I Believe... A #BlogElul Post

I believe that among the best words a surgeon can say to someone (today, that someone was me) are these: "Everything looks great.  See you next year."

I believe, too, that next year at this time that someone will be Superman Sam and his family.

Ken yehi ratzon.

Inspired by Ima on (and off) the Bima, this post is one in a series marking the days of the Hebrew month of Elul, which precedes the Jewish High Holidays and traditionally serves as a time of reflection and spiritual preparation for the new year.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Bras

Disclaimer:  The content of this blog post may be unsuitable for all readers.  Reader discretion is advised.

Back in June, I received a package in the mail from a friend.  It contained two stretch bras (one black, one beige) and this note:

Jane –

At some point after the surgery, these will come in handy and comfy.

N.

I called her to thank her.  In early July we exchanged emails on a different topic.  My last reply to her in that exchange was this:

Thanks!  And thanks again for the bras.  I cannot wait to fit into them!
~ Jane.

In mid-August, at about four weeks post-op, I wrote to her again:

N,

I've thought about you a thousand times in the last few weeks and just this morning switched from one of my uber-support sports bras into one of the wonderful soft ones you sent me.  With the swelling I've got going on on one side, it is PERFECT...thank you!

The 12-hour surgery went exactly as planned and my recovery is on track, but as you know, it is a long, slow process.  I'm making progress but dealing with scabbing and swelling on one side that will take six to eight weeks to heal.  Still sleeping a lot, easily exhausted and fairly uncomfortable, but thrilled to be on this side of the surgery!

Hope all's well with you,
~ Jane.

Here’s her reply:

These bras have been around the country—New York, Los Altos Hills, Seattle, and back to New York. Glad to help. Let me know when you are up for a short visit. I hope you are moving around and aiding the healing.

N.

Last week, I saw N. at a social event:

“If I’d known you were going to be here,” I said, “I’d have brought the bras.”

“Are you sure you’re finished with them?” she asked.

Rethinking my willingness to relinquish them, I replied, “I’ll try to find them online and order a few.”

Although she urged me to keep one, that night I located them and ordered two (one black, one beige) from a vendor on amazon.com.  I expect delivery this week at which point the traveling bras will go back to N, along with my wishes for a speedy, smooth, and complete recovery to the next woman in the sisterhood who wears them. 

*     *     *

It’s still October—Breast Cancer Awareness Month, just in case you didn’t know ;-)—and  even though I’m off the hook for a mammogram, if you’re a woman over 40 and haven’t had one in the last 12 months, run, do not walk, to the phone to make an appointment.  If you want a chuckle before you go, check out this post from 2009.

The People on the Bus Go Up and Down...

Photo:  MTA

Disclaimer:  The content of this blog post may not be suitable for all readers.  Reader discretion is advised.

Tonight I took a very bumpy bus ride home from a BRCA support group meeting at Mt. Sinai.  For the first time in my life, I was going up and down, but my, um, body parts weren’t.  The silver lining for sure…

Light in Our Lives: One In an Occasional #BlogElul Series

Thanks to Ima from Ima on (and off) the Bima
for this Blog Elul badge.

In today’s Jewel of Elul, Rabbi Jack Riemer, founding chair of the National Rabbinic Network writes:

Let us appreciate the light in our lives and thank God for it every day, especially at the beginning of every year, for that is when the sun and the moon finish their yearly cycles and start all over again.

And when we do, too.

Earlier today (at nearly seven weeks post-op), I saw the plastic surgeon for what felt like the umpteenth time, and tonight I am especially appreciative of these glimmers of light in my life:

1. I'm going back to work (for at least part of the day) on Monday.
2. Tonight, for the first time in seven weeks, I'm going to sleep on my stomach.
3. I'll be doing so sans bra, although I will be wearing a gauzy, tube top thingy (that's the technical term) to hold a wound dressing in place. (Sorry if this is TMI for some of you, but after many weeks spent in spandex 24/7, this is something for which I am truly grateful!)
4. Even the wound is healing--oh-so slowly.  It's a bit smaller than it was two weeks ago, and more and more granulation is visible almost daily.
5. I don't need to see the plastic surgeon again until early October. I hope neither of us suffers from withdrawal in the interim!  ;-)

I’m feeling grateful for this progress, thankful for the tremendous care, concern and support I’ve received along the way, and more ready than ever to turn the page and continue this journey in 5772.

A Winning Combination: People, Blessings and Pleasures

Three years ago today, three friends and I spent the day at Coney Island.  I remember the exact date because while we waited in line to order Nathan’s famous hot dogs, we sang “Happy Birthday” to David Berkman over the phone.

Although a lot has changed for me (and for Berkman) in the years since that Coney Island adventure, many things—the important things—remain the same.  I still try to acknowledge and appreciate the many people, blessings and pleasures in my life.  Today these include:

Angela, the visiting nurse who’s already been and gone this morning, leaving me with a well cleaned and dressed wound, as well as reassurance that with time it will heal.

Maryellen, one of the many terrific nurses in the plastic surgeon’s office, who tells me the same thing, answers my endless questions, and wonders why I don’t just move in to the office there at 53rd and Third.

Aunt Claire, who’s headed into New York City for an impromptu visit this afternoon.

My many Facebook friends who, with comments and messages continue to boost my spirits, make me laugh and help my healing.

Countless others who have sent food, flowers and treats, and who continue to accompany me to doctors’ appointments, call, check in, and stop by to visit.

The Dunkin’ Donuts on the southwest corner of 33rd and Second, where many of my recent outings have ended with a medium iced coconut coffee with a lot of milk.  Of course it’s not chicken soup, but it too cures what ails you.

With this incredible team in my corner, I look forward to additional healing in the weeks ahead and to enjoying continued blessings and simple pleasures together with the people in my life.

Daily Blessings

Earlier today I went to class, had a quick bite with one of my study buddies, and returned home with enough energy left to catch up on email and to poke around on Facebook for a while.  I even posted this status update:

Wow...energy seems to be coming back. What a good feeling!

More to the point, I believe today’s the day for this blessing:

Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, shegmalani kol tov.

I praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the universe, who restores me to health and safety.

Next week:  back to work!

How Much Does Ten Pounds Weigh?

Among other things, the hospital’s discharge instructions (issued on December 30th) say:  “No lifting more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks.”

So, how much does 10 pounds weigh? Without a scale it’s hard to know…

I know Ari weighs more than 10 pounds.  His mother told me so, and she wouldn't let me pick him up, only putting him in my lap after I sat on the couch.

But, how many sheets, towels and clothes are too many to carry to the laundry room? Does a dining room chair weigh 10 pounds? What about a folding chair? A bag of groceries? Two bags of groceries? A laptop computer in a carrying case?

Hmmmm…Maybe I should just go back to the couch, open a book or flip on the TV and not worry about how much 10 pounds really weighs.

Sounds like a plan to me…what do you think?

No Chair for a Queen

In a Facebook message yesterday, one of my friends, in trying to arrange a time to visit said, “You're the queen, and you can decide when to hold court!”  Although that may be true at the moment, this is no chair in which a queen should hold court:

On the best of days, it’s not the easiest from which to rise.  And now?  Fuggedaboutit!