There’s just something odd about getting really sick just before a birthday…
I was out of commission for a while with severe pneumonia. If you’ve never had it, consider yourself lucky because it just downright “sucks.”
From the loads of medications they put me on, to the weird feeling of pins in my chest while breathing, to waking up at 3:00AM completely awake and seeing (and sometimes looking forward to watching) “Saved by the Bell: The College Year’s” for an entire week -- it was just all enough to outright freak me out.
The entire experience was all a bit ironic as one long time friend was just diagnosed with leukemia last November, but is thankfully on the mend, and another had pneumonia nearly a year ago and was even hospitalized for it.
I remember thinking on those occasions – “Wow! When did we get so old that stuff like this can just happen seemingly out of nowhere?” I’m not even 40 yet! What’s going to happen then? Hair loss and maybe my colon falls out when enjoying a KFC Sunday bucket?
God, I hope not. I just want to enjoy my chicken in peace.
Now I’m wondering when we’re all at the point when we’re comparing war stories with each other of how many meds we’re on, how many days we’ve been hospitalized in just the past 6 months, and who can shoot lasers out of their eyes with all of the robotic pieces inside of them.
Come to think of it, I really wouldn’t mind laser-shooting eyes. That would actually be kind of cool.
So tell me folks, what ails have you had and lived to tell about? But most importantly did Zack and Kelly ever get married?
Pneumonia's rough--I feel for you!
ReplyDeleteI've just had it once, when I was a junior in high school. I'd had a cold for two weeks, but felt better, so I went deer hunting with my Dad. All of us hunters were going in the same direction, and we had to cross a stream, via a log. Since this was in January, the water was cold--everybody crossed the stream successfully, except me. I fell in--got my lower legs wet. My dad suggested I return to the club house and sit out the hunt. But I insisted I'd be fine. Big mistake--sitting at my stand in the cold morning hours, I got chilled, of course. I don't recall any of us bagging a deer that day. But I bagged pneumonia (or it bagged me)! So I had it for another two weeks--and it was hell! Yet my mom one night said she'd pray for a "sleep of healing" for me. And surely enough, the next day my symptoms just disappeared--and I returned to school, after a month's absence. Was it a miracle or a coincidence--or something in between? Whatever your take--it was certainly uncanny!
Sorry to hear you were sick. That must have been horrible!
ReplyDeleteHi Tony, sorry to hear you were sick. Take stuff that 's good fer yer chest.
ReplyDeleteI know a man ( early 40s. strong healthy, living in the West, eating very nutritious food- getting TB. But thanking he was cured in 3 months.
I am close to hitting half a century - plenty has hapened to me - wonder whart 's next!!!
Cheerio!
It just occurred to me--though you don't indicate it in this post, the title seems to imply that your birthday is approaching--is that the case? If so, Happy Birthday! And keep in mind that "40 is the new 30"!
ReplyDeleteI have been sick for a month now and it SUCKS. I can't shake this cough. And I just watched Finding Neverland over the weekend so now I am convinced I have what Kate Winslet had in that movie and now I am going to die. Wow. Guess I should have mentioned a spoiler alert, huh? But I haven't had the pleasure of watching Saved by the Bell, I'm stuck with Who's the Boss. Do you know if Tony and Angela ever got married??
ReplyDeleteDUDE! What?!?! pneumonia?! ugh. :(
ReplyDeleteI had double pneumonia in 6th grade and was hospitalized for a week. No bueno. You know part of my colon fell out, and now I can't eat KFC unless the skin is off! Life is funny, we can't be those people talking about our meds and Dr.'s and all that hurts...I feel a tantrum coming on...
Ouch! Hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteI had strep twice last winter for the first time ever. It was terrible.c
Ack!!! Pnuemonia??? Seems like I've heard of many cases of it this year. Glad you are on the way to recovery. Let's just say, I thought 40 was when things started going downhill. Ha! I laugh in the face of 40 now that I'm quickly approaching 52! I just went through almost 6 weeks of constant eye watering, constant drip down the face if I didn't dab my eyes. Couldn't even get a check written without dripping. Six weeks I kept a tissue in my hand, purse or pocket (not the same one...) My eyes were puffy, the skin around them became dry from all the watering and dabbing and my eyes were red like I was on a crying binge. It is a chronic condition I must deal with but am over the flare up after 3 trips to the eye doctor 2 different drops and 2 different oral medications. Just as I was dropping the tissues, my dermatologist appt. arrived that had been made months ahead to check some spots on my face because they were interfering with my "beauty". BOOM...you've hit 50, he says, sun damage shows up, precancerous cells. Any important events in the next month? Chemo cream on my face....now I have some freaking sores on my face. Thank goodness they should be cleared by next month and especially May since I have to emcee an event. Tomorrow I have to have my mams grammed....just never ends! At least you're not doing that but I don't bend over and cough either....well, not for a Dr. Centenarians: perplexing, unbelievable, aliens...can't imagine it! Be well!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're on the mend.
ReplyDeleteI too have had double pneumonia (as a kid & w/extenuating circumstances,) so I used to get regular old pneumonia every other year or so. (I wish I was exaggerating.) It SUCKS!!! I feel your pain. Take it easy. Even though you're "over it," it seems like a good bout of something like that takes your body a good 6-12 months to really recover from. Not JUST bc you're getting old. (Don't worry, I'll always be older.)
I just came across your blog thanks to your Lionel Richie chest hair picture. Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI hear you. Being in my mid thirties I am amazed at the crap that is happening to my body. Last year I had the freaking swine flu, which I believe is very much like pneumonia. I couldn't even walk up my stairs the pain in my chest was so horrible. Then a few months later I was told that my cholesterol was very high. Who knew a vegetarian could have high cholesterol! So I am working out every day and eating rabbit food during the week. At least every Saturday I splurge a little and enjoy a Mocha Frappuccino. Getting older really sucks!!! Hope you feel better soon!