tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post2775008641078820850..comments2024-02-15T23:41:36.425-08:00Comments on SIMPLY WAIT: TEN THOUGHTS FROM THE HOSPITALPatry Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-42982866285906387342007-12-17T15:25:00.000-08:002007-12-17T15:25:00.000-08:00Patry, what can I say? You are just a lovely human...Patry, what can I say? You are just a lovely human being.LitParkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17522150687696351583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-28116587838632738262007-12-16T21:56:00.000-08:002007-12-16T21:56:00.000-08:00I love the idea of the "release" in release form. ...I love the idea of the "release" in release form. Release, breathe, be in the moment. Total control is an illusion.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for reaching out to share your thoughts in the midst of a difficult time.Kate Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16478737570632377733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-91550788002561357462007-12-13T14:09:00.000-08:002007-12-13T14:09:00.000-08:00they say that everything happens for a reason (or ...they say that everything happens for a reason (or from your previous blog -- adversity is your ally). I wish the best for your recovery. And also that you turn this experience, all of the feelings and revelations, into some wonderful writing. Death really is near us at all times, and for those who realize it, not in a morbid way, but use it as something to keep our appreciation sharp, it makes life all the more sweet.Lickety Splithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09629220093724575167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-87705240359174216852007-12-12T09:18:00.000-08:002007-12-12T09:18:00.000-08:00You have reminded us Patry of the gift of life we ...You have reminded us Patry of the gift of life we take for granted every day . . . when we are all just a footstep away from death. Remembering puts gratitude for small moments to the fore and presses the molehills back where they belong.Beryl Singletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15498061251269608313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-14941961889620919622007-12-11T20:51:00.000-08:002007-12-11T20:51:00.000-08:00I first started glancing and thought someone in yo...I first started glancing and thought someone in your family was ill, and then as I pieced together more I was hoping you were writing fiction because it all sounds so unbelievable to me. Then I started from the bottom and am working my way up. <BR/><BR/>Release form. Even the name says something deeper than what is thought on the surface.colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16669375650785054059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-49900152220644574762007-12-10T15:17:00.000-08:002007-12-10T15:17:00.000-08:00What an amazing perspective--and what a gift to ha...What an amazing perspective--and what a gift to have felt you were at peace with all in your life. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing this journey so honestly with all of us.Judy Merrill Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06675069484490433295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-43223109021371979002007-12-10T07:47:00.000-08:002007-12-10T07:47:00.000-08:00Oh how it would change the way we lived.You have i...Oh how it would change the way we lived.<BR/>You have inspired me to make my own "release form" to sign in the morning, every day.<BR/>I'm so relieved to hear the surgery went well and you are here, writing and offering us such wisdom.<BR/>May you heal quickly and be well.bellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04165771647378109845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-62682153207261921042007-12-09T22:25:00.000-08:002007-12-09T22:25:00.000-08:00Patry -- Thank you for these updates. I see that y...Patry -- Thank you for these updates. I see that you are writing your way through this journey. Keep writing, keep healing. And I'm still sending you constant positive vibes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-23469480070477120542007-12-09T18:53:00.000-08:002007-12-09T18:53:00.000-08:00How good does it feel to sleep in your own bed aga...How good does it feel to sleep in your own bed again, Patry? ;) Rest, grow strong and think bliss.Larramiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788910637361812265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-85333715548620479252007-12-09T11:20:00.000-08:002007-12-09T11:20:00.000-08:00I really wish I could engage in a dialogue with ea...I really wish I could engage in a dialogue with each of you, but my after posting, my energy is pretty much shot.<BR/><BR/>However, a couple of these comments really seem to need a response.<BR/><BR/>dale:Interesting that you compared it to a meditation on your own death, which I suppose it was.<BR/><BR/>Kerstin: NO ONE has feared death more than I have. Because of my fear, I've often avoided doctors and put off lots of important tests and screenings. But what I've learned from this experience is that we're stronger than we think we are, that when the time comes, we can face whatever we have to face. <BR/><BR/>Steve: I'm afraid you're probably right. IF we had to sign a release form every day, it would become just another mindless routine. Sometimes I wonder if it's possible to remain permanently and fully AWAKE while the drone of every day life goes on around us.<BR/><BR/>mardougrrl: I would have given the same answer two or three years ago!<BR/><BR/>curmudgeon: Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your own surgery here. I remember reading your posts and admiring the pragmatic "let's do it" attitude you always seemed to convey. You were a great role model!Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-76943585326431665372007-12-09T00:08:00.000-08:002007-12-09T00:08:00.000-08:00I hope I don't have to face what you've had to, Pa...I hope I don't have to face what you've had to, Patry, but if I do, I hope I can face it with the grace you've shown.<BR/><BR/>I was lucky to spend most of last week looking for (and finding) whio (blue ducks) in the New Zealand mountains. I thought of you and understood even more how each moment is precious to me; how I wished I could share with you some of the magic of where I was. <BR/><BR/>(No, I wouldn't change the way I live. I'm already as lucky as anyone could reasonably hope for. I wish the same for you and Ted.)pohanginapetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11463792721091291063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-79899188857105939022007-12-08T23:23:00.000-08:002007-12-08T23:23:00.000-08:00so good to hear from youand read your wordsi ident...so good to hear from you<BR/>and read your words<BR/>i identify exactly with what you say<BR/>i remember watching the lights as i was wheeled along endless corridors - but i'm still here :)<BR/>best wishesflootshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01530734765701940680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-64218682844247796482007-12-08T10:20:00.000-08:002007-12-08T10:20:00.000-08:00Hi,Patry, Annie Coe here again.As ever your words ...Hi,Patry, Annie Coe here again.<BR/>As ever your words are positive <BR/>and full of strength. They always<BR/>make me think and feel. I KNOW<BR/>you are on your way to perfect<BR/>health. Sending much love and many<BR/>hugs. Blessings, Annie CoeAnnie Coehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01980814479525038344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-28455443588113013812007-12-07T14:19:00.000-08:002007-12-07T14:19:00.000-08:00Hi Patry-missed you the past couple weeks on Gathe...Hi Patry-<BR/>missed you the past couple weeks on Gather, so I visited here. I am sorry about your health challenge and wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery. You seem such a wise and observant person in "ten thoughts", but we knew that already.<BR/>By the way your post on the likelihood of a recession keeps looking better. You can write a novel and be an economics maven too, wow!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-21202687941053603152007-12-07T13:18:00.000-08:002007-12-07T13:18:00.000-08:00I couldn't think of a thing to say on the last pos...I couldn't think of a thing to say on the last post, probably because I came on it so long after it went up and so many had said anything I could say, only better.<BR/><BR/>But it's funny, when I went under the knife in February, there wasn't a moment's hesitation. In my case, as you said in yours, there really was no choice: Do it or get my affairs in order struck me as a poor choice.<BR/><BR/>What I remember thinking is 'why are we waiting so long'? Why does everyone feel the need to ask me about it? (And they kept asking me my name, too, which began to aggravate me: You'd think they'd know... and, besides, the time I might have problems with that question would be after the surgery....)<BR/><BR/>I didn't know half -- I didn't know a quarter -- of what I'd go through after. And I was lucky! No chemo, no radiation. But it wouldn't have made any difference.<BR/><BR/>I never fretted that I might not wake up; while something terrible <EM>can</EM> happen during the most routine operation, the chances were so remote, I figured, that it never weighed on me. I just wanted to get this over with already....<BR/><BR/>The other thing I remember so clearly is how many people said they'd be in there -- including a medical student who asked if it'd be OK for her to watch -- and I remember hoping the room would be big enough for all this....<BR/><BR/>Glad you're on the mend.The Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14723009641287783218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-2337463051401494302007-12-07T13:11:00.000-08:002007-12-07T13:11:00.000-08:00Beautifully written! Thank you for making me thin...Beautifully written! Thank you for making me think.Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12765673372975518220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-16529649081040891622007-12-07T12:37:00.000-08:002007-12-07T12:37:00.000-08:00Glad to see you back posting. Interesting question...Glad to see you back posting. Interesting question about the release form. After signing it a few mornings and then going out I would tire of the process. I think that I would put some pillows under my blankets to fake my continued presence in bed. I would then sneak out the back door and have some espresso with the guys.Fred Garberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308938520063396329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-3149099033107347452007-12-07T08:52:00.000-08:002007-12-07T08:52:00.000-08:00Luminous, Patry. I'm so glad you're up to writing....Luminous, Patry. I'm so glad you're up to writing. (Even, especially because you've got me all teary now thinking about blessings and choices. Thank you for that.) Hugs--LauraLaura Benedicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08474185786017084327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-6207708456386044852007-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:002007-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:00patry, a beautiful post and something all of us ne...patry, a beautiful post and something all of us need to be reminded of daily. thank for your gifts of wisdom; i am hoping and praying that your recovery is a speedy one...<BR/>lots of love, ruby.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-80236345612542017412007-12-07T07:46:00.000-08:002007-12-07T07:46:00.000-08:00When I first commented here yesterday, there were ...When I first commented here yesterday, there were no words, just the photo of trees. I'm so glad I came back to find this post. It is an interesting thing, this word "release." Not only do you release the hospital and the surgical team, but you convey the deepest sense of releasing yourself to what comes next. You made me think of Dylan's lyrics:<BR/><I>I see my light come shining<BR/>From the west unto the east.<BR/>Any day now, any day now,<BR/>I shall be released.</I>robin andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13390482190562312928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-834767081437138612007-12-07T07:11:00.000-08:002007-12-07T07:11:00.000-08:00Wonderful point, Patry, and so true. I'm relieved ...Wonderful point, Patry, and so true. I'm relieved and thrilled to see you well enough to post.<BR/>xoxo,<BR/>RobinRobinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04815309139966350553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-49185430823646145102007-12-07T06:09:00.000-08:002007-12-07T06:09:00.000-08:00What a beautiful and powerful post, inspiring and ...What a beautiful and powerful post, inspiring and moving. Thinking of you and wishing you health and healing.rbarenblathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10882606147795083729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-86424683690122917832007-12-07T05:43:00.000-08:002007-12-07T05:43:00.000-08:00Welcome home Patry. I admire immensely your dignit...Welcome home Patry. I admire immensely your dignity and courage. These and the positive support of all around you will work wonders. Love and warm wishes - Paul.Perfect Virgohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17842802482293784692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-69347678697216600162007-12-07T04:13:00.000-08:002007-12-07T04:13:00.000-08:00Beautiful, and very insightful.Beautiful, and very insightful.Staciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14148167067768602855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-32223219127192070492007-12-07T02:22:00.000-08:002007-12-07T02:22:00.000-08:00Patry, I always love how you make me think more wi...Patry, I always love how you make me think more with your words, but most of all right now - I love that you're back here sharing them with us. Wishing you heaping armloads of bliss. Love and ((hugs)). Welcome back, my friend.Tinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11584047180190646921noreply@blogger.com