January 7th I tore some ligaments in the ring finger of my left hand.

     This happened while I was playing basketball with the inmates from the

Intermediate Care Program, which I'm required to do. 

     Immediately after I was injured, the corrections officer who was on duty

at the gymnasium sent me to the prison's infirmary where x-rays were taken to

see if my finger was dislocated or even broken.

     Thankfully only some ligaments were torn.  But the doctor had to place my

finger in a splint.  The splint must remain on for four to six weeks. 

Amazingly my typing has not been affected, although I'm a little slower at

hitting the keys.

     Then on Monday, January 26th, I sat down at a table in athe recreation

area of the cell block where I live to help another man write a letter to his

mother.  I did not know, however, that he had the flu.  So having already

obligated myself, I got stuck having to sit directly across from him as he

contiuously coughed in my face.

     It's kind of funny because when I asked Alvin why he didn't warn me that

he was sick, he kept insisting with a straighat face that he wasn't sick at

all.  I knew better, of course.

     But this was the fist time I've ever met someone who was in denial that he

had the flu, even though his nose was running like a faucet and as he emittted

a wet, hacking cough every other minute.

     Yet, here I was, stuck in a seat as I helplessly got blasted by millions

of flu virus and cold germs.

     I knew I was in trouble.  And even thoug as soon as I finished his letter

I ran upstairs to my cell to wash my hands in hot soapy water, i had athe gut

feelings that it was to late.  I was righat!

     Sure enough, when I awoke at about 5:30 the following morning, my throat

was sore and I could hardly talk.  I had a bad case of laryngitis.

     I had to work all day Tuesday even though I sound like a farog when I trid

to talk.  and by tuesday eveing I had chilland I felt weak.  I knew what was

coming.

     By Wednesday morning I falt like the walking dead.  I also began to

devolop the same wet, hacking cought the Alvin had.

     To top this off, on Monday morning my left kneecap began to swell.  I

suppose this was from an old injury.  The kneecap area began to fill with fluid

and every step I had to take was with excruciating pain.  I had to limp

everywhere, and I was in throbbing pain even when I was sitting down.

     Only yesterday the swelling began to decrease and now I could walk much

better.

     I'll be fine.  the Lord will heal me.  But this week I got almost nothing

accomplished.  All I did was sleep every chance I got.

                                     David Berkowitz

                                     January 30, 2004

(c) 2004 David Berkowitz