So Here I am

Sharing Stories

Connie at Writing & Publishing group, Greenwood Senior Center
| January 22, 2018

SO HERE I AM

I have been away from the church and writing for so long, I should have a million things to write. I have already written about hospital food. I truly don’t want to think about that. The only really good food I had was when my daughter, Mary ordered from PF Changs and I snarfed that down like I would never eat again, which was almost true. [Connie had a malignant colon tumor and then pneumonia.]

Other than the food, my stay with Swedish First Hill was good—boring but nice. I always thought that being awakened for a sleeping pill was a joke. I must have been awakened five times a night to take medication, give blood, and to be asked if I was comfortable and able to sleep. I am here—thanks to all of them.

Many years ago, I had a mastectomy. The scar did not please me at all. I wanted something different, so my grandson suggested I get a tattoo. Hot dog! Off I went with him and my daughter to get a zipper drawn over my scar. I have had more fun with doctors and nurses. Some don’t know what to say so keep quiet and others that say “What the deuce?” and just howl. The most classic one was when I went back to see the surgeon for a post op checkup. As he was walking out the door, he turned and said, “By the way, I really like your zipper.”

PS When I was down, and it was hard to see up, the cards and notes I received made it easier to climb the wall. Thank you all for your prayers, which now I believe in more than ever.

Connie Campbell is a longtime Seattleite and member of the Greenwood Senior Center’s Writing and Publishing group (Thursdays 1:15 to 3:15pm).

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).

SHARING STORIES is featured on http://www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit http://www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type “sharing stories” in the search function above.

Share this story!
The Garden of Life
"This is excellent—prose poetry," Ariele M. Huff...
Hospital Food
I thought, dinner can’t be bad, at least not as bad as lunch and breakfast....

Related

In the Spirit 19th Annual Exhibition
IN THE SPIRIT Contemporary Native Arts exhibition runs from July 20 through September 29 at the Washington State History Museum...
COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY FOR YOUR BENEFIT
June is National Effective Communications Month, but at Social Security, we’re at the forefront of clear, concise communications all the time....
Candacy Taylor
Meet Candacy Taylor at a free author event on May 19...
Local Retirement Community Supports Student Achievement
Since its inception in 1997, Foundation House at Northgate, a not-for-profit retirement community in North Seattle, has welcomed all seniors from diverse backgrounds. But it...
SOCIAL SECURITY PROVIDES SUPPORT WITH SURVIVOR BENEFITS
In the unfortunate event of a family member’s death, we want you to know that Social Security is here to help....
Roxana and CareForce: The Story of a Life Well-Lived at Home
Roxana Phillips is an exceptionally lively, witty and very sharp woman living in her own home on the Eastside...

BE IN THE KNOW

NWPT-Subscribe

Recent Posts

Introducing Greek Spoon Sweets
From the Streets to the Starting Line: Patrick Busche’s Remarkable Road to Recovery
Seattle’s Light-Rail Era Begins
Sequim Lavender Festival
Echoes of Their Unspoken Love from Around the World

BE IN THE KNOW

NWPT-Subscribe

Recent Posts

Introducing Greek Spoon Sweets
From the Streets to the Starting Line: Patrick Busche’s Remarkable Road to Recovery
Seattle’s Light-Rail Era Begins
Sequim Lavender Festival
Echoes of Their Unspoken Love from Around the World