A Personal Note (Article #46) 4/19/07

"As we drove home with the kids still bursting with excitement and pleasure from the experience, Goldie commented to me that she would love to go out every week and do the same thing. No matter how many times we go out to support our chayalim, I hope that each time I have the same excitement and emotion as I had that Sunday."

I wrote those words last week with joy in my heart and a satisfaction that we have really found a sense of home and belonging in our move here. Three days later, our lives were forever changed.

On Wednesday morning, we got a call from the doctor to come in so that Goldie could be scheduled for some more tests. When we arrived, the doctor sat us down to deliver the news that they had finally identified what they believe is the source of her problems.

A scan ordered by her neurologist had discovered an abnormal cluster of cells, and her biopsy results showed a malignant tumor.

We are obviously terrified at what may come and are investigating all avenues of treatment, both here and internationally. We pray to Hashem that he deliver a cure to us and that we should have the merit of continuing our lives together here in Israel.

We do not regret our move in any way. This illness had been developing before we packed our first box or suitcase and is clearly part of Hashem's grand plan for us.

We look forward to spending many more years here in the land that is truly home for each and every one of us. We debated the merits of so publicly disclosing her illness, but Goldie turned to me on Sunday morning and said, "Thousands of people read the paper, and each one of them is a person who can daven for me."

So I ask each and every one of you to include Golda Susya bat Shoshana in your prayers. Please add her name to your Tehillim lists and your Mi Shebeirach lists and ask Hashem to grant her a full and complete recovery.