Here's a quick summary of the dynamic events of the past two weeks or so...
About two weeks ago I was just starting to feel relief from a bout of osteoarthritis pain in my right knee. The pain was sharp but not so intense as to warrant time off from work, yet it did manifest enough to prompt me to ask my co-workers to complete rounds and Synthroids without me on a couple of shifts. It was also the perfect excuse to not visit the fitness center.
Soon after the last dull ache of my knee faded and I was back to a regular stride, I started feeling a stiffening in my neck and upper right-side shoulder. I thought I may have slept with my head askew since I had imbibed and passed out a few nights. I also knew that to compensate for the weakened knee I was using my shoulder muscles in excess when exiting my car or getting up from a chair.
Feeling achy and losing sleep due to the pains, hangovers and bloat of overeating, my mood was less than cheerful to say the least. One night, a week and a half ago, David came in and he complained again about his lack of sleep and frustration with his wife's chronic illness. Since I was in no mood to be kind, I chose to bring up the issue of his slacking on the med audit duty he agreed to undertake. Then I found out that he'd also neglected to do anything of even a slight effort towards the Susan-appointed task of chart reviews. I thought of all the times in the past few months he'd said to me that he felt so overwhelmed and occupied with these reviews. I went ballistic.
I cornered him on these lapses and when he continued to defensively lie (yet foolishly since he had been so evidently exposed) I went for the jugular. I emailed to Susan the revelation of his lies and deceit on these projects and my disappointment in him. Basically signing his termination papers even though I have no real power to fire anyone.
When I told him what I'd done, after he angrily surmised that I was calling him a liar to his face, he paced around the building for a while, no doubt self-debating his options, and then just quietly gathered his belongings and left. Three hours later, at 6 am, I saw by her response to my email that Susan was up so I phoned her to let her know about his job abandonment. His own "embarq" in the midst of what must be his own "koyaanisqatsi."
Anxiety over this confrontation must have played a part in the almost immediate intensification of the neck and shoulder discomfort since by the day after, I was walloped with acute pain. This did cause a couple days out of work, and I delved into the "quick-fix" behaviors of overeating and drinking after visiting Centra Care and Dr. Gohill and getting a diagnosis from both of a muscle spasm.
Of course my weight has suffered, having regained a bit over 10 pounds in the past week and a half. The Publix Crises are easily won by Mr. Hyde, now backed by good ol' Georgie.
And the Phen? Well I still have half a month's supply but since it is totally ineffective now, I've discontinued it entirely.
So here I am, now falling headlong down into the dark abyss. Old Georgie laughing, Mr. Hyde waiting patiently to assert himself every morning without fear of being knocked down. And not a whisper of help from anyone. Rainbow Phen, Speed Racer and now even Taylor the dutiful scale have all abandoned me.
And this be the Tru Tru.