In 1979 Ridley Scott released a terrifying and iconic science fiction film known as the movie Alien. The film’s title refers to the exceedingly aggressive extraterrestrial creature that stalks and kills the members of a space ship. This film has engrossed millions of fans and spawned countless sequels over the years since it’s inception 35 years ago. As the movie’s tag line says … “No one can hear you scream in space”.
Of all the terrifying scenes that the first Alien movie brought, the one that has stayed etched in many fans minds, is that particular part with poor John Hurt’s character. All the man wants is some decent earth food but it doesn’t quite work out for him. One minute, he’s got a bit of indigestion, the next, he’s writhing around in utter agony with an alien baby bursting forth from his chest. It’s the stuff of full-fledged nightmares folks.
That sequence always stayed with me, locked in the back of my mind. Filed deep away for later reference. Throughout the years though, from time to time, I would be plagued with stomach issues and pain. As my issues came back again and again, that particular movie moment would float through my mind. It was the only visual descriptive that I could conjure up to express how I felt. Henceforth, my affectionate nickname for the beast. My alien within.
Sharing a body with a resident crohn’s alien, at times, can be trying, but I’d rather laugh over it than cry. It’s rather akin to having a room mate that you can’t evict because they’ve been granted squatters rights. You can picket, protest, scream and yell at the top of your lungs. You can try to kick it’s invisible ass and even call the authorities, but it’s still not leaving. The alien may go on vacation ( remission ) at times but it has a nasty horrible habit of getting back in your face with flares and full fledge wars. If it was just as simple as mind over matter, I would happily coexist with my alien.
So instead, I try to find the humor in all the funny situations my alien companion has landed me.
I would like to dedicate this post to the screen writer of Alien, Mr. Dan O’Bannon. He credited his own personal experiences of suffering with Crohn’s disease as the inspiration for that iconic chest-bursting scene.
Thank you for fighting the good fight sir.
R.I.P.
Dan O’Bannon
1946 - 2009
Wow, I never knew that Crohn's was the inspiration for that chesty nightmare. Props to you, girl!
ReplyDeleteMeauxelle I only just found out about it myself a few months back. I guess that's why I always felt so akin to that particular imagery.
DeleteAnd thanks doll :-)
I look forward to your new blogs, AJ! Every time I see that Humira commercial I think of you and think, "Man, I wish it would be that easy for AJ! Give her Humira and she goes in remission! Done!"
ReplyDeleteTY very much Reno !
DeleteThose commercials haunt me. I've actually contemplated doing a post on that particular med with its pros and cons.
Oh, please do! I'd love to read it!
DeleteI promise.
DeleteExcellent!
DeleteNicely done, AJ, you have a way with giving the reader an attainable association. In other words...ULK. You are going to help others with your words...
ReplyDeleteSteamy, Thank you very much.
DeleteI think I'm taking baby steps in just that direction.
This is really great, AJ. And you should do more posts about successful, creative people with Crohn's. I found this fascinating.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely GM !
DeleteI've found out so much lately researching for my blog and am excited to share it.
I really liked the correlation between the writer and Crohn's, I did not know that!
ReplyDeleteWow, AJ!
ReplyDelete