It’s been almost a month since my last post and I probably should have let it go for another 5 days just say I did but since this period of not posting was not intentional on my part I probably don’t have much of a say in the matter.
As an explanation as to why I have not posted I’ll draw your attention to Just Thinkin’s tag line at the top right of this blog above the header image. It states the following:
Thoughts and Ramblings of a Disabled Vet
The key word here being “disabled”.
Now this post here isn’t meant to be any cry for sympathy or anything like that. Veterans are usually adverse to such things as that, I know I am. We tend to go more for silent empathy as it were from those we actually allow close enough to give such a thing. And although I can still walk, talk and chew bubble gum (but not at the same time and consistency in any of the 3 is not guaranteed) while still appearing mostly normal for all outside appearances this does not mean that the injuries are not there. Not all those labeled “disabled” ride a wheelchair or have missing appendages. I keep having to remind myself of this even today.
So here it is, short and sweet. I feel like shit (or ‘shite’ rather for all friends from the UK) and there’s no sense sugar coating it. Actually I’ve felt like shit for quite a number of years now and it became bad enough that it eventually it forced me out of the work force 4 years ago after 30 years of keeping my nose to the grindstone which probably explains why it’s so sharp looking. And all this feeling like shit falls under the category of “chronic” and it becomes more chronic as time goes on. Or is it the pain becomes worse over time? I forget. All I know is for the better part of a month now I’ve felt bad enough to the point where I haven’t been able to write anything. Chronic pain tends to dampen the creative spirit you know. I also take a serious pain med at bedtime that allows me to get some semblance of sleep during the night and function somewhat normally during the day, the effects of which are also not conducive creative thinking.
So I’m taking this time to let everyone know that posting to this venerable old blog of mine is probably going to be catch as catch can from now on. I’m simply down to the point of taking one day (one hour?) at a time from now on and if the day comes along where I’m feeling good enough to post something then I will. And not being the type of person who likes to drag things out…
We now return you to whatever it is you were doing before you came here to read this. 
I’d like to come up with something witty and smart to brighten up your day Kirk, but it’s raining cats and dogs here – A great reflection of my mood after a less than stellar week! I like that saying catch as catch can by the way… Will definitely try to use it in a sentence sometime, although it does seem to be a bit of a tongue twister to me so we’ll see…
Denise – Tongue twister? Nah, rolls right off the tongue if you practice a bit. Kind of like “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?”
It’s an very old saying by the way with it’s origins possibly going back as far as the 14th century. It’s basically a phrase that describes a situation in which people must improvise or do what they can with limited means. That’s me–limited means. However, I do take showers on a regular basis.
I’m sure my piddly sufferings don’t compare with yours, but I went through about a 5-year period of dealing with chronic back pain. As I’m sure you well know, chronic pain isn’t just an inconvenience; it literally affects EVERY aspect of your life. My back pain years were enough to convince me that most people don’t appreciate good health until it is gone. I’m grateful to have been pain-free for almost a decade now, and I attempt to show my appreciation by eating right (most of the time), and working out regularly (most of the time). Here’s hoping that your body will “snap out of it” and allow you to enjoy a pain-free life again. There’s little doubt in my mind that you would cherish those pain-free days, hours, and even minutes.
Rick – Glad your back finally cleared up. Chronic back pain is chronic back pain no matter what the cause and it’s no fun as you know. Mine happens to be due to an injury I sustained while awaiting sub school in ’79 (they said it was sprained) and it put me in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in ’81 (VA not ME) for two weeks (they told me it had been broken–quite a difference?). The skipper of the Silversides decided to keep me despite the busted backside and you know what happened after that.
I came away with 3 different problems, all physical mind you, but I certainly have no regrets. I’d do it all over again if I had the chance–and my youth back (or is that a youthful back?)–and a normal gut–and normal hearing–and this and that and the other thing.
It is as you say, shite. It is also a nasty feeling being bolloxid all the time. Hang in there mate.
KevanB – I’m hanging my friend, I’m hanging. I’m hoping someday someone might come and cut the rope. One can always hope, yes?