It started with our usual quiet breakfast followed by a few minutes of silent meditation. We then took care of a few things around the house, and around 10:00, we drove to Mystic and walked two blocks to the bookstore to look for gifts for the kids.
That's when I was struck, slowly and then with full force, by an almost unbearable pain in the groin area. I tried my best to signal my distress to Cia, and we left the store immediately and she quickly drove us home. When she called my doctor's office, the nurse said he could see me just after noon, and, lo, by 2:00, I found myself in the surgical ward of Westerly Hospital, being prepared for surgery by what seemed like an army of medical professionals! The doctors had found what is known as an "incarcerated hernia", which they felt was a dangerous condition that needed to be taken care of immediately -- which is what they were doing.
What followed was a few hours of pain, fear, high-quality medical care, and a steady overflow of lovingkindness. I can't imagine being treated with more generous love or more professional medical care. Let me include here some of an email I sent to a friend this morning:
"We both had an amazing day yesterday, starting with a lovely breakfast and then a walk in Mystic, and ending with serious pain — worse than I’ve ever felt — emergency surgery, quiet time in the recovery room, and home again in the evening for a restful night together. WOW! We have already spent a few hours this morning just re-living the events and trying to appreciate all of it. I think our strongest feeling is simple gratitude. Yes, it was scary at times, but somehow, underneath the pain, I felt calm and confident most of the time, thanks mostly to Delycia’s gentle but steel-like support, but also to the wonderful friendly and professional service at Westerly Hospital. I don’t remember ever seeing so many smiling faces in such a short time! Somehow, it all turned into a strange kind of blessing for me. There was pain and fear, yes, but the kindness and consideration I sensed around me was far, far stronger. (A few days ago I ordered a book called “The Gifts of Suffering”, and it will be delivered tomorrow. Now, I’m feeling like maybe I could add a chapter!)"
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| An old dude drugged up and ready for surgery |
Today, a rainy one, I'm recovering nicely in our cozy home, thanks, mostly, to my brave and warm-hearted Cia. She has brought a perfect mixture of strength and tenderness to my "recovery house", and before long, I'll be out walking the roads of Connecticut with her. Can't wait!
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