Bored with the break yet?
“Sweepers, sweepers, man your brooms. Give the ship a clean sweep down, fore and aft. Sweep down all decks, ladder wells, and passageways; now sweepers.”
We deck apes we’re piped to sweepers at least twice a day at sea. At work I’ve assumed the bulk of the janitorial duties for the last eight years. I’m not above tangible work. Since I’ve broke my arm I’ve not swept or swabbed ("mopped" to you landlubbers), and the decks at work are filthy. Some folks at work are upset with me, but not upset enough to man a broom: they’re too spoilt for that. I’ll sweep and swab when I am able. The punch line is they’re mired in petty hierarchies, yet I’m senior to the lot of them.
I saw the Doctor again on Monday. My infection is clearing. I’m on antibiotics until Tuesday, 15 April 2008. My right hand retained full pronation, and regained slightly more supination than my last visit. I can type with both hands now, though writing is still difficult.
I visited the YMCA on Tuesday morning in order to stand on a manager’s desk. I’d heard from several of the gym employees, but none of the managers. Several weeks have passed. When I contacted the YMCA last week I was shunted to the Redwoods Group. Each time I called no one there answered the telephone. I was getting frustrated. I visited a YMCA manager I know, and asked him to contact the Redwoods Group on my behalf. I asked if someone at the Redwoods Group could e-mail me at work. That day someone did. We’ve been in contact several times since. They are conducting an investigation, and helping with the medical bills.
I saw several missed friends while I was at the gym. We are a community. It was good to see them. One friend is Cassie, a gym buddy and nurse. She took an interest in my arm, and helped me rewrap my bandages. Knowing what I looked like before my accident, she could see how much I have atrophied. We’re both confident I’ll get my mass back once I start lifting again - soon, I hope.
Cassie also mentioned "confidentiality." She’d seen me at her hospital but wouldn’t discuss my status away from work. I told her "No worries." I only keep those secrets I’m paid to. I don't mind people discussing my accident; hopefully others will avoid this hurt.
Right now my hand is sore, and the site of my infection stings. I’ve a few painkillers left, but I won’t be taking them. It’s not crippling, just bothersome. I’ve taken more drugs in the past several weeks than ever before. I can understand why so many people whom pump iron are tempted by testosterone, steroids, and Human Growth Hormones (HGH). It’s not just pro-athletes: rappers, cops, and showboats everywhere have used steroids especially. I’m dubious to the effectiveness of testosterone and HGH compared to steroids. Any jock can tell you the medical community hasn’t properly studied steroids. I don’t care about legality: as long as the US remains a criminal organization, no US law is credible. Steroids are legal elsewhere. I’ve no doubt some of the side effects of steroids have been exaggerated. One concern to me is ‘roid rage. I like my pleasant, low-key disposition, and so do the people whom I care about. Given my family history of mental instability and the amount of force I can generate I think an episode of ‘roid rage could cause a great amount of harm.
My recovery will not be juiced. I'd be a liar to say I'm not tempted.
Previously: Setback #1.
Next: Setback #2.
We deck apes we’re piped to sweepers at least twice a day at sea. At work I’ve assumed the bulk of the janitorial duties for the last eight years. I’m not above tangible work. Since I’ve broke my arm I’ve not swept or swabbed ("mopped" to you landlubbers), and the decks at work are filthy. Some folks at work are upset with me, but not upset enough to man a broom: they’re too spoilt for that. I’ll sweep and swab when I am able. The punch line is they’re mired in petty hierarchies, yet I’m senior to the lot of them.
I saw the Doctor again on Monday. My infection is clearing. I’m on antibiotics until Tuesday, 15 April 2008. My right hand retained full pronation, and regained slightly more supination than my last visit. I can type with both hands now, though writing is still difficult.
I visited the YMCA on Tuesday morning in order to stand on a manager’s desk. I’d heard from several of the gym employees, but none of the managers. Several weeks have passed. When I contacted the YMCA last week I was shunted to the Redwoods Group. Each time I called no one there answered the telephone. I was getting frustrated. I visited a YMCA manager I know, and asked him to contact the Redwoods Group on my behalf. I asked if someone at the Redwoods Group could e-mail me at work. That day someone did. We’ve been in contact several times since. They are conducting an investigation, and helping with the medical bills.
I saw several missed friends while I was at the gym. We are a community. It was good to see them. One friend is Cassie, a gym buddy and nurse. She took an interest in my arm, and helped me rewrap my bandages. Knowing what I looked like before my accident, she could see how much I have atrophied. We’re both confident I’ll get my mass back once I start lifting again - soon, I hope.
Cassie also mentioned "confidentiality." She’d seen me at her hospital but wouldn’t discuss my status away from work. I told her "No worries." I only keep those secrets I’m paid to. I don't mind people discussing my accident; hopefully others will avoid this hurt.
Right now my hand is sore, and the site of my infection stings. I’ve a few painkillers left, but I won’t be taking them. It’s not crippling, just bothersome. I’ve taken more drugs in the past several weeks than ever before. I can understand why so many people whom pump iron are tempted by testosterone, steroids, and Human Growth Hormones (HGH). It’s not just pro-athletes: rappers, cops, and showboats everywhere have used steroids especially. I’m dubious to the effectiveness of testosterone and HGH compared to steroids. Any jock can tell you the medical community hasn’t properly studied steroids. I don’t care about legality: as long as the US remains a criminal organization, no US law is credible. Steroids are legal elsewhere. I’ve no doubt some of the side effects of steroids have been exaggerated. One concern to me is ‘roid rage. I like my pleasant, low-key disposition, and so do the people whom I care about. Given my family history of mental instability and the amount of force I can generate I think an episode of ‘roid rage could cause a great amount of harm.
My recovery will not be juiced. I'd be a liar to say I'm not tempted.
Previously: Setback #1.
Next: Setback #2.