sickness, pain meds, and a friday stroll

neophyte blogger jonathan here. i apologize up front for any bad news trasmitted in my blog - those little annoyances just add up sometimes, and i can't help but guess they will slip from my fingers at some point.

friday afternoon the kim/bbq ribs virus struck me as it did my mother a few days ago. a fun, nearly sleepless night, full of those lovely viral excretions followed, with my faithful mother sitting by my side the entire night. so, no therapy for me yesterday and no food either. however, a day of bed rest, gatorade and iv fluids has greatly improved my lot and the old stomach is feeling a worthy vessel again - though a bit shaky.

with the iv back in and some achy fever, i've been once again getting dilodid, aka "vitamin d" or "dilodizzle," which definitely has eased the pain - pretty sure mom and megan are worried about the smile that iv drug always brings and my goofy outburts. their jests of addiction seem to be turning more and more serious - but i tell them i'm just enjoying what are probably my last doses of the only thing that makes me feel normal for a few hours and devoid of pain. i mean, a lot of people name a stuffed dog after their favorite pain medication, don't they?

seriously, the 100,000 open scrape-type wounds on my back are being driven crazy by the new half clinitron bed - the "ghetto clinitrizzle" - because of its plastic, so that's been my biggest frustration and most fervent prayer request of late. if my back would heal, i think life would get exponentially more enjoyable. seing its picasso scabbing in the mirror was a shock for me, as was the realization that my butt modelling career is finished - unless i just focus on being a "right cheeker" from now on.

dad is here for the weekend - a welcome companion and i know he's been a big help to mom and megan. nicole is missed, being down there in nashville, but i think the dogs are keeping her good company. i can't wait to see those two crazy puppies again soon (fingers crossed).

each day really runs the gambit of emotions for me - i usually have at least one moment when i hate life, my back, my left hip, or even a nurse; but then there is the converse: that moment when i can just look to the side and smile at my family, or experience a moment of progress tangibly. friday, (before the viral onslaught) my therapist walked outside with me a couple blocks, no wheelchair or cane "just in case;" we just went for a stroll. despite the fact that i had cut-off hospital scrubs on, leg stockings labelled in huge black letters, two different shoes, and a hospital gown on like a flowing cape, i still felt the most normal i have to date. i was just strolling up the streets of new york.

on another note, i've decided just to cut my body in half and discard the left side, seeing as how i now have a bad ear, a bum shoulder, an inflexible hip, and unmoving foot over there. figure i can just do without it - it's all about the profile anyway, right?

each day continues to dawn up here - my mom and i actually watched it happen saturday morning - and each night brings its blanket of darkness. my fuels for the future are the hopes for a couple of months forward and the knowledge that pain and suffering fade in memory, but their perspective can never be lost.

happy memorial day to all - excuse the goofiness - blame it on the pain medication :)