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Thanks to all of you who commented encouragingly on my post about my friend Brad -- and thanks for your prayers and good thoughts on his behalf!
I was going to post an update yesterday, but didn't manage it somehow -- but now there's an even better one, so I shall be able to share that as well.
Brad's surgery on Monday went as expected -- he was in pre-op for 4 hours and surgery for 6 hours. The tumor was encapsulated and sent to pathology. As far as I know, there isn't word on that yet, but I understand that it being encapsulated is a good thing! He was in a lot of pain after the surgery, not so much from a headache, but he due to severe pain in his hip and chest from the way he had to lay down for the surgery.
However, I just got word that he is feeling much better and is actually being released from the hospital today! (So soon I didn't even get a card sent to him yet, lol!) He'll have to rest for at least a month after this. His dad is staying with him at the moment, so that will be helpful.
I'll be sure to mention it if any other news comes that's notable -- in the meantime, keep Brad and his family in your thoughts as you are able (his 20-something son, his parents, and his younger sister and her family).
And now for a "me" update.
Things are hopping here in northern Chicago as all our activities that revolve around the school year are getting under way. We offer homework tutoring for South Asian kids every afternoon after school, and ESL and citizenship classes for adults. I am the new director of the ESL/Citizenship portion of things, and it's been totally crazy trying to get that sorted out! We have lots of volunteers willing to help out with teaching, but trying to get them hooked up with South Asian students who still work on what we call "Pakistani time" is always a bit of a struggle. There's nothing that reveals a cultural difference better than our commitment to being on time compared to the more laid back approach of Indians and Pakistanis. ;-)
I think it's getting sorted out, but it's been a bit of a stressful process. I am actually surprised I was so stressed about it, as I should be one who is more than familiar with the different emphasis on time. Still, it's one thing when it's me waiting for someone to come for a visit, and another to have a volunteer who is on a schedule have a student not show up with no advance notice.
Other than that, all is well. My aches and pains from falling last month have disappeared for the most part, for which I am extremely grateful! The weather has been pretty decent -- not too hot, not too cold -- and the cicadas have finally woken up and are buzzing for all they are worth. Just the way I like it! We still feel a bit cheated that we never really had a proper summer here in the Midwest; it was more of an extended spring that is now moving into fall! But it was still very pleasant and we saved a bundle on air conditioning costs. ;-)
We are heading up to Wisconsin for a quickie this weekend. We have to pick the last of our tomatoes, check on DH's parents who haven't been doing so well lately, and give DS a hand with a few things, as he has been working overtime the past week or so, and is suddenly feeling swamped. We will benefit from the sight of green and gold Wisconsin as well -- it's always restful to get away up there, even for a short visit. Especially as the leaves are beginning to turn a bit and there's a Packer game on this weekend that we will actually able to watch on TV! Can't always count on seeing that team televised here in Chicago. ;-)
I was going to post an update yesterday, but didn't manage it somehow -- but now there's an even better one, so I shall be able to share that as well.
Brad's surgery on Monday went as expected -- he was in pre-op for 4 hours and surgery for 6 hours. The tumor was encapsulated and sent to pathology. As far as I know, there isn't word on that yet, but I understand that it being encapsulated is a good thing! He was in a lot of pain after the surgery, not so much from a headache, but he due to severe pain in his hip and chest from the way he had to lay down for the surgery.
However, I just got word that he is feeling much better and is actually being released from the hospital today! (So soon I didn't even get a card sent to him yet, lol!) He'll have to rest for at least a month after this. His dad is staying with him at the moment, so that will be helpful.
I'll be sure to mention it if any other news comes that's notable -- in the meantime, keep Brad and his family in your thoughts as you are able (his 20-something son, his parents, and his younger sister and her family).
And now for a "me" update.
Things are hopping here in northern Chicago as all our activities that revolve around the school year are getting under way. We offer homework tutoring for South Asian kids every afternoon after school, and ESL and citizenship classes for adults. I am the new director of the ESL/Citizenship portion of things, and it's been totally crazy trying to get that sorted out! We have lots of volunteers willing to help out with teaching, but trying to get them hooked up with South Asian students who still work on what we call "Pakistani time" is always a bit of a struggle. There's nothing that reveals a cultural difference better than our commitment to being on time compared to the more laid back approach of Indians and Pakistanis. ;-)
I think it's getting sorted out, but it's been a bit of a stressful process. I am actually surprised I was so stressed about it, as I should be one who is more than familiar with the different emphasis on time. Still, it's one thing when it's me waiting for someone to come for a visit, and another to have a volunteer who is on a schedule have a student not show up with no advance notice.
Other than that, all is well. My aches and pains from falling last month have disappeared for the most part, for which I am extremely grateful! The weather has been pretty decent -- not too hot, not too cold -- and the cicadas have finally woken up and are buzzing for all they are worth. Just the way I like it! We still feel a bit cheated that we never really had a proper summer here in the Midwest; it was more of an extended spring that is now moving into fall! But it was still very pleasant and we saved a bundle on air conditioning costs. ;-)
We are heading up to Wisconsin for a quickie this weekend. We have to pick the last of our tomatoes, check on DH's parents who haven't been doing so well lately, and give DS a hand with a few things, as he has been working overtime the past week or so, and is suddenly feeling swamped. We will benefit from the sight of green and gold Wisconsin as well -- it's always restful to get away up there, even for a short visit. Especially as the leaves are beginning to turn a bit and there's a Packer game on this weekend that we will actually able to watch on TV! Can't always count on seeing that team televised here in Chicago. ;-)
