Comical Chronicles

Stories of humor, resilience, and humanity from women navigating cancer on their own terms.

Licking my Wounds 

After undergoing a rigorous 10-hour reconstructive surgery in New Orleans, I stayed an extra week to allow my wounds to heal before returning to the West Coast. My friend, Deborah, had flown in to help me recuperate. Given my epicurean tendencies, by the time she arrived, I had already mapped out the most interesting culinary opportunities for our 21 prospective meal occasions. In reality, we’d be lucky to get out at all.

 A few days after settling into our Homewood Suite, Rebecca called. “I’m heading to the Farmers Market to shop for your homecoming soups, Jen. Any special requests before I leave?,” she asked, wondering whether my surgery, anesthesia, or meds had compromised my appetite or taste buds. “How does my Sweet Summer Corn Bisque and Yellow Taxi Cab Tomato Soup sound?,” she suggested, as if asking a mouse if it would like some cheese.

 Little did Rebecca know that when she called that Sunday, Deborah and I were already dressed in our Sunday best. I knew from first-hand experience about the Sunday brunch at Commander’s Palace. After thanking Rebecca for her kindness and generosity, I hung up the phone, then promptly called a cab. Of course, getting to the cab was another story, given that my recent surgery prevented me from standing at more than a 45-degree angle.

After arriving at the Grande Dame of the Garden District, Deborah and I basked in the charm of this 19th century mansion while traditional brass-band music drifted through the air. We also enjoyed the world’s best Bloody Marys. Mine, of course, was non-alcoholic. After doing a little detective work, I discovered that this legendary concoction was made with the restaurant’s proprietary blend of house-made horseradish, Worcestershire, pepper sauce, and vegetable juice. Our Bloody Marys came garnished with pickled vegetables and a crunchy stalk of celery. By the time I could see the bottom of my glass, our Eggs Sardou had arrived.

—Jen

Jennifer Omholt is the author of Just Diagnosed: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating Cancer. A longtime journalist and 24-year cancer survivor, she writes about the emotional, practical, and medical challenges faced during the critical first weeks after diagnosis.