This drug, Dantrolene, was prescribed for my husband, Joseph Craig Rigsby, to control  muscle spasms.  I'm not sure of the exact date it was initially prescribed.  He was asked to sign a release form, as this was an experimental drug.  He did sign this form.

However, in 1983, during a routine physical examination at the V.A. Hospital in Miami, Florida, he was informed by a doctor he'd never seen before (he may have been a resident doctor) that Dantrolene had been known, for at least the last five years, to cause LIVER CANCER.  Craig was asked by this doctor if he'd ever been informed of this fact.  The answer was no.  No explanation was given to Craig  as to why he had been continually prescribed, FOR FIVE YEARS, this potentially deadly drug.  At this time, the doctor discontinued Dantrolene, and Valium was prescribed to control the muscle spasms Craig experienced.  (He only took Valium for approximately 6 months, and discontinued this by his own choice.).

Craig  came home from this scheduled appointment and told me what had transpired.  I was horrified, as was he.  We discussed what could be done, but obviously, there was no way to change the past.  We had to be hopeful that he would not get LIVER CANCER.

In 1990, we moved from Miami, Fla., to Walterboro, S.C.  Craig's medical records were transferred to the Augusta, Ga., V.A. Hospital.  He was seen there in the Spinal Cord Injury Outpatient Clinic several times, and the Urology Outpatient Clinic once. 

He was also seen by local physicians in Walterboro, S.C. during 1991, 1992, and 1993.  Dr. Winslow Engel treated Craig for digestive problems and urinary tract infections in 1993. 

November 10, 1993, Craig was admitted to Colleton Regional Hospital with severe anemia. He was also diagnosed as being in renal failure. After numerous tests, he was diagnosed on November 29, 1993, as having primary LIVER CANCER, for which there was no treatment.  He was evaluated at the Medical University in Charleston, S.C., for a liver transplant. They decided that his condition was at such a late stage of the cancer as well as the renal failure, that he was not accepted as a potential transplant patient.

The last six weeks of Craig's life were very painful and stressful for him.  I was performing peritoneal dialysis on him four times every day, as he was in end stage renal disease. 

Craig died at 10:20 P.M., February 15,1994.

As the surviving spouse of a 100% rated disabled veteran, I filled out all the necessary paperwork in order to receive the benefits I was due.  However, the V.A. decided that Craig's death was in no way related to the fact that he'd been a paraplegic since 1972.  This was a condition brought about after he contracted a neurological disease while on active duty in Thailand. 

We had a fully wheelchair accessible home built in 1992.  Craig had a degree in architecture, and designed the home himself.  After his death, I had to re-mortgage our loan so I could afford the monthly payments.  Because of the decision made by the V.A., I was only awarded approximately one-fifth the amount of Craig's monthly V.A. pension, paid to me as D.I.C. each month.  Of course, his social security checks were halted immediately. 

Craig and I were married in July, 1982, and had enjoyed a financially comfortable life together.  At the time of his death, I know Craig believed that I would be well compensated for by the V.A.  In fact, he assured me of this many times, saying he was relieved I wouldn't have to worry about money. 

Craig made a tremendous sacrifice for his country, and he believed his country would always take care of him and also take care of me.  However, quite the opposite has taken place.  For seven years I have struggled to make ends meet.  Each year I only receive the nominal "cost of living raise", which everyone knows doesn't really cover the actual increase in living costs. 

After these seven years, I'm finally feeling physically and emotionally strong enough to do something about this horrible decision made by the V.A. (i.e. Craig's death was not related to his paraplegia or any treatment given him by the V.A.). 

I believe Craig's death was directly related to medical treatment he received from the V.A.  He was prescribed a drug known as Dantrolene, to control muscle spasms caused by his paraplegia.  This drug was known to cause LIVER CANCER for at least five years after this deadly effect was known by the V.A.  Why didn't the V.A. inform Craig and every other Veteran prescribed this drug, of its potential deadly effects as soon as they (the V.A.) were informed????  I feel the V.A. and the U.S. Government should acknowledge their involvement in my husband's death, and accept responsibility. 

In addition to myself, Craig is survived by his parents, David and Anne Rigsby of Jacksonville, Fl, a brother and sister-in-law, David and Cathy Rigsby  and their two daughters, Sarah and Isabelle, all of Fairfax, Va.