Making Rounds
A veteran’s journey from combat to healing at Cape Fear Valley Health
Luis has seen the unimaginable. As a veteran with repeated exposure to military combat engagements, he fought on battlefields far from home. But when he returned, the war continued within him. The memories didn’t fade; instead, they haunted him.
Emotional reactions to everyday issues, waking up from nightmares and struggling to find peace became part of his daily life with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It wasn’t until his family intervened that Luis began to confront the reality of his condition.
One day, Luis’ family sat him down, gently but firmly urging him to seek help. They were worried — his aggression, his intense reactions and the emotional outbursts weren’t just affecting him but also those who loved him.
That conversation became the turning point. His wife took him to Cape Fear Valley’s Community Mental Health Center in Fayetteville, a place where many veterans like Luis find the support they desperately need.
Breaking down barriers
When Luis first arrived, he wasn’t ready to accept help and start treatment. Accepting that he needed assistance was the hardest battle of all.
“At the beginning, I did not want to go and looked for any possible excuse not to do so,” he reflected.
In his mind, seeking help felt like admitting weakness, a perception shaped by years of military resilience.
But once he took that first step, Luis began to see a different path. The journey wasn’t about erasing the past but learning to live with it.
“I don’t look at it as recovery,” he said. “Personally, I look at it as just learning to live with something that will haunt me forever and realizing that I can’t change the past. I live day by day; some days are better than others.”
A network of support
Through the support of his primary care provider, his wife and the dedicated team of mental health providers, Luis found his footing. One of the first things he learned was that he wasn’t the only veteran struggling with these issues.
“Especially to my military brothers and sisters: you are not alone,” he shared. “We started this mission together, and we are going to finish it together. No one gets left behind.”
Luis’ treatment plan includes seeing a counselor every two weeks and meeting with a psychiatrist once a month. The consistency helps him stay grounded, along with knowing that help is just a drive or phone call away, which keeps him from spiraling into crisis. His team, whom he considers his extended family, includes Scott MacKenzie, PNP, and Terrence Sproul, LCSW.
“It took a while to open up and reveal some of my deepest secrets. But it has been worth it,” Luis said.
From struggle to strength
Today, Luis approaches life one day at a time. Each morning is a new mission: a chance to battle internally with the same tenacity he once used in combat. He understands that healing isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about accepting his limitations and learning how to live with them.
His advice to others struggling with PTSD? “Remember that your family and your mental health team are there to help you navigate through the complexity of your issues. You owe it to yourself, your family and your friends to seek help. You can’t change or erase the past, but you can learn how to live with it.”
For Luis and many others like him, Cape Fear Valley Health’s Community Mental Health Center, which provides outpatient behavioral healthcare, is more than just a place of treatment, it’s a lifeline. The compassionate, professional team provides veterans with the tools and support to navigate their struggles. Whether through counseling, medication management or simply being there to listen, the center is dedicated to helping patients reclaim their lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD or any mental health issue, the Community Mental Health Center at Cape Fear Valley is here to help. Call (910) 615-3333 to schedule an appointment.
