THE COWARDLY LION
Chapter Seven
I went on my Sippy diet a few days later, while also being proud of myself for not giving in to the morphine shots coming every three hours instead of every four. General Masters visited all the time, and even went to the extra effort of writing a letter home to my wife, or so everyone said. General Puller never made it, not while I was in the I.C.U., anyway. He was always coming but never showed up, and it really bothered his son that there was never any explanation for his not showing up as planned either. I hated the Maalox liquid medication I had to drink on the hour, but on the half-hour, I got three ounces of milk. It never tasted so good. My body processed the liquids, which led to my next transition goal, which was getting to my feet.
Shoot and Kathy sat me up, my stomach covered by 4X4s, and over those, an elastic bandage that went all the way around my torso. I was able to sit unassisted, noting that my primary pain had shifted from my abdomen to my left hip. The hip had been in nine pieces, each piece which had been drilled and then tied into the other pieces with stainless steel wire. Good fortune had allowed that my hip ball and joint had not been affected by the bullet’s travel or its nearby hydrostatic effects.
Two days later I was able to get out of the bed and into a wheelchair. I made my first trip up and down the corridor with Shoot being my guide and the motive force behind me.
Dear Uncle Jim,
Finally caught up to my namesake with your writing. I have already started to share the books and the link with my friends and family as well as with any veteran I come across. I look forward to purchasing copies/hard copies of everything that you have available. Everything I’ve had the pleasure (not the best word to describe the actual content) of reading thus far is all bestseller material.
If I may be so bold as to offer a few edit notes:
Kathy returned with another shot. I didn’t realize she was there until I felt her working on the I.V. (bar), getting the wheels unlocked and ready for the move. I’d somehow nodded off, even with the pain. Should (bar be bag)?
The orthopedic doctor claimed that the many feet of stainless-steel wire they’d (knit) the pelvic pieces back together with was so strong, Should (knit be knitted)?
“That’s an entirely different question (that) you asked before,” Johnson replied, all of a sudden very cogent and clear. Should (that be than)?
The liquid went in. My eyes closed before it was possible for the (live-giving) drug to hit my system. Should (live-giving be life-giving)? <—I started writing these as I read them and this one has already been mentioned in a previous comment.
In the previous books we had a running timeline of 30 days. I think the gentle reader could benefit from a mention now and again of how many days your recovery process was taking. It would add another layer of depth to the story and an understanding of Juniors healing process, as well as fitting with Juniors already developed character of being time conscious. Just one humble readers opinion.
V/r Dennis M Pustinger
thank you LT.
glad to have you up again.
Every day, my prayers express gratitude that, while wearing the globe and anchor, I didn’t have to put my life on the line. I’m grateful I had a few years with you, Jim, but didn’t have a clue as to what you had gone through. I’m in my 62nd year with Mass and still making waves. My USMC flag flies every day outside of my home. Keep the chapters coming. SF, Tom
Thanks for that Tom. I was not in very good shape back then with working my way back into this ‘make believe’ world, especially since I was hiding so much.
I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if I’d not gone to the Nam and just been a regular life insurance agent. I did like doing that until I
foolishly thought I could be a successful manager. I did build an agency in Albuquerque from one old agent into a thirty-three agent number one powerhouse for
the Principal but I didn’t like being in management at all. My personal production was about one third of the entire agencies in those years because I just
mostly stayed in the field and man oh man was New Mexico virgin territory…after the outstanding training and experience that I got from you.
Semper fi, the Marine inside me remains to this day too, although Junior is locked away down there somewhere forever. I’m a Christian today but have only been
a real one for three years.
Your friend
Jim
LT I’ve said it before and will keep on saying it. Your writing is engrossing and riveting. I am so into this book just as I was into “30 Days”. You have on several occasions complimented the VA on how you have been treated, and I have received care at the VA in Omaha, Lincoln, and here in Grand Island, NE , and like you the care was 1st rate. As both a former Corpsman and an RN if I don’t know good care no one does. Keep up the good work. Semper Fi
Damn the hip, there is no escape from that pain. Mine both disintegrated, one one year, the other the next. The narcotics mainly take the edge off, you have to grit through the rest, as you well know.
Was worried that you may have gone 10-2 when my email was returned. Thank you for this chapter.
Semper Fi
I’m still kicking, finally with a full order of books. Some people have been perfectly wonderful to wait so long…after ordering.
Semper fi,
Jim
Stonewall was killed before Gettysburg, that is why the South lost the battle.
James, it is SO very good to see you back to your writing! The subject matter is tough – for many of us.
I’ve been on that golden carousel – easy to see why some folks get addicted to it. Fortunate that I didn’t. Tramadol now, and Gabapentin, takes care of me.
God Bless You for sharing your memories is such poignant fashion, and for you being tough enough to do this.
Well, writing some of this stuff, like remembering it, isn’t always comfortable and I can
find so many things to put in the way of the writing, depending on what the subject matter is.
thanks for the neat comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back James. I can’t begin to imagine the ordeal you went through but I sure am grateful for the life saving technology and medicine the has blessed us with. Looking forward to the next chapter as always.
Thanks Chuck, and yes, it was amazing just how badly some of us were hurt and they brought us back,
one after another. Part of it was science and part of it was that wonderful staff. I find people like
then in the VA now…
Semper fi,
Jim
‘OUTSTANDING’!
Pleased you are out of I.C.U. and on your way to recovery.
Thanks for this latest episode, I was beginning to worry about you.
Thanks Don, I worry about me all the time.The next chapter goes up tomorrow morning.
I’m on a roll…when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor…
Semper fi,
Jim
I’ve been looking forward to it Lieutenant.
Thanks Stuart. I’ve been a little tardy in responding to comments but I’m back in the groove now.
Semper fi,
Jim
I have been thinking about the fact that Cowardly Lion seems much more personal to me than “30 Days”. Could be, as an “fast mover”, I participated from above…luckily I have never had to develop a close relationship with morphine, could be I now have a close friend involved!
General Jackson, Gettysburg and Antietam….interesting mental refuge, I suppose the war of attrition after those battles might seem to close to reality….I have always thought my time in Iraq was best served with the former SAS close protection details because they had learned Iraq cluster in Northern Ireland.
S/F
Jim
You remain an interesting enigma Mr. Homan, and I miss having you back here.
There’s no question that TCL is more ‘personal’ in some ways because of the
poignant intimacy of its content.
Thanks for liking it and saying so on here.
Semper fi,
my friend,
Jim
Any chance you could check on my order? Sent it in December for the 3 book set of 30 days. Thanks
Jim you take the reader through every grueling moment of your recovery. The respect that I have for you and what your were later able to accomplish continues to grow! Please keep up the great lessons! Herbie
Thank your for your kind words, Herbie
Semper fi,
Jim
Any chance Lt that the 3rd vol will still be published in hardback? I’ve got vol I & II hardback and don’t want to miss vol III.
I am battling with IngramSparks as I type this.
Hopefully soon.
Thank you for your support.
I missed you Brother. It appears I have also missed some more. The last thing I got to read was when your brother came to see you. All good here in paradise,
I am sitting here shaking my head wishing I could reach out and take that terrible load from your shoulders, if only for a second. Isn’t that what Brothers are supposed to do? Brothers helping Brothers. Would that I could. Mr, you got a set of cast iron nuts and that is no lie. Respect.
It’s all there Bud, eight chapters now, and the eighth will be up in the morning.
SEmper fi, and thanks,
Jim
The pain in the mind …….so much harder to escape than the pain of the body.
You continue to pull us along on your journey back.
I know the fact there are SO MANY vets responding here has to be a testament to the healing power of this journey. You have to share it to expose it, and once exposed it can be put into its place….. not ever healed, but faced, discussed, hopefully deadened to a somewhat acceptable pain threshold.
God bless you on your continued journey….. all of you.
I hadn’t received notifications for awhile, but I’m hustling to catch up now.
Thanks Joel, for the deep compliment inherently buried within your well-written comment.
I am glad to reach so many and to have so many consider the reality of what se sometimes do to our
young men and women. I hope we do less in the future, or at least prepare them better for the journey and then
give them loving care if they come back.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back. Keep moving forward. See ya next chapter.
WOW again Jim, a very agonizing chapter!!
Typo: “awful thoughts and images coursing through my braid. “
“brain”
I can’t even begin to imagine having to carry those memories…. I can’t begin to imagine how you even begin to process memories so raw….
Peace…
Thank you for the sharp eye.
Noted and corrected.
Semper fi,
Jim
Your writing is riveting and emotional.
James, thanks for going through what you had to to produce another chapter. Semper Fi!
Appreciate your support, Michael
Semper fi
Jim
WOW, just WOW, LT what you and your brothers went thru is beyond words, but you did one hell of a job with this Chapter, Semper Fi sir
Thanks Bob, much appreciate the kind words. Chapter VIII in the morning.
Semper fi,
Jim
Welcome back James.
Good to see Kathy, Shoot, and Barbara are still there for you. Add Pustinger plus others and you have a great support team.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
if Kathy hadn’t up the dosage of my pain medication a bit to put me nearly out.
Maybe “upped” instead of “up”
if Kathy hadn’t upped the dosage of my pain medication a bit to put me nearly out.
“That’s an entirely different question that you asked before,” Johnson replied, all of sudden very cogent and clear.
Maybe add an “a” between “of” and “sudden”
“That’s an entirely different question that you asked before,” Johnson replied, all of a sudden very cogent and clear.
I couldn’t think through the awful thoughts and images coursing through my braid.
Maybe “brain” instead of “braid”
I couldn’t think through the awful thoughts and images coursing through my brain.
“No, not at all?” Pus replied,
Is question mark necessary? Maybe just a period.
“No, not at all.” Pus replied,
Interesting about General Jackson. He died May 10, 1863. The battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1-3, 1863. Captain Johnson must have liked military history to take on that persona. That said, I am comfortable with the concept of reincarnation. It resolves many moral dilemmas.
Blessings & Be Well. Stay Safe.
As always you have my back, Dan.
Thank you for your continued support and the sharp eye of a consummate ‘editor’
Semper fi, Jim
Be it Gettysburg, Normandy, Pusan, Khe Sanh, or Fallujah, those of us who fought in those battles, and others, will always have the smell, vision, and pain of that beast hidden somewhere deep inside us, only to have them rear their ugly head during a moment of weakness. I know you carry the scars of battle both physically and mentally and you like thousands of others will never be able to explain to those that have not been there, “Why is he crying”.
Gordon,
Very will said. Takes one to know one…and I much appreciate the sharing.
Yes, we carry all that stuff because our minds and very bodies are imbued with the experiences…and we can’t forget them
because we never know if we will need what we learned by going through that stuff again. Just what it is.
Junior is someone I do not care for and do not want to become again. But I can and I know it.
Semper fi,
Jim
Hello Jim,
images coursing through my braid. brain
Thanks Michael, appreciate the laconic meaningful comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
A long wait; not a long enough read. I was totally immersed in the Hospital with you. So looking forward to the rest of the story. Thanks so much for letting us into your past.
Edward, chapter eight is out in the morning.
I am back in the groove, and I hope I can stay there
this time for longer.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow
WOW HANG TOUGH JAMES HANG TOUGH !!!!
LT.
Glad to see another chapter hit the airwaves.
Informative, enlightening and entertaining.
Will anxiously await Chapter VIII.
Though it pains me to read of your physical pains, it is of comfort to me to know that you DID survive and move beyond those pain-filled hospital experiences.
God Bless, my friend.
Walther Duke. You are a terrific man and I have much enjoyed your company through
this writing odyssey. Thanks for the usual kind and complimentary words and your long support.
Semper fi,
Jim
Very nice to see the next chapter up. Thank you! Hope the recent past holidays were good for you. Your journey still amazes me.
Only two typos that I saw right at the end.
…awful thoughts and images coursing through my *braid* (brain)
….possible for the *live*-giving drug… (life-giving)
Thanks for the help Monty, don’t know what I’d do without you analytical wizards helping me.
Semper fi,
Jim