Odds are looking pretty hefty that Ye Aulde Colde Furye Blogge will be closing the doors for good sometime over the next week (note on that – see note at bottom of post), as I make ready to go into the hospital for more ceremonial lopping off of body parts. There have been some pretty gruesome medical developments along those lines in recent weeks, with things coming to what you might call a head over the last three days—wherein I fell out of my wheelchair, hit the floor, and could’t haul myself back up again, thereby necessitating a 911 call to have EMS send a cpl-three stout fellows with the wherewithal to pick my sorry ass up and put me back in the chair.
This whole sad rotation not once but twice, just the night before last. Believe me when I tell you that the humiliation was AWFUL.
So anyways, yeah—I figger the remaining four toes on the right foot are beyond salvage, which I don’t so much mind; good riddance, and right straight to hell with ye. I’d like to be able to save at least some part of the foot itself, but my expectations aren’t high on thst score either.
Since my left leg was whacked and tossed into the hospital incinerator four-five years ago (along with my all time favorite tattoo, my Naughty Nun on L Outside Claf, Bottom inked by my close friend of many years standing, Erroll Engelbrecht of Raleigh’s Blue FlameTatttoo), I’ve known the day when Mr Right Leg would kpon Mr Left Leg was more a matter of if than when.
And now, well, here we all are, drat the dratted luck.
Thanks to one of my oldest and closest friends, who generously gave me a MacBook Pro a few months back, I won’t necessarily be out of the blog-loop entirely. Probably best not to get any hopes up too high out there though, given the copious quantities of morphine, fentanyl, and (my personal fave) Ocycodone they had me jacked up on last time I had to go through this shit. Update as and when, folks. For the nonce, that is all, as you were.
Update! Apart from being, well, macabre, I think one of my personal favorite Chopin pieces fits in pretty well at this dismal juncture.
ALSO: big hearted ol’ rapscallions that they are, Barry, SteveF, and kennycan have come up with a perfidious scheme to keep Ye Aulde Colde Furye Blogge up and running, at least temporarily.
Update! BCE’s post is here.
The latest from Monday, May 6 – Mike has been moved to the rehab center within the same complex. Mike is going to have a long road ahead dealing with the loss of the second leg… We’ll start a fund to help defray some of his expenses asap.
- Entries
Buddy, I feel ya’ about leg pain. I’m 4 weeks out from knee replacement, and last night, I hardly slept for the pain.
I’m up today – less pain, but still omnipresent. Will you still be using your Substack site?
Good luck and we’ll be here when you feel up to posting. Or heck, post when you’re flying on painkillers–it’ll be awesome.
Seriously though–take care of yourself and keep us in the loop when you can!
Midwest Chick
Geez, hate to hear this Mike. Best wishes and check your email when you get a chance.
I have no recollection of how I found this blog, but I will remain eternally grateful to you, Mike, for all that you have written here over these many years.
If and when this here “hogwallow” does fade into the ether, I will mourn because it is exceedingly rare that one finds a writer as clearly gifted as you.
May your recovery be swift and full, and the road rise up to meet you!
Sad to hear this. Having enjoyed your writings for many years you will be missed. Hopefully all goes as well as can be hoped for. Good luck and Godspeed .
Sorry to hear that Mike. Stay Punk. Stay Strong. Stay Cold Fury.
Well, shit.
Best wishes anyways.
Tell them you want Magic Legs, like Lt. Dan.
And make sure they change your ID to your new actual height.
It stuns the hell out of people until the penny drops.
And hopefully, this will get the laugh it deserves:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QvsuYWvtlmw
Well, hell.
The only thing to do is start a GoFundMe to see if you can become The Six Million Dollar Man. That is, about $25M with inflation.
Best wishes, Mike.
We can rebuild him..
Vaya con Dios, Mike. Thanks for the ice cream.
I hope everything goes well and that you feel as well as you can. I have enjoyed your posts and hope you’ll return eventually. God Bless.
The world will become a smaller and less colorful place with you gone. Return ASAP the Fates willing. In the neantime, Godspeed.
Godspeed, my friend and thank you. See you on the other side if not on your front porch someday.
Mike was my initial deflowering as far as quality blogging with a sidebar of worthy co-conspirators. Cold Fury has been the home page on every browser I’ve used through the decades, save when I was a contractor working for a humorless FedGovCo customer who blocked the site.
The possibility of meeting you in meatspace grows dimmer by the month. More’s the pity. Back when we were both a good bit younger, I’d like to think we would have gone on some truly excellent rides together, not to mention a shared affection for quality whisky. Someday, my friend. Someday…
–Bob T. in San Antonio
Thank you for all the stories. The bikes, the bars, the bitches and cars. But, especially the links. I read daily, but don’t remember if I’ve ever reached out just to say thanks. Keep up the fight, get well soon, looking forward to your next post. I just realized, I might be a lurker. Godspeed.
“The bikes, the bars, the bitches and cars.”
Nice line, and so true.
As soon as you finish rehab, your ass better be out there training for that one legged ass kickin contest because I’m betting on you
Well, zero legged… I guess a kick with a knee counts though.
I’ve texted and called with no response and I’m hoping for the best – that rehab is working and medication is keeping the pain away. If I don’t hear something soon I’ll try another route. I’m away or I’d go by.
Thanks Berry
Damn Siri, Barry
🙂
Happens pretty frequently…
I have not heard from Mike so I called the hospital and he is not a patient anymore. He told me on May 5th that they had moved him to the rehab center which he thought was in the same complex. There is a rehab place across the street which I called and they do not have him. Obits don’t show a loss.
So, a mystery. I tried looking up the brother and maybe I’ll get a hit there.
Mike, if you do read this give us a sign…
Any latest word? Perplexing. Although perhaps since you’re not family they are reluctant to give out details?
Nothing further. I suspect that he’s in rehab but not in the same complex as he thought when he told me.
Yep, hospitals will confirm someone is a patient and provide a room number and that’s about it. I learned that with Ironbear and finally found a sympathetic nurse that went to his room and answered my phone call and handed it to him. She couldn’t tell me anything specific but at least she did that.
I’ll be back home in a couple days and will try further.