Breast Cancer survivor 4 5 yrs, NOW they do an MEB...

[SSgtsurvivor]

Hello...
I was doing what I am sure everyone here has done at one time, nervously hitting "search" on google as I try to get information about how a group of people that have never met me can decide how my career is going to end or continue, and found this site. THANK YOU

I have a bunch of questions and a major headache trying to find the answers. Forgive me if I ramble on, its been a long morning.

Here is a basic run down of my situation:
Diagnosed with breast cancer, Apr 03.
Went through 8 rounds of chemo, no radiation (opted for bilateral masectomy & reconstructive surgery due to my age - young by "breast cancer statistics". Cancer had/has not spread, was contained in breast. No lymph nodes came back positive.
Had genetic testing and I do not carry either BRC gene (phew, no "pre-exisiting chances)
I was on con leave for 14 months, (8 for chemo, 6 for reconstructive surgery)
Because of the surgeries I am unable to do push ups or sit ups.
Since going through chemo I have had chronic back pain.
I also have lymphodema in my right arm from the lymph node removal.

So here are my concerns.
I was deployed when I was diagnosed, but now I am in a nondeployable unit (yep, they do exsist!) I recently PCSed to Hickam, and my new PCM has decided to do a MEB on me (I've been on a profile for years - my docs at my old base, as well as my command, never pushed the issue of an MEB because I did my job, didn't miss work and the new PT program wasn't as big of an issue as it is now. )

So now I have a new PCM, who has informed me to "look at plan B" has started the process. It makes me ill to think that I have done so well and tried so hard to do what I can to stay in the military, the people who knew me at my last base had "gone through" the breast cancer with me, and now someone who has only just met me is deciding my future.
I do not want to get out of the military. What do I need to do to stay in? If I do get booted, I only have 10 years in, what happens then?
If anyone has any answers, I'd really appreciate them!

[Jason]

SSgtsurvivor,

Welcome, I am glad you found us!

Fitness is judged against your ability to reasonably perform the duties expected of someone in your grade and AFSC. In order to increase your chances of a fit finding, you want to gather evidence of your ability to perform your duties well. Evaluation reports, awards, letters from supervisors, recent succesful completion of any significant duties, exercises, Temporary Duty, etc., can be helpful. The limitations on the AF Fitness test do not help you, but succesful completion (especially with high score) on remaining events can help.

Barring all of this, if you are found unfit, you are likely looking at separation with severance pay (2 x years in service x base pay, in your case) or retirement (temporary or permanent).

Please let us know any other questions you might have.