Another busy day of sitting in the La-Z-Boy with a broken wing. Joy.
Currently starting my day with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure on HBO. Yes. I am that bored.
*** Update ***
Reading the other threads from last night, and it seems like some of you think the key topain management is lots of attractive women pampering you and bringing you food. First off, I have Tammy and Brian and my brother doting on me, so I don’t need any help. Second, I must be a strange ranger, but when I am sick or hurt, I just want to be left alone. I don’t want company, I don’t want to be doted on, I don’t need to be checked up on. Drop off a case of diet ginger ale and some soup and come back in three days. If I need something, I know how to use a phone. Maybe I am alone in this, but when I feel like crap, I just want to be left alone. Tunch knows when I feel like death, and he dials it back and sleeps by my head, and I have a dog on the lap, and that is all I need. I can’t be the only one who feels this way.
GRreynoldsCT00
Morning John! Hope you find something more stimulating to watch later…
MR Bill
Good Morning John and GR..
34, and a few pellets of sleet in Trendy Blue Ridge GA, with rain expected.
Tappen
Good evening. It is far too early for you to be up on a Saturday. I am considering waking up in 10 hours.
Trinity
Excellent!
Tom
You’re doing better than me. I’m watching “The First $20 Million Is The Hardest.”
A Mom Anon
I am looking at THE most adorable puppeh EVAR sitting at my feet napping. The Teenager has misplaced my camera,so pics are temporarily delayed. Her name is Abby,and I am totally smitten,it’s ridiculous how much I love her already.
I am however,furious at the condition this little doggie was in when I picked her up from the animal control shelter. I realize it’s not a no kill shelter,but the least they could do is actually disinfect the kennels daily. She had been living in her own filth for at least a week,she smelled so horrible that I had to drive with the windows down the whole way home.I’ve bathed her twice and she still smells like poo. She’s got no body fat,her hip bones and ribs are sticking out. She’s also got really loose stools and she’s horking,like she’s got a cold,her nose runs sometimes. She’s had her first round of shots already,but I don’t think that made her safe from bordetella,so she may have that,I’m not sure. She’s also got really dry and itchy skin,probably from being malnourished.
She has a vet appointment Monday,hopefully the right meds and loads more TLC and she’ll be ok. She’s 9 weeks old,and since bringing her home on Wednesday,she’s only had two accidents in the house. She goes to the door and scratches when she wants out. She’s so sweet and she’s really adapting well to our home.
As soon as I figure out where the damned camera is I’ll get some pics,I promise.
The Grand Panjandrum
I’m the same way when it comes to pain. Just leave me the fuck alone. But I do like to manage mine with plenty of good Belgium style beers and tequila. If that doesn’t work I bring in the heavy artillery.
I picked up a copy The Garden Of Last Days by Andre Dubus III (author of House of Sand and Fog). Its about 550 pages of character study. Kill. Me. Now. This thing should have been edited down to about 350-400 pages. This slick and overwritten effort by Dubus will disappoint anyone looking for the riveting unbearable suspense of House of Sand and Fog.
Zoogz
Woke up at 6AM to two cats meowing for food. Ugh. Intentionally watched “Daredevil” last night, but only to listen to the Rifftrax that goes along with it. Debating which one to watch tonight…
The Other Steve
John has finally gone Galt.
Lisa K.
I am exactly the same way when I am sick. I think it comes from my overbearing mother, who thinks the proper way to take care of anything-death, a cold, cancer-is to feed people. I actually gained five pounds when I had pneumonia.
WereBear
Nah, you’re not the only one. The psychic pressure of dealing with other people becomes evident under this kind of stress.
PUPPEH!
Congrats, Mom Anon. Yes, some shelters are just awful.
patrick
Totally agree about being left alone when sick or injured. STFU, GTFO and LMA.
Teh Wife, on the other hand, is a giant sook who demands constant attention, pampering, babying, hand-holding and butt-wiping.
I’m grateful she doesn’t get sick often.
Joey Maloney
I give the no-kills props but, like with everything else, Sturgeon’s Law applies. Some of the people that run them are little better than Crazy Cat Ladies with an exhibitionist streak.
For the most part I’m with John – when I’m sick I mostly want to be left alone. I enforce this by being intolerably whiny.
A Mom Anon
@WereBear: That has to be the saddest fucking place I’ve ever been to in my life. I don’t know what the deal is,but it’s not acceptable. Hell,the shelter in the city of Atlanta isn’t that horrendous. If they need help,all it would take would be a call to one of the news outlets here and people would be lining up to donate and help. I took 50 lbs of food and a box of clean towels in,but they need more than that.
Another thing I noticed,fully half of the dogs in this county shelter and the one in Atlanta are pit bulls and pit mixes.
madmommy
I like to be left alone when feeling bad. Unfortunately between the husband and the kids, I never, ever get left alone. And I usually don’t even get to indulge being sick, because that laundry won’t do itself!
Anyhow, at least you’ve got some football to look forward to this afternoon! It’s not the Steelers, but my Saints are going to be rocking the Dome, especially after yesterday’s announcement that Deuce McAllister is rejoining the team. As loud as it would have been anyway, when he is introduced for the coin toss the cries of “Deuce!!” are going to blow the roof off the joint!!
MysticalChick
JC: I’m with you on the LMA thing. Husband? Biggest babeh evah! He’s all drama queen about it. I don’t get sick often so when I do, just let me be.
I suspect your minions on here want you to have a companion not so much for tending to you while ill but perhaps tending to you while you are well (and beyond). Me? I’m not so sure there’s room in your heart after all the love you have for Tunchie and Lily. :-) Perhaps one day, eh?
I hope you read Cassidy’s suggestions about pain meds and how to address it. S/he had some good ones that might help you through this.
Also too – CafePress Tunchies. You could donate some of the money raised to Docs w/o Borders or something.
Thinking of you today …. and expect we’ll hear MUCH more from you as it progresses.
MC
josefina
I can’t stand being fussed over when I’m well, much less when I’m sick. If I’m sick, I’m already extra-cranky and having to tolerate someone hovering and prodding and bossing “for my own good” is more than I can manage.
Congrats, Mom Anon! You’ve already done a very good thing adopting the pup—but would you consider working with the troubled shelter to get ’em some help? The management may be overwhelmed with recession surrenders and appreciate your energy. Or they may be crazy, in which case go straight to the media. Regardless, we need pics of the new girl! What’s her name?
galen
I, too prefer to be left alone when ill or injured.
It sounds like you’re doing well, what with a recliner and a dog in the lap.
Don’t forget that the best way to manage pain is to keep it away from the start.
valdivia
Feel better John. I totally get what you are saying about being left alone but my instinct when someone I care about is hurt or sick is to dote. The trick is to find that fine line between being attentive and thoughtful and giving the person the space they need. Now when I am sick and I feel like something my cat dragged in I like hiding under the covers.
John Cole
I’m actually becoming acclimated to the pain a bit, and it seems to be a little better than yesterday. I’m going to throttle back the painkiller intake (the doctor said I could take two every four hours if I needed it, but 1 every four hours if I started to feel better) and see where that goes. I’m thinking having a clearer head will be worth the trade off.
jeffreyw
@A Mom Anon: Yay!
Some Guy
Ditto on the sick dog approach. When I am under the weather I want the world to stay away. Better to interact through a drip water bottle and a timed pellet dispenser for me.
I also find that lots of power watching TV shows or playing a new video game is great, if the illness allows for such. But basically, like our dogs of the past, I would rather crawl under a bed and wait it out.
Linda Featheringill
@Lisa K.: Lisa, you are going to miss that woman when she is gone. After a couple of years when the grief has settled down, you will catch a bug and feel terrible – and look around and feel so alone – and the grief will come tumbling back full force.
jeffreyw
After sleeping on it, I still want a grumpy John Cole mug. Perhaps a silhouette with a STFU caption.
danimal
You’re not alone with the LMA sentiment while sick. I can’t stand the hovering, and I don’t need visitors. I can barely hide my crankiness when I’m healthy. Just make sure the remote is working and I’ll be fine, thank you very much.
Although it never hurts to have attractive women pamper you, it’s too bad that happens more when you’re least likely to enjoy it.
Tim C.
Okay, now I get to play six degrees of separation. The son of one of the co-writers of Bill and Ted’s was in my classroom a few years back. Never brought it up at parent-teacher conferences as I thought it would be uncool and unprofessional.
Demo Woman
@A Mom Anon: My volunteer job entails sorting through linens. Unfortunately, that means tossing raggedy towels and blankets. Just because folks have little money doesn’t mean they want to sleep on rags. Can the shelter use old comforters, blankets or towels? If so, just leave the name. I think that you are close to me and I could deliver a supply.
Demo Woman
@John Cole: Please have Tammy give us an update after your surgery.
scott
After reading the opening line about ‘broken wings’ I now have the tune from Mister Mister “Broken Wings” running through my head. So I hope John takes his broken wing and learns to fly again…
A Mom Anon
Man,I’d LOVE to have someone take care of me when I’m sick. Not hover,just do the shopping,cooking,cleaning,pet care and general mom stuff I have to do,sick or not.
Are they going to have to put pins and assorted metal stuff in your shoulder, John? I hope you heal quickly and things get back to normal soon.
A Mom Anon
@Demo Woman: It’s the Cobb County shelter,over on Al Bishop Drive in Marietta. From what I could tell they were using towels only,but maybe that’s because that was all they had. Call them first,they may have rules about what they can and can’t use. Next time I get ready to go up there,I’m going to see if they need detergent and other cleaning supplies. Someone needs to give the jail inmate and public volunteers sanitation lessons. I don’t think anyone is purposely neglectful there,but they are obviously ignorant of sanitation practices.
D-Chance.
it seems like some of you think the key to pain management is lots of attractive women pampering you and bringing you food. First off, I have Tammy and Brian and my brother doting on me, so I don’t need any help.
I don’t think you fully understand “pampering”…
donnah
I hope the pain lessens, John. It sucks to be hurting.
I like to be left alone when I’m not feeling well, too. If people are hovering, then I feel obligated to entertain them or keep up a decent conversation. When I’ve been very sick (like kidney stone-sick) I felt like an injured animal and just wanted to curl up in a dark corner.
I’m glad the pets sense your pain, too. They love you!
Demo Woman
@A Mom Anon: Thanks. I’ll give them a call.
I just went to the site. Is your dog still listed?
Montysano
I watched “Away We Go” last night, and it was a really sweet and uplifting movie, and also very funny. Hopefully Maya Rudolph has a real future as an actor; she’s absolutely wonderful, as is the whole cast: John Krasinski, Allison Janney, Catherine O’Hara, Maggie Gyllenhaal, etc.
It’s gray, chilly and rainy today, so I’ve got “District 9” and “Taking Woodstock” waiting.
patrick
@A Mom Anon:
Our newest is Rosco, adopted from a shelter in just about the same shape as you describe Abby.
http://www.patrickhouston.com/wpblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/roscophouston.jpg
It’s shocking how attached I am to him already.
And as attached as I am, my three boys are double that.
They all sleep together in a pile, like puppies.
demkat620
Morning all! John hope you are a little more comfy.
Making breakfast for the DH and kids. Bacon, eggs, potatoes, and biscuits.
Supposed to be a decent day here in SEPA. Low fifties and sunny. Not bad for January.
SiubhanDuinne
@John Cole: Glad you’re feeling a little bit better today, John. I’m with you (and apparently nearly all of your readership): when I’m sick or hurting, I’m completely LMTFA.
@A Mom Anon: So glad Abby is part of your life now. She’s one lucky pup to have found you. But the conditions you describe at the shelter are appalling. You’re in Cobb County, right? If confronting the shelter operation directly doesn’t change things for the better, I’d definitely go to the media and elected officials at every level. But right this minute, Abby needs and deserves your focus. Can’t wait to see pictures, and I’m sure she’ll be the picture of health within days, and never look back.
@madmommy: Unsolicited advice alert. I dunno how old your kids are, but can your husband not do a few loads of laundry when you’re really sick? None of my business how you and maddaddy have divvied up the chores, but laundry’s neither mentally nor particularly physically challenging, and the best part is, he can do other stuff while the undies and towels are sloshing around.
Betsy
I swear to god, Cole, the commenters here are worse than my friend’s mother. “I know you say you’re happy, dear, but I just hope you find a nice young man so that you can be happy.”
Anyway, I hope you feel better.
@Linda Featheringill:
Speaking of stereotypical overbearing maternal behavior, what the hell? Are you serious? This is straight out of a bad sitcom!
keestadoll
@patrick: I’m sure she finds your care…soothing.
jeffreyw
@patrick: Awwww….
A Mom Anon
@patrick: Oh Squeee! How adorable. I loves me some doggies and kitties.
John Cole
@A Mom Anon: Yeah- they are going to have to piece together my shoulder with pins and screws. Basically what happened is I fell forward with Lily in my left arm, so I used my right arm to break the fall. My right arm was extended straight out with my elbow locked, so when I hit the ground, the ball portion of the humerus was used like a battering ram to shatter my scapula. That is why it kept dislocating- I shattered the cup like portion where the ball rests (is that the glenoid?).
Kristine
@A Mom Anon:
I have a dog with inflammatory bowel disease, and this probiotic has helped tremendously in settling down her GI tract and repopulating good bacteria. A friend recommended it to me because it was the only thing that settled her dog’s system after a bout of colitis.
Granted, your pupster may be dealing with the effects of stress and parasites and dodgy food, but if you get that sorted out and she’s still having issues, this is something to try. The same company also offers a high calorie nutritional for when a dog is sick/not eating.
Demo Woman
@patrick: What a cutie.
jurassicpork
‘m a yellow dog Democrat. If I could get him on the ballot I would literally vote for my yellow lab Buddy over any Republican.
So I hope you all can appreciate the weight and significance of my saying that I’d rather vote for Scott Brown, douche bag though he is, over Martha fucking Coakley. I live in MA and I personally know her. This woman is dangerous and I have some very compelling personal reasons for not wanting to see her succeed Ted Kennedy.
demkat620
@patrick: Oh man, early morning puppeh! So very cute.
HRA
@patrick:
Awww – he is so cute. Is he a German Shepherd mix?
@A Mom Anon
Will be looking forward to seeing a pic of Abby. Something has to be done about the shelter and I see you have the answer to it.
I have seen almost the same conditions in a pet store at our mall. You can smell those cages (glass enclosed) right into the mall and they are at the back of the store.
You are not alone, John. I cant stand the doting either. Glad you are feeling better.
Kristine
@patrick:
I’m ded from the cute here. Adorable!
geg6
I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better, John. I am nursing the hangover I got drinking too much after getting into a huge argument with an asshole in our local watering hole. He was talking to my John about about his physical fights with his wife (!!) And somehow got into talking about his deep religious faith. At one point, he asked me about mine and I was so disgusted by him that I told him exactly how I felt about religion. That was when he started lecturing me about how people like me have no morals or values. At that point, I told him I didn’t need any lectures in morality from hypocritical religious wife beaters. John pulled me out of the place and took me to another place where I tried to drink my fury away. Probably not the best choice. Oh well. He was an asshole and I was ready to come to blows. Poor John. He’s a wonderful and patient man.
General Winfield Stuck
It wouldn’t hurt/
A Mom Anon
@John Cole: Oh man,that makes me hurt a little just reading your description of what happened. Yipes. I’m glad Lily escaped injury at least. Get well soon.
I also totally get how nuts you are for Lily. I’ve had lots of animals in my life. I even hand raised an orphaned baby racoon when I was a teenager. But for some reason,this little puppy has got to me in a way no other critter has. I already can’t imagine life without her.
General Winfield Stuck
@A Mom Anon: Charlie says Hi Abby!
jamie
Hell, yes. I hate being sick or disabled. I’m a hide-under-the-bed guy, too.
I guess I hate being doted on in general – it makes me uncomfortable when I’m well.
Maybe we should start a support group that doesn’t meet. Or take lessons from Beltway journalists, a learn to whine.
madmommy
@SiubhanDuinne:
He has the ability to do the laundry, but I am a control freak (just a bit!) and like things done a certain way. I would end up re-folding everything anyway, so…
PTirebiter
I agree completely about being left alone. When I broke my shoulder, everything but the mutts irritated me. I guess fluctuating between flashes of eye-crossing pain, and a deep low level ache can do that to you. By keeping to myself, I could avoid acting like an ungrateful dick around the people who genuinely care . Perhaps it’s just a bit of enlightened self interest on my part. Anyway, chin up, once you get past the surgery and into rehab, it gets a lot better.
A Mom Anon
@General Winfield Stuck: Abby would say hi back,but she is soooo very tired right now,lol. Charlie btw is too cute,he looks like he’s got a big personality.
Libby
I feel the same way about being tended to John Cole, so I won’t offer to come and take care of you. But I’m sending you some hippie healing white light from here, and don’t try to stop me.
Demo Woman
@jurassicpork: Well just great!. Personally I would not vote for a guy who voted against giving paid leave to state workers who were called up by the red cross after 9/11. Brown does sound like he would fit right in with the other senators who oppose rights for gays though.
By the way do you work on Wall Street? They are just jumping for joy at the prospect of more tax cuts.
demkat620
You know what would help the democrats in the midterms? A bunch of these banksters on a perp walk. And Joe Cassano of AIG flown back to the US and escorted by federal mrshalls of to a holding cell.
Charge them all with conspiracy to commit fraud and start confiscating their shit because they just don’t fucking get it.
Annie
Maybe when Tunch gets off John’s head, he could get him some breakfast and a pain pill….
Libby
@patrick: Squeeeeee. It’s probably illegal to be as cute as that puppy.
mr. whipple
Yer not.
Jean
@Demo Woman: He posted the same comment in last nite’s thread. Rinse, repeat.
Bostondreams
@Tim C.:
I got to have little Scottie Spurrier in my classroom during my internship when his father was still coaching UF. All of the ego of his dad, half the brains.
SiubhanDuinne
@General Winfield Stuck: did you link a morning picture of Charlie saying hi to A Mom Anon’s Abby? I didn’t see one, and I do loves me some Charlie pix.
GReynoldsCT00
you and me both, leave me some food and clean the cat boxes for me…but then IMO leave me to my misery
A Mom Anon
@Jean: Yes because the answer to the problems of government is to elect MORE freaking Republicans right now. Especially a Repub who caters to teabaggers. Great Idea.
The GOP and the religious wingnuts have been working on taking over the gov’t that they hate(and yet have no problem drawing a paycheck from) for over 30 yrs. They started with the small local level stuff and worked their way up. Why Dems have not caught on and done the same work to take back the gov’t is beyond me. Why anyone would elect someone who loathes the gov’t so much freaks me out whenever I give it any thought at all. Would you hire someone who openly says they despise kids to babysit for you? See a doctor who hates sick people? It makes no sense at all.
mr. whipple
That comment has been showing up at other places on the internet. Odd, that.
HRA
@Demo Woman:
“Personally I would not vote for a guy who voted against giving paid leave to state workers who were called up by the red cross after 9/11. Brown does sound like he would fit right in with the other senators who oppose rights for gays though.”
I just came back from reading about this new controversy. I know I was really emotional after 9/11 and I know I was not alone. That said, I must give a glimpse into another perspective as a long time state worker. We have some volunteer projects annually in our workplace. Those who participate are given paid leave. An example is working for Habitat. A former coworker told me she “banged a few nails”, had lunch with her friends and they all went home. IOW it was a paid holiday for her friends and her.
I don’t support Brown’s ideas. Yet, I can see the reasoning behind his statement in this controversy.
I volunteer after work and days off. I say this in case you wonder at my being against paid leave for volunteers.
burnspbesq
I suspect that jurassicpork is going to poop the same stupidity in every open thread until Tuesday.
Dude, we get that you’re an idiot. Now please stop.
techno
You are NOT alone wanting to be left alone while sick JC. In fact, I think that is probably the norm. And since rest and sleep are essential for the healing process, being annoyed is actually bad for your health.
And remember, even though you can see guys with injuries more serious than yours playing football this weekend, don’t let that distract you from the fact that you have had a very serious injury that is damn inconvenient and very painful. So grump away, eat your pain pills like popcorn, and try to sleep more than your cat.
burnspbesq
This is exactly what I needed to get my weekend off to a rollicking start.
Emily Bazelon reports on a bizarre pre-trial ruling in the case of the wingnut accused of killing Dr. George Tiller, that will allow said wingnut to turn his trial into a pro-life circus – and maybe get a very light sentence if he is convicted.
http://www.slate.com/id/2241426/?from=rss
(H/t the
BorgAndrew collective)General Winfield Stuck
@SiubhanDuinne:
Your wish is my command
Brick Oven Bill
John, just wanted to say I was sorry to read about your accident.
About a month ago I was in a car accident myself. The car was totalled but I almost walked away unscathed, relatively speaking, aside from a dislocated pinkie and a nastily sprained ankle. But of course I was beat up and shaken and disappointed to be laid up over the holidays.
I read Balloon Juice the whole time, to keep track of the health care situation mainly, and the informed banter in these comment threads helped me pass the most difficult part of my convalescence, so thanks for that and I hope you start feeling better soon.
Ash Can
Of course you’re not alone, John. Folks here just like to rattle your cage, that’s all.
@HRA: One former co-worker slacking on a Habitat for Humanity project is enough to make you object to Red Cross 9/11 workers being compensated? I call bullshit.
Kristine
@HRA:
At my company, we also are paid when we volunteer. But we’re supervised.
You’d think adults wouldn’t have to be supervised at times like that, but. Even the fact that you know the boss is going around taking photos for the department website can be enough to get some folks to stick around and work.
patrick
@HRA:
We think Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix.
He seems to be wicked smaht and has a lot of Rottweiler characteristics.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs042.snc3/12958_1284087935902_1041230232_855074_7395511_n.jpg
cmorenc
@John Cole
Sounds like a plan to me! Almost worth breaking something to get a little pain to be “managed” like that.
Jean
@A Mom Anon: You are right in general about Republicans and about local elections. In Virginia, the one-term governorships and every-two years-elections are thanks to the Byrd machine. It’s a way to suppress the vote. To most people, local elections are easily ignored, and when they seem to occur constantly, fewer and fewer people vote. Yet they are the most important elections. Republicans learned that and worked at it for 30 years, starting at the level of dogcatcher.
Brian J
@Montysano:
Allison Janney needs to join Aaron Sorkin and travel to the HBO offices to demand a new show. (Supposedly, they were very high on him, even while “Studio 60” was failing, but it’s not hard to see why.) I’d watch that woman read whatever random thoughts popped into Sorkin’s head, especially if he was high.) Bring along Richard Schiff or Bradley Whitford, and I’ll never leave the couch.
Svensker
@A Mom Anon:
Good for you! Poor little pup. Glad she’s (?) found a home. Piccies!
Svensker
@patrick:
Oh, the cuteness! (And the mischief!)
Svensker
Me, too. So long as some quiet but attractive soft voiced minion is nearby to make sure the sheets are clean, the dishes are done, errands are run, and there’s a cool (or hot) drink when necessary and exactly the right kind of food. Otherwise, don’t bother me.
PTirebiter
@jurassicpork:
I don’t live in MA, but I did watch several episodes of Boston Legal.
I have it on good authority that Scott Brown had his yellow lab, Bonnie, “put down” in preparation for a family vacation. Brown, a Republican, now claims he’d planned to strap Bonnie atop the family VistaCruiser for the trip, but the idea was nixed by his campaign manager as bad optics. Brown puts politics before puppies, how would your lab vote?
HRA
@Ash Can:
No, it’s not one former coworker. You have a right to call it what you want to call it. I gave a different perspective on the paid volunteers in a state workplace.
Demo Woman
@HRA: I am sure that some game the system and I am also sure that most don’t.
HRA
@Kristine:
Sure that works unless the pics are taken early and the supervisor is one of the friends who went to lunch and then went home.
Now there is another supervisor since the other one retired, too. Those “friends” have stopped volunteering.
@patrick:
Yes, the colors are Rottweiler. There is a Rottweiler mix in our family, too. She is a most loving dog.
@PTirebiter:
That is totally digusting. As an owner of pets for many years, there is no doubt I would not vote for this mean spirited person if I lived in MA.
JenJen
@A Mom Anon: Aww! Sweet little baby doggie!
I do hope she doesn’t have bordetella, but I’ve dealt with it every time I brought a shelter dog home. It takes some meds, and awhile to go away, and in the meantime can actually keep you up at night. Ugh, that sound, I can still hear it!!
If you can’t get that smell out, you can take her to a groomer for some help. They have great stuff that gets skunk out (yes, I sadly have experience with this), so that ought to do the trick.
Congratulations, A Mom Anon! What a wonderful thing you’ve done.
SIA
@ A Mom Anon, can’t wait to see some photos! So glad Abby is in such good hands.
Steeplejack
It’s too late now, but could no one have stopped this Chelsea-Sunderland bloodbath?
Joy
Hey John!
I completely sympathize. When I had my right arm in a cast, bent at the elbow, and hardly able to move my fingers I just really wanted to be left alone. As long as I had the recliner, the remote and the dogs at my feet, I was OK. I had to learn to type with my left hand. I did learn how to cut an onion using one hand and do most of my own cooking. As long as I could go to the bathroom (had to wear sweatpants because I couldn’t zip up jeans), halfway manage a shower, and eat, I was fine. I’m not one to be doted on either. But man was I bored and frustrated. 6 weeks seemed like an eternity.
Notorious P.A.T.
Send the attractive women bearing food to me!
gwangung
Whiny progressives, please take note. Poli Sci 101. (Most progressives of any worth already know this; they came up through the grassroots).
tesslibrarian
Entirely with you on LMA when sick or injured, though if hubby doesn’t push the point and make me eat and/or drink, I typically will not do it, so I tend to require some attention. Being incredibly unpleasant (I get pretty whiny and/or cranky) means my husband just drops in about every 3 hours. That seems to work.
Isn’t it nice how animals know they need to accommodate you? My caretaker kitty used to keep the needy kitty away (off the bed, off the sofa) when I was sick, but when I was injured, even the needy kitty knew which leg to avoid. She’d had an injury to her back, so when I came home from physical therapy, we’d share an ice pack: I’d wrap it around my leg, she’d lie pressed up against it. Damn I miss them both.
FoxinSocks
Not just you, John. I’ve always told my family, but they never seem to get it, that I just want to be left alone when I’m sick. I guess they’re just concerned, but like you said, if I need anything, I’ll call.
BTW-My cats are wonderful when I’m sick. They just cuddle next to me and make me feel better. My beagle, on the other hand, takes the opportunity to get into everything she’s not supposed to while I’m out of it. So I can assume if I’m ever hurt and in dire need of my dog to go and get help, that she’ll promptly open up the bag of cat food and gorge herself while I bleed to death.
HeartlandLiberal
Nothing to be ashamed of for watching Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
You are in fact watching a movie that is really something of an homage in its main theme to one of the greatest films of all time, Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal. Which film, if you have never seen, you should. I rank it in my list of top 10 films every made.
“The concept of Bill and Ted attempting to win back their lives by challenging Death to a game is a reference to the famous Ingmar Bergman film The Seventh Seal, in which a knight plays chess with the Grim Reaper in an attempt to save his life.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_&_Ted%27s_Bogus_Journey
DonBelacquaDelPurgatorio
Meloxicam.
Pain relief, no side effects.
Prescription needed.
A Mom Anon
@gwangung: The especially damaging local stuff has been school related. Getting their people on school boards,in as PTA chairs,showing up at all the board meetings,that sort of crap. The result has been not just crappy school policy,but causing community divides. I could go on for days about why I will never join our local PTA again,it’s wingnut central and no one else is heard or included.
My parents didn’t start out as wingnuts,but when I was a kid they joined Amway. I even met Rich DeVos once(creepy,seriously creepy). I heard alot of crap in those meetings about doing exactly this sort of thing. The Amway people were also right wing religious extremists. I got sent to Bible studies where Hal Lindsey’s books were the main text along with Rushdoony ack. I’m nearly 50,this has been going on for at least a generation or two.
Jason Bylinowski
This post made me sad somehow. The feeling of “he doesn’t know what he is missing” is pervasive. But so is the feeling that I should just mind my own.
brat
I’m the same way…just leave me alone and I’ll be more sociable in a few days.
On pain management: The trick to is to get AHEAD of the pain. That means rigorously adhering to the medication schedule so your body doesn’t go into flip out mode (Ohmawgawd I really did smash the hell out of ______). If the meds say, “take every six hours,” that means you must get up in the middle of the night to pop the pill–or when you wake up there will be hell to pay. (I’ve been in pain management for 10+ years–no fix for my back).
Good luck on the recoup.
gwangung
Did they ever wonder why the US has been doing so poorly in math and science the past few years? And doing poorly, education wise?
asiangrrlMN
Cole, though I threaten to show up on your doorstep to enforce your going Galt, I am actually like you. When I’m sick, leave me the fuck alone. Come to think of it, most of the time, when I’m well, leave me the fuck alone.
@A Mom Anon: Yay! Puppeh! Will be breathlessly awaiting pics. And, yeah, some shelters are heart-breakers, regardless of the good they do. Thank you for making one dog’s life immeasurably better.
licensed to kill time
Well, I just got here so perhaps this has been said, but wanting to be left alone to nurse your pain is very dog-like. I say, whatever floats your boat and more power to you, JC.
Cain
@SiubhanDuinne: <blockquote@madmommy: Unsolicited advice alert. I dunno how old your kids are, but can your husband not do a few loads of laundry when you’re really sick? None of my business how you and maddaddy have divvied up the chores, but laundry’s neither mentally nor particularly physically challenging, and the best part is, he can do other stuff while the undies and towels are sloshing around.
Indeed.. folding the is the easy part. It’s putting them away that I find hard. :-)
cain
Cassidy
Why am I not surprised that the Tanker doesn’t want to listen to the Docs.
Either way. As suggested, follow your pain regimen. Stay away from holistic medicine. That shit only works later down the road, after the surgery is over, etc. (maybe). Disregard the warnings of liver damage and pain killers; that only applies to long term abuse. Two weeks of pain control isn’t a threat. And there is nothing wrong with being in a medicated fog. As long as you’re functional enough to feed the animals and yourself, use the restroom and use the remote, then that’s fine.
And, bear in mind that regular analgesics, like the earlier suggest meloxicam or my favorite Robaxin, are not really strong enough to counteract the various broken and torn pieces of anatomy.
YellowJournalism
@madmommy: You’re not alone in that. The last time my hubby did laundry for me, I lost two of my favorite dress shirts to shrinkage. I am also quite certain that no one can get stains out of children’s clothing the way I do. I was even paranoid to have my mother do laundry when she was helping me after the birth of my second because I was sure that she would not know how to get the soup stains off of my oldest’s shirts. She woudln’t realize that he gets food stains on the back of his neck because he runs his hands through the back of his hair when he eats sometimes.
At least my husband separates colours, though. My sister has a wonderful collection of pink tie-dye undergarments, towels, and other items thanks to her boyfriend throwing everything in the washer together in hot water, including some brand new red towels.
Chuck Butcher
If you’re fond of that hand; do not attempt to pet me when I’m sick.
Tax Analyst
John Cole:
Yes. This. Totally. (Except for the names and relationships)
I mean, what DO you say to “You poor thing, you must feel terrible”? If you tell the truth and croak out “Yes, I feel like shit – it takes a great deal of effort to even talk. Would you please go away and leave me alone?”, they get all hurt and resent it or end up making excuses to themselves about why it was OK for you to be ungrateful. Point is, I shouldn’t need a reason or excuse to act ungrateful for unsolicited visits that make me feel worse. And if you act grateful these visits are likely to continue. Who needs this?
P.S. – This could also be a sign that you are meant to remain single.
General Winfield Stuck
You know what, upon reading this thread and the one above, I see what you mean. Kinda cultish a little. Oh well, you go to war with the internet harum you have, not the one…. er da, something like that.
I will leave you be though, it’s how I would want it when feeling poorly and on the mend.
SiubhanDuinne
I have a pain question, and I’ll just say up front that I feel churlish even mentioning this given all John’s gone through. But hurting is hurting, right?
So all of a sudden, within the past couple of hours, the knuckle of the index finger on my left hand has bulged out and is slightly red and kind of sore but not excruciating. If it were a foot instead of a hand, I’d probably call it a bunion. I don’t know whether it’s some kind of arthritic flare-up or what. It’s my non-dominant hand, so I don’t think it can be too much keyboarding on the BlackBerry, which would be my first thought if it were the right hand. I tend not to seek medical attention until and unless I am in extremis, so I guess I’ll live with it for now and take an analgesic if it gets worse.
Re-reading, I must not have an actual pain *question*. I apparently just felt like whimpering.
asiangrrlMN
@patrick: Oh my god! Rosco is soooo cute! GSD and rotties are my two fave dog breeds. Squee!
@Linda Featheringill: I’m with Betsy on this: WTF?
@SiubhanDuinne: Grumble away. We all need a little sympathy from time to time.
lizzy
No, you are not alone…….
silentbeep
Meh it depends. If I feel pretty bad, or it’s pain that I think I can handle, I like to be alone. However, if the bad turns into absolute hellish awfulness then I have my limits, then I may want company just to hang out with, not necessarily to bring me things but just company. And there have been situations where I felt so physically bad it scared me, and I thought it was best if I wasn’t alone.
Anne Laurie
@A Mom Anon: Can’t wait to see pictures! Poor little Abby, sounds like she’s had a rough start in life but she’s a smart little puppy! One thing that should help with her bowels, and possibly her general nutrition as well — try giving her a spoonful or two of plain yogurt once or twice a day. She obviously needs all the probiotics (beneficial bacteria) she can get, and some extra digestible calories & calcium can’t hurt.
The big-box pet stores carry probiotic capsules too, under the name “Gentle Digest”, and after our late Princess Flicker’s colon cancer surgery those capsules made a HUGE improvement in her stools as well as making her less gassy. She wouldn’t touch yogurt, but fortunately she didn’t object to me opening the capsules & sprinkling the powder on her canned food. The Spousal Unit thought I was being too crystal-bunny, until we ran out of capsules, and 48 hours later his precious princess was back to yowling & pharting explosively. But Abby is so little and hungry that I suspect she’ll eat regular yogurt just as happily!
Spunky the Tuna
I think it’s an introvert/extrovert thing. My wife is a primal extrovert; there aren’t quite enough people on the planet as far as she’s concerned in terms of being extroverted. When she’s sick, she basically vampires energy from anybody that wants to hear about it. I’m a introverted as she’s extroverted and when I’m not feeling well I want to retreat to my cave, roll a boulder in front of the door, and I’ll come out when I’m better, thank you all very much.
Maybe the same for you?
Anne Laurie
@josefina:
This would be me. I suspect the general Balloon Juice community is self-selecting for cranky bastrds who would just as soon be left alone thenkyew.
Cassidy
@SiubhanDuinne: Take some Ibuprofen or naproxen for a few days. If it goes away, it was probably inflammation of something.
General Winfield Stuck
@SiubhanDuinne: Spontaneous joint swelling without injury could be early sign of RA, or some other autoimmune disorder. That’s how mine started many years ago. Consider going to doc and getting a panel of auto-antibody tests to maybe catch it early; And you are not whimpering:)
SiubhanDuinne
Thanks, Cassidy and GWS. I’ll try the Advil/Aleve route for a couple of days and see what happens; if no change (or FSM forbid, worse) by Monday, I’ll have it checked. I appreciate the heads-up on possible RA or related.
Mum
@A Mom Anon:
I’ve noticed that too. Nearly all of the local shelters are no kill, and I wonder why there are so many pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Some of them have been there for a long time.
Congrats on your puppy. I hope everything goes well with the vet visit. I’m sure she knows she’s found her forever home.