Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Breaking Point

I kinda feel like a wuss, but the pain from these gallstones has reached new heights so I'm headin' for the Madigan E.R..
Seems like
I used to tolerate pain better. Then again, maybe this is a sign. At any rate I ain't gonna take any chances.
Don't wanna get gallstoned outta my gourd.

I'm takin' my AyePad with me, so hopefully I can stay in touch from the hospital. I jest hope they don't screw up and amputate my legs or arms. Or worse.
If for some reason I don't make it I want you guys to know it's been an honor to know you and to be accepted as a Raccoon, and
i'll see you on the other side.
Chances are it will be okay, but you know what they say about chances: leave nothin' to it. So I won't.

Um, sorry to get all maudlin on you. I trust in God, so whatever happens will be okay.

43 comments:

mushroom said...

We'll be praying for you, Ben.

You are anything but a wuss.

You are going make it. Because if you don't, we're going to have Petey kick your butt. ;0)

julie said...

Please, don't feel like a wuss. On the pain scale, I think the gallstone problem I had was far worse than going through labor pains; right up there with feeling like you're being stabbed from the inside out.

You'll be in our prayers, and I expect you to make a full recovery. If all goes well, you could be eating bacon again by Thanksgiving! Which might make this a weird sort of blessing. The kind of blessing that feels like it might end with a chestbursting alien, but only until the good meds kick in.

I hope they are working already.

Get well soon.

John Lien said...

I'll be praying for you my friend. But, I know you'll be alright, based upon probabalistic and theological reasons.

Joan of Argghh! said...

Praying for you, Ben. My nephew is a young man and he wussed out from the pain of his gallstones. Milked it for all it was worth afterwards, too!


Leslie Godwin said...

Thank you for letting us know what is going on. You did the smart thing to go to the er. You are certainly not a wuss or anything close.

I'm praying for you. I'm picturing your Guardian Angel watching over you, as well.

Keep us posted.
Blessings,
Leslie G.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Yhank you all so mucj . they took tha stonrs in the main duct .

tomorrow i het the rest of the stones out . yay

Leslie Godwin said...

Ben, thank you for the update... Check in when you can. All the usual suspects are praying for you 😉

Van Harvey said...

Ben, you must have misunderstood the phrase That guy's got some stones! - it doesn't mean that having stones in your body is a good thing, so I think you're doing the right thing by having the Dr. remove them.

I've been outta the loop this week while playing with politicians (buncha poopy heads, gimme Raccoons anyday), hope you're on the mend!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thank you all for your prayers. Today i get the surgery. :)
I'n bot sure when since i am on cAll but the doc assured me it will happen.
thanks for wverything guys.

mushroom said...

Thanks for the update, Ben. Let us know if you need anything. We will watch this space.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Ok I'm now scheduled foe 2:30 pm.
good to know exactly when.
oh bullocks! I just spilled apple juice on me. Those foil tops are hard to get off without a knife.

Leslie Godwin said...

Ben, Thanks for the update...would it be ok if I mentioned this on Bob's blog so as many raccoons as possible could be praying for you at 2:30 PT? So glad you are getting those out today! Are your daughters available if you need help around the house for a day or two? Or will they keep you at the hospital for a bit? Mrs. G

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Leslie,
Thats a great idea. More prayer is good.
i've been talking to my daughters but they have no more vacation time left,
it does me well just to talk to them.
the docs are aware i'm on my own and they will keep me until i 'm healthy enough to drive and move around ok.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Oh, and thank y'all again! you are outstanding friends!

julie said...

Once again, I wish at least a couple of us lived closer. We'll definitely be praying, though.

Re. the apple juice - sometimes it's easier just to poke a hole through the foil with a straw. Assuming the straw is sturdy enough. Something you learn being out and about with toddlers :)

Leslie Godwin said...

I was just thinking what Julie said...wish we lived closer. I guess it wouldn't be too easy to get on a plane to come down to So Cal after surgery...but if you felt that would work out, you can stay with us and we'll take care of you ... and get you plenty of bacon! I can't offer peace and quiet, but plenty of joyful noise :)
Mrs. G

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks Julie and Leslie. Living closer whould be nice but distance is no obstacle to prayer.
I would love to come down there and live with you guys but i also have two dachses and they really know how to asd to the pandamonium. Ha ha!
And don't get me started on Skully.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Arrrgghhh!!! Surgery cancelled til tomorrow morning.
Apparently they got a lot of trauma victims and just can't squeeze me in today.
Anyways dhe doc apologized so how can I be angry?

"Not your fault, Doc. I can wait anofher day. Stuff like this happens."

Woulda saod shit instead of stuff but there Are ladies present.

At least now I can drink n' eat til midnight. :)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Looks like its go time. see you guys later.

Leslie Godwin said...

We are still praying for you, Thanks for keeping us posted.

julie said...

Praying here, too.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thank you from every fiber of my being my sisters and brothers!

I am now free of G-blad the impaler, with no complications thanks to YOUR prayers!

You guus kicked Blad's stony little booty.
Blad now knows, do not mess with raccoons.
Of course it's the last think blad learned.

Bwahahaha. Ha ha ha. Bwaaaaaahhaaaaaahhaaaaaaahaaaaa!

And i mist thank my agent, God. Without his help it's game over man, game over!

I feel so much better, I love you guys!
((((HUGS))))

Van Harvey said...

Hospital meds are the best.
So glad you're doing better Ben!

Leslie Godwin said...

Ben, I'm so relieved and happy to hear your update!
Let us know if you need prayers for anything specific as you recover in the hospital, or just general healing and praising God ☺

Take care and get your rest,
Leslie G

julie said...

So glad to hear it, Ben. I hope you're getting some rest. And I hope your first meal is a good one!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Yay! I get to go home in a few hours!
I really wasn't expecting this so it's a great surprise!

I will write more later when I get home.
Thanks again uou guys! :^)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Made it home! Hurray!
The doggies practically mauled me, lol.
I reckon they missed me.

Too bad they didn't have internet access in the hospital, but that's okay, cuz I'll catch up. :)
I hadta reply on my trusty phone.

Thank you again, my fellow raccoons!
I have no complications or infections, thank God.
Now I have 20 pounds to pack back on.
Gonna be easier since I can eat fried chicke, chops and bacon.

And the occasional beer. Heh!

Leslie Godwin said...

So glad to hear your update! Praise God,
Leslie

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

You know, I really do feel a connection with y'all when you guys pray for me.
And I never feel alone.

I mean, I don't feel alone with the Holy Spirit inside me but I also don't feel alone human-wise when you raccoons are talkin' to me and prayin' for me.

I bet you know what I'm talkin' about. It means more than
I can say. :^)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

It's different, but the only way I can get comfortable enough to sleep is to sit up, or slightly reclined.
Did you experience that, Julie?

Whatever works. :)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

I felt my Guardian Angel's presence, Leslie!
Guardian Angels are such a great gift.
They are spiritual special forces.
I look forward to shaking my Guardian's hand someday.
:)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Van,
Aye, don't want too many stones, lol.

I hope you gave those politicians a good 'ol whatfor.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks, Joan.
The wuss feelin' is gone. :)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Mushroom,
Might glad Petey didn't hafta kick my butt. That woulda been awkward,

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Julie,
Doh! I shoulda knew that since my daughters were once toddlers.
Good foil-top apple juice tip.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Leslie,
No, the girls are busy at their jobs in KY and VA, but they are calling me a lot.
Thankfully, I got plenty of vittles so I can move at my own pace at home.

I will walk more and more each day to strengthen my muscles and to maintain some flexibility.
Being careful not to overdo it, of course.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thank you for your very generous offer, Leslie.
I know my two dachsies would add to that joyful noise, ha ha!
When my finances are in better order I do plan on moving south somewhere. Maybe NV, AZ, or TX.

In any sense it would be great to visit you all someday!

julie said...

Ben, re. the discomfort, I do remember going through that. It didn't last too long, though. The big challenge for me was the restriction on lifting. Liam was 6 months old then, and didn't get why I wouldn't just pick him up and carry him around. Much.

Just remember to take it easy!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks for the tip, Julie.
The dogs wonder why they can't jump on my belly so I need to be cautious when they are rambunctious, lol.

I will indeed take it easy. Don't wanna rock the boat now.

John Lien said...

MAN! I missed all the excitement.
Glad to hear you are on the mend Ben.

Still praying for you. (You are in the Raccoon rotation.)

BevfromNYC said...

Hey, Ben, hope you are feeling better! We miss you at CommentaramaPolitics!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi John,
And thanks for the prayers. I was kind of hoping to miss out onthe excitement but it homed in on me.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Bev!
I plan on doing just that. Plus, I wanna see if my liver can deliver now that gallblad the impaler is history. :)