Wednesday 12 January 2011

Flattery beyond any Cognitive Fantasy


Yesterday commenced with an unfortunate period of hours where I was feeling too ill to even articulate my illness. Coping mechanisms, such as writing, are my lifeline to escape drowning in the pain, and yet I was in too much pain to reach the keyboard of my computer, my lifejacket. It was a vicious circle in which my dendroid dendrites dragged me deep into the depths in a despicable endeavour at destruction. My Corrugator Supercilli was continuously contracted, inducing my face to adopt an almighty grimace.

My journey to dry land commenced with the lifejacket being physically forced upon me by the wonderful woman who was not deterred by the stormy seas of sickness, which were unfortunately literal. On the still perilous lifeboat, accompanied by lifelong friends and a man of overflowing heart, the seas began to calm. These gems of evolution, who have the ability to completely transform my emotional state, have held me throughout all my treacherous ventures, carrying me when my legs will no longer walk. The culmination of this trek, finally arriving at dry land, included a tide of greetings, orchestrated by none other than Stephen Fry, from sympathetic strangers.

I am now at the receiving end of excess adulation and a stream of incredibly thoughtful compliments. This flattery is beyond my wildest cognitive fantasy! Limning the effect of one line of prose by a man of such calibre is utterly impossible. However, Ralph Waldo Emerson (writer and philosopher 1803-1882) expresses most perfectly my sentiments regarding all the beautiful comments I have received.

“We love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted.”

16 comments:

  1. Like everyone else, I'm here because of Mr Fry. I wish you all the best, and will keep my fingers crossed for a successful outcome after your operation. All the best to you, and keep up your eloquent and captivating writing.

    T

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  2. Hi - the power of the Fry strikes again. I'll start with the aforementioned flattery. You are an amazingly eloquent writer evoking very visceral memories for me. That malfunctioning dysfunctional L5/S1 disc was also my nemesis. I had it removed 11 years ago. Spent 3 years in 24hr agony but I went for the John Wayne walk (still with an imaginary horse still in place). I had the choice of continuous epidurals or surgery and the knife was the way to go. I hope for you what I got - a fuzzy furry awakening from surgery but with the crystal clear knowledge that the immense pain was gone. I still have problems now but they are minor in comparison to that dark time. Aches and pains probably more to do with my age (40 - I know not old but my mother called me middle aged the other day so some therapy will be required!) and a job where I sit all day long. I look forward to reading how you get on and I wish you the very very best. If you have any questions or would like to talk any more please look me up on facebook (Elaine Ronan in Arklow, Ireland). Good Luck!
    Elaine

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  3. Hiya, I'm also here because of Stephen Fry's tweet. I came over to have a look, and while I had little idea of the personal challenges you face, I really liked your writing. You're very good. I visited again today because I bookmarked your blog in the folder I call 'Daily Blog Circuit' - a collection of sites I visit daily as I consider them worth reading. The content of this folder changes now and then as I leave some blogs for a while and add others, but I have to be really impressed by a blog to add it there in the first place.

    I didn't intend to comment, just to lurk and enjoy your writing, but reading today's post I want to add my good wishes to the pile. Hope you conquer this monster soon.

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  4. I'm here too due to Mr. Fry, and my own experiences in the world of ill health derailing all of my plans. Your writing is excellent, and I am glad to read your blog. I wish you the best.

    Michael

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  5. Who would have thought that you could actually write well! I'm always thinking about you. Love you and miss you. Lena xxxxxx

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  6. I'm new to Blogspot, and new to a lot of other things, but I don't think I'm new to being completely unsure how to handle flattery. I think you're doing admirably well, however. And, you're interesting (more flattery), so there is that. Anyway, hi, from a sympathetic stranger.

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  7. Stephen Fry also directed me here and I am now reading your blog daily. I am so sorry you are in such deep pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you. xx

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  8. I wish you the very very very bestest of bestnesses. Your writing is beautiful. You should be published! I am so sorry that you are suffering. I hope the words of people who are clearly deeply moved by your blog will offer you some comfort. (I found you via the magic that is Fry!)

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  9. From one Chronic pain suffer to another stick with it and keep postive. The bad days will pass. Its hard but keep fighting as its worth it.
    You are an inspiration to us all.
    Everything crossed for the op. x
    (PS also here from Mr Fry's Tweet)

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  10. Wow...I never would have guessed that theres talent in our family... And praise from the almighty Stephen Fry? I must say, that is impressive and, of course, well deserved. Your writing style is simply enchanting.
    Best of luck and lots of love from Belfast,
    Joe

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  11. Such an elegant writer. So delighted Mr. Fry brought this to everyones attention. Best of luck x

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  12. About ten years ago now, I had a brain tumour, luckily benign. It still feels weird to say it and that it happened to me. I needed emergency brain surgery as it was attached to my brain stem! Now my only issues are turning around quickly makes me fall over, and I get a pain in the neck sometimes in cold weather.

    I wish for you what I have now, good health.

    May your writings ever grace my iPad as I have subscribed to your blog with reeder. You clearly are a considerable writing talent, well discovered by Mr Fry.

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  13. What a beautiful way to say thank you. I wonder how you're feeling about your (terrifying?) milestone next week, and I want to thank YOU for sharing what you do. And so eloquently.

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  14. Chronic pain and multiple surgery are incredibly difficult to handle and process, but writing about your experience is an amazing way to do just that, and I know both people, people who are going through anything similar and people who have never experienced chronic painful conditions, will appreciate your reflections and feelings, which are expressed with insight, wit, and honesty. Thanks for writing. Enduring pain's varied manifestations (low creep, throbbing needles, black hole, etc.) obviously should befall no one. But it is clear you have grit and creativity, and great family and friends, all which help. Keep writing!

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  15. I feel a bit silly repeating everyone else: I too saw Stephen Fry's tweet and came for a look and also was very impressed with your eloquent prose; as well as feeling for your suffering. I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery.

    Adrian

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  16. Although you have already a whole list of comments, here's another one because I believe in letting people know that I read their blogs. I owe a lot to Mr Fry who directed me here by his tweet. You have such an eloquent style although you write from such unimaginable pain. I am a great lover of the style of Ian McEwan, a style one of my lectures has called "crystalised minimalism". You seem to to master that style with an envious ease.
    Best wishes,
    E. from Estonia

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