force Veteran Jaime Hailey, these emotions became all too familiar when she received a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2024.
“It was a whirlwind,” Hailey recalled of the countless appointments, surgeries and treatments that followed her diagnosis. During this overwhelming time, she found solace in an unexpected place: VA’s Breast and Gynecologic Oncology System of Excellence virtual peer support group.
Picture above, Jaime Hailey while stationed in Italy.
Hailey’s story: “I wasn’t alone”
With the challenges of surgery and treatment, the peer support program became a place where she felt understood. “At first I didn’t even know what I needed. But the consistency of the group helped. I realized I wasn’t alone and that others needed me, too,” she shared.
The power of peer support in cancer treatment cannot be overstated. When Veterans connect with others who understand their unique experiences, something remarkable happens. These connections can help address both the physical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment, creating a support system that complements medical care.
Peer support groups often become tight-knit communities where Veterans can share experiences, discuss treatment-related concerns and even exchange practical tips like healthy recipes or coping strategies. The conversations might range from managing treatment anxiety to finding moments of joy in everyday activities. These connections remind Veterans that they’re not alone in their journey.
Hailey recommends participation in peer support to her fellow Veterans facing similar circumstances, stressing that you can both give and receive support through this community. “It’s beneficial on both ends of the spectrum,” she added.
Learn more about VA cancer care and the breast cancer care options available at VA.
Visit My HealtheVet to speak with your health care team about the peer support available at your local facility.
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
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I am a veteran who suffers with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, which is a blood/bone cancer. My entire oncology team was fired by DOGE and MAGA and I have not, as yet, been “assigned” a new team. MY entire life has been turned upside down on the orders of a gutless coward named donald trump who lied about bone spurs and a bootlicking sycophant named Douglas Collins who is gloating over the pain he is maliciously causing.
I am five years into an 8-year prognosis and instead of planning vacations and family memories, I am having to scramble just to find essential care.
GOD KNOWS what kind of long-term damage we as veterans face thanks to our financial data, banking information, VA home loan information, dependents information (spouse, children), tax records and PERSONAL MEDICAL RECORDS have all been handed out to complete strangers WITHOUT CONSENT.
Maybe next I’ll wake up to find that DOGE has emptied my bank accounts or voided my VA home loan… they have already destroyed my medical care…
I am dealing with cancer now
How about Camp Lejeune contaminated water causing Veterans disease and children born either birth defects. My husband has bladder cancer, prostrate cancer and now testing to see if his long standing esphoghal precancer Barrets has moved to cancer. We and probably all our children will be dead before justice is served not like Beau Biden’s burning pit justice.
I am a Vietnam Vet (68-69) most of my time was in Phu Bai. There was plenty of defoliant used in this zone especially because of the Tet offensive I assume. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (aggressive and moved outside of the prostate, so can’t be removed) in 2016. The VA put me on 100% disabled almost immediately but I had to appeal several times for 8 years to get a Permanent classification. I discovered late in the game that the DAV advocates for us (I’m a life member) and they were the best resource.
At this time I am receiving treatment at non-VA oncology but have a great medical team with a VA Outpatient Clinic. Any of my needs such as Hearing Aids, Vaccines etc. have been a very good experience with the medical teams.
I was receiving over $1,000 a month for a 20% non service connected disability. Prostate cancer was found and my rating was raised to 100% and I received over $3,000 a month. Had radiation treatment and now because a PSA test said my prostate “SEEMED” normal, I was reduced back to 20% and was told I would receive $483.01 a month. Who the hell out there in Janesville, Wisconsin makes these decisions? They expect me to survive on $483.01 a month? Even with social security I just about pay my rent. Then there’s utility bills. Whatever is left (VERY LITTLE) I’m supposed to buy food? The V.A. says THEY CARE. Then why the hell do they try their best to make me homeless?? I don’t want to get rich off the V.A., I just want to receive enough to get by on. I’m a 76 year old Vietnam veteran and am unable to work do to other slight disabilities. Yes, I still have some of the money when I was rated at 100%, but the way prices are today it won’t last very long. ARE YOU LISTENING V.A.? Are you going to do anything to resolve this? It is not just me, I’m sure there are many other veterans who you are SCREWING over. Next time a war is declared, have congress go fight it and leave all the young men/women at home. We gave you our all and you GIVE US “NOTHING” !!!
VA wasted no time in surgical removal of my prostate after I made the decision to do so with the cancer teams assistance in VA Charleston Hospital. The cancer had spread to my bladder and I always had someone to go to for anything I needed. Doctors continued to offer treatments and assistant solutions to my physical challenges. Follow-on oxygen treatment a year after having radiation treatments, which were a year after surgery have kept me cancer free for four years, according to my PSA tests. Though challenges still exist, I am happy and know that the VA is still having my back.
I have urethral cancer that has spread to lymph nodes. I am currently undergoing treatment at the VA in my community. It’s wonderful that there is help for those who need it.
Great to know a virtual peer support group is now available for veterans facing a cancer diagnosis. I was tossed into the civilian community with my diagnosis in 2013. At that time there was nothing at the VA to support veterans like me. It was a very rough go because as a veteran I quickly learned I was different from the others walking that path. It was a lonely journey until my American Legion post picked up the slack to support me. Am very happy to learn that has changed!
I am a Vietnam vet 100percent DAV and applied for Agent orange disability over 50 years ago but denied. I was asked to drop the defoliant from a plane which I did not and did not accept a pass to Vong Tow an R7R center.
.
I drove a 5-ton tractor trailor with 5,000 gallons of JP4 in convoy, and ambushed several times, driving 13 hours per day.
An Kay, Pleiku. Kontum, and last Dak To. once drove the 18-wheeler, 10 forward gears, with all flat tires over the bamboo highway. All the leaves and foliage were gone from the trees and plants.
I have had Colen cancer surgery radiation and chemotherapy after coming home from Nam.
I have had surgery 3 times for melanoma cancer and now have prostate cancer second time and cannot have any more radiation. PET scan showed 5 cancerous cells 3 ribs, 2 outside prostate. DR Stoneham. Forked River NJ
All of my surgeries were outside of the VA including 3 heart attacks, and surgery to close a hole in my heart.
I have unpaid bills for medicine for an ear infection $442 and Eliquis $522, Eliquis was pending pharmay approval …..Told to be patient to get paid….all submitted over 2 years ago…..still waiting to be paid. I now had ear surgery UNIV PENN for a COEAR.
If I did not buy the medicine I probably would be deaf. If I did not buy Eliquis myself, I was told that I could die.
Any advice or help/advice with medicine would be appreciated…..
Francis M McKenna,
Point Lanoka Harbor, NJ
Go to your county commission for a means test. Service connection has changed over the last 50 yr. Also establish with VA primary care doc, get your drugs through VA. The process is not as fast as the civilian world. Be patient.
Beautiful and an extremely valuable resource. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad to see that the system worked for you, for me I lost half of my forehead along with 3/4 of the left side of my head, it’s sad.