I've been in a state of physical and mental exhaustion for a while now...
Between the day to day tensions in the cell block, and the demands that get placed upon me daily, to include the responsibilities of my own ministry, all combined have taken a toll on me.
And included with this is the increasing lack of sleep because some of my neighbors will often stay up well past midnight calling out to each other, yelling back and forth either arguing or having loud conversations about sports, sex, politics, or something else.
While in addition to this is now the added stress of the recent surprise visit by members of the New York City Police Department who, of all things, are now accusing me of a crime which happened some forty-eight years ago, and of which I continue to insist I had nothing to do with. It's a case which only until few months ago, I'd never even heard of.
So, of no surprise, the stress and the lack of sleep finally caught up with me. Last night, when it was almost closing time for our outdoor recreation period, I suddenly passed out. When I stood up from the exercise bench, I was just doing calisthenics on, I somehow blacked out, fell, and hit my head on one of the hard rubberized exercise mats. The loud thud sent convicts and guards running in my direction.
Fortunately, I wasn't knocked out, but a noticeable knot was on the right side of my head. Everyone asked if I was okay, and I was. I was also embarrassed. Nevertheless, the guards insisted I go to the infirmary to get checked out. They weren't taking any chances. So off I sent to the prison's Infirmary, where the head nurse on duty admitted me, despite my protests that I was okay.
Now I'm in the Infirmary, where I'm being kept for observation. Because I'm 71, the doctor ordered me to remain here for at least a few days. So for the time being, I'm writing this entry on a piece of paper, and I will continue to share more as time goes on.
The doctor said my blood pressure's high. And it is. But with all that has been going on, I've been living in a state of prolonged exhaustion, while also experiencing increasing levels of stress. But I'll be okay. My friends are praying for me, and God is with me too.
D.B.
And included with this is the increasing lack of sleep because some of my neighbors will often stay up well past midnight calling out to each other, yelling back and forth either arguing or having loud conversations about sports, sex, politics, or something else.
While in addition to this is now the added stress of the recent surprise visit by members of the New York City Police Department who, of all things, are now accusing me of a crime which happened some forty-eight years ago, and of which I continue to insist I had nothing to do with. It's a case which only until few months ago, I'd never even heard of.
So, of no surprise, the stress and the lack of sleep finally caught up with me. Last night, when it was almost closing time for our outdoor recreation period, I suddenly passed out. When I stood up from the exercise bench, I was just doing calisthenics on, I somehow blacked out, fell, and hit my head on one of the hard rubberized exercise mats. The loud thud sent convicts and guards running in my direction.
Fortunately, I wasn't knocked out, but a noticeable knot was on the right side of my head. Everyone asked if I was okay, and I was. I was also embarrassed. Nevertheless, the guards insisted I go to the infirmary to get checked out. They weren't taking any chances. So off I sent to the prison's Infirmary, where the head nurse on duty admitted me, despite my protests that I was okay.
Now I'm in the Infirmary, where I'm being kept for observation. Because I'm 71, the doctor ordered me to remain here for at least a few days. So for the time being, I'm writing this entry on a piece of paper, and I will continue to share more as time goes on.
The doctor said my blood pressure's high. And it is. But with all that has been going on, I've been living in a state of prolonged exhaustion, while also experiencing increasing levels of stress. But I'll be okay. My friends are praying for me, and God is with me too.
D.B.
