Early Cardiac Problems of Desert Storm Veterans Demand Attention

Early Cardiac Problems of Desert Storm Veterans Demands Action

USAF Desert Storm Veteran Crew Chief for KC135, Steve Alexander Batts Jr, dies at age 40 suddenly.  We do not know cause of death but when it happens suddenly this old cardiac specialist nurse has to think this is just not right or good!

 To die suddenly makes me think Cardiac arrest and yes cardiac problems for gulf war veterans have been being reported to me by the veterans and their family members since very early on and that is why this old nurse brainstormed with doctors and researchers to get them to look into the problem of hypercoagultion like a low level DIC(Disseminated intravascular coagulation).  That conversation in 1998-9 led to a small sample study that was subsequently published in a peer review journal in 2000 Journal of Fibrinolysis and Coagulation. 

 This old nurse had also paid attention to the other symptoms of uncontrollable menstrual bleeding, inability to carry fetus to full term, early age group of hysterectomies, the rectal bleeding, the sudden nose bleeds (Col Gil Roman had one of these when he was testifying at a House Government Reform Committee and the Committee hearing had to be put in holding pattern until we were able to control that bleed), the bleeding gums experienced by gulf war veterans, the unusual chest palpitations, the severe cramps in the calf muscles, and the early reports I was getting in the early 90s that gulf war veterans were having pacemakers inserted(tank crews originally based Bosser City, LA), and early Heart Attacks leading to multiple cardiac stent procedures all made alarm bells go off for this old cardiac clinical specialist nurse. 

The VA has a study that is funded and ongoing at the Minn. VA led by Dr Ronald Bach.  This is an outstanding Research effort and I encourage other gulf war veterans to please participate.  It does not take much time!  You can schedule the date and time.  IT involves the consent process, a review with nurse coordinator of study on medical history and symptoms, and then the blood draw.  That is it, can be done within an hour and a half to two hours.  The Minn. Va is easily accessible from the Minn. Airport via light rail direct from the terminal to the second stop(5 minutes) at the VA hospital gate.  So you could fly in and get it done and fly right out all in the same day.  Dr Ronald Bach is exceptional and has excellent credentials and wants to find the truth and looking at how to treat this as soon as possible!  He is looking at pathways that are involved and the best treatment.  He has termed this based on his evaluation so far as that it is a chronic  inflammatory response, he has presented in the past to the Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illness Research.

Please Guf War Veterans/Desert Storm Veterans and Significant Partners do not ignore your symptoms!!!!  Please go to civilian health care/ER in a situation of having any chest pain, palpitations, accompanied by fatigue,  and/or sudden nose bleed.  Please do not tough it out. 

VA please get the information out on hypercoagulation and on data on Cardiac Deaths and Cardiac incidents with living Gulf War Veterans.  HELP US SAVE LIVES NOW!

A Final Salute to our fellow Desert Storm Air Force Veteran Steve Alexander Batts!(obit below)  In our deaths let clues surface that may still help those that are still alive!

Steve Alexander Batts Jr., age 40, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, at his residence, 428 South Park Drive, Petersburg, Va.

Steve was born July 14, 1970, to Mrs. Adrienne Robinson Batts and the late Steve A. Batts Sr. He attended Petersburg Public Schools and was a 1988 graduate of Petersburg High School. He also attended Hampton University before joining the Unites States Air Force in 1990.

Steve diligently served his country for four years with a tour of duty in Operation Desert Storm. He was accomplished as a C135 Transport Crew Chief. He received many accommodations, including the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon before discharging as a Senior Airman. Most recently Steve was employed at Haverty’s Furniture Company (Warehouse) in Chester, Va.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Steve A. Batts Sr.; paternal grandparents, Namon and Sallie Batts; maternal grandfather, the Rev. Arthur A. Robinson Jr.; an uncle, Arthur A. Robinson III and step-grandfather, Walter D. Batts.

Most importantly Steve was a loving husband and father. There was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his “girls.”

Steve leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 12 years, Paula Fisher Batts; three daughters, Symone Emmani Batts, Alexandra Selene Batts and Lilly Denise Batts; mother, Adrienne R. Batts (Michael) of Petersburg; stepmother, Jaqueline W. Batts of Smyrna, Del.; maternal grandmother, Marion R. Batts of Petersburg; stepgrandmother, Cynthia Robinson of Las Vegas, Nev.; father-in-law, Arthur Fisher (Barbara) of Petersburg; brother, Stuart Anthony Batts (Kathy), of Petersburg; a sister, Shea Antoinette Batts (Jevon), Ettrick; brother-in-law, Aaron M. Fisher, of Richmond; a sister-in-law, Mia Fisher Morgan (Justin), Richmond; aunts, more like a sister, Marian L. Batts Chima (Emeka) of Owings Mills, Md., Angelique A. Walton (Mical) of Rocky Mount, N.C., Pierre B. Robinson of Matoaca, Allison R. Stevens and Angel A. Robinson of Las Vegas, Nev., Angela R. Miller, Little Rock, Ark., Alicia A. Robinson-Morgan (Tony), Washington, D.C. ;uncles, paternal uncle, William C. Batts (Cynthia) of Emporia, Va., Anthony A. Robinson (Juanita) of Jacksonville, N.C., Alaric A. Robinson, Jacksonville, N.C.. and Andre Robinson, of Little Rock, Ark.; a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins, including Petersburg High School Classes of 1988 and 1989, co-workers and friends, among them are devoted friends, Bernard and Faye Tervalon and family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, at Mt Olivet Baptist Church, Petersburg. The Rev. Wesley K. McLaughlin, pastor, will officiate. The interment will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Emporia. Family and friends are asked to assemble at 1657 Delmar Ave. one hour prior to the service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to William N. Bland and Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. You may visit our website at www.blandenterprisesinc.com.