I had a unit of blood drained away today as I had too much – risk of clotting – I had a chest X-ray today to check for fluid and stuff – that went fine.
And I’ve had @drobeirne come round to assess my results and how my rejection was taking shape – and the fact is – today has seen a marked improvement.
Through fine tweaking of the meds they have enabled my body to settle down along the process of living together in some sort of harmony.
Still a few things to overcome like getting my weight down and stable – but in the grand scheme of things – the best day yet.
If I told you how exactly they perform biopsies here you will be pleased for me on that score – not painful – just pretty darn weird.
It’s been a week now since I got the call and was on my to the ‘ossy. That means I’ve had my new liver for seven days. That’s more Bob’s Seven Days than Dexy’s Seven Days Too Long.
It’s been interestering so far – many things I’ve seen and felt and heard (and eaten) – but so much for the other patients for now.
I have had much to be optimistic about – progress apart from one traumatic episode and a new organ rejection issue to deal with.
Very tired after many mental and physical challenges these last few days – but looking forward to another new day tomorrow.
No time tonight to thank you all for you precious messages by phone, email, text, tweets and statuses except a special mention to my most precious of all visitors who to see me today – my wee boy – wee D – he was a tonic.
For those of you who had the misfortune to read the previous post – entitled The Loving Cup, I have to report that modesty forbids me to reveal who won the Super Cuparoonie this year.
The first record I ever bought – well, to be honest I got two at the same time – but one of them is, in my opinion, pretty cool – the other decidedly not.
The uncool one – Rockin’ Robin by Michael Jackson – back in the days when he was… well, he was black.
Which is my round-a-bout way of talking about Twitter today. Y’see I decided to perform a scientific experiment based on the power and effectiveness of Twitter over Facebook.
Under stringent laboratory conditions I played out my serious dilemma that needed an urgent and considered response. I tweeted the issue and pleaded for a response. I concurrently posted? Statused? I don’t know what they call it in Facebook. Y’see I am a Twitterer. Not a Facebooker. I Follow and am Followed. I don’t update my status or pee on my Wall or whatever it is F-worders do.
In fact I have a tag-line on Twitter that says “Facebook is where you lie to people you know. Twitter is where you’re honest to strangers.”
So, what exactly happened with my experiment? Well, within an hour – there were 21 comments on Facebook creating a thread of opinion and good humour – one of which was a comment from one friend called Hayley.
I said to B, “Did you see Hayley’s comment?” At which point, B jumped up from her seat and ran to the window pronouncing “What??? Hayley’s Comet? Where?”.
So, my scientifically controlled experiment has deduced that Quality is, indeed, still better than Quantity. Having hundreds of Twitter followers does not mean that I have hundreds of friends.
Y’know I have always been mightily impressed, even with all my frailties, at the complexities of the end product that is the human body. Whatever your physical, metaphysical, spiritual or otherwise belief as to how we came to be – the human being is a pretty impressive piece of work.
But, if I may be so bold – and I appreciate it is far easier to criticise minor imperfections than it is to create ingenious masterpieces – but I am going to have my say.
Why oh why have an area of the body that you simply cannot reach. Now, I am not supple. Some peeps perhaps can reach all parts of their back. But I can’t.
Ah, I hear you cry – that’s why they invented back-scratchers. Well, no honey, I cannot carry around a back-scratcher everywhere I go.
Ah, I hear you cry – that’s why people get married – get your wife to do it. Eh, well, no honey, I cannot carry my wife around everywhere I go.
For the record the Electric Circus was as much a circus as Monty Python’s Flying one – i.e. not at all.
It seemed strange for me to be gate-crashing some town’s farewell party, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
On the bill, amongst others (I could easily go online and produce the line up verbatim, but I prefer to do this from memory – sometimes its more accurate!) were Buzzcocks headlining, Magazine’s first ever live performance – they did 3 songs including the classic Shot By Both Sides, and a cover of Beefheart’s I Love You, Big Dummy.
I was learning. Every minute that went by I was adding to my education. Throughout the evening, the DJ kept playing Holiday In The Sun – the new single by the Pistols – this added to the Electric atmosphere of the Electric Circus. Other bands that may or may not have been on the bill included The Fall, who were shortly to become my favourite band then, as now (as they supported Magazine’s first proper gig at Rafters a few week’s later) and a band called Warsaw.
Warsaw were soon to rename themselves – as Joy Division – and become arguably the most influential band of that period and to this day.
Following the suicide of lead singer, Ian Curtis, within a year or so, the band carried on and renamed themselves again – as New Order and achieve worldwide success.
What’s it all about? What’s with the names? Why have they been able to stroll through the left-wing music press unhindered and unchallenged over this apparent obsession with the Nazi regime?
It’s always troubled me. I find it hard to listen to their music as a result. They can excuse themselves by saying it’s all down to art, or subversion, or whatever – it doesn’t wash – not with me.
Emotions are powerful. Our emotions, like compassion and empathy, often motivate us to do wonderful things like give to charity and help people in need. When we see an injustice, many times it will deeply affect us and move us to take positive action. And yet, strong negative emotions—jealousy, vindictiveness, resentment—can often overpower our better judgment and move us to neglect or hurt people.
The difficulties that we endure in this life are sometimes so painful that we feel stuck in unending sorrow. Many of us have been through tragedies that have left us with a crushing despair, which years later turns into a continuous dull ache that never leaves. We become despondent and therefore reluctant to believe that God could heal us.
Can you recall times in your life when you’ve lost control of your emotions? Perhaps it happens more often than you’d like to admit. We’ve all had heated moments where we’ve reacted out of anger or pain, often provoking others and dragging out arguments. What guidance do the Scriptures give us in these situations?
Many of us carry around a deep sense of rejection, insecurity, and longing. We struggle to feel accepted, which sometimes drives us to unhealthy behavior. What does the Bible teach us about overcoming these feelings?
When the New Testament authors talk about Abraham, they always highlight his faith. Indeed, Abraham is most well known, both in Judaism and Christianity, for his great faith in the God of Israel. But Abraham also exhibited another important godly characteristic that is often overlooked: hospitality.