Category: Stella

  • January 8, 2012: Stellush

    Well, it only took a week (and half the time she was asleep) but Stella seems to have charmed all the staff of the eighth floor. No, she has not been able to make chesed meals for the other patients, but her friendly demeanor and attitude reverberates well with nurses who are used to being…

  • January 5, 2012: Something for the Anger

    I may have made a mistake. In my euphoria over the news that Stella could have the operation, I made the assumption that the hard part was over, that cancer had been defeated and now we could just celebrate the victory. But real miracles take a bit longer than a Hollywood version. The Doctor assured…

  • January 4, 2012: A New Day

    Last night I came home from the hospital and tried to write an update. But I was exhausted and depressed and had nothing really significant to say. Since the surgery, Stella has been in a great deal of pain, both physical and (as I could tell from her usually smiling face) — mental. She was…

  • January 1, 2012: Stella’s Army

    Last night I lay in bed next to Stella watching the e-mails and comments come in from members of “Stella’s Army.” We were in the hospital and I was much relieved that the night staff did not try and throw me out of bed. I guess Israeli hospitals are different. When I asked someone if…

  • December 21, 2011: Cheque Please!

    Yesterday we went to Shaare Zedek Hospital (where Stella will have the operation) for our pre-op tests and meetings. Throughout the morning, Stella was examined by the surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical ward head nurse, and the hospital accountant (so we could have our bank account checked.) That’s a joke, although we did need to drop off…

  • December 15, 2011: Ice Cream, Sufganiot, Schwarma, and Steak

    There is only one known cure for stomach cancer. If the cancer is localized, then an operation in which the stomach is removed is performed. On the other hand, if the cancer is determined to be inoperable, the cancer will spread throughout your system, even with aggressive chemotherapy. That is why gastric cancer is the…

  • December 1, 2011: Kilometer #38

    I have run five full marathons. Despite the fact that each one is unique and stands apart in my memory, during all of them I got to experience what I call the “Kilometer #38” syndrome. After running 38 kilometers, you do not feel at your best. No matter who you are or what pace you…

  • November 24, 2011: God is Listening

    Five months ago Stella and I sat in the Oncology Department of Shaari Tzedek and were told that she had no chance. We were told that Stella had stomach cancer that had progressed too far to be operable. The cancer had spread outside her stomach and could not be cured. We were told that Stella…

  • November 13, 2011: The Ride

    231 kilometers. 12 hours. Over 90,000 shekels raised. Over 1,000 people following on the blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Countless spirits raised. What an awesome night. I want to say at the outset that it is very difficult to put into words what the “Longing for the Dawn” ride has meant for me and Stella. Throughout…

  • November 10, 2011: The Ride of our Lives

    Liveblogging the Ride Yarden is on the road riding to raise money for families in Gush Etzion who are dealing with illnesses. 6:05PM – Rav Matanya Ben Shachar, rav of Neve Daniel, spoke briefly to inaugurate the ride. Yarden’s message to Stella was “I’ll let the riding speak for me.” He did one lap, came…