Necessary Mutilation

I got a nice card today from my Rochester friend noting friendship and support and caring.  She’s already off to Europe by now and clearly thought to send this on the heels of our recent “talk” (if “mmmpfffs” count as talk) — indicating to me a recognition that I was likely talking to her hormones and not her last Friday, just as I’d suspected.

In other news, I’ve begun to tell clients of my plans.  I have decided to be as candid as called for - and tell the reason for my surgery only if I am asked.  I work exclusively with developmentally disabled adults of varying intellectual capacities, and some reactions have been especially poignant.  One woman listened carefully, paused, and said “Why don’t you just go on a diet?”  Oh, out of the mouth of babes.  Another: “So, will you be skinny when you come back?” (I wish!). And another:  “I’m heavy too — they won’t make me have an operation for this, will they?!” (took a lot of reassuring).

I’ve decided that I like it better when people don’t ask.