This too is Yonkers- by Eric W. Schoen
“I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet”
― Helen Keller
That famous line came to mind as I continue my journey to good health with a full left knee replacement 2 weeks ago. Yes, there were a few minor complications that kept me in surgery for close to 4 hours. Yes, I am currently home with an annoying brace covering my left leg that will not allow me to move my leg more than 60 degrees.
But I’m lucky I have 2 feet. In rehabilitation I saw people with prosthetic legs and some who had legs that were not functioning. I might be in a little pain or immobilized right now, but in several weeks I will be running around the bases or at least walking around the supermarket selecting healthy things to eat!
I looked for creative ways to use the annoying brace and found that I could display holiday cards on it. Perfect grooves in the brace allow holiday cards to stand upright keeping my spirits bright. Pictures of my friends with their families cheer me up. One friend’s card has pictures with him posing with stars from Sting to Ariana Grande to Jennifer Lopez (and many more). The card gives me inspiration knowing that upon my recovery I will have the opportunity to see these great musicians in concert.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again. We don’t realize how fortunate we are to have great hospitals in Westchester. My surgery was done at St. John’s Dobbs Ferry (the old Dobbs Ferry Hospital) Orthopedic Hospital where doctors do joint work. Friendly people greet you from the minute you enter the hospital door through your stay. Nurses and aides who care about you right up to the point where you are getting ready to leave and go home or for some rehabilitation.
Some people say if you are having surgery you should only go to the big hospitals in New York. Been there, done that. At St. John’s Dobbs Ferry you are a person where in NYC hospitals you are a number. Community hospitals provide the one to one care you don’t find in NYC.
And wouldn’t you know it my room at St. John’s was dedicated in memory of a family friend, Bernice Jacobson who ran a pharmacy in Dobbs Ferry for many years. Bernice is up in heaven with my parents, and the sign on the door of my hospital room with her name only goes to show you that she and my parents are still looking after me in heaven. What a wonderful feeling!
I went to rehabilitation for a week to United Hebrew in New Rochelle. My second experience at this facility where strolling violins serenade you while you are having dinner and several times a week cheese and crackers with wine are served before the evening meal. It’s the little things like this that make United Hebrew special.
Add to that great rehabilitation under the auspices of Burke Hospital in White Plains and beautiful private rooms overlooking the Sound and you have got the perfect environment to put you on the road to recovery.
When you write a weekly column in newspapers circulated throughout Westchester that has your picture attached to it, you know a lot of people and people know you. Sitting having my lunch one day at United Hebrew,a young lady comes up to me and says what happened, what are you doing here?
It took me a while to figure out who she was. Wouldn’t you know it was my Barista Mariah who makes my coffee for me at Starbucks on Bronx River Road. Small world! Besides being a barista Mariah is an EMT. When you love coffee like I do the last thing you want to see is your barista without your drink, in my case 4 shots of espresso over ice standing before you with no cup in her hand. But I’ll soon resume my coffee schedule, and it certainly was nice to see a familiar face!
Long story short, my doctor took X-rays, they found fluid in my knee, the fluid hurts, they put on this enormous brace and I pray it will come off soon.
But hey, some people woke up this morning without feet. So I have to sit back, relax, and before you know it I will be like new again!
FINISHING TOUCHES: 100 cases of the measles, 11,000 people in Rockland County have received the measles vaccine during the recent outbreak hitting Rockland County, Ocean County in New Jersey and Brooklyn? People who have no reason for not getting vaccinated should be arrested if they infect others!
What’s up with the new garbage cans in Yonkers. Clear plastic bags attached to them so you can see what’s in them (discarded food, chicken bones, dog waste, etc.). I hope they get the dark green bags so I don’t have to see dirty disposable diapers.
On my back with this brace on my leg, I have been watching a lot of television. I didn’t realize how many Christmas shows are aired during December. I love Christmas but every show on television is a holiday show.
500 stations on television and I am busy watching BUZZR with Match Game with Gene Rayburn reruns! And I’ve Got a Secret reruns in black and white. Old I Love Lucy reruns. And my favorite show, Supermarket Sweeps. I can’t believe how dumb people are in a grocery store. Contestants were looking for Hydrox Cookies in the frozen food aisle!
Congressman Engel has been very helpful to me in improving abysmal mail delivery. Just some tips: make sure to put apartment numbers on letters and packages you are mailing. Make sure your name is clearly written on your mailbox with your apartment number. So many substitute mailmen who don’t know you nor your route.
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM or download the SIMPLE RADIO app for free from the APP STORE
