, put up an emotional wall around them; forcing themselves to care less. As Pat Johnson said, "I dont think Ive ever taken life as lightly as I did then" (64). The emotional stress was so great in Vietnam that often nurses lost their concept of the value of human life, a result of having to numb their emotions to cope with the pains they were subjected to. Womens problems were not over upon returning to the states; women veterans continued to experience a variety of problems of treatment, in relationships, in the workplace, and emotionally. Problems began for women as soon as they left the compound they worked on. A number of nurses felt a degree of guilt in leaving the busy hospitals. As Ms. McVicker said, "I felt bad about it; it was almost like I was deserting [them]" (145). Upon arrival other nurses experienced antagonism from the American people; one nurse was denied passage on her plane home because her clothes were bloody, while another was greeted by anti-war protesters throwing tomatoes. In addition, many women suffered from PTSD just as men did. For instance many like Ms. Johnson had trouble talking about the war because it was "just too painful" (65). Others, like Ms. Mishkel and Sandra Collingwood, experienced social problems and couldnt get involved in any relationships upon returning. Ms. Sandecki had problems maintaining a job because of a continued apathetic tendency upon returning from Vietnam; "Nothing meant anything when I came back from Vietnam" (18). On the other hand, many women do claim to have grown mentally in Vietnam, like Georgeanne Andreason who learned not to take things for granted as a result of Vietnam. Never-the-less, the emotional consequences were still harsh for most leaving "scars" that would last for many years after the war. Women had much to say about the Vietnam War, on how it was being fought and mistakes that were made by the United States. For the most part, the women in A Piece of My Heart di...
