life is so tenuous

When I had my surgery and talked with the anesthesiologist I was thinking about Mary's confidence in his abilities, and likewise the surgeon. How difficult it must be to have no knowledge of these people to whom we entrust our very lives and wellbeing. I'm so blessed to have her being my watchdog!

I don't think I mentioned it, but the day after my surgery, my long time family doctor died. He went to high school with Mike G and they were the same age. Having so many professional contacts, he likely had access to the best treatments available, to no avail. I not only feel sad that he's no longer around, but also unsure about my future Dr, as it is such an important relationship, and I really liked him and how he treated me.

Today I had my first real time in the pool since before my surgery, and it felt good. I took it pretty easy, but felt good after too. While I was there a woman who has become a good friend, who I met there, came to talk to me. She is a little younger than me, and was diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago. She had it removed, had chemo, had the second one removed, had radiation, and now has it back again in her lungs and liver. They started her on chemo again and she decided that she was not going to do that, so she stopped. They gave her 2 to 2.5 years if she took the chemo, but I suspect it will be much shorter.

My dear friend Gina's father died this morning. Her husband of many years died a year and a half ago in his fifties. My dear friend Phyllis's husband died a few months ago and her uncle died last week.

Life is precious, a precious gift, and each person who we share a part of it with is part of that gift. I suspect that doctors take for granted how much we trust them, but I'm resolved to do my best to appreciate every life that enters mine. I think we often have to work so hard to trust others, but what an incredible gift it is to be trusted with pieces of someone else's life!

I weighed in today at the Y at 178 lbs, for a gain of 1 lb, and a total loss of 116 lbs, feels good.

Thank you all, for the gifts that you are to me, elly

Pete, if you have no appreciation for poop, it probably means that you can take it for granted to some degree. I'm so happy for you!!