Across the Line

April 9--First day RT:   Some of you might be aware that April 9 was Birkat Ha Chammah, a moment which comes around every 28 years, when the sun is supposedly at the same point in the sky at which it was when originally created on the 4th day of  the creation.  A special blessing is said on this day,  at sunrise.  When a couple  of friends mentioned going to the ceremony at 6:30 am, it was hard to resist.  

So I started the day with my wonderful  friends and a bunch of other crazy Jews shlepping out to the Berkeley Marina at 6:30 in the morning, to catch the sunrise, sing "here comes the sun" and various more traditional Jewish prayers, and then finally say the blessing.  The sky was mostly cloudy, so we had to say the one for the "sun behind clouds."  Of course Jews have a blessing for every contingency.   It was quite a scene, with probably several hundred people, kids, dogs, etc.  Then on to Bette's Oceanview Dinner for a wonderful breakfast, home for cooking of the traditional garlic chicken for Passover, a nap, and then 1st treatment.  Met with doctor, got zapped, (takes about 15-20 minutes from hop on the table to hop off the table); met with nutritionist who has given me a very thorough regimen for mouth care and nutrition, which involves a huge variety of supplements, rinses, etc., and which will take me at least half my day.  No kidding.   

We had a very lovely small sedar with Mike and Marlene, John and Emma.  (Leah is in New York, Avi is in Chicago).   We had the best vegetariain chicken soup and an awesome flourless chocolate cake.  We made it an early night, and Allen and I were home by around 9:30, since I had to be back at Herrick (the Cancer Center) for Chemo the next morning (today) at 7:30am.    So here I am, ensconced in my little room in the treatment center, being hydrated, and eating goodies packed by Allen.   It is nice that they have wireless here!  

Again, thanks for all of the phone calls and emails, and I hope you all understand if I am rather slow in responding.