My name is Rachel Grasty-Sheehan. My dad was stationed at George AFB from 1983 to 1989 my dad was an SP, and then he cross trained to Training Management after his back problem got too much for him. We lived in the base housing. First on Massachusetts Circle and then Wyoming Court.
I am not the first family member to have issues, and I certainly do not know how many of my health issues can be attributed to my time at GAFB. We lived there in base housing near the flight line. We drank from the garden hoses, played in the sprinklers, dug in the dirt. My 6 younger siblings and I were just some of the many BRATS who spent our days playing in the desert sun.
Since leaving GAFB I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety or another mood disorder, depending on whom you ask. I have hypothyroidism, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. I have had to have a total hysterectomy, I was unable to give birth vaginally [C-section] and had one miscarriage. I have continued undiagnosed health problems including severe joint pain.
Two of my sisters, the youngest ones and the ones born at GAFB, both had troubled pregnancies. One had a miscarriage and then her first child was born with her intestines outside of her body [gastroschisis]. The other ones first born was also born this way. The doctor said the chances of that happening were very odd. My third sister has some minor health issues, such as facial drooping.
One brother has asthma and had many other minor health issues. I am not sure what they finally decided his diagnoses was. The other two have no major issues that I am currently aware of.
My mom has Raynaud’s, fibromyalgia, asthma, and an assorted variety of other health issues.
As I mentioned at the start, some of this issues may be totally unrelated. However, as I age and my health problems progress at a rate faster than that of my peers, and more and more of my diagnosis are hard to obtain, due to the odd variety of symptoms I have. I can’t help but wonder if there is indeed a correlation.
Rachel Grasty-Sheehan
My respiratory issues have worsened, and I have been told being on daily oxygen is almost certainly in my future.