Caroline, I have a friend that had surgury at a V.A. hospital, they screwed it up and he got infection and pneumonia. They sent him home way too early with a whole lot of morphine. Four days later he was throwing up blood and called me to ask if I would come over and be with him while he took an overdose of morphine. I came over and threw him in the car and drove him to the V.A. hospital and stayed there until I was sure he was going to be alright. One thing the V.A. is good at is trying out medicines on us vets and now that the 0 tolerance for pain thing is in effect they issue drugs faster than a cowboy in Saigon! I am sorry for what happened to your husband but seeing so many vets in such terrible pain I think I can understand why death, for some, is the only way out. I am so glad you are here, please take some time and tell me about the early years in Vietnam. Brother Tom