The irony of much of my life is never lost on me, and the road where literal and figurative meet for me is not a small intersection. For so many years, I have been working on loving myself, believing in myself, trusting that people aren’t going to leave, and finding ways to say, “I’m sorry, but that just doesn’t work for me.” I’ve surrounded myself with good people, smart people, authentic people, and I’ve found places where I can run away, a cruise line where I can luxuriate, and artwork at which I can stare both deeply and mindlessly. I’ve taken 3 steps forward, only to take 2 backwards, but, albeit slightly, I still feel the figurative backbone growing.

Ah, now the literal backbone, which, whether because I’m small, or because I’m Jewish, or because I’m old, or simply just because, that isn’t growing. In fact, it’s shrinking, so next Thursday morning, I will begin my monthly injections of Evenity, which helps build bone. I have seen the commercial over and over, yet now, I’m paying closer attention to it (especially the side effects).

A school teacher’s summer usually starts with a vacation, and, thanks be to G-d, we just had the most posh one. Starting with a few days in London, we toured, we walked, we relished the political peace, and we celebrated Bob’s 70th at the most magical and trendy restaurant. But, Crown Jewels and all, this was merely foreplay, as the star of the show was our cruise through the Norwegian Fjords on the Queen Anne.

Oh, my beloved Cunard, this ship, like the Elizabeth and the Victoria, did not disappoint. Opulent, sumptuous, and lavish, we devoured everything you had to offer. Everything was topflight – the entertainment, the food, the lectures, the ports, the dancing, the service, and the attentiveness and the gentility of crew and passengers alike. It also didn’t hurt that I was probably one of the 50 youngest guests onboard.

Next, a school teacher continues her summer with all of her medical appointments, and wow, has this girl got a calendar full! I’ve actually already started, as this past Monday began with a FibroScan, which is an ultrasound technique to check in on the liver. Though fatty, which I kind of predicted because this chubby chick loves her food and beverage, especially an Alborino on the Queen Anne, everything else concerning the liver was, thank G-d, just fine. And, a fatty liver is reversible, so that’s encouraging.

As I mentioned, the Evenity injections are next week, along with a thyroid ultrasound, and, at the end of the month, we’ll have our colonoscopy. Oh, wait, I forgot something. Just yesterday, I had a coronary artery calcium scan, which is a non-invasive CT scan to see how much plaque is built up around the heart. Again, thanks be to G-d that my score was a 0, so no plaque and no literal damage. Figuratively, however, as we all know, my heart is shattered.

Wishing you all, wherever your summer takes you, the blessings of good health and being with those you love.