Not to diminish what Furls is going through, because it's *way* worse -- but we've been having our own little healthcare drama. Magickmaker is having trouble with (a) kidney stone(s). She's had two attacks over the past couple of weeks. The first attack sent her to the ER in an ambulance (which was just a titch nerve-wracking for Yrs Trly, who was three hours away...). The second occured Sunday -- we are unclear whether it's the same beastie or another one. Anyhow, she's going to see a specialist Thursday. Of course, this had to happen just as classes are starting...
But she only gets a week or so off between winter and spring quarters, so things even out.
), but it's amazing how much trouble it can cause: my right arm, muscles and glands up to my right ear, right side of the throat, my pecs and even a muscle in my back have been affected. It's a pain and I have to take it easy (not easy to do with having to rebuild my comp from browser infection, a faulty internet connection and factory restore over the last 5 days). So it's nothing compared to what other people are going through here (especially Furls and Lorin), I just thought the image of me in a neck brace tying to type might amuse you-health and healing... 
(I think the check was at 16 though...can't remember.