Statues and mountains . . .

I like to climb things. Europe’s tallest cathedrals. The Eiffel Tower. If it is tall and there is a route to the top, I will climb it.

I was released from the hospital early after both my previous two surgeries. In half the time the doctor had predicted. This is the result of a combination of two factors: I heal quickly and can’t wait to get the hell out of there.

After surgery #2 I was released to my NY hotel room two days post-op. With a drain tube inserted deep into (and stitched to) my right butt cheek, connected to a suction bottle. It was literally a pain in the ass. But in another two days I was on my way to Liberty Island to climb the Statue of Liberty. All 22 stories and 354 steps to the Statue’s crown. It was wintertime so I was able to conceal the suction bottle under an overcoat. The journey was ill-advised and somewhat painful, particularly when someone would inadvertently bump into me on the cramped spiral staircase. But I reached the top, enjoyed the view, and savored the moment. A couple days after that I returned to the hospital to have my drain tube removed. I told my doctor of the adventure, thinking he’d be impressed. But he didn’t say a word – the look of resignation on his face said it all for him. A half year later the route was closed to the public after 9/11, and it apparently will not be reopened. I have fond memories of climbing that statue and am glad I did.

The point of this little narrative is to indicate that there will likely be more climbing involved in my new attack plan. Of at least one mountain. For better or worse, I just can’t help myself.