In the midst of putting together an album of songs I had written in Mendocino CA and Bisbee, Arizona, I was putting a vocal on a song demo and coughed up a mouthful of blood. Thinking at first, I might have ruptured a vocal cord, I backed off the mic and headed to the bathroom sink where I realized this has got to be something more dire.

After a two hour + ambulance ride to a North Western Oro Valley Hospital, I was diagnosed with a chronic pulmonary embolism leaning up against my heart. After a few days in the hospital, it was back home for me to a re-adjust world. I had been feeling quite ill for the better part of this last year, reasons now coming into full light. Developing PTSD during the early phases of this event has greatly affected my sleeping patterns as well.

I am really very lucky to be alive today! Damage done .i had to give notice to the three southern AZ bands I was actively gigging with. Saying goodbye in a blue mood to my life of playing out regularly, keeping the ice box full, lights on and two well worn over stuffed bags under my eyes...

I am now seeing cardiac specialists, a vascular surgeon . The blood thinners I am on complicate scheduling any procedures .i am hopeful the road ahead may adjust some to lowering degrees of steepness for my climb forward .

TODAY, I am humbly here now asking for YOUR help and purely grateful to have an opportunity still be around to ask for a chance at this here. The medical bills I have incurred have been fat and angry and have produced a litter under my front porch im trying to starve humanly and painlessly ...

My insurance thankfully covered a large portion of my initial hospitalization although I am still under full pressure to get these bills paid. My deductible is going to become lower if i get to hang out on this planet a bit longer . and my low gov income ALL goes to maintain my insurance coverage ... I have sold the bulk of my guitar and amp collection to get me this far. I owe $10k presently to a medical group in Tucson, and my monthly medication and special diet comes in at $900 after discounts. At least I have been able to get my meds down from $750 a month to $150...my goal is to raise $27k to cover my next 10 months of med treatment/basics plus pay off my current med bills...my savings were waving a cool goodbye from the ticketing booth for the quickest bus to nowhere

I realize it's a lot to ask. Its not easy to look for financial help from people you have never met or even good friends you know when you're used to earning your own way...

I thank you for your time here.. If you can help me NO amount is too small... Every oak was once an acorn, a long sunny day starts with a short glow peering over the horizon...

A friend tells me, "Rog, you can only play one guitar at a time barely and that I almost wrote a killer song there. laughingly telling me You need to stick around and keep on trying too !” I easily smile at this.... laughter and music are our best medicine next to love & time.

Again, any amount you could spare would be much appreciated and helpful. Thanks again every one of you for taking the time to hear me out .. There are many on this site with far worse issues laying down in a hospital unit this very second facing emergency surgery ... man i get it . BLESS THEM ALL! You may consider some over my own request now . I respect and admire you for helping anyone in need. Many of us today are dealing with our very own hard personal challenging circumstances in one degree or another. I wish you the best in over coming them all asap ... If you’ve ever been in a medical crisis such as this, you know the haunting uncertainty and at times painfully harsh aspects of this strange and difficult territory .I wish those of you falling within in that description to find total healing of body and soul soon quickly and completely ...

My pressing goal is to regain my health as best as possible and return my focus to my true love in life: Music and song writing.

I will post my progress here ... the gory details ..that song that started it all.

Thank you, Roger..THANK YOU FOR DONATING so VERY GENEROUS OF YOU FRIENDS ...THIS WILL HELP ME TREMENDOUSLY ....thank YOU again....Roger