Update, July 26th, 2012 OFF TO L.A.

Dear Friends and Family:  

I'm finally able to open my laptop after three weeks not being able to touch it.  Just want to let you all know that, after meeting with the Stanford oncologist, we have decided to get my care at Cedars of Sinai in Los Angeles where Suzanne  has a great surgeon friend who actually wants to organize my total care for the next 2-3 months.  After a blood transfusion tomorrow morning to bring up my hemoglobin, Rich, Steph and I will drive down, where I will start treatment on Monday. 

By accident or design, Ethan and Suzanne had just bought a house to remodel with huge guest quarters.  In the last two days they have furnished them with his Mother's stored treasures, ready to accommodate Rich and me, Steph & family, and Simone and Chris when they come down.  There I won't be tempted to clean or water or fertilize or otherwise take care of the house.  AND I'll have my whole family around me!

I'll be in touch to give you updates when I can.  A little while  ago, Stephanie read me Suzanne's beautifully-written  blogs about her Mother's Stanford experience. In listening to Suzanne's powerful metaphors, her unyielding  directness, her choice of words, I realize that a true writer has been born and I have to take a backseat as "writer" from now on.

Thank you, as always, for the love and energy that flows toward me.  It is palpable and threads its way through my room and will accompany me to Los Angeles,

The things I'm learning is contained in this 3-line poem by M. C Richards, a writer and potter whose work I have long admired:

Three Wisdoms

"Hop, hop!" said the hare.

"Go slow!" said the snail.

"Pace yourself,"  said the Cheetah,

"It's a long run."

And so it is. I'm ready for the long run.

With Love, Gabriele