Health « Culture « The Pink Flamingo

I need some help and don’t know where to start. First, I have no insurance and no access to anything medical. I can’t afford it. Since moving into this house, the past 50 weeks, I’ve gone from a vital person to a nothing. I’ve reached the point where I’m so weak I can barely walk from one end of the house to the other.. I’m exhausted.

I need someone to help me, and can’t afford it. With one or two exceptions, where I’m now living, kindness is at a premium and costs big bucks. It is difficult trusting people because of the situation with drugs and alcohol.

I’ve not had a real meal, something I’ve wanted to eat, since Dec 18. There is no delivery. I’m too weak to even bother with take-out. I’m so hungry I’m ill. I’ve spent way too much money on food to prep, and feel so bad, I can’t even bother with it. I tried Hello Fresh this week, and ended up giving it away.

I’m dehydrated.
The cough isn’t bad, but my back hurts.
I’m not passing blood or bleeding.
I am nauseous.
The only tachycardia is when I’m dehydrated.
The exhaustion is debilitating.
I’m too tired to even get dressed and to drive to SV for take-out. Doesn’t matter, when I get it home, I’m too tired to eat.
Yes, I have food in the house, but don’t feel like eating.
I’m so weak, I can’t even brush my hair, let alone put on make-up.

First, I’m not depressed. I’m not suffering from depression. I’m tired. I’m a wreck because I’m so tired. I’m not begging for attention. I don’t want any. Any sense of depression is simply situational based on my basic selfish needs of the moment.

Cathy wants me to to to Memphis for awhile, but I don’t want to do that. I can’t trust anyone with the cats or house.

I’m very frustrated. For the first time in my life I’m not eating to the point where Cathy is on my case about it. I was watching an episode of Dr. Phil last night and realized I’ve almost passed go not eating, and almost manipulating what I’m not eating, simply beasuse I’m too tired. I don’t even have the strength to stand up in the shower. Even fixing a basic piece of toast is such an effort, I don’t bother.

I’m afraid.

For ten years I dedicated my life to taking care of my parents. Because of the situation, there is no way I can get any kind of care unless I’m in Memphis. I don’t want to leave my new home, but there is no one to bother caring for me. I need someone to help me for awhile.

I’m so hungry.

I want a fried chicken sandwich on a real bun so I can dump buffalo sauce on it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SJ Reidhead (aka The Pink Flamingo) is a writer based in New Mexico. The author of two published novels, both westerns: Dust Devil and The Second Mrs. Earp and two published works of non-fictions: TRAVESTY: Frank Waters Earp Agenda Exposed and A Church for Helldorado, Endicott Peabody's 1882 Tombstone Diary. One of the leading authorities on the life of Wyatt Earp and Tombstone during the Earp years, she is writing a series of murder mysteries set in modern day Tombstone. The author is also working on a book about fashion in the Wild West. When complete, there will be over 2100 unpublished antique photographs dating from 1855-1910.

The author's work has appeared in Wild West, True West, Blogcritics, and The Tombstone Times. Recently the author has had to deal with a father who succumbed to Alzheimer's Disease. This is leading to a book dealing with the frustrations of dealing with the frustrations of the disease, finance, legal, health-care, and things no one bothers telling families about it. A portion of the book will contain entries from a blog she kept, detailing the struggle with her father's AD. She is also working on a murder mystery series set in modern day Tombstone and Cochise County. Several books of essays on Christian living are currently in edits. A book of essays and revisions of articles about Wyatt Earp has been completed and will include her latest work detailing her theory about the murder of his second wife, Mattie.

SJ Reidhead has been involved in Republican politics since she was 'a little kid'. During the Reagan years she was a lobbyist working with various non-profit organizations who were attempting to salvage NASA and the American space program after the disastrous Carter years. In spite of ups and downs, and numerous disappointments, politically, it is obvious the only political hope for this country is via the Republican Party. Along with politics she is an opera fanatic, has been known to stalk baritones to the point of being a baritone junkie, and loves baseball.

The Pink Flamingo went on line on October 4, 2005.

THE PINK FLAMINGO STORY

It started out as a joke. During the seven years I worked with the girls of my parish, leading a youth group, one of the things that I stressed were manners. Part of having manners, the way I see it, is to know how to set a proper table, host a party, cater it, and clean up afterward. I was fortunate enough to have a group of very talented girls in my youth group. They learned how to plan for, and execute large church functions, very properly. During one such function I noticed there were several incredibly tacky pink flamingos sitting on the table. Knowing the girls were up to something, I said nothing. A few months later they did the same thing at a function I was hosting at my home. I said nothing. They had a birthday party for me. More pink flamingos appeared - and a joke was born.

Thanks to the girls, all of whom are now grown, I have a collection of pink flamingos. It has become an ongoing joke. When I began working on my political blog, I realized the only possibly title was The Pink Flamingo!