Slow Recovery, Again

I never really meant for this blog to be a chronicle of my health battles; unfortunately, they are interwoven with the rest of my life, including my writing. This time, there were some gains, though.

I had pneumonia for at least two weeks in May and the beginning of June without knowing it. I only felt very ill with a respiratory infection. It wasn't til last week that I actually thought to have my doctor check it. He's the one who has helped tremendously with getting my asthma under control. He came to the conclusion that I had viral pneumonia and to get home and rest.

I have to say that, though it was definitely not a walk in the park to get pneumonia, my lungs seemed to have survived it fine. It is a testimony to how far I've come healthwise in a year; last year, pneumonia would probably have ended things for me. This week I am back at dance. For my body's ability to heal, I am incredibly and forever grateful.

I also turned 52 on June 7th, with quiet and gentle birthday celebrations all 'round. Since my sister died at age 53, I am well aware, sadly so, of my mortality. Time seems so precious these days.

I have also been a practicing Zen Buddhist for a year now and truly see how it is changing my life in very slow and subtle ways, all with just a willingness to try the meditation and be patient with myself and the unfolding of an entirely new spiritual life for me (though I joke that Zen is the perfect spiritual path because I get to sit for a great deal of time each day!)