Tom O'Flaherty
March 5 via YouTube
I get by with a lot of help from my friends. I started my hipcapades with the help of Devaya keeping me going with her healing touch, Brittany, Jason and Julio keeping an eye on me and getting me back to the States. My mejor amigo AJ and his wife Katie K picked me up when I was down and got me going again, got me back to where I physically needed to be and put up with me as long as they did. Jackson, Lindsay, double A, Frank and Sally, Evan and Jen and all my Portsmouth peeps for the morale support that I needed and being there for these last 6 years. My Buddhist Sister Be who gave me a place to live and opened the Vajrayana door for me and the most wonderful spiritual friendship.My teacher Venerable Seonaidh Perks for his guidance and love. Tamar and Arnold were there on the second dislocation and still love me even though I got blood all over their rug and made them get up at 0330. Kevin and Susan for their many offers to help and their friendship. I am thankful for The Floating Doctors who were all over this last one with Otis, Shannon, Dr. Ben, for their 6-7 attempts to reduce it while I was lying on the floor of my kitchen in spite of my begging, pleading to stop. Helen for getting my act together so I could head to David. Mark and Andy for helping me get up and down three flights of stairs in the wheelchair and checking on me all that long Saturday night. Dr Dan's great x-ray machine, such gentle caring way with someone he just met, scrambled eggs for breakfast and Cindy's incredible jam. Brittany, Jason, Julio once again doing whatever it took to get it done and being there as always. Otis for going on a stormy boat ride to Almirante to make sure I got there and Delfines for the 4 hour taxi ride to David. Julio's dad who made the calls to make sure I had the best Ortho guy. Dr Barria who not only went out and bought me a veggie pizza because they brought me pollo for dinner, went to the airport to pick up the parts they would need if they had to revise and through his surgical skillset got me to where this should be the last time. His assistant and the staff at Hospital Chiriqui for getting me through the process quickly and their kindness to a busted up old gringo who hablo Espanol muy pocito. Floating Doctors again for Lorie hanging out all day while I waited for surgery, waiting until after midnight and being a kind friend and neighbor and Dr Ben who with all the things on his plate was there waiting in my room when they brought me down after 5 hours in the OR, sleeping on the other bed to make sure he could talk to me and the doctors. Justine for always being there, offering to come down and being the best friend anyone could ever have. Kamal, Cece and all the Boston peeps for their thoughts and friendship. My Brothers at Drepung Gomang Monastery in India for their prayers and Pujas. All my friends who reached out to me here when they saw the hospital johnie profile picture with kind words and thoughts. I know I have missed some I wanted to mention but I can blame that on the anesthesia, the hora of the dia and the state of my battered body right now. I wouldn't be this far in my hipcapades without all of you and I wouldn't be this far in my life without Ginny and my five wonderful kids.
I am humbled and deeply moved by your love and kindness all and I am reminded everyday of my fortune. Tashi Delek and Salud to you all. TmO
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