Well it’s September. It was not the best of times; it was certainly not the worst of times.
This photo was taken just before Christmas. It’s a selfie. This is as I was waiting for them to transfer me into the ICU. As I recollect I woke up this way. Couldn’t figure out why my right eye was so dry. The combination of medication, low blood oxygen, sleep deprivation, pneumonia, etc. was really slowing me down. It took me a few moments to figure out that I had cold oxygen blowing on the right side of my face. On one hand, you’re not too concerned how you look when you are wheeled into the ICU. On the other hand, you don’t need half your face frozen so the staff up there thinks you had a stroke.
I’ve completed moving all of the posts over from CaringBridge. I like this better (hope you do to.) Project took much longer than I ever expected. The photos of Chicago are all (blatantly) stolen from someone I discovered using Mastodon. The pictures are ordered in a random or haphazard fashion. Any apparent nexus between the photo and the post is purely coincidental. It was a lot of fun to go read the posts and comments from the early days. Many thanks for all the love and support.
So what’s been going on over the last six weeks? As always, it’s been interesting.
We didn’t know it at the time, but when I was writing the last post I had a urinary tract infection. This was causing grit – like fine sand particles – in the urine. They would build up and clog the catheter. Then we would have either (a) leakage, which meant that everything got wet which caused a huge problem for everybody, or (b) there would be no leakage, the bladder would get overfilled so I would end up sweating with a fever, high blood pressure, and a pounding headache. I’m not sure which was worse, but Suzie would say the former. Seriously though, I was pretty sick, couldn’t do much, and it went undiagnosed for far too long.
One of the more serious challenges of people in my condition is that we don’t feel much pain in the paralyzed area. A friend recently told me his “tale of woe” of when he had a kidney stone. Big baby said it hurt like hell. Well for me, I could have titanium golf ball lodged in a kidney and never know it. Here’s a for instance (and my apologies if this is TMI:) over the last few days there’s been a little blood in the urine. We have no idea where it’s coming from. Maybe there is a honey badger crawling around in there. But I don’t have any abdominal pain. Thankfully, I already have a CT scan scheduled for this Saturday. Hopefully it’s nothing. But if there is a golf ball inside one of the kidneys we’ll find out.
While I had the UTI, a couple other conditions came passing through (pun intended.) At one point we’re pretty sure I had the flu. Took a Covid test; it was negative. Then it seems I had a cold or something. Don’t know. Just know there was a lot of coughing. And bizarrely, I experienced a bit of day-night confusion. While not feeling well, I’d take a nap in the afternoon and then not be able to fall asleep at night. Then I would be tired, so I want to sleep a good part of the day. When this gets going, medications don’t really help. I’d down 10 mg of melatonin and 12 mg of Ambien and nothing. Awake and wired for hours.
Here is another “fun fact” about spinal cord injuries: it can be really challenging for the body to monitor, and thus control, body temperature. Maybe I have a little bit of a chill so we grab a blanket. But the chill won’t go away so we grab another. An hour later I’m sweating, but actually still feel cold. When I’m healthy we pretty much have this under control. When I’m under the weather this can be extremely challenging.
Hopefully we have all that behind us now. My life is like an episode of House (a medical drama that ran on Fox in the 90s. Which I highly recommend BTW.) If only we could solve all of my medical riddles in 44 minutes.
So you got an email? I hope you don’t mind but I (also blatantly) stole all of the emails from CaringBridge. It should be one-click to unsubscribe. My plan is to try and write one of these posts every 6-8 weeks. I’ll send an email out letting folks know there is a new post. That’s it. I’m not going to try to sell you car insurance… but if you’re in the market, I gotta guy.
If anybody wants to subscribe to the email list, use this link: https://jb03.com/medmail/?p=subscribe&id=1
Please feel free to share the website. I’m not going to post this on Facebook or Twitter. If you wish to, please go ahead.
We’ve been running an experiment on the Sunday calls. Recently Zoom had a little snafu with their terms and conditions. It seems that they want to save the video calls people make and use the data to train AI. Not saying that’s the truth; saying that there is some confusion on the matter. Nevertheless, I find the whole “big data” thing a little creepy. So I’m testing out a self hosted solution where the calls will not be recorded or even intercepted by big data. There is a learning curve; but I think we got it covered.
Standing chitchat, Sundays at 3:30 Central. Here’s the link: https://law03.com/call/k3coyx4k
Update 10/18/23: The time remains the same however using a new link for the chitchat: https://jb.jb03.com/call/e35vvpp9
I think that’s it for now. The wounds are healing, very slowly. I try to do my shoulder exercises several times every day. It won’t be long and I’ll be able to do the chicken dance.
Thanks again for all the support.
Be kind and be well.
The challenges you live are not understood by anyone who doesn’t have them. My awareness and Empathy is strong but not quite to say the right words. I join into your mind as though I am you. Not easy. I have a friend of 30 plus years ago Bob Ness who had similar issues from a car accident. We spent much time together learning higher consciousness. It seemed to help him. If you have FB look him up, Bob ness. Mention we connected. He is a wonderful man as you are. I wish you well in this journey. Each day is a gift. A strange gift for some but a gift. It gives us another perspective of what life is for each of us.
I wish you well Jim and much love!
When can I come to visit or is this email has the purpose for people visiting in person not to come.…
I was crazy busy but planning in person visit if it’s ok?
I figured you would be very busy upon your return. You are welcome to come by any time. Look forward to seeing you.
Thank you for the update Jim…
I really appreciate being on your list. I’m thinking of you and sending lots of love ❤️
It’s funny how I keep you in prayer , Jim . You just come up and then you on my list of people I pray for. K ow Suzie and you are on my list for prayers this is most important whether or not we feel we need them.
Thank you Jim. Very glad to hear from you.
Think of you often.
Mrs. P! Great to hear from you. Hope California is treating you well.
Jim – I really appreciate you sending updates, eventhough it’s tough to read at times (and we’re only doing the reading!). We miss you here down in Atlanta. Stay strong.
Thank you for the message. Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.
Good to hear from you Jimmy. I see you didn’t loose your sense of humor. I am glad!!
your attitude is what makes you strong. After all the only thing you can change in life is your perspective. Keep up the optimism!
I am doing well. Moved into a co-op in Park Forest. no more climbing on roofs, weed wacking, mowing all that fun stuff owning a house. now all I do is pick up the phone!
Keep me posted.
“Big baby said it hurt like hell”?!?
I’ll have you know, Jim, that kidney stone was really, really painful. But the chance to tell a colorful story involving my ureter, bladder and urethra is always enjoyable. (In fact, one of the nurses said mine was “remarkable”.)
Good to see you over the weekend – as well as your gang.
Remember folks: stay hydrated and a spoonful of red cider vinegar keeps you from becoming a big baby!