I just wanted to see one. My emotional state this afternoon needed a strong dose of nature, so I took a hike. And I was thinking about the showy orchid. I’d only seen one before, in all nine of my Appalachian springs. The orchid was an omen I longed for. Just one, to make me happy. I … read more Pandas of the American forest
Tag: recovery
Like that
Some ladies in my community wear makeup to water aerobics class. They don’t like to get their coiffed hair wet either. If I were still in my 30s I might make fun of them for that … but we’re all getting older, aren’t we? They look nice when they leave the fitness center – unlike me, with … read more Like that
Holes in my head
For more than a month, I’ve been running my fingers over the new holes in my head. OK, they’re not actual holes – you can’t look into them and see my brain. They’re large dents and grooves. Seeing as how they’re in my skull, they feel pretty freakin’ significant. They are near the incision that was made for … read more Holes in my head
A cold red cure
Imagine a treatment for pain that is easy, fast, simple, inexpensive, and has zero risks and zero side effects. Sound like science fiction? It already exists, and was approved 15 years ago by the FDA: low-level laser therapy. I’ve had two treatments, and those few minutes of laser did more to relieve my frozen shoulder pain than … read more A cold red cure
Newborns
The dirt crumbles under my fingers. My hair is full of raindrops. Bright green laughs against the backdrop of the still-awakening forest. I laugh along and talk to them. “Little basils, I want to be sure you have enough room to grow. How about six of you in this planter box, would that be OK?” … read more Newborns
Moving into a slower space
When Tom and I first returned to America after living overseas for five years, we couldn’t stand to drive on the freeway. Everything was so fast! It was unbearable. We’d been living in Kabul, Dubai, and Dili, where auto travel was closer to the speed of horse and buggy. Now, I catch myself doing 80 on the … read more Moving into a slower space
List oppression
Some days, when the to-do list is long, I end up feeling that I’ve accomplished nothing. I didn’t finish that research project. I didn’t write that column for the local newspaper. I didn’t respond to three of my friends. I didn’t catch up on my blog posts. I didn’t mail those packages to my sisters. … read more List oppression
Inside and out
They ask how I am. I say that I’m OK. They compliment my haircut. I don’t show them the five-inch scar it hides. We talk for awhile, and they say it’s amazing how well I’ve recovered. Fooled ’em again. It’s been more than four months since the brain surgery, and most people can see no evidence … read more Inside and out
For adults only
I treasure my pool time. I go during Adult Swim, and it’s quiet, tranquil, a pleasure to do laps. During my first weeks after brain surgery, my pool sessions saved my sanity and sped up my recovery time. Today when I arrived, the desk staff told me there are no longer any Adult Swim hours. Attorneys … read more For adults only
One of those days
More than once, during the 18 phone calls I had today, my brain gave out. It just stopped working. I continued to take notes and make verbal responses, but my brain wasn’t making sense of the sentences that were being spoken. I had to write the words down verbatim and hope that my notes will be … read more One of those days