My husband, Sonny, recently had surgery at the Salisbury VA. He was hospitalized overnight and then was home a few days later. He then developed a cough and breathing problems.

I took him to the VA’s emergency room and he was seen immediately. The first thoughts were pneumonia or possible blood clot. An X-ray was taken and a shadow was seen. A CT scan was next, and it revealed a mass in the left lung. Blood was drawn and he was admitted. There were more immediate tests, more CT scans and an MRI.

The diagnosis was small-cell lung cancer. He was transferred by ambulance to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem for aggressive, three-day chemotherapy.

He was seen at the oncology department at Salisbury VA Medical Center last week and the next course of treatment was set up.

There was never any hesitation in treatment and never any slackness in testing. He has had the best possible care.

On the flip side, one government agency cannot charge another. So Medicare payments will not happen. We pay for Medicare each month through his Social Security check, but the VA does not bill Medicare. He is not a disabled veteran. So we are on a payment plan.

We totally disagree with the negative publicity our local VA is getting. We have never felt like his health care was being neglected, even prior to this.

We are very pleased with all care my husband has received, past and present, via the VA.

— Martha Yates-Bolmon

Salisbury