Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Keep Up Our Spirits



A friend of mine is undergoing surgery today for breast cancer. I called, thinking that the surgery was over, but it hadn't even begun which seems to be the typical protocol of all hospitals. Hurry up and get here at the crack of dawn so you can wait and wait and wait while your scheduled time comes and goes. But she had a great attitude and said she could sum it up like this, "I just want them to get this shit out of my tit." I had to laugh. We all hope that we could keep up our spirits, make jokes, and remain patient. But I fear I'd be in a panic and saying things like, "One valium couldn't hurt." Or that the nurses and doctors would be saying that after dealing with me for a little while.

I love how brave people can be in the face of danger. Prolonged misery seems to be my speciality, usually the self-inflicted kind. Cleaning out my office the other day, I found a photocopy that a friend had given me about positive thinking. It said something to the effect that we create every situation in our lives with our minds. To which I think bullshit. But I do know that we have some choice in our reactions. When I start decorating for my pity parties, I'm going to remember what my friend said. Good riddance to the bad, even if it hurts something fierce to get it out.

Michelle's Spell of the Day
"The axe soon forgets, but the tree always remembers." Shona Saying

Cocktail Hour
Drinking upcoming show suggestion: Nurse Jackie

Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Wednesday!

7 comments:

Scott said...

Michelle,

I hope your friend does well with her surgery and recovery.

I really liked the phrase 'decorating for my pity party'...you have a hell of a way with words!

I hope your week is going well, my dear...take care!

Tim said...

Best of luck to your friend, Michelle. I don't think I could keep up a good attitude like that if it was me going into surgery. Getting cut open wouldn't bother me as much as being put under and wondering if I'd ever wake up.Last time I did that was when I was six and had my tonsils out.

Laura Benedict said...

"When I start decorating for my pity parties..."

Scott beat me to it, but I still say this is brilliant! Now I have a name for what I've been doing for the past two hours, and it's so much nicer than "feeling sorry for myself!"

God bless your friend. Hope the surgery was wildly successful.

Charles Gramlich said...

A friend of mine had the same surgery only a few months ago. So far so good. I hope your friend comes through well.

the walking man said...

Like the others, I would that the surgeons hands got all of the shit out of your friend,

As for the pity party crap...develop a remorseless heart and that shit will come to a screeching halt.

Anonymous said...

RIP Kung Fu--David Carradine.--AP

jodi said...

Lovey, I always remember that someone is ALWAYS worse off than me. However, I do like to doll up, have a cocktail and sop up any pity/compliments/assurances, etc. that anyone can lavish on me. All that sincerity can get sugary, hence raising the spirts! Try it!