Like Mother - 20

It was actually humor that got us through Janina’s appointment with the surgeon this morning. You know that part in the movie where Forrest Gump is sitting at the bus stop having a conversation with another person waiting for the bus, and he’s telling his story. Anyway, he talks about going to the White House,“Again”, and meeting with the President, “Again”. You just have to chuckle when you think about that part of the movie, because you can almost hear his voice and visualize the expression on his face. Well, that’s how it felt for our family today. So we just went with it and had a few laughs – or at least as much fun as one can possibly have while scheduling a major surgery.

Janina, of course, was her usual incredibly strong and cheerful self, despite not getting any sleep last night (which she confided in me). When the surgeon came into the room, she greeted him with “Hey handsome!”. I know that he must have a soft spot in his heart for her. After all, he watched her take care of Dori, Michael (Janina’s husband—diagnosed with thyroid cancer a year after Dori), and then me. Despite being a professional, I’m sure it pains him, as much as it does us, that she, being the caregiver for all, now has to go through this herself, but he went along with our jokes and reassured Janina that all would be okay.

Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12th. On that day, it will be exactly two weeks since my own surgery. God has been gracious enough to allow me to heal rather uneventfully, and I plan to be totally ready to be with Janina next Tuesday to comfort and help her through those difficult and crucial first 24 hours. I wouldn’t think of being anywhere else.

Only six days to go. I’m happy that my own surgery is behind me, sad that my daughter’s is yet to come, but in acceptance of the fact that we must do it “Again”.

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