P.S. I Love You

We're back from Palm Desert now and I'm looking forward to the new year. We had a fabulous trip that seemed to go by very quickly. I got to see my brother and my sister when I was there. Laughing with my sister while watching, "Whatever Works" by Woody Allen, was one of the highlights of my trip. It's probably been over 10 years since we've gotten together and laughed like that.

We've been visiting Palm Springs for many, many years now. I remember the first time, when I was under 10 years old. We arrived by car at night, so when I woke up in the morning, I was shocked and amazed by the mountain so close to our hotel it seemed like I could touch it. We'd drive there from Lakewood and stay at the Oasis Hotel in the beginning. I remember my Grandpa Moey there with us once and how he liked going to this one restaurant for breakfast. Then as we got older, my parents would take us to stay at the Spa Hotel which gave us more light at the end of the day since it was farther away from the mountain.

Swimming all day, laying out in the sun, drinks by the pool, charging everything to the room, massages when I got older, shopping for school clothes on the avenue, restaurants galore - I really had a blessed childhood. We'd go to Palm Springs nearly every year for Thanksgiving or Passover. We joked on Passover that we were going out to the desert to celebrate like the Israelites when they left Egypt.

After I got married and before kids, my parents bought a condo in the Palm Valley Country Club. What a life it's been! The desert was our escape for the 10 years we lived in Hermosa Beach. We've got lots of memories there and photos of the kids when they were so little. After moving back to S. Cruz, we would visit my parents there every winter and spring vacation.

Last year, we missed it completely, due to my blood counts. This year we made up for lost time. I watched as many DVDs as I could every day. My favorite DVD was "Passengers". At the theatre, I saw "Invictus", "The Blind Side", and "It's Complicated". Ate so much I probably gained 10 pounds - Sherman's Deli was my favorite and they even had some sugar-free cakes & rugelach. Got a massage. Sat out in the sun and enjoyed the mountains overlooking the golf course. Took a ride on the tram up to the snow. And hugged my dad and mom as much as I could.

My mom's contemplating selling the place. If she does, we'll probably still go to Palm Springs but just stay in hotels like we used to. It's the best place to unwind and relax. Some people think it's a strange place - plastic. But I've got a theory why so many Jews love that place: deep down, we were made to enjoy a blooming desert.

The only disappointment for me in the desert due to my new body was not getting to go in the hot tubs like I used to. They can cause lymphedema in my arms. When I got the massage, I put my feet into the hot tub but didn't dare go any further. The weird thing is that whenever I look at that hot tub, I remember when I weaned Jason (way too early), and used that heat to empty some of my sore milk ducts.

The other thing I noticed is that on the trip there my right hand swelled even though I wore my sleeves on the plane. Not a huge swelling, but noticeable. It didn't do that on the way home, so I realized it could have been too much trauma to my arm going on a plane so close after getting my arm punctured for the PET scan. It was a good warning for me and made me less sorry for myself about the hot tub.

The good thing is that I'm getting more used to seeing myself flat and am enjoying not having to wear anything. I do think I look better and thinner with a flat chest. So that's encouraging.

I hope you all have a wonderful vacation and a very Happy New Year.