Living a miracle

Tonight, in the Jewish calendar,  marks the ten year anniversary of my father's passing from cancer.  On Monday night, we ate dinner at our friends Jeff and Bronna's, in their amazing Sukkah.  Bronna asked me to be write about an Ushpizin, or Sukkah guest.  This is what I wrote: Bronna asked me to speak tonight about my Ushpizin, or Sukkah guest, and she had no idea how significant that was for me.  Sukkot was my Dad’s favourite holiday  He loved putting up his sukkah, even though it ultimately fell down each night.  He loved the smell of the etrog and he loved to parade with the lulov around the shul.  He ESPECIALLY loved carrying his grandchildren WITH the lulov and etrog!    It is also fitting that he passed away during Chol Hamod Sukkot in 2008 - 10 years ago this Friday.  It is because of this, that I chose my Dad, Sholem Isroel Altman to speak about. Almost all of you here tonight knew my dad.  And for those of you...

I was supposed to have my last chemo today.  However, there has been a delay.  As mentioned in my last blog, I wasn't feeling great last week.  I went to the doctor on Monday, and it seems that, while I didn't have the infection she thought, it seems that heartburn was causing acid sores in my esophagus!  YAY!  Fun!  Anyways, that is the cause of the throat issues and the medication I was on was causing the stomach issues.  But, as well, my oncologist wants to wait a week to let things settle down and heal.  I am disappointed that I won't be finished today,  but I went into this expecting that there will be a complication or delay.  I wasn't being pessimistic, just realistic.  I figured that if there was an issue, at least I had figured there would be!  And if there wasn't, than bonus! However, by delaying, I get to have another good week before things get bad again for the last time!  I can watch Zev play baseball, cele...

Its Labour Day. This is the worst day of the year - no kid is happy, parents are stressed because the easy going days of summer are ending, and teachers everywhere are scrambling to get ready.  Does anyone sleep well tonight?  The first day of school is exciting, but Labour Day sucks.  It just does.  Its a school night! It's 6:44 am as a I write this.  WTF am I up? Good question.  One of the many chemicals in my body makes sleeping weird.  The first week of chemo makes me sleep with the craziest dreams - Smurfet and the cast of Fauda were at a party at my house; and the second week is hard to sleep.  The first week I can't wake up, and the second I am up at 6:30 every day!  But both weeks I have to force myself to stay up until at least 10.  Nurses orders! I am not in a good mood these days.  I am bored out of my mind and totally cranky.  I am practically housebound as I am trying to avoid crowds and potential germs. ...