Potentially the biggest piece of information is that I have a new boyfriend; he has chosen to be referred to as JS. We have been dating for six months, so I suppose he's not exactly "new", but we are taking our relationship very slowly: his pace. I know from experience in his position, a relationship really must go at the slower person's pace; both people need to be comfortable. JS and I are doing our first overnight, at my apartment, this coming Sabbath. I will feed him Sabbath dinner, with all the rituals (JS himself is not nearly as religious as I am, but I need the rituals; and his sister is Orthodox and he has hung out with her on the Sabbath, so he knows the rituals), and then we will go to my wonderful synagogue Saturday morning.
Second of all: Yes, I can walk to the synagogue now! Last August 27 and October 4, I had spinal cord stimulators inserted. As long as I keep them charged (takes about a half an hour per stimulator per day) they take away 70-80% of my pain. I am fully functional now, routinely walking over a mile and taking my own notes in school. Nobody knew what the results would be; we just knew I was desperate and this was our best shot. Everybody told me that if I got 50% relief, I would be doing well. So naturally, when I realized what the results would be, everyone--I, friends, family, doctors, company representative who helps with the mechanics--was thrilled.
Lastly, I have two new kippot. One is a small, pale blue satin from a Bat Mitzvah; the other is a heavy, navy blue material with a print of pink and blue flowers and green leaves. JS let me pick out the second one, and he bought it for me, as a birthday gift. He knows how to make me happy!
Below is a picture of the two new kippot.
I hope to now be back to regular blogging.
