Back In Black, part Deux

My weekly update from the Land O' Broken Back...

--sorry for the lack of updates. Despite the fact my computer is always on at home while I am at home, I actually spend very little time on it. Part laziness, but mostly cuz I am lying down or watching DVDs (which I am totally sick of doing now).

--but I am getting stronger everyday. I know this cuz I can do more and can even walk around WITHOUT MY BRACE ON for awhile (even though I shouldn't)

--I am trying to ween off the painkillers but I know that I can't go completely cold turkey from it because of the horrible withdrawal syndroms I get when I am took long away from my next dose. Its not pretty when I need my pills, but luckily, I am down to 3 pills a day and hope to be completely off it by next week.

--my friend Justin (who now lives in LA) came up to Seattle to visit me and stay with me, in exchange for takin' care of me and driving me around (since I am not allowed to drive). He is actually a Occupational Therapist so he definately knows how to take care of me. Its cool havin' him around because at least I have someone else to talk to and its not as boring at home.

--everynight, a new person comes and sees me and takes me out to dinner which is cool and gets me out of the house...

--been trying to do SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE with my time here at home by myself, but once again, really lazy to do so. But I did get something done. New photo album called Holidayz Par-tay!! 2k4 which is collection of all my pictures from last years xmas parties (since I only took a few per party) randomly put together and made to look like ONE BIG HOLIDAY PARTY!! Clever, no? Check it out here:

http://public.fotki.com/namofni/holidayz_par-tay_2k4/

--now if I would get off my lazy ass and put up my HAWAII pics. But it wont be easy...its about 800 + pictures!! EEEEK!

Back in Black

Just a quick update on my life.

--I returned to Seattle Thursday night where I stayed one night at a nursing home. After that one night, I realized that a nursing home was a little too much for me, and checked myself out the next day, and have been staying home by myself since. Yes, I am very capable of taking care of myself.

--I really dont feel much pain, just soreness, because I am mostly in a brace which does a really good job of supporting my back and not causing me to bend in bad positions. The only real pain I get is from sleeping. I can sleep for 4 hrs at a time, only to be waken up by the need to pee, from my back being tired / stretched for lying down for so long, and when my pain killers wear off. I usually just get up, put on my brace, pee and then stay up for at least an hour until my back is ready to lie down again. Yeah, it really messes with my sleep patterns...

--went to the doctor Friday afternoon for his take on my injuries and more drugs. Wont be able to drive still and the doctor wrote a note to my company stating I wont be able to start work til FEB 28th!! I think I can start sooner than that because thats an awful long time to be off, even though I dont have any lost wages.

--been being taking care of my many of my friends, including Linh and Ben, who picked me up to the airport, Vivek who drove me to my doctor and home, Alvin, for taking me shopping and to a movie, and Oiyan, Jimmy, Kristine, Sylvia and Hua for coming and visiting me and keeping me company. I love you guys...

--mostly been at home, interneting and watching TV and DVD. I know I am going to get bored really soon :(

--Heal dammit heal!!

My Absents

Here is a copy of the email I wrote to my coworkers today which should pretty much summarized everything up to now...

hey everyone,

by now, you may of heard of my accident in Hawaii and the fact that I am
still in Maui here. Well, I just want to make sure that everyone knows
I am doing okay and am expected to fully recover. I was discharged from
the hospital yesterday night and will be staying in Maui at my friend's
parents place (whom's mom is a doctor) for a couple of more days longer
before I fly back to Seattle on Thursday.

Unfortunately, I wont be going home in Seattle, but be heading to a
nursing home and rehabitation center there to continue my recovery and
let my body heal.

In case you are wondering, I was hit by a "freak" wave while trying to
"boogieboard" on the last day here in Hawaii. This wave pretty much
threw me around, bending my back enough to cause 3 compression factures
on my spine. No real damage to my spinal cord, and no surgery needed,
just a good ol' fashion broken back.

Since my accident, I have been able to "relearn" to walk and stand and
sit (and in record time). I do have to wear this funky upper body
harness for the next month to prevent me from bending my back and from
lifting things, but other than that, I am pretty fine, really.

Anyways, I just wanted everyone to know I am doing better than you
think. And before the accident, I also wanted everyone to know I still
had a really awesome time here in Hawaii. One of my most relaxing
vacation, most fun New Years Party and even one of the most perfect
romantic weddings I have ever been.

Thx for everyone who tried to contact me. It should be easier now since
I am no longer in that internet / cell phone free zone known as the
hospital.

I hope everyone had a good holiday and I hope to see you all when I am a
little bit stronger. I really CANT WAIT to come back :)