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- #21
Eeech! Glad you are OK!!!
Dignity and the Wet shave
- Thread starter BigAlVista
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- #22
I don't want to assume... but in the words of Paul Simon, paraphrased.. Can we call you Al?
Al, I sure hope your recovery time is short and the positive effects long lasting... Spinal pain is no joke... I wish I didn't know what I was typing about.. Get better soon..... your wife will probably thank you. <eg> evil grin
call me Ray. Or you can call me Jay. Or you can call me Johnny. Or you can call me Sunny (am I dating myself here?)
Just don't call me late for dinner!
Joking aside, "Mark" is my name.
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- #23
She's asleep next to me with her hand on my chest. She's a great woman.I don't want to assume... but in the words of Paul Simon, paraphrased.. Can we call you Al?
Al, I sure hope your recovery time is short and the positive effects long lasting... Spinal pain is no joke... I wish I didn't know what I was typing about.. Get better soon..... your wife will probably thank you. <eg> evil grin
My brother's name is Mark... His favorite bible verse, from the KJV, Ps. 37:37: "Mark the perfect man."... though he adds a comma. <eg>
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- #25
Love it! Far from perfect, in my case. Did I catch your name elsewhere as "Kim"?
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- #26
Sorry to hear that you also had to deal with something similar. I hope it all turned out well for you.I don't want to assume... but in the words of Paul Simon, paraphrased.. Can we call you Al?
Al, I sure hope your recovery time is short and the positive effects long lasting... Spinal pain is no joke... I wish I didn't know what I was typing about.. Get better soon..... your wife will probably thank you. <eg> evil grin
Yes, my name is Kim... I was born in 1953 and was named after a popular Rudyard Kipling character in the film "Kim"... a little boy from India. Kim Novak changed the number of males named Kim in ~ 1958. There were 3 male Kims in my HS graduating class and only one Kimberly.
I have 5 deformed vertebrae in the middle of my back for which there is no surgical solution... They are pie shaped instead of rectangular and I have that chronic pain thing.... but you learn to live with it and make allowances where you can. I'm glad I can still get around well at 70. I lost around 80 pounds over the last two years and that has helped tremendously... though this past 2 weeks in Bali hasn't been easy. The food here is amazing. This last week, I'm watching things carefully so I don't get shocked when I step on that scale when we get back. If I only gain 5 pounds since we left, I'll count that a victory and lose them over the next couple months or so.
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- #28
Nice to meet you, Kim. I've never been to Bali. The closest to there I've been is Tahiti. Spent a summer traveling through French Polynesia with my parents and sister. Beautiful place. I'll never forget diving with Manta Rays in Morrea and feeding the sharks in Rangiroa. I am also a foodie and could stand to lose a few pounds (or more 
)
I'm sorry to hear about your back, the condition sounds painful. Is it genetic? My father has back problems in the same spots I do, and it seems my older son may have inherited the same.
It would seem we do pay for the sins of our fathers.
)I'm sorry to hear about your back, the condition sounds painful. Is it genetic? My father has back problems in the same spots I do, and it seems my older son may have inherited the same.
It would seem we do pay for the sins of our fathers.
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- #29
Day 2: Reset
It was a warm spring day in 1991 and we were going out on our third date to see Kevin Costner's Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. The movie theater was air conditioned to about 5 degrees Kelvin, but I was engrossed in the action and didn't notice. I felt a warm sweatshirt being draped over my shoulders. The beautiful young woman who would later become my wife was cold and assumed I must be as well. Rather than covering herself, she covered me. I took the sweatshirt, snuggled up next to her, and covered us both.
I am standing bare topped in the bathroom. On the sink counter, I see a jar of Grooming Department Lavender pre-shave, some Art of Shaving Bourbon shave cream, an AP Shave Company brush with a 25mm Muhle STF knot, and a freshly pressed shaving towel. All of those things had been on a shelf, out of reach the day before, but had been taken down without request and placed where I would want them. God, I love that woman. In the dressing room lies my cervical collar, and an array of muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories and pain killers softly calling out to me. "We know it hurts. We'll help you. Go back to bed"
The mirror stares at me, patiently waiting.
I can't help thinking about @ButterfaceX's post about his father. Will I be wearing freshly pressed pants, a buttoned down shirt and shined shoes, or would I crawl back to bed in a medically permitted medicinal stupor?
The mirror continues its gaze.
Prior to my procedure, @Grundi was kind enough to include me in a PIF (A Tale of Two Bridges) and i had begun my evaluation of some UK manufactured London Bridge blades. Noting that my hospital stay and subsequent ride home had been like a forced midieval visit to the Tower of London rack, it feels appropriate to begin my recovery by finishing my review of that sharp but smoothe London blade. With the limited mobility, I'm going a bit lite on the creams, balms and related goop:
I finish the shave, and scowl at the mirror. The pain is back up to "6" again. I take some Tylenol and a methylcaribinol, strap on my collar and get back into bed. While I'm not quite ready for shined shoes and pressed pants, I start the day knowing that, at a minimum, I am not a lazy face.
It was a warm spring day in 1991 and we were going out on our third date to see Kevin Costner's Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. The movie theater was air conditioned to about 5 degrees Kelvin, but I was engrossed in the action and didn't notice. I felt a warm sweatshirt being draped over my shoulders. The beautiful young woman who would later become my wife was cold and assumed I must be as well. Rather than covering herself, she covered me. I took the sweatshirt, snuggled up next to her, and covered us both.
I am standing bare topped in the bathroom. On the sink counter, I see a jar of Grooming Department Lavender pre-shave, some Art of Shaving Bourbon shave cream, an AP Shave Company brush with a 25mm Muhle STF knot, and a freshly pressed shaving towel. All of those things had been on a shelf, out of reach the day before, but had been taken down without request and placed where I would want them. God, I love that woman. In the dressing room lies my cervical collar, and an array of muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories and pain killers softly calling out to me. "We know it hurts. We'll help you. Go back to bed"
The mirror stares at me, patiently waiting.
I can't help thinking about @ButterfaceX's post about his father. Will I be wearing freshly pressed pants, a buttoned down shirt and shined shoes, or would I crawl back to bed in a medically permitted medicinal stupor?
The mirror continues its gaze.
Prior to my procedure, @Grundi was kind enough to include me in a PIF (A Tale of Two Bridges) and i had begun my evaluation of some UK manufactured London Bridge blades. Noting that my hospital stay and subsequent ride home had been like a forced midieval visit to the Tower of London rack, it feels appropriate to begin my recovery by finishing my review of that sharp but smoothe London blade. With the limited mobility, I'm going a bit lite on the creams, balms and related goop:
| Pre-Shave | PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Lavender Preshave |
| Soap/Cream | Art of Shaving bourbon cream. |
| Brush | AP Shave Co. With 25mm Muhle STF knot |
| Scuttle | Pereira |
| Razor | Henson Medium |
| Blade | London Bridge UK (4) |
| 1st Pass Eval | 8.0 |
| 2nd Pass Eval | 9.1 |
| 3rd / Buffing Pass Eval | 9.4 |
| Razer, Blade and Cream Observations | Great 4th shave with this blade/razor combo. |
| Post Shave | Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm |
| Cologne/Fragrance | SV 70th Parfum |
| Overall Efficiency | 9.3 |
| Pre-buffing Smoothness | 8.9 |
| End of Shave Irritation (lower is better) | 2 |
| Nicks | 0 |
| Weepers | 0 |
| Overall Shave Rating | 9.3/10 BBS- |
| Comments | Nice shave. The London Bridge UK blade started tugging a bit, so it's time to bin it. Next step? London Bridge China! |
I finish the shave, and scowl at the mirror. The pain is back up to "6" again. I take some Tylenol and a methylcaribinol, strap on my collar and get back into bed. While I'm not quite ready for shined shoes and pressed pants, I start the day knowing that, at a minimum, I am not a lazy face.
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Wonderfully stated. Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery.
I grew 9" during the summer between 8th and 9th grade... and I'm not exaggerating... My back problems started then. If I had known then what I know now, a doctor could have gotten me into a back brace for a couple of months until my spine caught up with the growth spurt. But between lack of knowledge and my parents being poor, that wasn't an option. We have two sons.... they do complain about back pain... but don't have the condition I do, thankfully.... so they didn't get the best DNA from us, but lucked out in some ways. <eg>Nice to meet you, Kim. I've never been to Bali. The closest to there I've been is Tahiti. Spent a summer traveling through French Polynesia with my parents and sister. Beautiful place. I'll never forget diving with Manta Rays in Morrea and feeding the sharks in Rangiroa. I am also a foodie and could stand to lose a few pounds (or more
I'm sorry to hear about your back, the condition sounds painful. Is it genetic? My father has back problems in the same spots I do, and it seems my older son may have inherited the same.
It would seem we do pay for the sins of our fathers.
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- #32
Hopefully, trips to beautiful places like Bali take the edge off of that pain. I'm glad your kids didn't inherit your condition!
I hope you have a quick and successful recovery.
Thank you for sharing your story, so eloquently expressed. Your story and the responses help to remind all of us that our lives are constantly changing and there are times when change present challenges and times for us to reevaluate and appreciate what we have.
Thank you for sharing your story, so eloquently expressed. Your story and the responses help to remind all of us that our lives are constantly changing and there are times when change present challenges and times for us to reevaluate and appreciate what we have.
Great attitude and keep up the recovery...however, please do not overextend yourself. Down that path lies set backs and re-evaluations. Baby steps...you'll get there. I understand, as do we all, the frustrations involved with rehabbing and physio.
The shave itself is a victory.
The shave itself is a victory.
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- #35
Agreed. Today's big advance was...making it down the steps to lie in the family room! Woo Hoo!
Catching up on the journal, you are blessed to have a wonderful spouse, that makes recovery easier. Prayers for a quick recovery. I like your style of storytelling you incorporate into the post, a very enjoyable read.
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- #37
Thanks!
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- #38
Thank you, James. I like it: "Adapt, overcome, and appreciate each moment"
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- #39
Day 2: 5 O'clock shadow, micro-fiber towels and the Pauli Exclusion Principle
My wife wanted to do something special for dinner, so she made me a traditional Polish meal of Bigos and Potatoes. By 7pm, she called: "Honey, are you coming down, or should I bring the food up to you?"
I was feeling strong and wanted to push myself a bit: "I'll come down". I did the 'log role' procedure they tought me at the hospital, and got out of bed. As I headed to the stairs, something wasn't quite right. I was feeling tightness in my back, right by the site of the surgery. I shrugged it off and headed down.
Each step brought pressure waves into my neck. By the time I made the table, stewed cabbage was the last thing on my mind.
I brought the plate up to my lips and took a spoonful. Outstanding! But the weight of the plate sent shivers of pain across my back. I took two more bites before pain had its way with me. I returned to bed.
Taking one's meds isn't always a weakness; sometimes it's simply a necessity. I had taken the last dose of Tylenol and Methylcaribinol (the flat orange pill or "FOP") when I got up in the morning and I was supposed to take the next by 5pm. Oops.
Cut muscle tissue swells as it heals and the combo of Tylenol and the FOP had been keeping that swelling from choking the delicate nerves in my back. As I lay in bed panting, the inflamed muscles were torturing those nerves as if they were a wet micro fiber towel in need of drying: Fold the towel in half, then half again. Twist it around and around. Tightly squeeze. Squeeze again and again until the water stops coming out. Wait a second, take another few twists and squeeze again. And again. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
I took my meds and concentrated on each breath until the pills kicked in. I asked my wife if there were any bigos left. She had already poured what remained of my plate into the waste bin.
My wife wanted to do something special for dinner, so she made me a traditional Polish meal of Bigos and Potatoes. By 7pm, she called: "Honey, are you coming down, or should I bring the food up to you?"
I was feeling strong and wanted to push myself a bit: "I'll come down". I did the 'log role' procedure they tought me at the hospital, and got out of bed. As I headed to the stairs, something wasn't quite right. I was feeling tightness in my back, right by the site of the surgery. I shrugged it off and headed down.
Each step brought pressure waves into my neck. By the time I made the table, stewed cabbage was the last thing on my mind.
I brought the plate up to my lips and took a spoonful. Outstanding! But the weight of the plate sent shivers of pain across my back. I took two more bites before pain had its way with me. I returned to bed.
Taking one's meds isn't always a weakness; sometimes it's simply a necessity. I had taken the last dose of Tylenol and Methylcaribinol (the flat orange pill or "FOP") when I got up in the morning and I was supposed to take the next by 5pm. Oops.
Cut muscle tissue swells as it heals and the combo of Tylenol and the FOP had been keeping that swelling from choking the delicate nerves in my back. As I lay in bed panting, the inflamed muscles were torturing those nerves as if they were a wet micro fiber towel in need of drying: Fold the towel in half, then half again. Twist it around and around. Tightly squeeze. Squeeze again and again until the water stops coming out. Wait a second, take another few twists and squeeze again. And again. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
I took my meds and concentrated on each breath until the pills kicked in. I asked my wife if there were any bigos left. She had already poured what remained of my plate into the waste bin.
I will continue to keep you in my prayers, sir.
Btw, I like your "Life is too short for a dull blade" line.
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