April 6th, 2018. It was the Cleveland Indians' home opener. I was at University Hospital having an opener of my own. Brain surgery. A year later the skin on my head is still tight. I often run my fingers along the dents in my skull. They can't be seen because my superhero surgeon managed to… Continue reading Happy Brain Surgery Anniversary to Me
Today is exactly one month since I had my surgery, and I'm getting better every day. I nap most days, and I tire easily. Pre brain surgery, a favorite activity was walking our German Shepherd mix. I'm still not up for a stroll, even around the block. You can imagine how fat my dog is… Continue reading Post Brain Surgery: 75%
There once was a woman, a wife, a mother, a teacher, a writer, a child of God. In that order. She was interrupted. It was a lightning strike. (Your chances of that happening are like your chances of being stru—) Lightning: March 8th, in the middle of teaching a class. A brain tumor. After the strike… Continue reading My Lightning
I had brain surgery on April 6th. I spent four days in the hospital, and have been pretty much fused to my recliner since my return home. I sleep there, day and night. I know God held me together as Bob drove to the hospital. At 5:45 it was still dark. Not many cars were on… Continue reading Post Brain Surgery Update
Hi Husband. For me, the operation will pass in a blink. For you...well, it warms me to know you'll be praying, that you love me, and that you'll still think me pretty even with my red badge of courage. Since I can't travel into the future to take a picture of our next meeting, I… Continue reading While I’m Sleeping
We’re all helpless. Sometimes it’s more obvious. I am Obvious, capital “O.” How I usually fool myself about helplessness is by doing hard things. Doing hard things makes me feel strong. I can overcome the next hard thing and the next...but with my tumor, there is no amount of running, no HIIT routine, no weightlifting… Continue reading Strong Enough
I am living out the age-old stumbling block: how can a good God allow bad things to happen? The question becomes so much more interesting when you add two little words: ...to me? God, how can You let a brain tumor happen to me? Because when it happens to someone else, we can justify it… Continue reading Stuff’s Broken Philosophy
The first time I recall being comforted by God, it was an intellectual decision. I was twenty and living in a section of SanDiego where you couldn't get a pizza delivered. Too dangerous. So when I heard the following logic my heart was soft to it: Imagine you are in an alleyway in a bad… Continue reading What’s in my Mind, Besides a Tumor
I don't know how to start this, but I've always been a fan of the snapshot of the mind. Here is the snapshot of my mind. Contrary to what you may be thinking, this is not going to be funny. Some of you I know in life, and some are my friends through this blog. Either way,… Continue reading Pray for Me
