...the power of interacting with others

To make a longer story short, I am very grateful that my friend Barb invited me over to watch the SU vs. Georgetown game. The fact SU lost is another matter altogether. The point is: I got out of the house and interacted. I greatly enjoyed the company and conversation. My thumb was and is throbbing and I am now of the mindset I need to be seen by my doctor Monday.

Although I arrived with thumb hurting, bumped it, banged it with emotion, momentarily forgetting it's fragile state, while I was engaged in conversation, it bothered me less than it does now that I am home alone. And I have noted this phenomenon before. When a person is enjoying company, their ability to circumnavigate pain is enhanced.

I remain hugely grateful for the rich friendships in my life. Friends live near and far, many far. Telephone conversations provide similar benefits, but there seems to be nothing like the blending of spirits face-to-face. I know of many times during the past couple of months, since surgery, when I have been able to shuffle pain to the wayside, to where it is completely not registering, simply by being in good company, grateful in the moment for the same.

As I ready for bed, knowing that the knife cut made yesterday is truly adding to my bailiwick, I am scrambling to try to put together a way to socialize tomorrow. I know the thumb needs to be checked out and it is a weekend. I want to avoid the emergency room and wait to get into my doctor. I am concerned because my body is healing wounds much slower than normal due to depletion from chemo. The thumb is still weeping blood and I pray the doctor can dress it is a way that it is likely to heal. The injury means I am going to be unable to go to yoga Monday, a huge disappointment to me.

So...I want to speak with friends tomorrow and hopefully see someone. I want to do all I can to take my mind from the throbbing and enjoy the day of life. Monday I will be dealing with many undone tasks and also getting in to the doctor to address the thumb...because Tuesday is round two of chemo.