Iraq vet died after 3 tours and misdiagnosis of cancer

Iraq war veteran, San Benito graduate succumbs to cancer
San Benito News
News by Editor
By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer

Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Maldonado

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Guadalupe “Lupe” Maldonado, a three-time veteran of the Iraq War, died on Saturday, Feb. 1, following a hard-fought battle with Stage 4 colon cancer.

He was 36 years old.

Lupe, who graduated in the Top Five percent and number six of his class from San Benito High School in 1996, was diagnosed with cancer in late March 2013 following years of misdiagnosis.
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Delay in cancer screenings caused death of six veterans

VA: 6 Deaths Linked to Delays in Cancer Screens
Associated Press
WASHINGTON September 21, 2013 (AP)
By KEVIN FREKING
September 21, 2013

Six deaths have been linked to delayed screenings for colorectal cancer at the veterans medical center in Columbia, S.C., the Veterans Affairs Department said Friday.

The VA's inspector general said in a recent report that delayed colonoscopies and other screenings were linked to malignancies found in 52 patients. The report did not go into detail about the seriousness of those cases.

VA spokesman Kevin McIver confirmed the six deaths Friday in response to questions from The Associated Press. He said the VA sent disclosure notices to 20 veterans or their families. Under department policies, such notices are required in cases involving serious injury or death. The remaining cases involving malignancies did not meet that threshold.
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Military doctors at Fort Hood failed soldier with cancer

San Benito soldier battles stage 4 cancer as wife wages war against military healthcare
by Marcy Martinez
Valley Central.com
Posted: 04.19.2013

Staff Sgt. Lupe Maldonado has been dedicated to his country and his work.

"As soon as he woke up from surgery he asked when he could go back to work."

His wife Yerika Maldonado skypes with us from their home in Fort Hood where SSG Maldonado is now stationed.

After several tours to Iraq, he's now spending his days at home, fighting for his life.

"He has Stage 4 cancer."

It was only after the Maldonado's turned to a civilian hospital recently that the soldier was told the grave news.

The cancer has spread from his colon to his spleen, pancreas, and lymph nodes.

His wife says if only he had been told sooner, the cancer may have not spread and become inoperable.

"He told his medic while in Iraq that he had blood in his stool and the medic said it was hemorroides. Then he came back and at the army clinic they told him the same thing and said he was clear for duty."
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Spc. Scott Miler promoted to Sergeant while in hospital

Iraq vet promoted while treated for cancer

The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Mar 19, 2008 18:01:35 EDT

BOSTON — A Massachusetts soldier being treated for terminal cancer has been promoted to sergeant in the room in which he receives chemotherapy.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Carter, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, presented Spc. Scott Miller with his promotion papers, stripes and a plaque during a ceremony at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Miller has served in Iraq, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Members of his unit, family, doctors and other caregivers packed the room Tuesday to witness the emotional ceremony.

The 34-year-old spoke of his pride of being the backbone of the army as a noncommissioned officer.

Scott was diagnosed with a blood clot in the leg while serving in Iraq just over a month ago.

Further tests showed the Newton, N.H. resident had colon cancer.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/03/ap_cancerpromotion_031908/