David Phillips, 63, served with the Marine Corps in Vietnam, so when he became ill he went to the VA Medical Center of Long Beach.
A few months ago, Phillips lost his ability to eat and swallow because of a tumor in his esophagus.
But the family said he should have been operated on weeks ago – during the holidays.
"There are great doctors (at the Long Beach VA), we’re dealing with a great doctor now," said Shannon Phillips, David’s son. "But the administration is incapable."
The younger Phillips said they were told no one was available to perform the surgery because they were on vacation.
Medical records note that he could not get surgery for "a couple of weeks," but no reason is stated.
"We would never hold up surgery or care … The holidays did not slow his access to care or diagnostic services," said Richard Beam, spokesman for the VA Hospital in Long Beach. "We would not put the patient in more harm by delaying a surgery."
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The hospital will look into the case to see if mistakes were made, Beam said.
Meanwhile, Phillips’ condition has worsened and he is now in intensive care connected to feeding tubes with pneumonia in both lungs.
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