Still no cybernetic optics, but I'm holding out hope.

So the retinal specialists again today. We still don't have an answer, but there is some news. My eye pressure is good and has been throughout this ordeal, so glaucoma is dropping off the list. As there's a family history, that was a big concern. Today's appointment was to take more pictures, this time with contrast. I am getting very good at opening my eyes really wide and not blinking at blinding lights.

The concern is there are some spots on my retina. They aren't big, and Dr. Chow wasn't sure what they were. I'll be going back for more testing in a few weeks. But the really good news is the inflammation has gone down, I can start backing off the eye drops a little!

Right now the working theory is Spondyloarthritis. As usual, this would explain a lot of things I've just written off as being part and parcel of being a broken-ass dude. I have upcoming X-rays and a chest/spine CT to gather more information. So hopefully we'll know more soon.

One fun thing about today. . . the contrast they used briefly gave me neon yellow urine. I take my fun where I can find it.

Front Leaning Rest Position, MOVE!

I was thinking today about my long medical history, and how hard it has been, and realize that without the training and examples I got from my Drill Sergeants, I would have long ago curled up and died. Infantry OSUT taught me that I could go that extra mile, that what I thought was my wall was really a door to what I could be.

This wasn't in a class or on a training range. It was a process, one so slow and subtle that I never noticed it happening, the same way I didn't notice that I had added so much muscle until I tried to put my civies back on.

I'm here because a group of instructors who I would have gleefully set on fire at the time dragged me through the mud and made me perform. The made me learn to not quit.

So, thank you to:

SFC Redding
SFC Chin
SSG Colom
SSG Rearden

APLHA!
SEVEN!
ONE!
INFANTRY!
ON THE ROAD!
HOOAH!