new career.... but I'm still getting
the headaches. When they start,
I have a hard time comprehending
speech. My vocabularly spins like
a rolodex - grabbing a word that's
close in sound. My vision
shimmers and blurs until only the
very center remains focused.
This continues for an hour or so
until the pain starts. Then
cognition returns and I'm able to
focus on a pain strong enough to
make me wretch, usually lasting
for eight to sixteen hours.
I spend the rest of the night
moaning in the tent.
At daybreak I slowly breakdown
camp and pack the bike, trying
not to slosh my bruised brain. I
ride down to Sisters, then over to
the hospital in Bend. I'm released
that afternoon with a shot in the
ass and some high-strength pain
pills.
All I want to do is sleep
somewhere comfortable without
noise or light. I check into the
Lara House B&B by the Deshutes
city park in Bend. Four Vacadin
and twelve hours later I emerge
from my room. Healed.
North Carolina. It's nice to have a semi-functioning brain again.