HiPamela and THANK YOU for stepping up to ensure my thread here wouldn't become a "No Hitter!" with zero response from anyone! I've been told by more than one person that others tend to refrain from posting anything on my threads because all I do is talk about myself and this turns people off. Hmm. I can see that point in a way, but then again I would think there needs to be some topics to create the dialogue in the first place - right?
Oh well. I won't get into it and **** others off.

To answer your question Pam, Russell is 7 and will be 8 on a December 4th. YES the gray hair seems to change with him more n more as it does w mine as well . Lol.

Good to hear from you Pamela June .

Xoxoxo

My black Lab girl made it to 13. 2 of our goldenseal are 12 & our youngster now 8 lol, he behaves like a 2 year old still. Talk away as much about yourself as you like. It's your thread, it's your journey. Find it hard to believe someone could say or think anything otherwise...

Hey, talk about yourself on your own post as much as you would like. There are plenty of us out there that still enjoy reading of other member's own experiences, especially from those who have been around for a while. We have never talked much that I can remember but I have enjoyed many of your posts.

Anyway, welcome back to NT Gunny!

As you now venture into a return of the help that such a device has a good chance to do its job
And sure there are a those who have been there and it's outcome not work
As for others opinion of your posting
I for one having two failed multiple levels cervical area ACDF AND REPAIR PCDF both made it just so much worse
So
Like I said I write of my experience strength and hope
Why wouldn't I want to hear it from your words to my brain
It is what you have to offer us here who have had it done and it work
Who have had it done and it be a disaster
And who have had it done and wanted it removed as it did not work as well as it did during the trial period
And for the latter I have a personal opinion I won't share now but then there are those who wouldn't go there and that be me
How else is one going to get the feedback needed for people like myself that will wait and see

I have a child who is a epileptic
Had a occipital lobotomy
Permenant eye loss did not get to the very intricate surgery they found where it was coming from just to close to the surrounding lobes
Back to square one only now blind in right eye
Then has what is called a VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulator)
It been a good number of years around six or seven
Not cutting it
She needs to wave a magnet over the VNS implant in the upper right chest where the nerve is that reaches the brain
So when a seizure starts the the wave and it is suppose to reboot the brain
It stops the seaziure from taking the entire brain
This isn't cutting it anymore
Now she is having yet another surgery
Removal of the VNS and have what is for short (S&N or S&F) not sure at the moment
Point
She hasn't given up hope that her seizures will not be in her life
And it's trial and error for many
And all the medications
She posted everything about her experience strength and hope
Your life wit us here is just as important as my daughters and all who have the desire to do so
Do keep it coming
You provide personal knowledge
Priceless
And as for you furry family
I am lover of animals just lost our member it will be a year October 29th of last year
We had our time together for an hour when visiting him as my eldest has him
A Australian Silky Terrier
Gave his life protecting and loving is
I do not trust doctors in the 8 years dealing with them there have been at least 25 doctors in that time
More than half are nuts and just weren't listening
Trial and error
I am I great care as my body is breakingdown quickly but that's my story

You have some awesome love from your furry partner
And am happy to hear you haven't given in or given up
May God bless you in your day and always
Keep up the Spirit of Hope
And never stop sharing when you could be touching that one person who just wants to throw in the towel
Good to hear from you
Me

Gunny,
Always good to get updates from one of our admired vets. You have been through "one hell of a ride". You are a hero who will not give up on any options available to get you through each day. Your an inspiration to all of us.

Please continue the updates.

Gerry

Hey there!

Yoooo's guys are WAYYY too kind to me, and I sure do appreciate the words!
However- PLEASE let me correct this one, which comes up often in what people say all over the place, on forums, Facebook, etc, etc etc. NOTHING meant toward any of you personally here, and not "******" I just wish to clarify something.

By no means am I (Gunny) a "Hero" my friends. Nothing I have EVER done would rate me as a "Hero" nor do I accept that term all that well ok my dear buddies?I say this due to some very close friends who were KIA over there in both shitty wars! I believe I told you about my best buddy SgtMaj Robert Cottle? (If you don't recall, or didnt hear it. These links portray some of him, and I attached a few pics of us together too. We met in 1988 while on Embassy Duty in Munich Germany. It was still when the wall was up! (LOL- You'll see a pic of us dressed in Skiing Attire up in Austria looking like 2 teenagers with 80s clothes on!! Hahaha)

http://w

ww.arlingtoncemetery.net/rjcottle.htm

Its guys like that, and others who died "Over There" as we say. Oh trust me, I was reckless at the end of my year there. Id walk out in the open when mortar rounds would be landing, when people would be shooting at us from buildings that were higher, etc. I guess that plays a part of who I am today - almost like I just didnt care if something happened to me-which I still don't. lol.

OK- BTW-- The Application was submitted for this PTSD Program at a VA Hospital up in the Northeast. Don't think I wish to say which one in case someone here lives in the immediate area? Ya know?? LMAO >Id kinda be ashamed getting a visit from a Forum Member who really doesnt even know me. Either way.......I will check back in here to let all know Im heading out (I sure hope I remember to let you guys know!!)

TTYL my friends!!
Stay safe & Stealthy out there!!!

Gunny out..............................

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Dude, people say you're a Hero because you stepped up and served. I completely understand what you're saying and where you're coming from though. So it's not like I don't get it, but just want to share with you;
My nephew was blown up in a humvee, twice; he was 21 the first time, he hurt his elbow and hit his head badly but didn't want to complain, bit of a stigma going on over there. Blown up again a 2nd time at 23 & hung upside down for a few hrs alongside his best Makka who was killed. He's got brain damage now along with PTSD. Been treated pretty shabbily by the UK military until his Da stepped in & got some people involved. Pension, payout & whatnot sorted now but it took a long time. He'll never work again, tried to, but is triggered by so many things, he like you would say he's not a hero, he also did as you did, didn't care if he died or not. It's a part of the numbing & guilt process he was told. (Survivors guilt) now he's not a hero by any means in this life now, but he was, he stepped up & signed up at 17, he like you has suffered & will continue to suffer for the rest of his life. My dad died 6 years ago due to his WW11 injury, I never thought of him as a hero, just my dad, until the DVA & RSL turned up at his funeral, played the post, folded the flag. Bought it real close to my mind, anyone who steps up and signs up is heroic. My dad saw things so bad he never spoke of them, but we found them written down after he was gone. Life is what it is as we make our way through it, there are many who choose not to sign up to defend ours or other countries, that's their right, and their choice, but those that do, or did. No matter what or how you look at it, their action there & then to sign up is selfless & heroic. It's that which makes you a hero Gunny, you stepped up, you served & you've suffered for your choice. You were selfless at one time in your life & heroic no doubt in many times of your life. You may not feel it now, but you were once. It may not sit easy with you, I get that, but people will always say those who sign up & step up are heroic. It's just the way it is. I'm afraid it's a mantle your stuck with for now. But there will come a time as the world turns and you age, just like my dad did & people will forget. So take it for now, sit easy with it if you can. Sorry long winded but it got me thinking...

Your faithful companion caught my eye. I lost my girl 2 weeks ago (on Monday) and my son lost his the following Friday. So it pulls at the heart strings. Best of luck with your procedure!
~Kirsti