HOUSTON — Patients with lung cancer or other diseases where tumors are beginning to obstruct their central airway have a long, hard road ahead. As the tumor continues to grow, taking in oxygen becomes more and more difficult.

Concerns Expressed about Continuum of Care
BETHESDA — Marine Corps Cpl. Garrett Carnes lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan earlier this year, but that has not stopped him from walking. Thanks to advances in prosthetics, he recently practiced some of his first steps walking up a ramp in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s prosthetics gait lab.

A new study has found that perceived discrimination was associated with risk of severe coronary obstruction among black male veterans, and the researchers recommend that factor be considered in screening and treating patients at the VA.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD — While deployed to Afghanistan, Air Force Capt. Gina Fasciani, RN, BSN, wasn’t afraid to don battle gear and leave her bunker to take care of patients.

WASHINGTON — The VA and IHS need to better coordinate services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, federal officials acknowledged at a recent Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing.