So a few weeks back I mentioned all the shit was almost behind me. I must have smiled too much. End of August father in law gets a brain infection for his 81st birthday. Not a huge impact on me but the old lady is a nervous wreck and her vehicle is in constant motion. Toby is really winding down despite our best efforts but the real kicker is this. When I was 15 I was diagnosed with a tumor on my spine. This tumor caused a scoliosis. No big deal, they ripped the beast out and inserted a harrington rod to straighten my spine. The rod was supposed to be removed but the docs decided my body accepted it so well that they would leave it in. Well my back has bothered me on and off for years but I deal with it. My right leg is sorta numb, and I lose control of both legs every now and then. Well a few weeks my back turned into a raging-fuck pain on 11. Go to my primary he says, another tumor, pin fucked-up or a brand new ailment. Decides to send me to a specialist. As luck would have it, the original installer is still practicing 33 years later. Off i go. He shoots some xrays, pokes and prods. Informs me my spine is in good shape, the rod looks good to. Doesnt think I have a new ailment. Ready for this, I lost so much weight and gained enough muscle that the ends of the rod are dragging across my back muscles. Says to remove it would be risky and probably more painful with possible nasty complications. The solution..take some pain meds for the rest of my life. Something called Ultram... WTF