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Draplin Design Co., North America

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AS VAGUE AS I CAN KEEP IT: Cuz shit, I don’t know how to put this stuff on here, or if I even should? I’ll give it a shot: Spent the day in the Emergency Room today.

I had a weird shoulder pain thing that started Saturday morning, that when I’d inhale a big ol’ breath, would ignite a jolt of pain at the top of my shoulders, and sorta down into my ribs on my right side. A pulled muscle? Or, something WAY scarier?

After a couple days of waiting for it to subside, I threw the towel in this morning, sweatpanted it up and headed over to the E.R. on 47th. One Google too many freaked me out pretty good and I just had to go in and see what the deal was. They got me right in and into the little ass-less drape things they make you wear. Always awesome. I told the nurse then the E.R. doc my little story and they nodded calmly, gave each other a couple looks and laid out a course of events. “Might be a pulled muscle, but, we want to rule out all the scary stuff…” is what the doc said. Something like that. Due to my size, history of high blood pressure in the Draplin family, and probably the frantic, fearful look on my face, they wanted to give me a thorough once-over.

Over the course of the day I enjoyed the following activities:

01. BLOOD DRAWN. I’m HORRIBLY afraid of needles, so this was a bad scene. And just as a bonus, the gal got the needle in, only to miss the vein by a smidge. Just my luck. The second time, she hit my plumbing and got that dipstick in. HARROWING. Just not down with needles but took it like the 38-year-old-8-year-old I was at that moment, scared shitless and wishing there was a beaver’s tail or horse hoof to bite down on.

02. CHEST X-RAY: The first look at my innards. Lungs and heart stuff, you know? This was kinda fun. Always amazed by this old and vital technology.

03. EXISTENTIAL, NIGHTMARISH DAYDREAMS: There goes that imagination of mine, taking over and taking my pea brain high into the cosmos exploring scenarios likes, “What the fuck are they going to find in me?” and “Is this the start of something really, really bad?” and “Who gets my records if I don’t make it?” and other self-induced, anxious explorations. Just fucking freaking out. The worst part of the day. Brain still hurts from these little waiting periods in between each test.

04. CATSCAN: I don’t like cats. I’ll just go and call them “dogscans” from here on out. My own deal. Anyhoo, the process of whatever stuff they pump into that I.V., and how it warms you up, balls first, then yer behind, then yer back…as if you were dipped in an inch of hot liquid was equal parts surreal, numbing and off-putting. I couldn’t help but feel a little “2001: A Space Odyssey-ish” inside that whirling machine. Fascinating.

05. EKG EKG EKG EKG EKG: This was awesome. The little stickers. The little jumper cables. The printouts. Just incredible. What a fucking world.

06. VISITS FROM THE DOC AFTER EACH STEP: This is where time would slow down, speed up and stop, all in the same second. Fully paralyzed at what was gonna come out of the guy. Thankfully, I got good reviews. My lungs looked good. My heart had a good, sound thump. No weird pulmonary stuff. My blood got a good review. Phew. Fucking pheeeewwwww. He said I was free to go, gave me a run down if anything weirder came up, etc. I thanked the man and welled up. Such a kind guy who was so gentle with this big, pile of mush. Thank you, sir.

07. THE REMOVAL OF THE I.V. FROM THE ARM: The nurse ripped that tape off without so much as a micro warning, completely freaking me out. Youch! Seeing that tube inserted into crotch of my elbow was pretty rough. Just a little plastic tube. Invasive. Nauseating. Foreign. I couldn’t deal and had to look away as the gal removed it and gauzed me up.

08. TEARS OF RELIEF: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. I lost my shit on the way out, walking up to pretty Leigh. Not afraid to put that on here. So relieved everything was cool, and the day was done. Thank you to Leigh for waiting for me all day. To Mom and Dad for concerned texts from their perch in Sellwood at Leah’s house. To Aunt Mary and Leah for thinking about me. To the only bro I told anything to, Lovejoy.

Way relieved. Got some Vicodin and Ibuprofen to battle the shoulder pain.

The DDC is closed for a couple days, until further notice.


There Are 34 Comments

Scary shit, indeed. Glad you’re doing ok, hope you feel better soon!

Posted by: Christopher Michon on 10/25/11 at 5:21 AM

Oh man needles. And having IVs removed. I KNOW. I once really scared a nurse in recovery. My first ever general anaesthesia (wisdom teeth) was over and I was doing okay, then some minutes later she came to remove the thingies from my hand and I went super pale (as I do) and she was like “nonono what’s happening dear, I’ll wipe your face with a damp cloth, aaaah yes, there the colour is coming back—you shouldn’t scare me like that!” Sorry, I’m just a big old baby. Happy recovery to you!

Posted by: Ingrid on 10/25/11 at 6:39 AM

Feel better Brother… Thought I was having the big one once, Turned out to be crazy heartburn. Get yourself a little sweet tea in those veins and let that sweet sugar molasses lubricate those joints like some WD-40. - TRON.

Posted by: Tron Burgundy on 10/25/11 at 7:09 AM

take care. i know how that is. found a lump a few months back. scared the shit out of me. got me thinking about juice fasting and all that stuff. feel better.

Posted by: Desi on 10/25/11 at 7:58 AM

Glad to hear that you are on the mend. I hope you heal quickly and are back at it soon my man.

Posted by: Mike Kirkpatrick on 10/25/11 at 8:21 AM

Damn sorry to have read all that, but DAMN happy there’s nothing seriously wrong. Lay low, be strong, there’s always another day to fight the fight. \m/

Posted by: Styk on 10/25/11 at 8:31 AM

get well friend.
hospitals sure suck huh.
I got your back,
or should I say,
I got your shoulder!

Posted by: dave on 10/25/11 at 9:42 AM

Good lord, man. The first post I saw and I was sure I killed you. Take care, my friend. Sometimes, that stuff is just a reminder that you’re going too hard. Take it easy, give that Leigh another squeeze, thank your folks for everything they do, and lay the fuck low. Whether you like it or not, all that shit you thought was important will be waiting for you when you return to the factory floor.

Posted by: Hillerns on 10/25/11 at 10:49 AM

Shyte, sorry to hear about your day[s]. It’s only a little easier at first to learn that it’s all Okay. It would take me a few days to get sane from your day, for sure. Here are some good vibes (and hot coffee) from the other side of the USA in Baltimore.

Posted by: John on 10/25/11 at 11:26 AM

Hope your feeling better today
Take Care and chill.

Posted by: Randy on 10/25/11 at 11:59 AM

You spread truth like an undefeated matador. Thanks for sharing it. May the couch surf bring ya daydreams & respite, dude.

enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVu4Me_n91Y

Posted by: Benjamin on 10/25/11 at 12:00 PM

Wow, hook a brother up with a “Everything is going to be ok” in the first sentace next time. Glad to hear your gonna be ok. Take it low and slow.

Posted by: mrkeroppi on 10/25/11 at 12:42 PM

Sorry to hear… Feel better! Fight the good fight!

Posted by: Studiofluid_Ben on 10/25/11 at 1:45 PM

Get better soon, man. Rest up and lay low for a bit.

Posted by: Brent Clouse on 10/25/11 at 2:32 PM

Now that’s a fuckin scary Halloween. Take it easy Chief, looking forward to seein the goods when you’re ready to get everything back on-line. Again, take it easy.

Posted by: Skegger on 10/25/11 at 2:36 PM

HOLY FUCK !!!! ALL CAPS!!! I’m glad you are good-to-go ! What a scare !

Posted by: Bill on 10/25/11 at 3:42 PM

Good thoughts your way bub. Good thoughts. A big ol hat tip to health technology and having a rock like Leigh around.

Posted by: Glass on 10/25/11 at 7:15 PM

Holy cow - glad you’re okay! Recuperate quickly - we need you around to keep fighting the good fight. :)

Posted by: PK on 10/25/11 at 8:16 PM

Good good. Good to hear you are feeling better. When you feel up to blogging again… I say one sentence per day- max. Sincerely - your Doctor.

Posted by: Dr. Scott on 10/25/11 at 9:48 PM

Aaron, Stay well rested, my friend. Wishing you all the best!

Posted by: Steve DeCusatis on 10/26/11 at 5:06 AM

Taker easy dude!

Posted by: craig m on 10/26/11 at 11:30 AM

Take care big man. Glad it was just a scare (even if a nasty one) and nothing more sinister.

Posted by: Iain Armstrong on 10/26/11 at 12:52 PM

Good to hear that your okay Aaron, take care and get some rest!

Posted by: Lance on 10/26/11 at 1:25 PM

Feel better fella. I’ll just go ahead and diagnose you with Wacom-Shoulder. Comes on more intensely the more you ravage vector graphics. Thanks for keeping your friend/fan community in the loop. Always pulling.

Posted by: Paul Antonson on 10/26/11 at 3:40 PM

As a non-fan of hospitals, I feel for ya brother. I’m convinced the drawing of blood is done more for torturous reasons than analytical. Lock the factory floor down for a few and feel better sir.

Posted by: Brent B. on 10/27/11 at 7:12 AM

Scary shit man! I’m glad to hear everything is okay!

Posted by: Dan Malarkey on 10/27/11 at 7:22 AM

I wish you well, sir. You’ll be back to kicking ass in no time, I know it.

Posted by: Allan Lorde on 10/27/11 at 8:00 AM

Rest up big guy. A well deserved break, wish it was on better terms..hope you feel better man.

Posted by: Tj Stewart on 10/27/11 at 8:09 PM

Hey, get well soon man!

Posted by: pst. on 10/30/11 at 5:40 AM

very glad you’re okay, man. scary stuff.

Posted by: Jb on 10/30/11 at 1:51 PM

So sorry to hear the news. Not only heal up but get healthier than ever. We’re all looking forward to your long brilliant career.

Posted by: shawn on 10/31/11 at 9:11 AM

Take ‘er easy Aaron! Man I hear you on needles. I’ve started wearing an Ipod and looking the other way and closing my eyes…sometimes even laying horizontally. It works for this big wussie.

Posted by: Geoff Schley on 10/31/11 at 11:26 AM

Wow, thats some scary stuff. Hope your better soon

Posted by: fijit friends on 11/23/11 at 6:13 PM

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