Creating a final post here has not been easy to imagine writing.  There’s so much to address while I’m still in the thick of things: the surgery, multiple complications, caregivers, post-surgery journey, insurance company trials, health care system, and the strategies of moving from Brooklyn (25 years in the same residence) to a Manhattan apartment building with an elevator.

Here are a few bullet points of appreciation and to update you on the current status of what’s happening.

• First and foremost,  thank you doesn't begin to express the depth of my gratitude to the caregivers, family, and friends who helped me to this point of my recovery.  I am enormously fortunate to have had the generous personal assistance of Sarah, Terry, Michael K., Michael A., Angela, and Hjordis. As well as LuLu, Edith, Christine, Furusho, Joseph, Robert, Sam, Jennie, Helen, and Cathy.  And a special thanks to my Dad and his wife Charlotte who have been very supportive.  Thank you all so very much.
• Thanks also to the numerous family, friends, and colleagues who have reached out with cards, emails, texts, phone messages, and calls offering your much-appreciated encouragement on so many levels.
• I’ve been solo since June 30. While at first, it was daunting – it’s forced me to jump head-first with a massive learning curve into independent living once again. Even with much reticence, I managed it and continue to successfully accomplish most of my daily personal and household tasks on my own. It’s a slow, frustrating, arduous process – and only the beginning – but I’m fully committed to a steady healthy recovery. 
• Working with a patient advocate along with my primary care physician and cardiologist – I’m working through the insurance and health care system bureaucracies to receive long-term regular weekly physical therapy and custodial care. The latest news is once that I’m approved, one gets on a waiting list until it’s your turn. Information comes in dribs and drabs and changes daily.

Recovery from such a major surgery is a process that is different for each person.  Writing here is evidence that I am recovering slowly but surely. I’ve committed to whatever time and activities lie ahead to my full recovery. I’m visualizing that in one year from now I’ll be doing handstands, cartwheels, and herkies.

Again, my sincere gratitude for your sweet, kind, loving support.

Much love,

Ed