I'm back!

February 19, 2008

Hi There Dear Friends and Family,
I’m slowly emerging from what feels like hibernation that has offered much time and space for healing and strengthening. I have so many thoughts I’d like to share, but for today I’m going to keep this first message since surgery (now 2 weeks and 1 day) a bit on the shorter side.

I’ve desired to write sooner than this but just haven’t had the energy to put my thoughts together. Thank you Matt for filling in for me to keep my dear ones informed. Matt continues to offer his endless support on every level that’s needed…what a true blessing!

Mostly I want you to know that I am so inspired by and grateful for all the lovely messages I’ve received on the guest book of this blog and by the cards, gifts and flowers received via the mail and deliveries. It is all helping me so much. Everyday I am feeling stronger and more vibrant. I am so incredibly excited simply by being alive. I’m enjoying the slowing down of the time/space continuum that makes up my day. It really makes me realize how much of a “hamster wheel” my schedule was prior to this life-changing health issue.

The love, prayers, intentions and visualizations being sent to me are helping so much. There aren’t really words that can convey the depth and effect of this healing energy. I now take time at least 4 times a day: early morning, noon, late afternoon and at bedtime to get into my “receptive mode” and absorb the healing energy being sent my way. One image I’ve had while doing this is that the prayers are like lightly falling snowflakes. Each one is very unique and beautiful and there are hundreds of them. And though that sounds like it could feel cold, they are not cold at all. As they land on my body they just melt into the heat of my being and go to work within me wherever they are most needed to bring about healing and wellness. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful feeling. There is something so calming and quieting about lightly falling snowflakes.

When I was in the hospital I was attached to a machine that was delivering pain medication via an epidural. The machine was very loud and had a kind of rhythmic drone that after a while started to sound like some kind of mantra. I got very quiet and tried to figure out what it was saying and here’s what revealed itself to me: “I love my community…I love my community…I love my community…”. I would lie there and listen to this over and over and in my mind’s eye watch images of all of you passing through me like a river flowing into the sea of infinite love and friendship. My heart and mind have opened in ways I never thought possible. Yes indeed, I love my community!

Upon my discharge from the hospital I was given an instruction sheet that said “no yoga for 28 days”. Right! That lasted as long as it took for me to stand strongly on two feet in “mountain pose”. I have been getting up early everyday and practicing a gentle, yet strengthening, two-hour yoga and meditation session. I’ve been using a folding chair as an aid to help modify many poses and each day I use the chair less. This is my medicine. I am more convinced than ever that yoga and its many related practices are here to heal us…to help us find our true Dharma…our reason for being…Self Realization. So many of the deep teachings of yoga are surfacing through this experience and I look forward to sharing more thoughts on various subjects in the coming months.

I have an appointment with my Doctor this coming Friday and will learn more about what was discovered about my condition as a result of the surgery. I’ve really learned to let go of worrying about needing to know all the facts right now. The facts keep changing with each new day. Apparently, they (the doctors) were very surprised by how much less disease was present once they opened me up. Based on my CT scans of almost 2 months prior there was much more cancer present then. Well…I guess I’m healing…no, I know I’m healing. How can I not be? There are so many loving beings making sure this is happening.

I will write again next week with a health update. In the meantime, keep sending those healing prayers my way…I thrive on them! And, please please take special care to stay strong and healthy and loving and kind in all aspects of your lives. Remember, if we want the world to be a better place we must begin with ourselves first and foremost.

With love, gratitude and deep friendship,
Yolanda

P.S. I want to thank my dear friends at the Mindful Body for the gathering on February 16th. I hear it was lovely and that some nice photos were taken. Once I receive them, I’ll post them on this blog.

Mark you calendars…March 10th (Monday) from 6-9 p.m. there will be a “Friends of Yolanda” benefit held at Clement St. Bar and Grill (Clement near 8th Ave.) spearheaded by “Baseball Mary” and the rest of our long-time friends there at the restaurant. Usually closed on Mondays, the space for this special event is being offered by owners Harold and Hao. More details to follow soon on this blog.

Matt again speaking for Yo

Hi dear Friends of Yolanda...
Yo's spirit has been moving upward and her attitude as inspiring as ever. She's recovering well and gaining strength every day. She asked me to make this posting because she's still not quite ready to sit in front of her computer, but by the end of the week she'll be ready write and share her thoughts. We had her stitches removed a couple of days ago and the doctor was very impressed with the way the wound had healed. We have a post operative meeting soon to determine follow-up treatment. She's also beginning a series of sessions with Angela Wu starting tomorrow. Angela is a highly respected acupuncturist, healer, and author who runs a clinic on Clement St. in SF (Yo used to work for her years ago as an assistant). Angela will help support Yo's immune system which will be especially valuable for any upcoming chemo treatments.

My sister Rita is visiting us for a few days from NY State. She's a nurse and is on hand to help with any issues that might arise, but so far Yo has been needing little more than some massage, wholesome food, and of course love, prayers, and positive vibes from all of us and all of you! Her feet and legs are prone to swelling and massage definitely helps. Angela Wu will probably help to treat this so we'll see what comes up. If anyone does lymphatic massage or has insights to share about this, please e-mail me at: matt@venusians.com

There's going to be a benefit party for Yo this Saturday, Feb 16th at The Mindful Body Yoga Studio on California St. in San Francisco. It includes an "all levels" yoga class with Maile Sivert from 6:30-7:30 and from 7:30-9:00 there will be live music, massage, and silent auction. More info at: www.themindfulbody.com Yolanda and I will be there in spirit as it's probably too soon for her to be out socializing.

Much love to all of you and many thanks for the continued support!

Matt

Yo is home!

Yo came home yesterday, a day earlier than our planned arrival. She's intent on getting a lot of rest and TLC. This is going to be a brief post as it's been daunting to keep up with all the new details of life. Very soon I hope Yo will be sharing her amazing experiences in her own words, and I'm looking forward to showing her all your beautiful notes in the guestbook very soon.

thank you all for the continued love and support!

Matt

p.s. You can now subscribe to Yo's blog by entering your e-mail in the appropriate space to the right. When a new entry is posted, you'll get a notification...simple as that!

Yo update

Hi again dear friends and family...Matt here filling in with more good news. Yo will probably be home by Friday, Feb. 9th! Today she ate solid food (home cooked of course) for the first time in 3 days and walked on her own for a nice jaunt. The doctors are all very encouraged with her progress and are calling it an impressive recovery form surgery. There is much to report but I can't go into detail now. Please check back...Yo will soon be able to share her experience, undiluted!

As always, your prayers, affirmations, and positive vibes are gratefully received!

love to you,

Matt

Post Surgery News from Matt

Hi everyone, it's Matt filling in for Yo. She's very exhausted and needs to rest as much as possible. Some people have been asking if they could visit or a call, but it's best to wait as talking consumes her energy. As most of you know, the surgery was a success and the doctors were surprised to find smaller than expected tumor mass. We attribute this in large part to the healing light you have been sending, and her recptivity of it. We are eternally grateful for the efforts her family, friends, students, fellow teachers, and larger community have been making. She is such a giver, I have to remind her to stay in "receptivity mode", especially while she's recovering from this major surgery. Please do keep her in your prayers and positive projections, she needs it more than ever. This is just a quick pit-stop home from the hospital but I'll input more info as time goes on. Many thanks to all of you for the heartfelt e-mails, letters,
Guestbook entries on this blog, and wonderful generosity during this time.

many blessings!

Matt