I’m Baaaack!

What a trudge through the valley of the shadow of death that was! You know it’s bad when you're afraid you might live. I sure don’t want to experience that kind of pain and fever again in a hurry.

Our doctor says I probably had “cruise ship fever”, also known as norovirus.

Due to the damage the novovirus caused — without even a cruise to show for all that misery — the second act of the drama was some kind of hiatal hernia revenge resulting from the torture my illness inflicted on my alimentary canal. “Attention will be paid”, it rumbled. And indeed it had my full focus. Like I had a choice? The worst of it was not being able to lie down. Fortunately, it receded just in time to avoid a trip to the Emergency Room.

Act Three is the euphoria that invariably accompanies the cessation of pain. I’m fond of Isaak Dinesen’s observation about happiness. She said there are only three portals into that state, and the first is simply the animal spirits released by the sudden cessation of pain. The Baron says it’s the release of endorphins.

Whatever it is, here I am in Act Three — mildly euphoric and enjoying this rare pain-free state. Or relatively pain-free. High spirits make it hard to sleep soundly — however, that’s an observation, NOT a complaint. I’m glad — gleeful even — to be here playing in the sandbox, and plan to enjoy this freedom as long as it lasts. The secret is to avoid any attempt to prolong the joy past its natural span. Experience has taught me that routinization and ho-hum will descend soon enough.

Meanwhile, thanks to everyone for their well wishes and prayers. During that episode — both parts — the Baron would come down from his office and tell me about your concerned responses. Those messages were and are a balm… My gratitude to all of you.

Now I wait to see what tomorrow brings.