Here's the story...

Last Sunday (8 days ago)...

I was hit in the nose [hard] while playing basketball. It made a loud 'crack!' noise. I was then hit again about 20 minutes later. Original thought: It's probably broken. Oh well, it's happened before. It's just a nose. Second thought: Very real chance I have a concussion, too.

But...for the past 8 days, I've been having very intense, almost blinding headaches. They come and go every few minutes, each time worse than the last it seems. It's like a sharp, stabbing pain in the side of my face and head. One night, it got so bad I cried. And I'm not a crier. I even fell down once. I haven't told some people because I know they'd worry. I shouldn't have told some others, because they won't stop hounding me about it. Or others because they've been rude and not supportive at all.

Scary moments:
1. Someone actually mentioned (with a straight face) the idea of "internal bleeding". Eek!
2. I awoke to the following news story on ESPN.com: [NAIA football player dies following blow to head]

I do not have health insurance. I can't go get X-rays. I can't go get it checked out. I'll just have to ride it out. But I've been worried. And I'm not a worrier, either. But I'm doing all the right things in terms of taking care of myself. Except for not playing basketball. Don't even try. I've played three times since then, and plan on continuing...

Basketball has been the one constant in my life--especially lately--and no one is taking it away from me. Not that.

After looking feverishly online and analyzing myself, this is the best diagnosis I seem to be able to find:
- My nose is broken. There's no way around it.
- I may or may not have a concussion. I'd be certain of it, but I haven't vomited. They say that's a key sign. Although I haven't thrown up in more than 8 years, so maybe that's not a key variable for me?
- Somehow, the blow to the head may have caused some sort of migraine onset. Although my headaches have been shorter and more reoccurring than migraines are supposed to be.

Ultimate synopsis: I still have no freaking idea.

There. I talked about it. Now I'm done. Moving on...

Other news:
- The Cubs suck. Definition of irony: Talk to a Cub fan about a broken heart. Hello? Every day.
- This could be a big week for me. No details now, just be aware.
- My propensity for saying the right thing to the wrong person/people is epic. The streak continues! Someday, it will pay off. I am sure of it. Well, sort of. Well, maybe. Or maybe not. But that's who I am. Foot in mouth? Whoa is me.
- Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics pitched a perfect game yesterday. I watched the last four innings. Perspective: The first recorded baseball game took place in 1846. In 164 years, there have been 19 perfect games. 19. Perfect game = most beautiful thing in sports. I love baseball.
- New poll question. Vote on it! Go. In the meantime...

Results from most recent poll:

Question: Where are you from?
McPherson (county), KS: 4 votes (26%)
Somewhere else in KS: 4 votes (26%)
Another state: 3 votes (20%)
Wichita, KS: 2 votes (13%)
Pretty Prairie, KS: 2 votes (13%)
Another country: 0 votes (0%)

Once again, this poll didn't tell me much. I have tons of friends from other countries--but apparently none of them read my blog. Tear. And only 2 Wichita people is a little surprising. No worries, on to the next poll, I suppose...

Have a good week,
Derrick