NAMING THE TUMOR
Yiddish names:
The last name was provided by my Korean Acupuncturist Dr Young, who was having a very hard time naming my tumor... I suggested 'Kimchi' (a Korean dish similar to Sour Kraut) However, since our Sense of Humor must be very different; she was looking at me with concern, probably wondering if the Tumor already affected my brain... On December twelfth, I am scheduled for another MRI. When I asked my Doctor if all this 'Radiation' could kill me, before the Tumor does, he began to laughed (Do you think it is funny?) I have been trying to 'Shrink' the Tumor, by using a combination of Humor and Positive Thinking, Meditation, Guided Visualization and the powerful 'Energy Work', of "Chinese Pranic Healing", Please wish me Luck...
My "Journey for Healing", took place at the Optimum Health Institute in San
Diego; a place which combines several kinds of Healing Methods, for the Body, Mind
and Soul...This was my Third visit to this isolated, peaceful place... In my next post I would share some of the experiences I have gone through, in this lovely place of Peace and Healing... Until then my chin is up, my steps are soft and my heart is light! I am not afraid and look for reasons to 'Laugh a lot', since I have always believed in the saying, that "Laughter' is the Best Medicine"!
After reading in my blog, about the 'Discovery of my 'Brain Tumor; and how 'Fearless Shira' (me) was handling this scary "Uninvited gusts", I realized that actually, I have been 'Fearless' my whole life So this kind of reaction was not new to me... My brother and I were often told that the most important part of our growth, is to learn how to move away from our 'Comfort Zone', in order to be ready for the long Journey to our Destiny...After sharing with my family and friends the news about my "New Born Tumor', I asked
I asked my Blog Readers to help me find a good name for it and was 'laughing out loud', as I read the suggested names in English Hebrew and even in 'Yiddish', which is an old mixture of German and Hebrew, which was used by the European Jews.
My dear "Funny Friend" Charles, from Northern California (who is one of my blog readers) sugested that "This is not a Tumor, but a 'Matzoh Ball', brought by Jewish 'Extra Terrestrials' from the planet" "Oy-Vay!" ('Bad Problem')... It made me smile to realize, how glad people are to 'Join in the Fun', even if the 'fun' has to do with a"Brain Tumor"... When I shared the news about the tumor ,with my Dentist he and his nurse joined in the 'Naming Game', suggesting 'Casper' (the ghost)... More names were sent by friends and family members, who were ready to share in the Fun...
"Gone; No more; Darth Vader; Dennis (the Menace); Genie; Expelled
and Bye Bye!" My friend
Janet suggested Hitch; for a Hitchhiker who comes and goes away, without leaving a trace... Below are the Hebrew and Yiddish names, sent by friends and family members in Israel, as well as by readers of my blog in California, Florida, New York and New Jersey:
Gidulchik
-'Gidul' is Hebrew for Tumor, 'Chick' is an endearment for something small
Lech lecha! -"Get going!" A quote from the Bible about God talking to Abraham
Chai Zar - An"Extra Terrestrial" (Hebrew for a stranger from another planet!)
Yablit - A Weed which may be choking and harming the Garden Plants
Lech lecha! -"Get going!" A quote from the Bible about God talking to Abraham
Chai Zar - An"Extra Terrestrial" (Hebrew for a stranger from another planet!)
Yablit - A Weed which may be choking and harming the Garden Plants
Yiddish names:
Debuk – A 'Dark Entity' which enters the body and could be removed by Exorcism only
Mamzer -'Illegitimate child'; 'dishonest, sneaky and annoying' (a Smart 'Trouble Maker'!)
Shmate'- Old cloth; a rag of unwanted left-over fabric, used in Multi Tasks of cleaning
Tzatzke - A toy, also describes an 'Imposter', who may have some Bad Intentions
Mamzer -'Illegitimate child'; 'dishonest, sneaky and annoying' (a Smart 'Trouble Maker'!)
Shmate'- Old cloth; a rag of unwanted left-over fabric, used in Multi Tasks of cleaning
Tzatzke - A toy, also describes an 'Imposter', who may have some Bad Intentions
Tzure - Trouble, an Unexpected Problem, which needs to be dealt with, as soon as possible
Shlimazl - One who 'Lacks in luck (Mazl). Unlucky person who fails in everything he dose
Shlumiel - One who can not succeed in whatever he/she are doing (A relative of the "Shlimazl")
The last name was provided by my Korean Acupuncturist Dr Young, who was having a very hard time naming my tumor... I suggested 'Kimchi' (a Korean dish similar to Sour Kraut) However, since our Sense of Humor must be very different; she was looking at me with concern, probably wondering if the Tumor already affected my brain... On December twelfth, I am scheduled for another MRI. When I asked my Doctor if all this 'Radiation' could kill me, before the Tumor does, he began to laughed (Do you think it is funny?) I have been trying to 'Shrink' the Tumor, by using a combination of Humor and Positive Thinking, Meditation, Guided Visualization and the powerful 'Energy Work', of "Chinese Pranic Healing", Please wish me Luck...
 |
| Our "food" |
 |
| Optimum Health Institute |
“Laughter is Inner Jogging."
- Norman Cousins
With Love, Light and laughter...
Shira
Here are some things people had to say about "Naming The Tumor":
ReplyDeleteHi Shira,
How are you? I hope everything is going well... I think of you and wonder how you are... I read your blog and it was lovely to hear your jovial attitude and positive focus... did you name the one-less/two-more yet?
It was a real pleasure to meet you at OHI and I hope we can remain friends...
Sending you lots of Love from the little English Girl xxx
Joanna
****************************************************************
Quite a Blog …. I like Lech Lecha…., but they are all cute. Wishing you the best of health always. I know you will find a way to heal yourself from this
Awful affliction.
Stick with HUMOR that always helps.
Best wishes, Claire K.
****************************************************************
Dearest Shira,
This is why everyone loves you! The energy, optimism, the spirited and positive thinking, the love that you give, the twinkle in your eyes, the importance of friends and friendship and the laughter that comes from your heart.
Love always,
Your sister Darlene T.
****************************************************************
Received your latest "Tumor Humor 2" and am an ardent follower of your dialog.
This really is silly, but your humor over this latest plight is catching. Here is my reasoning.
I want to say "I really enjoyed your latest blog. But that in the normal sense, would be a little sick and morbid. At first glance, people would say you guys are really weird, making light of and humor over someone having a tumor in the brain. Nothing enjoyable about it. Kinda out of left field, right?
But, you are what you are and what you make of yourself and it has to be far better to share the bright side and add humor rather then be gloomy and wait for whatever the unknown brings.
I believe if one has only bad thoughts and evil, the worst shall always prevail. Positive is the best way.
Love ya
Jerry H.
****************************************************************
Hi Shira,
In the Persian and Armenian cultures, as I'm sure you have noticed, taking lightly matters that concern poor health and sickness are not deemed "appropriate", so jokes in these cases are not encouraged. I wish they were though. It would have made my grandmother's diagnosis and treatment a lot easier on all of us, especially my mom. Armenians are always so serious with our sad songs, dark clothing, and serious demeanor, it's hard to introduce something new and unorthodox. Maybe with the new Americanized generations, we can help make positive changes!
I think the names people have chosen are so funny as well as appropriate! My apologies for not getting back to you with names; I simply have not had come up with any worthy enough to share. I do, however, have a favorite from the list: Casper! Gidulchik is cute too! I did not know that the origins of "chik" are Hebrew, but we use that word as well in the same context!
I think I mentioned in my last email, but I'll say it again: I am so proud of you for remaining strong and light-hearted about everything and trusting in as well as thanking the Light. We all need people like you in this world.
Much Love,
Ella S.
****************************************************************
Shira, ~ So nice receiving your cheerful email ~ only you, with your extremely positive outlook on life, could possibly find humor in a brain tumor!! This is not at all a bad thing, in fact it is terrific!
Well, here is my submission ~~~ MINNIE GLEEOMA ~ if one is going to "name" someone/something, it needs to fit, right?
She is obviously female, and therefore petulant! She needs to be watched because she tends to "take over", I suppose one could call MINNIE rather pushy ..... a pushy Jewish tzatzkele!!! Finally, to quote THE BARD Shakespeare, we must utter "OUT, OUT, DAMN SPOT!"
Sheila K.