How my day began

Telephone: Ring ring, ring ring, ring ring

Udge (mumbles): Hello?

Caller: Idiot! Bloody idiot!! Gah!!! Why didn't you call me?

Udge: Ah, good morning Lioness. How are you?

Spent the last days mostly at home, mostly in or on my bed. I've read a lot, dozed, even slept a few hours working off the effects of the competition last week. It's getting somewhat dull. I brought in my laptop which is now perched most uncomfortably on my purple belly as I lie propped up in bed, so this is not a long-term solution either.

Speaking of purple, I gave myself the first heparin injection (of three) this morning. I stood for a full minute with needle in one hand and a roll of belly fat in the other, before working up the courage to poke the needle in (but have to admit that it was in fact quite painless. This was subcutaneously administered (as we in the profession say), rather than injecting into muscle tissue which I now infer is the painful kind). My hand was shaking so much from the stress of the odd position and trying to push the plunger slowly and evenly that the needlepoint was waggling about. Lioness advised applying ice to the injection site immediately, which I did, and am pleased to see that there was no bruising there.

She gave me lots of good advice that the doctor didn't (e.g. avoid eating sources of vitamin K, which basically rules out everything but meat and junk food) and a few earnest warnings that I won't repeat. This condition is a combination of predisposition (low blood pressure, being very tall) and habits (sedentary, no exercise). Having got it, I shall have to be watchful (and active) for the rest of my life.

I've been drinking a lot of what I am amused to learn is called "white tea:" plain hot water. Quite deliciously refreshing.

Shabbat shalom, my dears, and happy Will Smith Day to the Americans. Enjoy the weekend.