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Karen-momofsubCS
  • Female
  • Mount Vernon, WA
  • United States
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CS - Culinary Specialist

Replied Jan 29

Christmas/Birthday Gifts at Boot Camp

Replied Nov. 15, 2008

ship 11(USS Kearsarge), Div. 012

Replied Oct. 19, 2008

 

D's mom-couldn't be more proud!

Profile Information

About me:
My son shipped out for basic Sept.30,'08. He hoped to be a culinary specialist on a sub. We took a tour of the USS Jefferson City in San Diego back in June and he loved it. Graduated from BC Nov.21! Bravo Zulu!!

Damien just graduated FEB 2,'09 as a culinary specialist. Was also told the same day that he is being medically discharged from the Navy due to a condition found with his heart.

As of April 2, Damien was informed that he will be discharged within 3 weeks. Still waiting... Oh, and the heart condition is treatable. The Navy is just stating he is receiving a "general discharge under honorable conditions" due to them claiming he had the condition prior and they had hired him on "erroneously". No benefits will be awarded after the six months in, as far as we know. He is VERY sad to go, but is looking forward to new adventures as a chef - so many ways he can go! (Just as soon as we get to the bottom of his condition and get that behind him.)

I posted medical discharge info (as I've learned it lately) on the discharge group. One thing I've learned that you really need to reach out and SEEK help with as many people as possibly until you get the questions you need answered, it will not be handed to you.

Thanks to those who did send birthday/coping cards, my son was overwhelmed with emotion.

I am so glad to be able to share experiences with hopes that other moms can take something from them, but especially am so thankful to the moms and spouses and everyone on here who have been so caring, so warm, so absolutely wonderful. Thank you all, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

MAY 1 2009 - DAMIEN'S HOME!! That's it, no more Navy.
Damien started his new civilian job May 26 as a chef in a local upscale restaurant. It's the only one in Washington state featuring gluten-free fare. He is therefore learning a specialty and is well set in his career at the age of 18. While his friends around him are still struggling to graduate and wondering what they're going to do in life, Damien has so much to reflect back on this last year, has his career and has come home a man.
We are meeting with a VA counselor soon and then a cardiologist. He does get winded and sleeps a little more, but is otherwise very healthy. I won't be on here often, but will check in with you wonderful moms from timeto time. THANK YOU for your heartfelt love and support. YOU MOMS (and spouses) ROCK, as do your sailors!

Update 6-8-09: the VA counselor is looking into the "erroneous hire" comment on the discharge papers. Will still need you after all, for support and guidance, this is not going to be a clean break, after all....!

6-24-09 Damien has been complaining of chest pains. I took him to ER, where they scheduled an immediate appointment with a cardiologist. Valve repair (open-heart) surgery is scheduled for the 8th [rescheduled until sometime after the 15th of July]. I have not the heart myself to talk with you wonderfully supportive ladies. I just need to get through this. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers and good wishes- as I am sending good thoughts on to you and your sailors in my heart always.
7-16-09 Damien just had open heart surgery yesterday to repair the valve in his heart. He came through with better than flying colors!! ((WHEWHHH!!! Sob!)) Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts throughout this whole ordeal. It meant so much. Now on the road to recovery....
7-18-09 Damien suffered a partial lung collapse yesterday but is getting better. The hospital is one of the very best in Washington. His cardiac surgeon is one of the top in the nation, specializing in mitral valve repair and replacement - so Damien couldn't be in better hands. A quick note - he and all the cardiologists that have had Damien said that there definitely was damage done while in the Navy, not sooner - there was no way they would have missed it on the first physical. His heart was pumping at half its normal rate by the time of surgery. But he'll be ok now!!!!
I am here to support or represent my:
Son/Daughter
Stage of (Sailor’s) Navy Career?
Enlisted
When I heard “Navy,” I:
Was proud and encouraged it
From my experience with the Navy, the most important thing I learned was:
Still much to learn. Patience.... and reach out when you need help.
Through this Navy experience, I now believe:
It was positive and maturing. Our relationship has grown stronger.

Bravo Zulu, son!

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At 10:34am on September 18, 2009, Susan Kopp said…
Hi Karen: I am praying that all is going well, and look forward to an update - when you have the chance. My angel blessings, Susan
At 1:33pm on August 19, 2009, Linda (Shea's Mom) said…
Hello Karen,
I have sent you email. Hope you got it....thinking of you and Damien.
Glad to hear all is well now finally. Keep in touch.
xo Linda
At 9:29am on August 7, 2009, Irene (Paul's Mom) said…
I sent you a message, but I had to scrunch everything up and abbreviate stuff because I ran out of room. You only have 2000 characters in a PM. If you don't understand something, just drop me a note.
At 11:05pm on July 25, 2009, Evelyn said…
Thank you for your warm welcome and information on your son and "A" school. So sorry to hear he had heart problems and is no longer in the Navy. Glad to hear he is doing good and made it through the surgery. God Bless you and your family.
At 9:17pm on July 25, 2009, Theresa said…
Karen,
I'm glad to hear that Damien is doing well and came through his surgery with flying colors. We're all just so thankful that his Navy experience found his valve problem and that he is doing well. Please tell him that we continue to keep him in our thoughts.
At 2:09am on July 17, 2009, Barbara (Derek's Mom) said…
Hi Karen, I just read about Damien having to go in for the surgery. I'm so glad to hear that everything is fine now. What hospital is he in? Is there anything you need or anything I can do to help you? (I'm the one that had the surgery 8 years ago next month) Please don't be afraid to ask if there's anything that others can do to help you! bguyll@hotmail.com
You, Damien and all your family are in my prayers!
At 11:22pm on July 16, 2009, Angie F.- WA: HM mom said…
Hi Karen, well, guess there was a good reason to come back onsite and check in after being largely MIA for a couple months. WOW! What a road you and Damien have traveled. I was wondering how things had been going. So very glad to hear that he will still get to pursue his dream (just a different way) and that his surgery went well today! Can't imagine how hard this was for you, how scary! Take some deep breaths and know that the prayers and support of many are still-and will always be-here for you. Tell Damien to rest up, follow the dr.s orders and get ready to read more cards. :) Hopefully, I won't take as long to send mine this time. God Bless. Take good care, both of you. :-) Keep the updates coming.
At 1:19pm on July 16, 2009, Susan mom to Niko said…
Karen... sent a friend request... please send via private message your address so I can send a 'thinking of you/get well' card to Damien!!! Also let me know if I can share address with other moms... Holding you all in my prayers!
At 2:04am on June 24, 2009, rebecca the crazy1 said…
Hi Karen-
Just stopped by to check in and I saw the post you left on 6-8. What does that mean???(you don't have to answer until if & when you are ready) I am glad to see Damien is doing well..... reading lindas post and my cs has been in a hot spot for awhile- but will be back from deployment soon..... i jioned cs group you started...thanks - send my best to damien please- and sorry it has been less then easy for you both.....
At 5:30pm on June 15, 2009, Linda (Shea's Mom) said…
How are you both doing? Thinking of you. Shea is at the Bremerton Navy Base now on the USS Abraham Lincoln...or will be when it is deployed. They are working on it now. Shea will be on a Frigate soon it looks like for a while. It looks like war is starting to flame up...look at Korea, Iran...wow. It is scary to say the least. God has reasons...beyond what we understand. He is where he is supposed to be...by God's grace. We learn...by patience....God be with you.
Love, Linda xo

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