My PN was the last "injury" . I spent alot of time adjusting to my pulmonary and circulatory problems. I had intolerable pain in my legs that took almost 4.5 years for the doc's to identify. I was seeing a pain mgmnt. doc for awhile, they just filled me full of opiates that made my life became miserable. I quit taking them. I would rather die in pain than die dead (just my saying) The only reason I went to a Neuro. was because I felt that I was losing my memory and one of the chemical's that I inhaled is a serious neuro-toxin (Methyl-ethel Ketone's). I had no idea that PN existed! My injuries, mainly the type of exposure's that I suffered, pretty much relate to just about anything that happens to me. Several that I inhaled are what are called I.D.L.H. chemical's. Immediate Danger to Life and Health. You are not supposed to live from one, much less several.

To answer your first question..my department was in denial about how serious I was injured. They didn't do it to be nasty , but once again, the Chief really had a hard time knowing that a career ended on his watch. I was hospitalized immediately. But, most of the concerns were directed towards my respiratory system. No-one foresaw the other problem's. I had to retire when I had my PE. Dieing is a sure sign that ya might need to uh hang 'em up. To my Chief's credit, when we went for my WCC hearing they gave just enough of a fight to make it look good for the Fire Commission. He did the minimum of what was asked from him. Awesome guy! I would still fight fire for him. He did prove that he was as loyal to me as was to him during my career.

As too the infection part. It's really weird. I really am proactive when it comes to respiratory problems. I will do my nebulizor or take prednisone ( only when I am really suffering) way before thing's get bad. One case of pneumonia could possibly do me in. A doc did do me a favor. I was going in for asthma attack's all the time. He finally looked at me and said " Phil, this is your life. This is how you will breathe sometime's. When this happens calm down, do your emergency inhaler's and see what happens". Since then I have not been back for an asthma attack. But I can tell you when it is going to rain. My lung's and my PN goes nutso.

Sorry to ramble. Maybe something I say might just help someone,I dunno. Now maybe you can understand why my parent's say I talk too much,lol.