Sassy, You truly are going through one incredibly rough time...what a nightmare you have been through already. My husband is retired military, and does use the VA for various medical care - but not for treatment of his cancer. He does NOT and I do NOT trust the VA medical center - at least not the one in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. He has seen more problems and more incompetency there, then you can shake a stick at! I refuse to have him get his "care" there - instead, I have him under my HMO through my employer. He uses the University Hospital Ireland Cancer Center which is ranked as one of the best in the Country. All I can tell you is that what you experienced is "typical" of the VA. Of course, it's only fair to say that perhaps not all VA med centers are sub-standard in their care - but from our experience in Ohio, I would not recommend it. I am not trying to scare you in any way - but I feel it's important to be blunt and honest about personal experiences. Of course, there are many people who have no other recourse but to rely on the VA - and that's still better than nothing. Take care and I hope you have much better experiences with them, and I hope all works out for you.