My 2020
May 4, 2021
One year ago today I walked into the hospital where I was born to have a surgery that would possibly save my life. There were lots of things that made this a stressful scenario, not least among them a possible (very aggressive) cancer diagnosis: abdominal surgery, 4 days notice, global pandemic.. But the surgery was a swift success and all tests were negative.
As a practitioner who helps clients avoid unnecessary surgery - and as a patient who had never been given a clear diagnosis - my surgical story brought up a lot of mixed feelings. I didn’t want it. I didn’t choose it. At times, I didn’t even believe it. I was deeply grateful to have received the level of care I did, especially when healthcare workers at-large were feeling such great strain. Yet after being cut open, soldered shut and sent home, I still sometimes didn’t believe it. While 2020 unfolded, I did my best to balance though recovery proved not to be anything but a linear process.
It was difficult to stay involved in the intense mutual aid work I had been dedicated to since the pandemic struck. It was difficult to stay abreast of everything happening in the world around.
I had been told by everyone who’d had the procedure that recovery is straightforward and happens in a matter of days, but for me it was an up-and-down meandering field of discovery. Lots of lateral moves, with progress almost feeling accidental... In the beginning it took me three months to gain one pound
It goes without saying that the past year+ has been difficult for everyone. But for me, if there was a bright side at all, it was in the time and space for reflection. I’ve deepened interest in subjects about the body that fascinate me, and I’ve gotten a lot of clarity about how to bring content that speaks broadly to all bodies.
I’ve missed being in clinic during the shutdowns, and I’ve missed teaching live classes and engaging with you via online ed. I’m so grateful to be feeling better, to be reset and refreshed, and to have a really exciting plan for the year to come.
Thanks for being here with me, y'all
