Elections and Organs

[corpsebrigadier]

I'm writing from the hospital today after having spent the past three weeks either running around to a number of delightful and very busy Halloween celebrations, watching and reacting to the recent US election, or prepping for this week, in which I got to have my left kidney removed. I've been coping fairly well on all fronts, I think.


I have less-than-positive feelings about the impending United States government, but I was in a good place with a lot of sympathetic and thoughtful friends who were quick to offer suggestions as to how we could contribute to local communities and to people who may be vulnerable in the coming years. I've already set out some feelers for picking up two regular gigs next year after I recover, and I'm going to keep up with doing city council observations, which is surely some sort of civic good on top of its appeal to drama-hungry sickos like myself.

I'd be lying to say that I'm not upset and nervous, but I've got (hopefully useful) ways that I can distract myself and push forward.

In the meantime, the kidney donation, which I've been working towards since the early summer and which I've mentioned once under f-lock, went pretty smoothly and without any major hitches. I've been told that the recipient also had a successful surgery, and that my former left kidney is working in their body already. It's unclear if I'll ever get more information/details as to this person, but it seems like we're both doing very well from all reports. I'm generally back on my feet and able to eat solid (albeit terrible) hospital foods, but I'm caught here with my wicked cool abdominal scars for another day at least.

Feeling pretty content in the moment, all things considered.

Comments

[suzume]

Awesome! (re: your kidney donation)

[corpsebrigadier]

Thanks!

[proustbot]

Glad to hear the surgery went smoothly and successfully!

[corpsebrigadier]

I still feel very much like a person with multiple holes in their torso, but it really does seem as though the procedure itself went optimally and the recovery thus far has been reasonably straightforward. :]

[lassarina]

which is surely some sort of civic good on top of its appeal to drama-hungry sickos like myself. I am not sure I have ever heard a more accurate description of observing small-scale politics. Board meetings for nonprofits are peak entertainment.

I am hearing a lot of "contribute to local communities" floating around this time, which honestly, I think is more useful than dramatic marches and the like. If only because I'm too tired for those but doing stuff where I can see the impact is energizing.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[corpsebrigadier]

I did--in fact--recover very very speedily, even if I still have several weeks before I can try to set new deadlifting records or anything. As for local politics, I am so very glad whenever somebody understands the allure of combining the highest levels of drama with the lowest possible stakes. (The neighboring municipality is supposedly scheduling a special council session just for "airing grievances"; I'm so envious.)

In the meantime, I did start the app process for the two gigs in question, both of which should have some immediate and palpable results if and when I get off the ground with them. I quite concur that trying for a local, steady commitment on the community level is a lot less draining and more sustainable than one-off protest events--at least for me--and I'm hoping this gives me a solid base to build from in the year to come.

[lassarina]

I'll probably start looking for something in that vein come spring; winter is just too hard on me to add a new struggle unnecessarily, especially since I'll already be coping with "wow okay first time I've been single for the holidays in 16 years."

Oooh, "airing grievances" sounds like a spectacularly entertaining time. Mildly envious myself!