Sending virtual chicken soup, however much you insist it isn't necessary. Humor me - it's in the genes.

God.

When my father was in the san for TB, the occupational therapists taught him sewing, and he made some rather lovely stuffed toy koalas.

I wonder if you would find similar enjoyment and fulfilment during your confinement?

They may even have macrame, or basket-weaving.

The guy will probably find some way to make functional spreadsheets out of embroidery thread, formulas and all.

Well, take care, and good luck.

Try not to inconvenience me.

Also, look into getting a pirated copy of Syriana while you're laid up.

Do & be well. We'll even bother God (atheists/agnostics: insert "if any" here) for you, for whatever it's worth.

Try to get a second opinion, if it is unclear and if affordable.

Of course, in honor of MENA, we really do need to come up with a conspiracy theory to explain this.

Guesses anyone:

a -- CIA (out of favor with bosses)
b -- Mossad (They say no Jews got TB in the same area)
c -- mukhabarat (any number of reasons)
d -- The Fund (or a faction thereeof)
e -- The other Fund
f -- CIA (again, just to drive the point home)
g -- Angry relatives of various females
h -- Angry females

Actually, a friend of mine joked that Col had been shot in the chest by foreign agents, but was passing it off as "a spot of TB" to keep his cover.

Hmm. My wife got into her first residency on the strength of her knowledge of TB, learned in the backcountry of Mexico. Depending on compensation, we could send her over there to kick its ass, should the Fund be willing to put up some money for it.
Anyway, get better.

Also, look into getting a pirated copy of Syriana while you're laid up

Ooo - if you do, don't forget to watch out for my sure-fire Oscar winning role of "tourist with backpack descends elevators in airport scene".

me bets are on angry female cia family members employed by both funds to "eliminate" fund hopping angents such as lounsbury.

here's to a speedy recovery from "TB", a quick return to aqoul, and cuban comfort.

Have a speedy recovery Col !

Speed recovery!

BOPNews is reporting that the blogger known as "oldman" has died after a short illness. I have no other information beyond that. oldman posted on the old Lounsbury site. His personal site is still up. I find his death to be particularly annoying as he was one of the more intelligent members of our species.

Well, that's fairly fucked, the last bit. Else, still alive, not dead.

Oh yes, not TB, something potentially rather nastier. Very annoying and an absolute inconvenience of the most major proportions. Quite angry about this, but not sure at who.

Given the latest news, I think you understand it is the highest of well-wishing to say: I hope it turns out actually to be TB, with the recent testing merely mishandled.

No definite diagnosis? That will await transport to outside treatment?

Hang in there.

Afraid I have to see oncologists.

Fuck fuck fuck.

(as an aside, rather glad I'm a natural pessimist)

Oncologists? Don't they study ancient Egyptian crosses? Oh wait, that's ankhologists.

Find a quality hospital anywhere. Go. And get a second opinion too.

Here's Mayo clinic on your initial symptom:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hemoptysis/AN00741
______________________________________________
Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
Q.What is cryptogenic hemoptysis?

A.Hemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood. The blood may appear frothy if it mixes with air and secretions (sputum) from the airway. It's usually bright red. The term cryptogenic means "of unknown origin."

Coughing up blood can be a frightening experience. But it isn't necessarily serious. Causes may include:

* Lung infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia or laryngitis
* Violent coughing
* Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
* A blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
* Lung cancer

A doctor may use a variety of procedures to determine the cause, including:

* Chest X-ray
* Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest
* Bronchoscopy, a procedure in which a flexible tube is inserted into your airway to allow the doctor to see inside your windpipe (trachea) and airways (bronchial tubes)

Treatment is directed at the underlying cause when possible. However, in about 40 percent of cases, the cause can't be determined (cryptogenic hemoptysis). Your doctor will likely monitor your condition. Further testing may also be recommended.