Poor Poor Pitiful Me…

I’ve been running a high fever today along with neck and back stiffness and pain. Hopefully, I will be back tomorrow for a more informative post.

Colds and Flus? Insomnia? What Next? Plagues and Earthquakes?

I couldn’t sleep the night before last. This saps all my creative energies thus the quiet blog. I spent Thursday in a daze of mental illness symptoms on the verge of numerous panic and anxiety attacks. I finally slept last night, but didn’t get my usual nap today. Hopefully, I will sleep again tonight and get back on a normal schedule. I’ve done nothing more than stare at computer parts on my tablet while I listen to classical music.

Anxiously Hoping On Several Fronts…

Maybe my new video card will arrive today. My fingers are crossed and that would be the icing on the cake. It certainly is a needed distraction and gives me something to hope for. I will be overjoyed to see a UPS truck arrive at the house. The sound is unmistakable as the truck squeals to a stop and up comes the rear sliding door. Elation ensues as the UPS guy walks across the front yard to the front door. Maggie will be barking up a storm.

In other good news, Tracy might have a new job working at a local small animal clinic. I am awaiting a phone call any hour now telling me whether she got it or not. We’re both very excited as this is what she is going to school for. She won’t be a veterinary technician officially, but will be performing many of the same tasks. It will be great experience for her. She will have to give Mrs. Barbara two weeks notice, though – time for Mrs. Barbara to find someone to fill her position. She has worked at the Humane Society for 6 years so it is kind of a bittersweet ending. Mrs. Barbara agreed to give her a glowing recommendation to help move along the process.

I am feeling much, much better today. I almost feel my old self if it weren’t for a lot of chest and sinus congestion. I didn’t wake up until almost 11am, though. I stayed up late watching Pride and Prejudice on Georgia Public Broadcasting last night.  I believe that was a novel originally written by Jane Austen. Tracy would’ve liked to have viewed it as well.  

Skyrim Happenings…

A little street Urchin ran up to me in Skyrim this afternoon and asked for 5 gold coins for food.

“What happened to your parents?” I asked.

“Momma and Papa died and my aunt and uncle got the farm,” she said. “They cast me out to fend for myself saying I was too much trouble.” 

“I can adopt you if you would like that,” I then responded.

“Really?” the kid starting gushing thank yous.

I am now a cyber father of two former orphans in the game.

Living In the Land Down Under–Under My Covers…

Wow! Has it been five days since I wrote a blog post? I haven’t been this sick in years. I never catch colds or flus, but I think I caught a combination of the cold and the flu this time. I've had high fevers, chills, sore chest and arms, and my nose has ran like a leaky faucet. Dad has been under the weather as well catching it first and giving it to me. His wasn’t as virulent, though, thank goodness. Charlie has been trying to steer clear of us so he won’t get the crud even though Horsefly has been really sick as well. Dad and I both haven't seen him in a week until tonight. (I forgot that Charlie did indeed bring me breakfast this morning)

Tonight was our usual Sunday night KFC feeding. We all march ever onwards. I didn’t feel like eating anything, but got Charlie to bring me a chicken sandwich meal which Maggie ate sans dill pickles. It did Maggie’s heart good to see the dynamic duo tonight and she was really “talking” to them in earnest. I know Maggie has to have been wondering what’s wrong with me as I’ve been in the bed for days mainly lifelessly watching the television. It made me smile weakly when Maggie would whine and carry on when Tracy had pulled into the driveway all last week.

Miraculously, I went four days without a single cigarette and dad said I should’ve quit after all that. The mere thought of having one made me reel in disgust. Tracy colluded with my father about how we could stop me from starting back. Alas, I had a cigarette tonight and the room spun as the nicotine hit my long forlorn brain cells. It made me giddy with a certain drunkenness. My scalp even tingled.

Tracy, bless her dear most valued heart, has been by a dozen times this week bringing me medicine and food. I’d be six feet under if it weren’t for her. So far, she’s been lucky and hasn’t caught it. She brought me the best chicken noodle soup I believe I have ever eaten last week. She also made this hot, sweet spiced tea on the stove that was just delicious and so soothing to my mouth and throat.

I think I am on the mend. At least, I hope so. I am tired of laying in the bed for one thing. Tonight was the first night on the computer in many days and I played Skyrim for a few hours so I must be feeling better. I splurged and bought a home in the game for 5000 gold Septlms and adopted a child so I am a cyber father now. I can adopt one more if I can catch a little Urchin begging on the streets of Whiterun – the city I call home.

Hot or Cold -- Hungry Bellies Don't Mind...

It is always so good to see my special friend Charlie. Charlie brought me another Zaxby's chicken tender and hot wings combo platter on his way back from taking Horsefly to the movies yesterday evening.

"I am afraid it has grown quite cold," Charlie told me rolling his eyes. "Horsefly stayed in Zaxby's restroom for thirty minutes. I thought he would never come out."

"What was he doing?" I asked curiously amused.

"Oh hell, I don't know," Charlie replied.

I chuckled softly and smiled. Maggie was sitting on the couch next to Charlie and she kept licking her lips from the smell of that chicken tender platter. Maggie and I were just glad to get it.

"It is going to be raining in the morning," I told the ever weather clueless Charlie. "The weather is supposed to be nasty, wet, and cold."

"Horsefly has to have his sausage biscuit so you and Maggie are getting one, too!" Charlie told me.

"How did you get over the flu so quick?" Charlie then asked me. "I am still coughing and sniffling."

"Dad says all the nicotine I am imbibing from habitual smoking killed the virus," I replied with a laugh.

Charlie burst out into laughter as well.

Damn, I Love this Dog...

Maggie sporting her fu manchu...

I tell my father all the time that the best thing he has ever done for me is to bring Maggie into my life. I will never forget the day he brought that little flea-ridden puppy home. He found her whimpering in a trash can. She's my little shadow and the love of my life. Sorry ladies and gents, but a dog is a man's best friend.

Maggie's wherever I am. If I am laying down, then she is on the bed. If I am eating, she is staring at me intently for a morsel. If I am sitting in the den, she is on the back of the couch looking out for nefarious pedestrians. She loves it when I go outside into the backyard. She immediately starts barking and has to clear the way for me and make it safe. Right now, she is laying behind me as I sit at this computer.

On a funny note, one aspect of Maggie's life that is not shared with me is potty visits. She is incredibly secretive about that. She's lived with me for eight years and I can count on one hand how many times I've seen her potty.

Back in the Land of the Living...

I feel much, much better today. My only complaint is that it is hard to fall asleep if you are coughing every minute. I feel asleep for about three hours this morning and woke up coughing. I've got that bleary eyed feeling you get from a lack of sleep. I fell back asleep again and then the phone rang. Sigh. I got up and parked my butt in front of this computer. I am waiting on Old Fuss and Feathers to get off of work so I can drive over and get my Cokes and smokes. Ah, an ice cold diet Coke would be wonderful right now.

Rallying the Troops and Mustering the Cavalry...

"What do you need from the grocery store?" Charlie welcomely asked me tonight during the Coke and smoke ritual. "I know you have to be hungry."

I ate my last bowl of beefaroni and cereal this morning.

My father was riding shotgun on this venture. He is still coughing and carrying on in a sickly manner somewhat, but he is out and about. He actually worked this morning. Personally? If you have caught this junk, stay home and don't spread it around.

I made a simple and modest list of nutritional needs with pen and paper and gave it to Charlie -- mainly breakfast style comfort foods and lots of fruit juices with tons of vitamin C.

"Please get Maggie the True Instinct Smart Blend of Purina One dog food," I then urged and told Charlie. "That's her favorite variety and it doesn't have poultry by-product meal as the main ingredient."

I explained to Charlie what poultry by-product meal was and it is not a good thing. Basically, it is what is left of chicken after it has been processed for human consumption -- innards, bones, cartilage and all such, dried, ground up together into a meal and added to many pet foods.

I am still not quite up to snuff. I have a lot of chest congestion and a hacking, rattling cough. I've also been running a high fever for the past two days. It has taken my father over a week to get over this mess and he is still pretty sick. I hope it doesn't take that long for me. I literally drink a gallon of water a day as usual and as encouraged. I've cautiously taken a few over-the-counter flu remedies and they have helped some as well. I am popping cough drops like candy.

It hadn't been 30 minutes when Charlie and my father arrived back at my house. We all three got busy unloading all the groceries from the back of Charlie's Caprica. Charlie got me all kinds of treats that I didn't have on my list for which I was overjoyed. Lots of comfort foods and very interesting foods as well. I thanked Charlie profusely and gave him a big hug.

Virulent Happenings...

I've got the flu and I was one of the inoculated millions who got a flu shot. It is probably the first time in ten or more years I have had a cold or the flu. I waved off tonight's grocery visit despite my father's urgings. Dad has had the crud as well. Horsefly is really, really sick, and Charlie and Janice have been sick as well. You feel as if you've been hit by a Mack truck. I might be quiet for a few days so don't think something terrible has happened. I just don't feel well. I'm probably too busy blowing my nose to blog.

Poor Pitiful Papa...

"I've got you fixed up as far as your Cokes and smokes go," my father told me followed by a nasty hacking cough.

"There you are! I am headed that way," I told him. "It worried me when I couldn't reach you on the phone."

Dad said he had the flu and didn't have his cellphone turned on.

Well, when I arrived my father was a pitiful mess. He really is very sick. He said he hadn't eaten all day and I asked him if he wanted me to go get him some soup and crackers.

"Roger's Barbecue's Brunswick stew is like soup and you could eat it with some soda crackers," I told him.

He thanked me and said he would pass.

"I don't think I could keep any food down right now," he told me.

What is happening to my father is what happens when you work in a pharmacy. It certainly is a drawback. You are constantly coming in contact with nasty bugs and ailments.

Don't Pass it Around...

"Ugh," Old Fuss and Feathers said as he sat down on my couch tonight. "I feel like I am getting a stomach bug."

"Don't give it to me!" I chuckled and grabbed my Cokes from his hands hoping we weren't transferring cooties.

"I really do think I am coming down with a bug," my father said. "I was constipated and now I have diarrhea."

Dad then coughed really vigorously and loudly and I turned my head in defense.

Luckily, I rarely get sick, but I am one pitiful little baby of a soul when I do. Whine, bitch, and moan.

"I got some Kaopectate when I left the store tonight," he said. "I am going to take some when I get home."

Fussy Feathers had to rush and use my bathroom while he was over here.

I've felt out of sorts today myself. I can't seem to get enough sleep. I am cycling again and I am in the insomnia phase of my trials that happen from time to time. I did manage to get 4 hours of sleep this afternoon on the bed in the computer room. It drove Maggie crazy as she cannot jump up on that bed as it is very high. I have to pick her up and put her on the bed and we both barely fit as it is just a twin bed.

Please Don't Run Out of Smokes...

George came over this morning wanting to borrow some cigarettes. He usually rolls his own but felt he couldn't get into West Point to buy tobacco and rolling papers.

"You can make it," I told him assuredly. "The roads are about clear."

"Sorry to bother you," George said.

"You're not bothering me," I replied to George. "That's what neighbors are for -- to help out each other."

I also noticed George felt emboldened by his trip for tobacco and made it to the Waffle House for lunch. I bet he was starving. I have never seen him buy or carry in groceries into his house.

My Poor Dear Charlie and Dear Horsefly...

On the way to Horsefly's matinee, Charlie pulled up in front of my house this afternoon and it was taking him a long time to come inside. Maggie was having a fit at the chance of seeing Beta dog. I walked out to his car to see what was going on. My first thoughts were that he was just talking on his cellphone as my father often does in these delays.

"Dammit to hell," Charlie said harshly. "Horsefly blew chunks all over the back of my car."

Charlie was trying to clean it up with fast food napkins he had in his car. I ran inside and got a bucket of hot water with just a dash of Fabuloso. I got several wash cloths and a towel as well and I also grabbed a clean t-shirt for Horsefly.

"He wanted a regular Sprite so bad and I let him have one," Charlie said. "I should've known this was going to happen. That's why I only let him drink Sprite Zero. He can't take all that sugar in those regular sodas."

We got it cleaned up with a little elbow grease and spit and polish. Charlie came inside and we took my medications. He had also brought me a Big Mac value meal which I devoured after he left before the fries could get too cold. The extra large Coca-Cola was just icing on the cake. All's well that ends well as the old saying goes.

Before Charlie left, I asked him what he does those hours while Horsefly watches his movie.

"I hit all the antique shops around town looking for bargains," Charlie said. "Angela's Antiques is my favorite shop."

The Immune System By My Seasoned Nurse Rebecca...

Rebecca stepped into the lobby of Kamath Medical and asked me to come on back. I felt like I was on that game show, The Price is Right. Come on down! I had just signed in and sat in the lobby.

Rebecca sounded so very congested with a hacking, mucus filled, and nasty cough. Personally? They shouldn't make health care practitioners come into work sick like that for fear of spreading the contagion.

"I need to be at home in the bed," Rebecca told me as I inquired if she was okay. "I just hope my kids don't get this terrible junk."

It took only a few short minutes to administer my injection. I thanked Rebecca profusely and wished her well. I then motored swiftly back up through the Chattahoochee Valley without impediment to give my father my next appointment card.

"You did all of that and in a short amount of time as well!" my father said kindly, astounded, and amazed.

I never did find out why he didn't have to work today. He must be working tomorrow instead or it probably had something to do with the grand-kids.

"We've come a long way with you," my father then said as he hugged me.

"You and I have both come a very long ways," I astutely reminded him.

My father handed to me a care package of two packs of cigarillos, 2 tart lemonades, and six crisp and bubbly Diet Cokes.

The Biscuit Bringer Cometh...

https://graduatemedicineapplicant.wordpress.com

It is 3:20 am in the morning here. I actually decided to quit laying in the bed suffering from misery (hyperbole). My nose keeps running and I have to go chase it. hehe

In just a few short hours, Charlie will bring me 3 bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits from McDonald's and quite possibly a large orange juice if I am lucky. He is my savior on such occasions. I so look forward to Sunday morning biscuits. I also just like to hang out with Charlie for a few moments.

Charlie will also definitely bring a jumbo Coca-Cola with no ice. (my stomach doth rumble and growl eagerly when I wrote the above sentences and paragraphs). The cupboards are definitely getting low on provisions. Yay for groceries on Monday nights!

Mom and I were talking on the phone last night. We were talking about how an illness like the flu can bring a man completely to his knees, Whereas a woman would suck it up, take the kids to school, go to work, and then get her families supper on the table that night. I laughed as I just had to agree.

Church Fundraising Barbecues...

http://www.dudleypoultry.com/BBQ.php

It is that time of the year again. Dad brought me a barbecue chicken plate from one of those church fundraisers. He was headed to the Auburn game. This barbecue meal was exceptionally good. I had to fight off the hordes (Maggie) to be able to eat it. I had some hamburger buns in the freezer and thawed them. They made for some really nice smoked barbecued chicken sandwiches for supper.

Kroger? Don't Let Me Down Now...

They never have the Edwards lemon meringue pies when I visit Kroger. I guess they must just sell out by the end of the day as they stock in the wee hours of the morning. I keenly want one of these pies tomorrow night despite the odds of actually getting one.

The Mucus Man...

https://www.amazon.com

Y'all, sorry for not writing in so many days. I have inherited a terrible case of the flu -- one who's antibody obviously was not included in my flu shot. Hopefully, I will be back up to speed in a few days.

An 8-Bit Game of Drama...

http://fantasyanime.com/

So I beat the original 8-bit Phantasy Star for the Sega Master System. Now, I will be moving on to the 16-bit Phantasy Star II for the Sega Genesis gaming system. I am trying to play the games in the order of when they were published. There were four games in the series. The original Phantasy Star was a really fun game to have been published in 1988 with such rudimentary graphics and sound. I would have been a junior in high school when it was published. At the time, I was too busy and interested in my Chevelle and girls to play video games.

An Eye for an Eye...

I have just got home from getting my sodas. My father and mother soon left for Auburn to my mother's appointment with an ophthalmologist to get ready for cataract removal from her eyes. It is no coincidence that Charlie had cataracts removed last month and now my mother now needs the same treatment. I hate to say it, but my mother is a little bit of a hypochondriac. She constantly has doctors appointments. I told my father the other day that my mother is a health insurance company's worst nightmare come true.

Senility?

My father's mother suffered from Alzheimer's disease.  Lately, my father has been doing odd things. Tonight, he left my medications on the piano. That's something he never does. He has forgotten the medications only 2 or 3 times in years.

The other day we took my medications early in the day and that night he comes back over to give me my medications again.

"Uh, Dad, you've already given me my medications," I told him.

I almost liked to have never convinced him that he did.

Also tonight, he saw me get my diet Cokes and then he comes running out to my car in the driveway telling me I forgot my Cokes.

There have been several other strange things as well that I can't recall off the top of my head.

The Calvary Arrived...

I was so glad to see my dear father tonight. No better person could have pulled up in front of my house. He had some Orajel which has really helped with the pain tonight.

"What time are you going to bed?" he asked me.

I told him I stay up to about 4 am.

"Take another dose of that antibiotic before you go to bed. That antibiotic will clear up that pain and swelling much faster than any pain pills," he told me much to my relief. "You should be feeling much better by morning."

Maggie got well taken care of tonight as well. We were all feeling the love. She got her bowl of nibbles and a fresh ceramic bowl of cold water. She began eating as soon as my father put it on the floor which is pretty abnormal for Maggie. Maggie can be clandestine about her eating and pooping habits. She was hungry earlier and I had thrown caution to the wind by feeding her a half-eaten bowl of spaghetti and meat sauce earlier. A meal she relished.

image credit: http://www.first-team.us/

Tales of Woe...

I awoke at 6:30 tonight confused to whether it was evening or morning. That is always disconcerting and disorientating. I was just like Martha who will call me and ask me if it is morning or night. Then I realized what happened this morning and the fact that my tooth was still hurting. The dentist said my tooth was too infected to pull and put me on a regimen of strong antibiotics. I have to go back in a few days for another x-ray and to see if the swelling has gone down.

"I am giving you today's Klonopin," my father told me this morning. "It will help with your anxiety."

So, I got all 4mg of Klonopin this morning instead of tonight.

Dad had walked into the dentist's office with me and told the receptionist to watch me -- that I might just disappear. The receptionist laughed nervously. I was in too much pain to just disappear this morning, though.

The dentist also prescribed some very strong pain medication, but we all know I can't take those along the same lines of why I can't have a six pack of beer every night. It triggers that addictive process in my brain. I bravely asked the dentist to at least numb the tooth so I could get back to sleep when I arrived home. He eagerly agreed.

"Slight pinch," he said as the needle was going in.

So, I am sitting here drinking ice water as that is the only thing I have found to keep the pain at bay. I have another big jug of ice water in the freezer getting cold. As long as I take a drink every few minutes then it keeps the pain from being excruciating.

Long Night!

I almost headed to the emergency room to get a shot of Demerol I was in so much pain. It is 4:49 am now and the pain has started to ease up quite a bit. Taking a gulp of ice water and keeping it around my painful tooth has helped the most. That brought the pain into check. I am fixing to go to sleep until about 8 am. I have to be at the dentist at 9 am when they open.

Sorry For a Quiet Day...

I've had the most terrible and excruciatingly painful toothache today. I've been inflicted with sheer misery. Mom called the dentist and he called in some antibiotics to the pharmacy believing I have an abscessed tooth. I have an appointment to see the dentist first thing in the morning. My fear of dentistry equals my fear of barbers. Ah, bless!!! They always have a hard time getting me numb and I feel a lot of pain. I am going to tell the Dentist to pull it and forego a root canal and a crown. It is one of my rear molars.