John, just read your story. Thank you for your service to our country, first off. Your injury was not "silly or stupid" it was courageous. Believe it or not, I can identify with the attitude of tough it out, don't complain, pain is a state of mind, if you complain you're weak mentality. I was raised the same and in turn, like you had already suffered 25 years of damage before I was diagnosed. I was an athlete, a machinist and welder and figured that was the reason for my physical problems. Now, there is nothing to be done to help me either and my docs keep me functional with pain meds.
Congrats on the novel. I sure hope you are able to get some kind of contract to sell.
Cindy
