I do feel that I need to say a few things to you all.

First, thank heaven for Admin privileges so that I can post this myself.

Next is to straighten out my "diagnosis". I am suffering liver failure. At this point it is estimated that it functioning approximately 27% of what it should be. According to the doctors I have spoken to, at about 20% I either get a transplant or I die. Lifelong dialysis is not something I am willing to accept. I have known people who did that and I would genuinely rather be dead.

I have some serious complications from that involving other organs and systems. For instance right his minute I am suffering kidney problems, kidney stones, gall bladder disease and gall stones, and loose fluid in my gut that is quickly turning septic. I am pooping and peeing blood. Not "bloody stuff" - but blood.

There is a chemotherapy treatment that will "freeze" the illness causing my liver failure. There is no cure. The course of treatment is currently $85,000.00 and does not come with a money back guarantee of success, though it is advertised as having a 80% success rate.

That treatment is also unavailable to social services recipients. They get a much cheaper treatment with a much lower success rate and it "slows" but does not stop the disease. But just the same, that is the path I am pursuing. The problem is that I have a job. Seriously. Can you believe that shit?!?! If I was a professional social services leach my cost would be ZERO! I'm not kidding you about this. Obamacare is NOT our friend !!!!!!!!!!!

Because I have a job - one I flatly refuse to give up for the purpose of become a taxpayer burden - the MINIMUM annual cost will be $15,800.00 and that is POSSIBLY in perpetuity - forever. That number is too damned close to my annual after taxes income to be something I have the option of living with.

Thus why you my friends even know about this. I have never done any of the things I have done thinking "cool - this person will owe me a favor" - I'm just not wired that way and I think the vast majority of you know that as surely as you know your own name. But I am indeed up against a wall right now and you, my friends, have insisted this avenue of appeal for help be taken.

The next thing I wan to clarify is RAFSU. The FSU Rifle Association. I didn't found it. I just gave what I could to it. I filled the role of sponsor/advisor as required by the university until I was no longer an FSU employee. What RAFSU is, what it has become, is because of the dedication and efforts of the members. Which IS pretty cool. On their first official outing of the pistol team they finished . . I think it was second IN THE NATION, at the Scholastic Steel Challenge. Their long range rifle team is active and participating as best their (self) funding allows, in competitions and events ranging 600 yards and out.

Lastly I just want to say that if worst comes to worst and I die tomorrow I will die happy and fulfilled. This way of life, shooting, training, teaching and learning, is the best anyone could possibly imagine. My God, I get to shoot and educate AND GET PAID FOR IT. I have more honest-to-God friends that care than any person is entitled to have in a lifetime.


Folks, life don't get no better than that.