I posted earlier today about my morning, so here’s how I spent the rest of the day.
Wednesday is my Hideaway Bar feeding expedition, so I baked up a batch of brownies and headed to John’s place for the grub–Korean style chicken wings for the girls and fish tacos for Joy. Since I was there, I decided to feed myself too.
Earlier in the day, John had posted this on Facebook:
Excuse me if you see me sleeping behind the bar. I am not well. I drown so I need to sleep sitting up. I got myself a lazyboy and pretty much live in it.
Still, I was shocked when I saw him; he looked terrible. I asked what was going on, and he said something about kidney and lung issues–coughing up blood. Because of the fluid in his lungs, he can’t lie down flat, hence the reclining chair behind the bar. Damn, I hope he gets well soon!
With my takeout orders in hand, I crossed the highway to Hideaway.
The brownies were more popular than usual with the girls. I used a different mix–no walnuts and extra chocolate. I guess that’s the way I’ll go in the future. Beers were drunk; ladies’ drinks were bought, and I even got a freebie beer from the manager.
While I was at Hideaway, I got a message from Lydell and decided to pay her a surprise visit at Snackbar. I did confirm before going that the f’n World Cup wasn’t being blared on the TV. Nothing against soccer; I just can’t handle the noise. Snackbar’s clientele mostly sits outside, and the sound system is inside. The last time I was there, I asked them to turn it down, and they did. A bit later, an outside customer came in and asked that it be turned back up. I was leaving anyway, but I’ll be glad when this “footie” shit is over.
Anyway, Snackbar seems to be doing well. Quite a few customers, and most surprisingly, it was about a 50-50 Filipino/Foreigner mix. The bars here are usually one way or the other. One Filipino table had most of the waitresses drinking with them, which meant I only had to buy for Lydell. Win!
A bit later, my friend “Judy” visited the bar and sat with Lydell and me at the table. When Lydell got up to serve a customer, she asked my opinion about something her friend was going through. It seems she discovered that the boyfriend was liking photos of pretty women on Instagram. My first reaction was, “big deal,” and then I went into a tirade about jealousy being all about poor self-esteem and unfounded accusations doing more damage to relationships than people realize; when I paused to catch my breath, I noticed “Judy” was crying. Damn, I did come down a little heavy, and she fessed up that she was talking about her boyfriend. Okay, well, I calmed down, and we had a more rational discussion about them talking through this issue. While I didn’t see anything wrong with merely liking someone’s posts, she could explain to him it bothered her, and perhaps he’d stop out of respect for her feelings. Then I bought her a beer.
This morning I sent her that “sociopathic” quote, and she responded that he had ended the relationship last night. Okay, well, good riddance then. She said she had been alone most of her life and could deal with it; she was just pissed at herself for believing in this guy. Hmm, welcome to my world. Anyway, she’s an amazing woman, and anyone would be lucky to have her.
Actually, I tried several months ago to the “the one.” Judy fits the description of the type of woman my commenters have encouraged me to find–older (she’s forty), intelligent, and doesn’t work in a bar (she does online recruiting). She is athletic and enjoys hiking, occasionally joining our group hikes. She’s adventurous and has traveled to several Asian countries unaccompanied and backpacked on her own. I was smitten the first time we met, but the attraction was sadly not mutual. I understand her perspective; I’m old and can’t give her the baby she desperately wants. That’s the way love is–you can feel the destiny, and they are feeling “not gonna be.” C’est la vie. (originally, I spelled the French phrase wrong, despite having looked it up. Thanks, Kev!)
That was my night. And I’m alright with it. You never know what might be waiting for you around the next corner.
Oh, that joke! You disgusting transphobe!
C’set la vie.
So close! “C’est la vie.”
Okay, it sounds as if John really needs to go to the emergency room and get himself looked at. If lung and kidney issues are leading to mobility problems (sagging into a La-Z-Boy and sleeping while “drowning” = no mobility), his ass shouldn’t be at his place of work. I’m no doctor, but my first thought was “pulmonary edema,” which is really a symptom for something else and not a condition in and of itself. Pulmonary edema doesn’t have much to do with kidney problems, though, so a lot of John’s condition remains unexplained. I found an online diagnostic tool (not meant to sub for a real doc); it’s called “Symptomate.” Either have John fill out the questionnaire or just get his ass to a local ER. He’s in dire shape. When I filled out the questionnaire based on the sketchy information I read, Symptomate responded with “Go to the hospital now.” It’s 8 p.m., Seoul time, as I write this; you’ve got time to be John’s rescuer. I’d say he needs help pronto.
Here’s the sad thing, Kevin. He’s been to the doctor! I’m not sure what happened or why, but he was not admitted to a hospital where at least he’d have oxygen available if the need arose. I’ll check in with him again this morning to see if he’s doing any better, and if not, I’ll encourage him to go get a second opinion. Poor healthcare is one of the major downsides to living here.
I am absolutely flabbergasted that I spelled c’est la vie wrong. I actually took the time to look it up, and I still wrote it wrong. The distance between my brain and my fingers grows larger with each passing day I’m afraid.
Seems like John does not understand the (potential) severity of his situation. I am not a doctor (nor do I play on TV), but coughing up blood is not a sign that something good is happening with your body!!! Agree with Kevin, he needs to get his ass to the hospital.
Realize that healthcare in Barretto may not be the greatest, but if it were me, I would be making the journey to Manila. There has to be a hospital with western equivalent standards there. Have him call the Korean embassy (or US embassy) and see where their diplomats go in Manila.
Yes, there is at least one good hospital in Manila–Saint Luke. There is another one on Clark in Angeles that is supposed to be good too. The hospitals in Olongapo pretty much all suck.
I sent John a message this morning, and he said he’s sleeping better and hopes to be back on his feet in a couple of days.
If he’s got fluid in his lungs, he’s at risk for pulmonary infection. Fluid buildup inside the body, where it’s dark and warm and moist, makes a nice playground for bacteria. Infection will lead to more edema, plus fever, plus even greater difficulty breathing. And then there’s the whole kidney thing, which could range from something minor to possible renal failure.
Please keep checking on him.
Yeah, hopefully, he’s taking meds and doing follow-up visits with the doctor. My sense is that John’s one of those guys who isn’t keen on people intruding into his personal business, so I’m not sure pushing him will help. I will check in, though, and offer any help he might need.