Hi, it's Ryan, writing to you from the Knitting Olympics Disabled List.
With 28 hours to go before the WorldWide Olympic Cast-On, imagine my surprise at finding myself in the hospital for two days, on the business end of a morphine drip.
Now, this blog has never been and never will about The Gory Details, so if you are interested in that sort of thing, feel free to email me off-blog. (Big Sister, I'll email you regardless, 'kay?)
Suffice it to say, I've learned four important things: I don't react at all well to intravenous pain medication; barium "milkshakes" (which you drink before you have a CT scan) are the invention of the Devil, even when they are coyly labeled "Berry Smoothie" (I kid you not); nurses rock; and TMK may go to pieces during a power outage but, when push comes to shove, she's the best partner ever.
To sum, I'm home for now; I won't make it to Tacoma for the weekend which is a mega-bummer; there isn't a single Olympic stitch on my needles, also a mega-bummer; and TMK and I are both considering defecting to the Canadian Knitting Team since the Canadian broadcast of Olympic events is so much better than the American. I mean, fer Cripe's sake, on the American Olympics channel, they're currently showing cartoons! I am prepared to eat, live, and breathe the Olympics for the next two weeks--and they're showing cartoons.
Posted by Ryan at February 11, 2006 12:08 PMHope you get better soon, dude. And you and TMK will always be welcome up here ... I've been acrively recruiting American members to the Canadian Drunken Lack ... err, Lace Knitting Team for some time now. In fact I think one of them isn't even knitting lace but how would I know?
Actually I can't even drink, I'm down with strep, but I've managed the first 19 rows of my challenge. I'll get there, even if it's a drunken lace kerchief instead of a shawl ...
Posted by: Rabbitch on February 11, 2006 12:41 PMHey, I really hope you're on the mend! It's just_not_fair that you should be on the sidelines. I'll sidestep the awful details, thanks, but I hope you're back to your knitting self soon.
P.S. - I absolutely love the winter games (ALL of the events, please), and I'm stuck watching the network version of it. We'll probably be treated to only about 10 total minutes of luge, skeleton, cross country and the like. Bummer.
Posted by: Candace on February 11, 2006 12:45 PMHope you feel better soon Ryan.
Even though I'm biased I have to agree on the Canadian coverage. Our stations seems to cover more than just the flashy events, and we look at athletes from other countries more often. I do flip back and forth depending on the events (I'm not much of a curling fan but Canadians do love it so it gets a LOT of airtime).
Hope you are knitting in no time.
Partners really show what they're made of when push comes to shove, don't they? And anything that requires morphine is a definite shove. I hope you are better right quick.
Posted by: martha in mobile on February 11, 2006 01:05 PMI wish you get well soon. Take lots of rest ... the most important priority should be health.
Posted by: Agnes on February 11, 2006 01:51 PMOh darlin...I'm very sorry to hear this...BIG hug to you. As for being a member of the Canadian team, come on over, glad to have you! Although you are glad, trust me, that you don't have to deal with healthcare over here...
Mwah. Hang in there, baby!
Posted by: Lee Ann on February 11, 2006 02:38 PMYikes! I hope you are home, safe, and comfortable. Happy freaking birthday, huh? We are minutes away if you want or need anything - just call.
Posted by: Elaine on February 11, 2006 03:06 PMOh dear! Don't need to know details to know that a tale involving morphine, IV medication, barium milkshakes and CT scans unexpectedly must've been scary and painful. Glad you're on the mend, glad you've got TMK looking after you and hope you feel better soon.
Oh, and you're both more than welcome on the Canadian Team. We got shirts 'n' everything!
Posted by: Rachel H on February 11, 2006 03:50 PMGet better soon. You can do the summer knitting olympics in 08, and the media will pick up your story as inspirational, the way you have recovered from your injury and gone on to win the knitting gold. Feel free to send me the gory details, if you wanna "talk" about it.
I'll be thinking of you while I knit my Olympic socks. (I'm starting to understand the whole "second sock syndrome" thing - I mean really, you can only knit plain ol' cranberry ribbing for so long)
Yikes! Get well. I agree: What is with no Olympics? Got 500 channels of crap but no dedicated Olympic channel. For pete's sake.
Posted by: Aarlene on February 11, 2006 04:24 PMAll I can say is -- Get Better Soon! The Olympics can wait. Getting better can't.
Oh no! I hope you'll be up and about and better soon. Big hugs (or reserved Yankee hugs, whichever you're more comfortable with) to you, and to TMK for being such an angel.
Posted by: Melinda on February 11, 2006 04:36 PMHoly crap. If you need anything let me know, as I'm probably w/in a few miles of you now. You and TMK have good vibes coming your way, and I'll ask my guides to send healing energy your way.
ITA on the CBC coverage, btw. This is the first time in a long time I wished I had cable.
Posted by: moiraeknits on February 11, 2006 05:46 PMYikes! I hope it's nothing too serious. "Berry Smoothie?" WTF??
NBC's coverage so far has been pitiful. I have nothing against cartoons, but really. I might become an honorary Canadian for the next two weeks.
Well, my take on nurses this week is not nearly as positive as yours, but it seems like we're living connected lives again. Sounds like you are on the mend, which makes me verra, verra happy!
Posted by: Norma on February 11, 2006 08:06 PMOh, no! We're thinking of you..... I wish there were some way to help!
Rest easy.
xo
I think you finally understood the Schwartzenegger-caliber level of your Knitting Olympics competitors and you concocted some sob story to salvage some pride.
Or maybe you are sick.
Yeah, one or the other.
Probably the other.
I hope you mend quickly, but not so quickly that you have to go back to work until the television programs get back to normal (take it from one who's been there recently: there is very little decent daytime TV....)
Virtual hugs.
Missed you! Glad you're home and (presumably) OK.
Don't worry about the KO; just get better and then we'll start training for Summer Olympics '08!!
Posted by: Margot on February 12, 2006 05:49 AMSomewhere on some blog (I think the Yarn Harlot's), someone posted about the wave of energy that went around the earth when thousands of knitting needles began moving at the same time. Perhaps your aura was adversely affected by the change in the electromagnetic field?? Next time we'll all have to use nonconducting needles.
Take care of yourself.
Posted by: daisy on February 12, 2006 07:04 AMBest wishes! Feel better soon, ok?
Posted by: Susie on February 12, 2006 07:49 AMOuch. I hope you are better soon, and don't worry about the Olympics -- it's only a game! Enjoy your cartoons.
Posted by: Mary de B on February 12, 2006 08:47 AMBe better soon. Take good care of yourself - you too TMK.
Posted by: Emma on February 12, 2006 10:17 AMHope you feel better very soon! I must say that Canadian Olympic coverage is done very well. (I am Canadian!) Almost too well for me - I love Coronation Street, and now it isn't on any more until after the Olympics! Been watching some of the events and working on my Pomatomus socks for the KO. In the middle of a snowstorm here right now. Good day to knit!
Posted by: Sheri on February 12, 2006 10:21 AMHi Ryan, Supergirl Rebecca sent me up to send you some Get Well wishes. I don't know how I've missed your blog until now! Get well soon!
Posted by: Stella on February 12, 2006 11:13 AMHope you are feeling better soon. I wish I had captured a photo of my 10 year old daughters look of betrayal when the "berry" flavored barium drink was neither very berry like nor very smooth.
Rest up and we'll see you in '08
Posted by: amysue on February 12, 2006 12:03 PMOh good lord. Get well soon! If you're already well, I hope this was a one time event and that you're fully recovered.
I remember my parents--after they'd just moved to the states after many years living in England-- decrying the awful US coverage of the last Olympics. Mom's comment, uttered in tones of deep disgust: "They're covering the games as if the only people competing are the Americans!"
Posted by: Melanie on February 12, 2006 12:27 PMWishing you a quick recovery and sending you (((huggs))).
Don't worry 'bout the Olympics, worry about getting better! We are here for you! Take care!
Cat
Posted by: Cat on February 12, 2006 04:46 PMHell's bells. I was walkin' all over the hotel at that retreat, with your birthday card in my purse, looking to deliver it to you (belatedly but) in person. And you were never there a'tall. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!! And hugs -- the TMK (not the Princeton) kind -- from me.
Posted by: Karen on February 12, 2006 09:02 PMOh no. :( I was looking for you at Madrona. Hope you're on the mend soon.
Posted by: Jessica on February 12, 2006 09:23 PMI am glad you weren't ALSO allergic to the morphine. I am usually a sucker for gory details (I think it goes to my profession, where details are what people are encouraged to "master.")... but will settle for knowing you are feeling better. Glad that TMK is being a rock for you. THAT is anjother thing to ge grateful for, no? Be well and warm.
Posted by: Painter Woman on February 12, 2006 10:16 PMMorphine, eh? That's some serious stuff. I hope you are better.
Posted by: CarolineF on February 13, 2006 05:31 AMYikes! Well, that would explain why I didn't see y'all at the Yarn Market. So sorry to hear about your injury...hope you get better FAST!
Yeah, our Olympic Coverage sucks alright...when I turned it on yesterday they were showing NASCAR. Thank goodness I found CNBC...
Posted by: Carry on February 13, 2006 07:39 AMI'm so sorry you aren't feeling well. I'm glad you are feeling well enough to be out of the hospital, I hope you stay that way.
Posted by: Jayme on February 13, 2006 07:45 AMGOOD GOD! thinking of you...let me know what's going on! Hugs, LIsa
Posted by: Lisa in Oregon on February 13, 2006 08:20 AMEek! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Nurse: It's just like custard! Drink it down!
Me: Yeah, if custard was made of METAL and GRIT!
Sorry about your illness. What rotten timing. You may already know this, but you gotta watch those barium shakes when they reach the other end. They are... um... sneaky. Just sayin'. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Posted by: Sonya on February 13, 2006 12:27 PMAnd if you haven't noticed, almost ALL American TV is done with the idea that we're the only ones out here. I have to read online Brit newspapers to find out about the rest of the world. It's more than a little disturbing.
Posted by: Carrie on February 13, 2006 12:58 PM20 years or so ago I had major surgery. I woke up after two days down to the summer olympics. Mary lou Retton.
During this one month period I had intraveneous blood daily. (and lots of other drips). I was a heavy smoker, and I wasn't allowed to smoke. I had a number of very weird roommates and one hideous terrible awful nurse. I also had my mother decide to come to NJ and be with me.
I hate athletics - but I must admit - the Summer olympics kept me sane for at least two weeks of that month that lasted forever.
I hear you on nbc's cruddy programming schedule, oy. And I'm glad you're back home and blogging and on your way to better, yes?
Posted by: spaazlicious on February 16, 2006 11:06 AM