I read about the Obama family playing a game called "Roses and Thorns." Everyone takes a turn describing one good thing that happened that day and one problem or disappointment. We've had more than our share of thorns lately, but this week, being the second week of the chemo cycle, was generally marked by the roses of Faina feeling better.
She woke up on Wednesday in the mood for a croissant and an outing to La Madeline. While soaking up the faux French country atmosphere, she declared her interest in seeing a movie. And so we headed over to our local cinemaplex, arriving just in time to see Red. As the film reached the beginning of its slam bang conclusion, Faina's Roxicet (pain killer) started to wear off. The spontaneity of the extended trip had us not bring the bottle along. As Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren are disposing of bad guys, Faina is deciding do I put up with the pain and stay until the closing credits or head out now. She stuck it out (not for my sake) to the end. To the classic question, rating the pain on a scale of 1-10, she said, "10." Tough lady! She would have fit in well with that cast.
Today started off awful. Faina's whole GI tract was playing havoc. Patience, pills, pain, but by late morning, the misery passed and like the day outside, sunshine took over. The AM experience was pretty well banished by a return to gastro-intestinal peace, a healthy dose of Russian television, a UPS delivery of the book on CD Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk (courtesy of Betsy and Howard), and a new standard of Refuah Shlaymah greetings - a video get well card from the multi-talented Marilyn Fine and her Wednesday 5th grade class. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZYUotEyPiw (control & click on the link should work).
Being sick-y
Feels really icky
So we hope that you will feel well soon.
It has been a rose bush of a day.
Shabbat Shalom!
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As a friend of Margo’s, and recently a co-worker of hers, there are so many times I look at her in awe. I sometimes forget just what it is she must be going through at home; Margo’s calm composure and steadfast work ethic make it easy to do so. Having known Margo throughout high school and having remained in close contact with her throughout college (when we were at different universities 3000 miles apart), I have always known her to be wise beyond her years. Over our senior year of college I would hear updates about Mrs. Nagel, or Faina, from Margo; but it wasn’t until after graduation I became aware of just how serious her condition had become. What never changed, however, was Margo’s composure and perseverance. I recently witnessed this same equanimity almost a month ago when I was over at Margo’s for dinner. Seeing Mrs. Nagel, it was just like any other easy-going evening, we chatted about my new interest in vegetarian cooking, pharmacology & the nuances of salsa dancing. This typical family scene was significant in my eyes in that, well, it was just like any warm evening with the Nagel’s.
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