ALONE! Forgotten but not gone. That best describes me now, after years of pain and immobility associated with the University of Chicago's medical mismanagement of the osteoporosis drug Prolia.
The Jewish commandment concerning bikkur cholim (visiting the sick) never seemed more relevant.*
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikur_cholim
These lyrics from a popular song of years ago would seem to apply to health as well as to money!
"Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out"
Spent all my money, didn't have any care.
Took all my friends out for a mighty good time,
Bought bootleg liquor, champagne and wine.
Then I began to fall so low,
Lost all my good friends, had nowhere to go.
I get my hands on a dollar again,
I'll hang on to it 'til that old eagle grins.
Because nobody loves you
When you're down and out.
In your pocket, not one penny,
And as for friends... you don't have many.
When you get back on your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your long-lost friend.
I said it straight without any doubt,
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
Oh, nobody knows you
When you're down and out.
In your pocket, not one penny,
And as for friends... you don't have many.
When you get back on your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your long-lost friend.
I said it straight without any doubt,
Nobody knows you,
Nobody knows you,
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
See more about this great song in this blog at:
http://www.joansbackbonedisaster.com/2021/02/when-youre-down-and-out.html
Hear a sound track at:
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ericclapton/nobodyknowsyouwhenyouredownandout.html
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*Regarding Bikur Cholim or Visitation of the Sick.
While this is indeed a commandment, the commandment to preserve life (Pikuach Nefesh -- saving a life) overrides it. This means that if "in person" visiting is dangerous, other forms of "non-personal" contact and support should still be appropriate. I discuss this at:
https://joanscovid19blog.blogspot.com/2021/01/bikur-cholim-in-time-of-covid19.html
That said, I cannot begin to thank those who have called and/or sent friendly e-mails, especially during these past months of pain and immobility. I appreciate this more than words can say.