Star Athlete Out for Season

Araceli's picture for Hero Day at school in November

I took Scott to the surgical center this morning and got him all checked in and ready to have his leg sliced open. The anesthesiologist came in and asked, "So, did you just do this?"

Scott said, "Yeah, it seems like I was just here. I just had a vasectomy reversal last January." The doctor said, "OK...well, that's great, too. Um..."

I said, "I think he was asking if you just injured your leg."

And this was before they even administered any drugs. From that point, I think they worked quickly to get him under anesthetic before he divilged too much more personal information. As the nurse wheeled him back, he was disappointed they didn't take him in one of those little red wagons like they did for Ari when she had her tonsils out. Once he was knocked out, I went home. Bruce, Marlene and Jeremy waited for Scott at the hospital while I retrieved the kids from Coco's house, sent Golda to flute with my aunt Tricia, got everybody's practicing done and made a giant white ribbon for Golda's Music Man hair. Thanks to everybody who helped, the day went smoothly. We even had a delicious loaf of bread to eat from Michelle and are awaiting dinner from the Gus Dopps. If I had 6 or 7 assistants every day, my kids would get fed a lot more consistently, everyone would practice better and do more homework and the little ones would spend considerably less time in carseats. I've heard stories of couples on the Upper East Side who have a nanny for each child and a fleet of household helpers. What we have is better. We have friends. We have family. We are so grateful for all of you.

Now that Scott is home, I get the enviable job of gopher. Yesterday he asked for lemons and warm water to wash his hands. I got out of that request by telling him the lemon would hurt his paper cut. It's fun when your husband is delirious and incapcitated. At least I know he's not faking it. The surgeon said the tendon looked like it had exploded. Reattaching it was like putting two mops together, he said, but everything went well. The kids think it's pretty cool that the achilles is held together with heart muscle now. I always knew Scott had more heart than most. Now it's literal.

A situation like this brings into focus how valuable each family member is. With Scott laid up, we're down a driver, chef, errand runner, housekeeper and roughhouser. At least we still have our storyteller, TV buddy and delegator. Here's to a quick recovery for my star athlete.