Naval Gazing

Dear Madonna,

Yes, it's still all about the appendectomy recovery. The three little incisions are now three small scars, and the redness and bruising around my belly button has almost gone away.  I no longer "feel" it when I walk or sit or move around - in fact I was up dancing Zumba during a coffee break in Orlando last week before I even remembered - "Hey, I just had my appendix out..."

So it's time to get back into the gym, and I've signed up for a series of Pilates classes with my old Pilates teacher, Samantha.

Core. Coeur. Courage - I'm working on a theme, here.

Sorry I missed your FB chat last Saturday.

Lap Appy

Dear Madonna,

I woke up early Friday morning, a couple of weeks ago, in absolute agony. Stomach pain like I've never experienced before. It immobilized me, and took me back to four years ago when I woke up in pain that ulimately led to losing my sense of smell. I was scared, and alone. So very alone.

By the time I was well enough for a doctor's visit that afternoon the pain had subsided. No clear diagnosis was made, but when I got home, it started to hurt again. Not as bad, but accompanied by chills.

I spent a next day in bed, all alone, with the pain coming and going. Finally I reached out to the Facebook Universe with a small plaintive cry....and the Facebook Universe responded.  I was NOT alone, and got good advice that eventually led to the discovery that it was my appendix that was causing all the problems.

My appendix??!!

Life-saving surgery (a laproscopic appendectomy) was performed by a cute *young* doctor - and life-affirming *support* came in many forms:

• Shelley came and got the keys to the studio and took over running Tuesday night, with Larry helping her teach and Clem doing the deejaying
• Rita went to my condo - braving an attack by Zouk! - to feed the cats and retrieve such necessities at a Blackberry charger, glasses, and slippers; and she brought me cough drops and a newspaper the next morning
• Clem and his fiancée, Cherie came to visit and keep me company - and Clem showed up first thing in the morning and brought me a Starbucks coffee!!
• Shelley came by and visited late in the evening, laughing with me - reminding me of the time we annoyed the guests at that funny little hotel in New York
• Joanna got on Facebook to let everyone know that the "show would go on" on Tuesday night; and then she sent John the next day to escort me to the pharmacy to fill my prescription

We took a picture of me in my hospital gown on the gurney in Emergency, with Shelley, Rita, and Clem: Julie surrounded by he troups - and posted it on Facebook. There were countless messages of concern and good wishes.

I was no longer in pain. Nor was I alone.

Some Bridges Need Burning

On February 14th (Valentine's Day) my BFF and I Curious Fruit "bombed" the LCBO in Woodbridge. While we were in the neighbourhood, we dropped a "very colourful" bomb that managed to hit its mark in an unexpected way.