A year ago today ... (Long post)

Thanks, guys. The other couple of things I forgot to mention .. I'm off pretty much all of my blood pressure meds.  The other day, I went to the doctor for something else, and found that, without medication, my blood pressure was 120/82.  This down from a time when I can remember both numbers being above or right around 200. The only real residual thing I have is I have lymphedema in my left leg, and fairly regularly get cellulitis infections.  My doctor is treating this most recent one very aggressively this time, so hopefully it'll stay away for a while. While I was in the hospital for the bacterial meningitis, they were starting to talk about de-bulking surgery on my left leg and removal of any abcesses or anything bad that might be there.  So - hopefully that'll happen.  I'll have all kinds of fun scars on my leg, and later from the plastic surgery. A very small price to pay. I really hope this does inspire some of you that might be feeling a bit down or discouraged.  I know I felt that way enough before all of this finally happened.  But it CAN happen, you CAN make it work, and life is GOOD when you do.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Allow me to join the others in saying thanks for the great post. As the old commercial used to say, "You've come a long way, baby!"

That is remarkable Dave.  You must feel like a million bucks.  Way to go. Scott

Congrats Dave.  I am almost a year out, and I remember distinctly following your saga as I prepared and initially got the surgery.  I am very happy for you.