Summary
Bruce Stambaugh makes an exception and writes about bathroom and politics.
Bruce Stambaugh writes about nature, weather, hobbies and people, often using personal experiences. Much to their dismay, he also writes about his family. He uses humor and pathos when he cant think of anything else to include.
For June 2, 2011
I normally dont write about politics. I try to keep my news on the bright side.
That said, I had a lot of time to fill while recuperating from my recent surgery to remove my cancerous prostate. I listened to the radio, watched television, reflected on lifes really important matters, and appreciated the kindness and generosity of family, friends, neighbors, churches, businesses, organizations and even strangers.
I found their cards, visits, well wishes, prayers, flowers and food all rather overwhelming. I found it humbling and heartwarming to be told that so many people in so many ways love you.
The post-surgery visit to the doctor was positive, although we will have to wait a month for the results of my next PSA test to be able to say that I am cancer free. All things considered, I am very upbeat about my progress so far.
That brings me back to the beginning. While recuperating, I was astonished to already hear so many detailed reports on who might be running for the opportunity to oppose our current president in the 2012 election.
Thats right. Next years presidential election was commanding headline media time and its only Spring 2011. It was enough to make you nauseous, more so than the pain medication did for me.
The recovery process required that I also listen to my body. Much of that dualistic listening took place in the bathroom, which may be the perfect spot to have to endure premature political discourse.
Even without having had surgery, Ill confess that I have always loved both bathrooms and politics. In todays age of sound bite mania, its hard to tell the two apart.
In being sensitive to what my body was telling me as it slowly healed, I had to carefully respond appropriately. After they mess with your plumbing, believe me, you dont want to stray too far from the water closet.
But then, I already had that reputation. As a kid, I got ribbed about using the bathroom so much. I tried not to let it bother me. I knew my business better than others, so to speak, and I learned early on to make sure I took care of business as needed.
I used to say that I never saw a bathroom I didnt like, until I went to Honduras. And even then, I learned the valuable necessity of compromise. As I matured, which is still being debated, medical tests proved what I already knew. Bathrooms were my best friends.
When I go to meetings, I always sit on an end chair just in case. In junior high school, I had a permanent hall pass. I made NASCAR pit stops seem inconsequential.
Minutes, hours, days and now weeks after my delicate, nerve-sparing robotic prostate surgery, I have learned that spending quality time in bathrooms is both a necessity and a positive sign of healing. In that unmentionable course of action, I have learned that patience is definitely a virtue.
I am looking forward to the continued healing and to hopefully hearing the words cancer free at my next doctors appointment. About 218,000 men in the United States are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer and more than 35,000 die from it annually.
Given those statistics, I absolutely feel fortunate to be able to share, even if it is about bathrooms. Premature presidential politics, on the other hand, is another matter.
To read more The Rural View, visit Bruce Stambaugh at www.holmescountyjournal.com.
