Adventures in freakdom.
My digestive tract continues to give me fits. I feel fine, working out each morning and working at the Smallville house in the evening, not sick at all.
But I continue to feel stuffed and bloated most of the time, and rarely hungry. Between Sunday morning (the start of the bug) and Wednesday evening, I ate three cans of soup and almost two sleeves of saltines. Wednesday evening, the spud and I were out in Smallville hanging crown molding when my hunger awoke.
And I mean awoke. I went from bloated to ravenous in seconds. We left out early and decided to get Mexican food. I know, probably a bad choice, but right then I didn’t care. By the time the food arrived, I was feeling full again. I still managed to eat my whole meal, and thought I was basically fine again.
But I wasn’t. I spent the night awake, tossing and turning and sweating because I was so full. Not in any pain, just uncomfortably full, like I used to feel on some Fridays when I’d way overdo it. Yesterday I ate a normal breakfast (oatmeal, apple, cottage cheese) around 12:30, then about a cup of tex-mex goulash (the finest stuff ever) at 5:30. Finally, around 8:00 last night, I had a piece of sourdough bread my mom baked.
And I spent the day feeling grossly stuffed.
I’m having trouble drinking enough, to the point of having dry and cracked lips, because of the bloaty stuffed feeling. I’m not dehydrated, just not as hydrated as I usually am. I haven’t even been drinking my coffee because it just doesn’t taste good, and when Fred skips his coffee, you know there’s something wrong.
It’s getting better as the days pass, but I’d sure like to be back to normal.
It brings me physical pain not to be able to show you pictures of the master bedroom, which I’ve done as a surprise for Robyn this week while she’s off with the in-laws.
Physical pain, baby. I’m just that proud of this room. I really tapped into my inner girl for this one.
I gave the box a big heave and it slid further into my car, enough so that I’d be able to get the back door closed now. Pieces of crown molding fell over the side of the box at the sudden movement, clattering against other trash piled in the back seat. I’d been cleaning up in the Smallville house so that it looked somewhat presentable for the electrician I was waiting for, and the car was loaded down. Closing the back door, I turned back to the house, and that’s when I saw him walking along the street looking my way.
The walkin’ dude.
He grinned and waved. I raised a hand, kept turning, and started for the house.
“Hey bubba,” he called.
There’s only one person in the world I’ll let call me Bubba, and it ain’t him. I turned back. He was coming down the driveway now, still grinning. The last time he was here, he caught me flat-footed, and I vowed it wouldn’t happen again. This time, as I turned, I felt the comforting weight of steel confidence resting out of sight on my hip.
He approached me, one hand extended, and we shook. He wore the same dark blue jacket as before, and jeans. Late afternoon sunlight glinted off the small wire-frame glasses that perched on his nose.
“Hey man, are you busy?” he asked.
“Actually, yes. I’m expecting some people and need to get a few things done before they get here.”
“Okay, man. Can you…give me a little help?”
“Well…” I thought for a moment about the best way to respond, and rejected several more snappy answers for a simple “no.”
Steel confidence, not steel cockiness. That’s for those dumbass gangsta types who shoot each other all the time.
He started, either genuinely surprised or faking it.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’m not trying to be a hardass, but no. I gave you money once—”
“And I appreciate it, man.”
“—as a gift, and that’s it. You need to get going, and stop coming around here asking me for money.”
Zing!
“My grandpa taught me to be a man,” he said. “And I’m just layin’ it on the line and askin’ like a man. Can’t you just help me out a little bit?”
Did Grandpa teach you to beg from strangers? I wondered.
“Again, no,” I said. “Don’t you have a job?”
“Naw, man. I’ve been sick.”
“I remember your voice sounded off last time. You sound better now.”
“I went to the doctor. He said…” He fell silent for a bit. “Eighteen months.”
“The doctor said you couldn’t work for eighteen months?” My bullshit detector was bonging so loud I’m surprised he couldn’t hear it.
“Naw, man. It’s deeper than that.”
Whatever that means.
“Basically, I’m on my own,” he finished.
Really? So am I.
I just stood there.
“I don’t have a penny on me, man. I got three dolla to my name, and need twenny three more to get a prescription filled.” He considered for a moment. “And that’s only for about four pills.”
For an instant I thought about saying, Really? Believe it or not, I’m a pharmacist. What’s your prescription for? And while I’m at it, why were you walking again? Wasn’t that money I gave you two weeks ago to get your car fixed?
But I didn’t.
This may be the heartless conservative in me, but with as many programs (both governmental and charitable) there are for money, food, and medical care, no one should be walking down the street begging for money from strangers. Not even strangers who look like marks.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said, most noncommittally.
“So you can’t help me?”
“I said no, and I meant no. Now, I really need to get back to work, and you need to get going on your way.”
“I can do some work, man.”
“I might have something for you to do in the springtime,” I said. “When I’m working outside. How’s that?”
He smiled wanly. “Can I get an advance on that?”
“Sorry, no. I’m not a bank, or an ATM. I thought I made that clear.”
“I’m sorry, man. I don’t mean to disrespect you in your home.”
I just looked at him. Then stop doing it.
“I’ll work all day for $20, man,” he said.
McDonald’s would pay you $50 for a full day’s work.
“I wouldn’t ask you to do something like that. It’s not fair.”
“But I already owe you the $25.”
“No, you don’t owe me anything. That was a gift.”
“And you can’t help me out? I’m asking you like a man.”
Goddamn, this was getting annoying.
A man would get a fucking JOB and not accost strangers for money, I thought about saying.
“No,” I said. “I told you: I’m not trying to be a hardass, but I’m not a bank. It’s time for you to go. I have things to do before those people get here.”
“Alright, man.”
He shook my hand again and slowly plodded up the driveway. The last I heard of him, he was having a half-hearted coughing fit while he waited for traffic to clear so he could cross the street.
I went inside, where I promptly did a look-at-me-I’m-the-big-badass-alpha-male dance, followed by a good Tim Allen grunt or two, in the front room and called Robyn to tell her about it.
We’ll see how long he stays gone. If he comes back I’ll step it up a notch and tell him he’s not welcome and that further incursions onto the property will result in a call to the police. But, if he’s as meek and humble as he comes across, maybe I’ve seen the last of him.
I certainly hope so.
If you want to get notified whenever Fred writes a journal entry, this link will do the trick.
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You did the right thing Fred, you just can’t encourage that type of thing. He would bleed you to death. Can’t wait to see what you did with the master bedroom. I’m telling you,try the GAS-X.
The nerve of some people! “I’m asking you like a man” While that may be true to me a =real= man wouldn’t ask at all!
Do you still have your galbladder? That is the EXACT pain I had leading up to my week in my hospital because my pancreaus was so inflamed because my stones were blocking the routes to and from my galbladder. I remember crying at a restaurant trying to eat a turkey sandwich and my husband making me go to the er, and me thinking, no one goes to the er cause of a stomach ache.
Go get it checked out, out patient is a day thing, and huge breakdown is a week stay on iv’s, not fun.
In my own opinion it sounds like your “friend” has a terminal illness, but that doesn’t mean you should hand him cash everytime he wants. You are right, there are way too many organizations that help and some drug companies have programs to give the meds free of charge to those unable to afford their prescription.
I agree with Audri, get yourself a doctor appointment STAT! It could be nothing or it could be something. Did you eat any lettuce from Taco Bell?
audri - I think my “galbladder” is what I used to convert the master bedroom to such a feminine look.
(sorry, couldn’t resist)
Also, guys: again, there’s no pain at all. Just a full feeling that’s getting better each day. If it’s still here in a week, I’ll probably call Dr. Judy, but it’s not bad at all. Just an annoyance.
I thought of your gallbladder, too, as you described the symptoms.
Hmmm,when “I” have tummy problems,I take a little colloidal silver and I am fixed up right as rain.
Let me know if you ever change your mind about the stuff. I’ll priority mail you some. ;o)
Gawd,my stomach dropped when I read “that guy” had come by again.I’d ask around about this particular guy and find out other’s experiences. In the meantime,I hope you have some good security measures in mind for your new home. If he’s not to proud to beg,he’s not to proud to steal.
Hey Fred
I’ve had the same thing, it’s a flu going (several people at work have had it). I felt better as of the 22nd but still have that full feeling after eating only a little bit. Maybe the intestines are inflamed or something. I don’t know but I’ve had enough of it as I’m sure you have too. Hope you feel better soon…Happy New Year!
Sorry, Fred…I vote for seeing Dr. Judy. If you’re not better by Tuesday, call her.
Oh, our Native American doorbell-ringer still comes around every now and then. We just don’t answer the door. John made the mistake of giving him money more than once. He always has/had a hardluck story to accompany his request. He doesn’t excessively scare me, but his friends sure do!
Ask the guys at the grocery about him.
Re: the dude - Good for you, Fred.
Feel better soon, and Happy New Year to all of you!
Okay, here’s nother story. My husband had that bloated feeling. Would come after eating. last all night, and then totally go away for weeks. When it came he didn’t feel like eating, and so ate very little. If he ate a normal amount, he would sometimes (sorry) barf it back up. Here’s the thing: It turned out to be his gallbladder, and when he was eating very little, his gallstones were actually getting worse, since it takes a regular-sized meal to make bile flow freely. (One of the reasons why a very-low-calorie diet causes gallbladder disease.) So it became a self-perpetuating cycle, and actually went on for more than a year. That’s when he went to the emergency room with the bad-gunky pain (I’ve been reading Lisey) and they did rush surgery. His gallbladder was bulging with giant stones.
I hope yours is just a virus, but you might want to get it checked out if the bloated feeling comes back.
*THUMBS UP* on setting walkin dude straight
I also thinkg maybe you should get the gallbladder checked
YOU are a tease! *evil grin* Robyn wouldn’t mind you giving us a peek…. would she? *snicker snicker and large evil grin*
I know….you’re smarter than that..Who would want a Death Wish … heh
Does it feel better when you burp? Or do you wish you could burp? That is what preceded before the crying pressure pain that landed me in the hospital. I must have tried gallons of gas x and it worked for awhile, but then it stopped working. Do go get it checked if it isn’t better after the holiday.
Re: bloating/sick…probably a virus. My sister/brother-in-law live in Huntsville, they’ve had it. Seems to be going around. BUT if it don’t get better, do see a doc.
As for “walking dude”…told you he’d be back. Good that you told him NO.
On the other hand, if he comes back you might want to actually take him up on that offer to work ALL DAY for $20.00. Work him to death that day, and he just may not return. Pay ONLY at end of day’s work.
Or call the local police; sometimes these types are well-known, and they can tell him to buzz off.
This is weird, Before i even clicked the link to your site i was just thinking about walking dude and was going to ask you if he ever came around again…..LOL…freaky….
hope your feeling better!!
It really still sounds like you have the virus I had between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I didn’t touch coffee for about two weeks, but black tea w/sweetner tasted delicious. Also, it was many days before my digestion was normal and I too had that full feeling with no associated pain. Should I apologize for the unsolicited information?
It sounds to me like the virus that went around my house just before Christmas. My husband started it, spending all day in the bathroom on the 17, then in bloated pain for two days after. I was in the bathroom all day on the 20th. Felt better the next day, but on Saturday I was miserable, just bloated and ick = so much so it hurt to bend over. I just kept drinking as much water as I could to re-hydrate, and it took almost a week to feel completely better.
Hope you’re better in no time! And Happy New Year! The work you’ve been doing at the Smallville house has inspired me to start a few projects around my house. “Well, Fred didn’t need to hire anyone, and we are smart too, so we can figure out how to fix this!”
Get a dog. A mean scary one to keep walking dude away. Hope you feel better soon!
Your symptoms are exactly what I had. Full feeling, followed by chills, 102 degree temperature, three days of sleeping and no eating. The bowel problems were gone in 3 days but it took a week before I had enough energy to start working again. Five people in my office building (that I know of) had this. My doctor, when I visited him, said it was food poisoning or gastroenteritis.
You’ll get better. Trust me.