updates from coffeyland

[crazycoffey]

I know this isn't a repost, LOL.

A few know about how turbulent this last year has gone for me. I could sure use a second to share, vent and request a few well wishes sent my way. Nothing too horrible but a quick recap;

Last year this time I got downsized from a corporate security gig. (I traded in the badge when I moved to St. Louis for a tie, public service for corporate, and hopes of bigger financial dreams) I had been identified to deploy a few months before that, helped find my replacement, and when the deployment orders were receded I had to make them give me my job back. I think they held a bit of a grudge, and found a reason to do away with my position all together.

Then also around april/may timeframe, during a PT test on drill weekend I heard a "pop" and felt a sharp pain in my stomach above my belly button. I gave myself a hernia, but being that I wanted to get a promotion and I'm a bit hard headed I tried to finish the test and run before going to the doctor. LOL - anyway, some paperwork hassles with the reserves to get the treatment I'd need, surgery, and about a month later I go get the operation. Tricare is still trying to bill me for some of the costs, but since it happened "on duty" I'm supposed to be 100% covered.

In July during Annual Training at Fort Leonard wood, not too long after surgery, I tear my bicep during combative training, I posted some pics on here I think. Its pretty much healed, but I have lost some mobility and strength. it was high on the arm and my pectoral seems to have made the most change to compensate. That and some tendon from the arm to the pec, it jumps out a couple inches when I do push ups.

Of course there was the deployment, not a lot to say there, not so much for not being able to, of course it is possible to easily say too much. I will say there was an incident with more impact than other incidents here, and I've read about it in the papers myself, so I feel confident I've not shared too much. I was very closely related to this incident, it led to me being in a pretty messed in the head and bad mood just a couple weeks ago.

And two months ago the hernia reoccurred. I went to the Med Clinic here and they informed me that the new downrange policy for hernia's is not to operate if I can still go on missions. So, I've been trying to bear the pain and go on missions. I'm that type of guy, I want to go, I want to be with my team, I want to do what I'm here for. Besides, I've not been so bad off that I couldn't carry my gear and do all the things asked of me. In fact it was sorta helpful, made me stop playing with it and thinking about it all the time. (insert sexual innuendos here)

But Saturday it was out for a good while and I had trouble getting the intestine pushed back through the stomach lining. As soon as I did, I felt a sense to use the restroom, went 4 times in under 5 hours. (hey, it's turning into a poop thread! Simplex would be proud). I even noticed a fair amount of the red stuff down there. Not such a good sign. Having some gastronomic/intestinal problems now, saw the doctor Monday, and they told me that was the sign they needed for the operation.

The doctor said he could do it here in the medical TENT. Said he has a "happy dance" down pat to lower risks of infections. turns off the AC, put cellophane on the incision, and soaks the mesh in anti bacterial solution. I didn't have an initial objection, well except for the random mortars that the bad guys like to lob at us. what if that happens while I'm under the knife or while recovering? Then I started thinking, I didn't like the idea that he has a "happy dance" to lower infection risks. So I have respectfully asked for another option. Good call on that one, probably would have been cut when the camp got a surprise on the same day.....

I'll be going to Germany in the next few days, should everything go right, I'll be there two weeks (ish) and hopefully the hernia will be fixed for good this time.

Cross your fingers that the surgery goes well, and I can find a way to get a beer or two before I go under the knife. It is possible a minor staph infection would keep me there a few more weeks, and then I could be sent home instead of back here, so if you really wanted to see me on opening weekend for the bash, you could wish for that if you want. Right now I don't really care, back here, back home. Just as long as there's no more long restless nights, feeling like I've ate some really bad sushi on top of really bad mexican.

I've gone poop twice since starting to write this.


didn't go to germany after all, Balad, east of Bagdad I think....