[theoddz]

I am feeling much better, in a way, than I was. I finally got the painful kidney stone out. The procedure had been delayed due to the hospital's equipment issues, and I suffered for a couple of weeks until they could get that worked out. It was okay. I had meds for the pain/discomfort, and it was quite a bit disconcerting to have been pee'ing blood for that entire time, but all's well that ended well with that. But then.....

I found out, after my kidney stone removal, that I had developed two clots that had traveled to my lungs (pulmonary embolisms), so my hospital stay for the kidney stone removal ended up being 4 days longer than we thought. The clots, both of them, are NOT in the greater pulmonary blood vessels, so that was a piece of good news. Incidentally, I have always been at a greater risk for developing these types of clots, due to my having had 9 surgeries, including the replacement of both of my knees, with revisions. So, the good part is that they found the embolisms in good time and I am currently undergoing both oxygen and anticoagulant therapy with that drug, Xarelto. That drug is so frippin' expensive that a great many folks just cannot afford it, even with the best health/medication coverage. Even with my excellent health insurance (I'm a retired federal employee), the copay for this medication was/is $400 for a 30 day supply. So, I called the VA and got them to approve and prescribe this medication for me right away. I'm a very lucky guy, in that these embolisms/clots were found before they could have really f*cked me up, or even killed me and.......that I have full VA/military benefits that can get me the medications and care that I need with no expense to me. I've always said..... G-d is, indeed, very, very good.

So, my most sincere thanks to out to all of my friends here who have been keeping me in their thoughts and prayers, and to those who have reached out in loving support to me. Believe me, it certainly is strengthening to know that I have friends and a community that is behind me, 150%. Ya'll are great!!!! Thank you, everyone!!!

~Theo~