enduring physical woes

The past several weeks have been times of physical afflictions for me. On

January 7th I tore some ligaments in the ring finger of my left hand.

This happened while I was playing basketball with the inmates from the

Intermediate Care Program, which I'm required to do.

Immediately after I was injured, the corrections officer who was on duty

at the gymnasium sent me to the prison's infirmary where x-rays were taken to

see if my finger was dislocated or even broken.

Thankfully only some ligaments were torn. But the doctor had to place my

finger in a splint. The splint must remain on for four to six weeks.

Amazingly my typing has not been affected, although I'm a little slower at

hitting the keys.

Then on Monday, January 26th, I sat down at a table in the recreation

area of the cell block where I live to help another man write a letter to his

mother. I did not know, however, that he had the flu. So having already

obligated myself, I got stuck having to sit directly across from him as he

contiuously coughed in my face.

It's kind of funny because when I asked Alvin why he didn't warn me that

he was sick, he kept insisting with a straight face that he wasn't sick at

all. I knew better, of course.

But this was the fist time I've ever met someone who was in denial that he

had the flu, even though his nose was running like a faucet and as he emittted

a wet, hacking cough every other minute.

Yet, here I was, stuck in a seat as I helplessly got blasted by millions

of flu virus and cold germs.

I knew I was in trouble. And even though as soon as I finished his letter

I ran upstairs to my cell to wash my hands in hot soapy water, I had the gut

feelings that it was to late. I was right!

Sure enough, when I awoke at about 5:30 the following morning, my throat

was sore and I could hardly talk. I had a bad case of laryngitis.

I had to work all day Tuesday even though I sound like a frog when I tried

to talk. And by Tuesday eveing I had chills and I felt weak. I knew what was

coming.

By Wednesday morning I falt like the walking dead. I also began to

develop the same wet, hacking cough that Alvin had.

To top this off, on Monday morning my left kneecap began to swell. I

suppose this was from an old injury. The kneecap area began to fill with fluid

and every step I had to take was with excruciating pain. I had to limp

everywhere, and I was in throbbing pain even when I was sitting down.

Only yesterday the swelling began to decrease and now I could walk much

better.

I'll be fine. The Lord will heal me. But this week I got almost nothing

accomplished. All I did was sleep every chance I got.

David Berkowitz

January 30, 2004