RMJ 34 March 20

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 ● Kissimmee, vs Dodgers

When I awoke today, I was having a dream about a fancy penthouse party where I was the guest of honor, along with Marilyn Monroe. There was no sexual content; everyone was fully dressed.

I returned to the reality of the waking state when I eyed the suppository on my bedside dresser.

I took the plunge challenge and came downstairs to wait for an hour before my appointment. To keep my mind off the moment, I wrote in my journal, catching up from yesterday.

The kidney and bladder X-ray procedure took about an hour. The nurse told me that one in 40,000 patients suffer cardiac arrest and die during the procedure. Then she gave me a release to sign. I suppose we take chances like that every day on the road, but it was still unsettling.

Laying on my back, I felt my heart speed up as the iodine entered my vein. Nothing happened. Does this mean I am not going to die, or is the dangerous part still to come? I wondered. Nothing happened. I was a little dizzy when I stepped back to my feet.

The doctor told me that my bladder was retaining urine, and that I should have the Roto-Rooter test.

I was a little discouraged as I drove to the ballpark, but Ryan was waiting for me there, and I had to get up for it. Everyone would know that I had been taking an exam, and it was important that I come breezing in as if it were a tea party.

I guess I pulled it off, and I was glad to get some food in me and have Ryan at my side. Still, I had to get ready for the Dodgers in a hurry, and I barely made it.

Actually, I didn’t. I put their lineup in my hat, instead of ours.

 

The only good thing about the game was that Ryan got to be batboy. Biggio and Bagwell remembered him from last year. And we got to play a little catch in front of the dugout.

When the game got underway, it was all Dodgers. They shelled Donne Wall and cruised to an easy win.

What made it worse was that some of our marketing executives were there, with a group of radio and TV reporters. I talked to some of them after the game. It wasn’t too tough, but I still wasn’t feeling that great — about the team or myself.

I have been having some lightheadedness when I stand up after sitting for a while. I don’t know if it’s the infection or the lack of sustenance, but I don’t like it.