Hospital Discharge: The Good, the Bad, and the Bandaged!

Got sprung from the hospital Tuesday — a free man, back on my buddy’s boat and officially on the mend. It feels good to breathe that salt air again, my happy place once more!

It was a very challenging weekend on a lot of levels — incredibly scary. Most folks who know me — and my journey with mental health, addiction, and recovery — also know that I wear it all on my sleeve. Monday’s post was one of those raw, sleepless, truth-filled moments I like to share, not for shock value but so others know it’s okay to be vulnerable, to ask for help — and now, in a bit less of a haze, I realize I may have implied in my ramblings that I was completely alone in the world.

All evidence to the contrary — and please know I knew that then. I was speaking more about having, like, a wife, a girlfriend, a dog, a pet rock! Joking, but not really…

Put another way, someone who’ll be there when the world tilts, to hold your hand, say they’ve got it — that you can hurt, and they’ll take the helm for a while, until you find your way again.

Thankfully, I have y’all — each amazing human, guiding me through the dark when the storms kick up! I’ve gotten hundreds of messages, calls, and comments — it was all so overwhelming to read. So heartfelt, each and every sentiment. I was in a very dark headspace, feeling pretty beat down, and you pulled me out of it, as you always do. I read every message and tried to start responding like I normally do, but they’ve got me pretty medicated — and honestly, the screen was a little blurry. So please just understand what each one meant to me!

A bunch of friends messaged saying, “Why didn’t you just call me? I’m a mile away!” I know, and believe me, I appreciate that more than you know. Honestly, it was a holiday. I did ask a couple of folks if they could pick me up after surgery, but they all had family stuff. They felt bad for saying no, and I felt bad for asking. I totally understood; I didn’t want to ask anyone else and have them have to say no — or pull someone away from Halloween night with kids, family, and parties. My parents offered too — more than once — but I said no. In hindsight, yeah, I should’ve asked for help. I really paid the price for that one.

Fingers crossed that all of this was worth it, I made the right choice and the long-term issues are gone — only time will tell! I’ve got checkups Friday and next week, and if all goes well, I’ll be heading back to Panama soon. The doctor’s got me on limited mobility — no problem there, since the pain is firing on all cylinders. Thinking a week of Venice Beach, ocean air, USCG License study sessions, and questionable street food on a stick.

You know — the classic Los Angeles recovery plan.

I love you all — truly. I’ll do a little video update later this week once I’m more mobile. But for now, just… thank you. You pulled me through another one. Hope everyone and their families are doing great!

Fair Winds, My Friends!

Days Sober: 2,158