Tuesday 1 April 2008

Under Pressure





I'm OK. Really, I am. I just sometimes have to have a little cry, and then I'm OK. Then I listen to Freddy Mercury sing Under Pressure, which I was going to post here but seem unable to. Will try later. What a fantastic song. I think Queen must have a song that goes with just about every human emotion there is (although I find Bohemian Rhapsody irritating, but hey that's an emotion too).

I took Jakey to the vet. We're going to try some antibiotics. She didn't think he had much of an infection but rang the surgeon anyway. We tried the Bitenot collar on Jakey but it was the wrong size and the nurse didn't seem interested in ordering a different size (and they cost £40 in the UK). So he's got the same cone. What worries me is his leg that was operated on seems to just dangle and he's not putting any weight on it whereas he was actually using it a bit more before. I wonder if I hurt him yesterday when I sort of forced him up the ramp into the car even though I didn't really touch his back legs at all. I didn't bother with the ramp today. I just lifted him (ow, my back, but it had to be done). I thought I might have to drive him back to the surgeon's tomorrow, and tomorrow is a super busy day already. Son gets braces put on his teeth, I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch somewhere, and I have a physio appointment. Thank God I don't have to just yet. And you know what? The vet didn't charge me.

Hubby has organised (I'm back to British spelling) my trip to my mother's. I leave next Tuesday. My sister convinced one of her sons to go out too. We'll overlap a bit. Apparently, my mother's afraid she has cancer and that's why she wants me there.

Damn! I have tried to upload at least three videos from YouTube that I found, from Under Pressure to Come On Get Happy to a very young REM singing Radio Free Europe on David Letterman in 1983 (back when they all still had hair). But I keep getting access denied. So is that copyright or what? Anyway, if you're interested, they're all on YouTube. The Radio Free Europe one in particular is fantastic. Back when REM were still a band and not a brand. I have fond memories of smoking a certain substance and listening to the Murmurs album.

Well, I'm looking forward to the flights next Tuesday. I wonder what the film will be.

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OK, obviously, I've figured out this embed video thing so enjoy.

12 comments:

Kim said...

I hope Jake's leg gets better soon. I hate that you're worrying about it when you have so many other things to occupy your mind.

laurie said...

jake will be fine. he just needs time to heal. can't you exchange the bitenot collar?

family affairs said...

bloody hell, your life sounds about as hectic as mine - I was talking about trying speed dating on my blog and one of the comments said, bad idea - you seem to be on speed most of the time as it is! You'll feel less stress once you've seen your mum - it's hard, not being close when they're ill - the stress levels will build up massively until you're on that plane, then as you take-off and (I suggest) drink 25 gin and tonics, you'll feel much better!

Expat mum said...

Blimey, you have a lot going on. I love it that you're resorting to music at I believe that lifts the soul, but I won't bother to say anything else as it probably wouldn't begin to address your situation. I hope your trip doesn't add to your stress.

Casdok said...

Hope Jake will be ok. Love your taste in music!

DJ Kirkby said...

I hope Jake is better before you fly, the last thing you need is any more worries. Let me worry about you for a while instead ok? I am good at worrying! You have a rest...

DogLover said...

I'm just catching up with your back problem. Hope it gets better - bad backs are a pain, aren't they!

There's a fabulous book TREAT YOUR OWN BACK by Robin McKenzie, a New Zealand surgeon. He has some simple exercises which can immediately put your back right if done at once. They have saved my life on several occasions! Most physiotherapy departments in hospitals sell copies. They cost about £10 each. I have an old version which is nice and simple; unfortunately the present versions are ponced up a bit, but the meat is still there!

J said...

"band not a brand" - excellent, excellent line.

Hope Jake improves, hope your trip is helpful to your mom and reassuring to you (and easy/smooth in terms of logistics), and I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Hang in there. Deep breaths, deep breaths.

Rosie said...

Hope Jake is on the mend. Chin up. There are lots of people thinking of you and wishing you well.

Mean Mom said...

I have never understood why 'good' things seem to come along one at a time, but 'bad' things form a queue. I have noticed this in many people's lives, not just my own. I do hope that things improve quickly for you.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

kaycie: I think I worry about Jake as much as I worry about my mother.

laurie: He's still got the cone, which is battered round the edges. However, he gets lots and lots of attention and sympathy when it's on.

family affairs:I love that line about being on speed all the time. I'm thinking of having a martini or two at Newark airport. I don't usually go into bars on my own but I might this time.

expatmum: I hope my trip doesn't add to my stress either, but I suspect it might. Still, I'm taking my running shoes.

casdok: Thank you!

dj: Oh, I wouldn't want to put my worries on you, but you are so sweet to offer.

doglover: I'll look for that book. I have another one with some good exercises in it, if only I did them every day.

j.: I woke up in the middle of the night and felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Yes, I must remember to breathe.

rosie: Thank you for your good wishes. I must admit that I cried a bit when I read these lovely, supportive comments.

mean mom: Yeah, it's funny that, isn't it? Could it be that the good things are so fantastic that we only need one at a time. Or is it that good times are in fact harder on us than the bad times?

Swearing Mother said...

Hi Wakeup, what a lot of stuff you have going on at the same time, no wonder you feel pressurised.

Try to chill. It's easy to say, I know, but hopefully it will help you cope with all the demands upon you at the moment.

Take care.