surgery approaches

I am in the Cleveland area this week, staying with my father with the intent to get some time away from the everyday and spend time with him as I am able. It's a 'working vacation' since I am able to work remotely and need the vacation time for other things.

I was here for the Labor Day weekend and got to work on several projects around the house with my dad, which was very satisfying. I did manage to get us out of the house on Labor Day with a day trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The rest of the week, I've mostly been working from my little attic/bedroom/office here as Autumn begins to stir.

Three weeks until surgery. I'm frightened but resolved. I listened to part of an NPR story this week, interviewing a neurosurgeon who was talking about risks with brain surgery and how some of his patients would say 'I have complete trust in you' and mean it. He pointed out, however, that he was human and small errors while working with the brain can have massive repercussions for the other party. This is not news to me, of course, but an unpleasant reminder. I'm convinced, however, that this surgery can buy me some quality time. Perhaps 'rent' is more appropriate.

I am gathering people to walk with me in the Philadelphia Race for Hope on Sunday, November 1 at the Philadelphia Art Museum. We will be celebrating my much cleaner scans and newly-regained ability to ambulate. Won't you join us? Sign up with Team PENN NEURO, if you please.