Thank You!! (to everyone who made my 43rd birthday so special!!)

So, I'm still on the birthday theme because, to my surprise and joy, birthday gifts keep popping up!!

I'm still getting letters! (we're not in college anymore; there is no deadline!!)

I also received a box of Godiva dark chocolates!! (I am in heaven!!)

THANK YOU!!!

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I really wanted to do something special, at the hospital, to mark my birthday. I have been in treatment for over a year and a half, and I wanted to share my celebration with these people, who have become a part of my life. I am at the hospital every single week -- I see the people there more than I see anyone else!

I knew I should bake a cake.

The problem is, I really hate baking.

I did not manage to bake in time to bring a cake on February 12th. I did not feel too bad about it, since that was only after my "loazi" (secular, Gregorian calendar) birthday. I could bring a cake the following week, after my "Ivri" (Hebrew, Jewish calendar) birthday. After all, the 22nd of Sh'vat is my real birthday.

Of course, by the following chemo day, I still had not baked a cake.

Have I mentioned that I hate baking?

Thursday morning, finding nothing, to grab on the way out, and not wanting to be late to chemo, I determined to bake a cake next year!

I arrived at chemo and plopped my coat and sewing bag on a chair next to LS, who, as usual, arrived earlier than I and saved a seat for me. Then I went about my business, registering, opening my port, getting blood tests (I have so much more to write about this, but not in this post!), meeting my chemo-date (who came, by bus, from Ginot Shomron!! and brought candy!!!), etc.

When I finally went into the day room to sit down and relax, LS surprised me with a birthday cake!! Wow!!

LS made a really large and delicious chocolate cake!! I was able to share with everyone -- doctors, nurses, secretaries, researchers, patients, et al!! I had so much fun bringing around cake and inviting people to share in my birthday celebration!! I just felt great!!

Without knowing it, LS answered my inner wish! Her gift to me enabled me to share my birthday the way that I wanted!

As I entered the day room, after delivering the last of the cake, one of the nurses was ready to hook me up to the IV with my chemo.

I had a big smile on my face as I took my seat and settled in for my next treatment.



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA