I haven’t written a post in a while. So much has gone on since my last post and I wasn’t sure how to put my thoughts and feelings into words. My last post touched on some of the issues. In the couple weeks prior to surgery I worked a number of protests. Mostly anti-police protests. As much as I don’t like surgery, I was glad to be away from work and the anti-police agenda. It’s not easy when you have to listen to people use all sorts of disparaging language against you and your profession. It’s also difficult to allow these same protestors to take over highways and streets and inconvenience the rest of the public. But we did. All of the protests and anti police rhetoric culminated in the assassinations of PO Ramos and PO Liu of the 84 Precinct (posthumously promoted to Detective) on December 20, 2014 in the 79 Precinct in Brooklyn. I was speechless. I watched every news program I could and wished I was back at work.

Christmas seemed bittersweet. It was great having the family over but the deaths of PO Ramos and PO Liu left a pall over the day. Detective Rafael Ramos was laid to rest on December 27, 2014.

I turned 48 on the 3rd of January.

Detective Wenjian Liu was laid to rest on January 4, 2015.

On January 5, 2015, PO Dossi and PO Pellerano, 46 Precinct were shot. Thankfully they survived. It was a tough time to be a member of the NYPD.

I made it back to work on light duty the second week of January and remained on light duty until mid February. I had previously noted that I had been transferred to a new precinct right before Thanksgiving. I was there for about two weeks and then went out sick with my last reconstructive surgery. I returned to full duty just in time for Chinese New Year and the accompanying celebrations (Dragon & Lion Dances). It was a fun time. I was just starting to get used to everyone in my new precinct and hadn’t even had time to liven up my bland office.

I was transferred the first week of March to an administrative position where I don’t have to wear my uniform on a daily basis. Not wearing the heavy gun belt is a godsend. It’s a Monday through Friday job. It’s much better for me at this point in my life as I’m still recovering from all of my surgeries. My scars are still tight and aching. I’m hoping the aches and pains will eventually go away. The new position requires me to write more. I’ve also learned a lot more about the NYPD. I enjoyed being on the street and will miss the many people I met while on patrol, however, I saw the writing on the wall.  I wasn’t going to get a command so instead of working the crazy hours of a precinct XO, I took a position that has business hours.  I actually go home every night.  Shocker!  The daily commute can be a bit much though; 4 hours a day.  I’ll eventually get used to it.

The second week of January, I had vacation. My sisters, mom, Gillian, and I went on a road trip to Maryland. Ham that I am, I sent a casting application in for a bridal show. This August is Charles’ and my 25th wedding anniversary and I wanted to get a gown for a vow renewal. Though the casting director of —– (will remain nameless at this point) advised me that the show I was hoping to appear in wasn’t casting at this time, they were casting for a new show & asked if I would be interested. I sent them some further information, they requested a short video, and I skyped with one of the casting people. They were interested. I was hoping to have Gillian and mom on the show, but the producers were more interested in the sister aspect so only my sisters and I were filmed. I was disappointed because Gillian & I always watch these types of shows together. Gillian was thrilled because she had no desire to be on TV. Gillian and mom were able to watch the filming though. Of course with my luck, the night before filming, I came down with a case of bronchitis!!! I couldn’t sleep because my chest was so tight. By the end of filming, I was utterly exhausted. I hope it turned out all right. The show should air sometime in April. It was a fun experience and being with my sisters made it even more memorable.

The day after filming, Gillian and I visited Johns Hopkins. She loved it. I thought the campus was beautiful. However, during the question and answer phase of the campus tour, someone asked how much the tuition was, and his question was never answered. Here’s the answer: Too much. (Unless they JH gives Gillian a lot of money, it’s not happening)!
We will be visiting SUNY Albany and City College (Sophie Davis Biomedical Program)in a couple of days. We’ll probably visit Temple at the end of April and visit others in the summer.

Gillian and I saw Wicked on Broadway at the end of January. (A Christmas gift!) I’d definitely see it again.

Xavier filmed his senior film project at our house over a weekend in February. He enlisted Christian as a go-fer. They were unable to do much on Saturday because one of the main characters failed to show up. Charles ended up stepping up and stepping in to the role. Charles did an excellent job. He did some amazing improvisation. One of the actors told Charles that he should get into acting. That will never happen as acting is not Charles’ “thing”. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Xavier is trying to get a decent cut done by next week so that he can submit the film to the “Diamond Film Festival” at school. Hopefully I can get down to Philly to see it. Xavier told me that he screened the film for his class and the teacher thought Charles looked too young to be the father of the actor whom played his eldest son. The teacher thought Charles was in his mid 30’s, not in his early 50’s!

I’ve seen a few doctors since my last post. So far, so good. I haven’t had any scans or MRI’s in a while. As I’ve had so much surgery, the scans would light up like a Christmas tree. It will probably be a few more months before any are done. My blood work continues to be good. I’ve seen my medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, general surgeon, plastic surgeon, etc. The last time I saw one of my plastic surgeons, he lasered the scars on my breasts and abdomen in order to remove some of the redness. He said he’d do it again at my next appointment. I should have him take care of the scars on my legs as well. I have red dots in various areas on the backs of my legs from the last surgery.
I saw my plastic surgeon. He lasered the scars on my abdomen and breasts again. I didn’t bother with asking about my legs. Maybe next appointment. He also removed some stitches that hadn’t dissolved along my abdomen (especially on my left side, which was irritated because I wear my gun on my left hip). He also likes the way my breasts are looking, though my right breast still could use some more fat injected in a few areas. I told that doctor that I could do without another surgery. He stated that he could do fat injections in the office under local anesthesia. It’s something to think about.
I got my port flushed again. The nurse asked how long I was going to keep it. I am going to keep the port at least until I have my scans done and get the results. It will be nice to have one less issue to deal with.

I haven’t seen the acupuncturist in over a month. He usually only works on Mott Street on weekends. I spoke to him prior to my transfer & he stated that he occasionally comes in Thursday nights. I’ve got to give him a call and set something up. The acupuncture and massages definitely helped with the scar pain.

I haven’t been able to get any good work-outs in since my transfer. I’m trying to join the gym here but I need a total physical first. I recently got the application and next week I plan to see my regular doctor to get it done. I went to Tae Kwon Do twice last week as I took one day off and got out early enough to go another day. The forms were easy enough, when I can remember them, but doing planks and crunches were painful. Push-ups are still out of the question. I went to class on Saturday as well and woke up yesterday, Palm Sunday, with an aching lower back! I really have to get back to class more often. I’m going to try to get there tonight with Gillian as I have this week off from work.

My niece Kirsten got married to Craig on Pi day (3/14/15). Congratulations guys! The whole family was invited and we had a great time. We danced the night away (though I everything ached the following day!)

Happy Easter!