My Worst Nightmare

Yesterday my gym membership expired. . . I did not renew it.

Then last night I had the worst nightmare ever - it involved a giant hole being cut in the side of my house and my very large self being removed from the second floor, where I became bed bound, by RICHARD SIMMONS operating a BACK HOE!! I am still breaking out in a cold sweat thinking about it. The.worst.dream.EVER!!

I am scheduled for abdominal surgery on June 30th which is going to require me to take 6-8 weeks off from any strenuous activity. Hence I did not renew the gym membership. And, hence my looming fear of Richard Simmons! I have instructed my family on what they are and are not allowed to bring me while I am recovering. We've got a month to work on it and the rehearsals go like this:

If I ask you to bring me potato chips, will you do it? NO

If I ask for peanut butter cups will you do it? NO

What if I am in a lot of pain and crying and ask for potato chips and peanut butter cups? Do not, under any circumstances, bring them to me! I am just hoping that they do not cave in when the chips are down (so to speak). We have also discussed the list of acceptable and unacceptable foods.

I am not afraid of having the surgery and am actually very much looking forward to regaining my health and moving forward (preferably on a bike!!). And I am not afraid of the pain or the recovery (though I reserve the right to have a different opinion about that in a few weeks). But I am afraid, very, very afraid of Richard Simmons!!

Other unfortunate news is that it is not the least bit likely that I will be able to do the JDRF Century Ride in Killington at the end of August. We have had many family discussions about what to do about this - only partly because I am so disappointed about not being able to do it, but more importantly because I feel a strong obligation to JDRF and to the many people who have pledged and supported us. We have raised over $4,000 and are well on our way to meeting our $5,ooo goal. After much deliberation and discussion with JDRF we have decided that I will in no way jeopardize my full recovery, but I will ride as soon as I get medical clearance to do it and although I will not be able to do the full ride, I will do what I can, even if it is only 10 miles. And, I will volunteer the rest of my time at aide stations, mechanical stations, whatever is needed to make the ride as successful as possible. It is clear in our minds that the cause comes first and the ride is just the fun part. So with that said, if you'd like to help us make it to the fundraising finish line please pledge your support at: www.ride.jdrf.org/rider.cfm?id=8602

Thanks and as Richard says: Hang in there and never stop dreaming!