I got home Thursday afternoon, stopped on the way for a bacon-cheeseburger (OMG that tasted good) walked in the front door, gave my wife a hug and kiss and vowed I would never go back to that Hell Hole they put me in. The only thing positive about that facility was the physical therapy department, which really worked hard to get me in shape to walk out the entrance to Hell. The food was inedible, the care depended on who was working that particular shift, and I lost an average of a pound a day. When I walked out the door, I was 60 pounds lighter that when I went in for the original surgery.

Chas, while I am a vet and 100 percent service connected disability, I live just 25 miles from the nearest VA hospital, therefore the 40 mile rule does not apply. Unfortunately, the VA didn't have a coli-rectal surgeon there with the experience to take care of my fistula and said I would have to see an outside specialist, which I did. Fortunately, I also carry a medicare supplemental plan "F" which thus far has covered all but $1,300 of the $100,000 hospital and surgical charges. Not sure how much of the nursing home charges they will cover.

During the next two months I must get myself in the best physical shape I can so I can undergo the reversal of the colostomy, which is just about a difficult as the initial procedure. The greatest danger is the anesthesia because of my lousy lungs. The anesthesia department at Greater Baltimore Medical Center is very good, but if they lose me on the operating table, the next stop for me is the Anatomy Lab of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. No funeral expenses, they do the cremation at no cost and send me home in a box. I told my wife and children to take some money out of my checking account and retirement funds and throw the biggest damned wake they can. Then dump my ashes in Chesapeake Bay.

Thanks everyone, for the well wishes,

Gary