Healing Adventure

Anesthesiologist Rabbi

I have become known as the Paddle Pilgrim for my 3^rd Act kayak adventures chronicled in books and films down the Mississippi River, Erie Canal and Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty, the ancestral fjords of Norway, and the Mekong River in S.E. Asia. In the great Outdoor Classroom, I have witnessed spectacular scenery, experienced exotic and fascinating cultures, participated in living history, savored delicious food, and been helped by numerous “angels.”

I am currently living an amazing adventure rehabbing from knee replacement surgery. My grandkids call me Bionic Grandpa and believe I am becoming a robot as they view the gallery of hip and knee X-rays on my office door. Join me as I make my medical pilgrimage.

On the day of surgery, I was wheeled into a room filled with sounds, aromas, and sights of science and technology. I immediately felt like the Queen Bee as worker bees buzzed in to take readings, ask questions, and most importantly, mark the left knee as the one needing replacement. My outgoing nature leads to multiple conversations. The gurney driver with the skills of a grand prix champion tells me he has been navigating these narrow corridors for 3 years. My first nurse takes my vitals and tells me she is from Uganda. As I share my African travel experiences, we become immediate friends.

Another nurse takes blood for lab tests, and we talk Ivy League Sports as he ran hurdles at Cornell University and I began my long-distance running career inspired by Yale classmate, Frank Shorter, the first American to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the marathon. Another nurse’s accent sounded familiar, and I learn she just moved to Seattle from my home state, Minnesota, where she had worked for years at Fairview Hospital, where I was born. She doesn’t miss Midwest winters, as she asks me if I would like a warm blanket. I love the warm hospital blankets to cover my frequently cold and exposed backside.

For a few moments, I am left alone and notice the sounds all around me of medical folks doing their work, families saying goodbye, and the clicks, drips, and buzzing of machines.

Suddenly, my surgeon pulls back the curtain and checks to see if I am ready. Dr. Nevin is soft-spoken, precise, and calm. His unique name and accent tell me he’s not from Minnesota. As he leaves, a familiar face appears, that of my anesthesiologist, who is doing a repeat performance from my hip replacement surgery in January. Cue the music to “The Hip Bone’s Connected to the Knee Bone.” His neatly cropped white beard whisper experience and knowledge, as we each remember our first journey together.

He mentions that my chart indicates I am a Lutheran Christian. This revelation has never been the topic of conversation in the world of science and technology. I have always wondered why one’s faith is asked about. He then tells me he is a Jewish Rabbi. My first reaction was “Wow” and then “How?” leading to a delightful theological conversation.

I shared that one of my favorite writers was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, whose book The Prophets was the text in my Old Testament Prophets course. I was inspired by Rabbi Heschel’s activism in the anti-war and civil rights movements. He lived what he taught. Our lively conversation was “paused” for my surgery.

Several hours later when I was taken from recovery to my room, my first visitor was my anesthesiologist-rabbi friend, Dr. Adam. He wished me well on my healing journey.
To him and all the good folks at the University of Washington Medical Center, I say a heartfelt “Shalom.”

My books, films, and podcasts are available at my website paddle-pilgrim.com