Today(Saturday) is the day they call Holi here in India. It is the full moon and I am sure that Holi has some religious underpinning but it is lost on me and probably most of the teenagers participating. I guess the best way to describe it is a combination of Halloween and a Blue Man Group performance. Kids of all ages are marauding around with big water 
guns, and balloons filled with brightly color die. They then have much fun blasting each other so that they are covered from head to foot with a rainbow of color and sparkles. Oh, and they add a little egg throwing in for good measure. I saw a couple of girls riding around on a scooter, completely covered in purple and pink “paint”, lobbing balloons and eggs as they rode along. Fortunately I escaped being hit as I walked back and forth to the business center today for treatment. In this neighborhood at least they seem to hold off on those that are not “playing Holi”. I am told that in other parts of town everybody is fair game!
I did go back to the hospital on Thursday for the procedure. I arrived around 10:00am and then waited in various offices, the general ward, and then finally the pre-op receiving area until about 4:30 before they wheeled me into the operating room. Luckily I had brought a couple of books along with me to keep me busy. They did their work under local anesthesia (LA), which was good in my opinion, with the whole process taking about one-half hour or so. Then I was off to the recovery room for a period and then back to the general ward until they released me at 8:00pm. Honestly it was a little unnerving being in the hospital, in a different country and culture, and took a bit of a leap of faith to go under the knife. Again, for the most part all of the nurses and doctors that I came into contact with were very caring and helpful. They were all concerned that I was there by myself, but I did not see it as problem given that it was all done under LA. They had the number of the clinic where I am staying and Susan’s number so I thought I was covered.
It wasn’t until Friday when the original dressing was taken off that I saw how big the abscess cavity was that they cleaned out. Somewhere between the size of a nickel and a quarter, although not so round, and they didn’t stitch it closed! I was shocked but after talking to a few people I guess it is not all that unusual. I just hope that the rate of healing is quick enough that I can sit down by the time I have to take the big plane ride home. My treatments have been modified so that I do not have to sit for an extended period of time and they are working on a concoction that I can use as a sittz bath in the evening. I will have the first one of those tonight.
I have been thinking about what the lesson is in this new challenge. I think it relates to something Susan said to me a few days back. That at some point I need to but the big M behind me and move on. As I am standing here (yes, actually standing and typing!) I am thinking of this as the proverbial kick in the butt. It is time to move on.
Wow! Now that’s a blog post to wake up to! Love that lesson!
And I realized upon waking this morning, only nine more days until you return! Counting days is thrilling, after counting weeks.
We love you!
Susan
You have had a long winter’s restorative and healing journey, although I am sure it doesn’t feel like winter when it is 90* plus there. This last day of winter ushers in the spring and its offerings of rebirth, renewal and emergence. Enjoy the changing of your core which brings forth wisdom, insights into your deepest recesses and realities of a stronger heartfelt presence to each and every breath.
Alan – I’m so struck by your extreme courage, your humanity, your being fully present to all of life (noticing Holi amidst your own journey, the details you provide). I felt both awed by your courage and Big Sisterly Protective of you, reading this post.
And yes, it will be great to see you home again!
Diane
Hi Alan,
Susan gave me your blog info after Shabbat services. Does your last post explain how tie-dyed T-shirts came to the States? 🙂
Good luck with recovering from the bug bite. I hope you feel well enough by the time you take the flight back home. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your healing treatments when you get back home.
We had a great time at temple over Purim. Sorry you couldn’t be with us this year. In the meantime, keep blogging.
I am keeping you in my prayers.
Warmly,
Michael
Michael,
Thank you for the well wishes. I know Jacob was looking forward to helping with the activities at the carnival. I look forward to being home in time for Sarah’s birthday and soon after, Pesach.
Regards,
Alan
Diane,
I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone by. I am marking my last Monday in India….at least for a while! It has been a great adventure.
Alan
David,
I am truly looking forward to spring in Chicago, although it will be a shock in more ways than just temperature! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words.
Alan
There were quite a few people today(Monday) walking around with a faint purple tint to their skin and the streets are just covered with splashes of color…..I wonder how long it takes for that to wear off? Counting the days until I see you again.
Love
Alan
Hi Alan,
I have not met you yet, I am a friend of Susan. It’s so great to read about your experience at the clinic. I would love to go there sometime. I only went to the clinic in Nepal. I hope that the clinic had advised you about the post panchakarma routine when you get back to the United States. PK is like unmolding the body and purifying it. When you go home, the post pk is like restructuring an object from a piece of wet clay. So whatever you eat, think, and do is being stabalized into the body. That is why good diet, herbs, and rest is essential brings health for the future. I only did 3 weeks of PK in Nepal and it took about 2 and 1/2 months to integrate it.
Hi Bonita,
Thank for your comment. It came to me at a good time as after almost 6 weeks, I am feeling a bit raw and ready for the restructuring to start! I am here until Sunday and will have an appointment with the Vaidya soon to discuss post treatment herbs, diet, etc. I know Susan will be seeing you soon and is looking forward to her trip to Fairfield in April.
Regards,
Alan
Have you thought of doing the distance pulse for Susan? Vaidya can take your pulse while you think of her. He can also see her photo. Then he will prescribe herbs for her that you can bring back for her. If you have any room to bring a small bag of smriti that would be helpful. I use it when I make the takradhara. It’s hard to get. I will reimburse you through Susan. But don’t strain, only if it is easy! Take care.