Last night I came home from the hospital and tried to write an update. But I was exhausted and depressed and had nothing really significant to say. Since the surgery, Stella has been in a great deal of pain, both physical and (as I could tell from her usually smiling face) — mental. She was utterly despondent and nothing I could say or do would cheer her up. The nurses made her go from the bed to a chair which she hated because of the pain of sitting up. As soon as she could, she got back into the bed and closed her eyes in a morphine induced sleep.

I felt completely helpless and so I tried a few times to find some optimistic things to tell you, her Army, and I just couldn’t. I fell asleep with my laptop open on my pillow filled with sad words.

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Our Friends:

Just a short note to wish all those who have been following the situation that they have a Chag Sameach. (Joyous holiday)

I am sure that the impending release of Gilad Shalit — despite the heavy price — is a reward for his family and friends who never gave up hope through all of the last five years. And it teaches all of us to never give up hope either. We must cling to our hope with every ounce of strength we have, whatever the situation.

Now, I want to make a simple request to everyone.

But first, I want to make sure that everyone knows how much we appreciate all the incredible support we receive from friends near and far on a daily basis. Chicken soup, foot massages, e-mails, Facebook comments, and prayers, prayers, prayers are all highly welcomed.

So now I have to be honest and make my request.

Please do not ask us directly for any details of Stella’s treatment. Do not ask about scans, tests, and how many chemo treatments she has had or will have. When we have news that we wish to share, believe me — we do not hesitate to share.

But should we encounter some news that is not what we wish for, we do not want to be placed in the uncomfortable position of discussing this news with everyone. It may be that we simply need to keep certain details private for our sake and that of our children.

By all means, ask about how Stella is feeling, if we need anything, or if you want to go for a run with me. That is more than welcomed. Don’t feel you need to keep your distance, we do need your support.

Just understand that we need to be “off the record” with certain news.

Thank you and Chag Sameach.

P.S. I am planning a one man bike-a-thon in the next few weeks. I don’t have time to go into details right now, but I will write about it after the holiday. Stay Tuned!

Thanks for the flowers

As soon as we get home today, I know that we will get a million phone calls asking how chemo went. So I figured I might as well explain. The fact that I am writing at 2:30 in the afternoon rather than at 2:30 in the morning might also be a good thing.

Here’s how chemo day works. When we got here, Stella had a blood test that is required prior to chemo. A technician took some blood and then told us that it will be much faster if we take the bag of blood to the lab ourselves rather than wait for someone to do it. So there we were going between the 7th floor (oncology) and the fourth (diagnostics) with a bag of blood.

Of course Stella does not take elevators so we took the stairs. Not nearly as exciting as those high tech elevators at Asuta Hopsital in Tel Aviv. Shaare Tzedek may not be as sleek as Asuta, but it’s more haimish personal.

While waiting for the chemo, patients can get reflexology and massages in the relaxation room. While Stella initially said that she didn’t need “any of that (sissy) stuff,” she relented and went for a little foot massage. Although I think she did it just to make the volunteer happy. (By the way, they did NOT offer me any foot massages, and I was disappointed because I really wanted to show off my infamous runner’s toes.)

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