Broken Typewriter. [Editor] I know there haven't been many new posts lately. Part of the reason is that Pete has been sending me more handwritten letters than typed letters. I can easily scan typewritten letters and post them to the blog in just a few minutes, but handwritten letters are a problem. Unfortunately I'm not a fast typist and I just don't have the time to retype all of his letters.

Now to make matters worse, his typewriter just broke and he will have to send it out for repair. At best this will take about a month.

In the past some kind blog readers volunteered to retype some of Pete's letters, which I then posted to the blog. If there are any readers who would like to help type, please send me an email. I scan all his letters and save them as pdf files. I can easily send you a pdf file and you can send me back typed text in any format.

Otherwise the blog may be inactive for a while. But it's not dead. Stay tuned. Pete writes to me once or twice per week. I'll try to post some short updates from his letters from time to time.  ¶ 4:53 PM (2) comments

  The Leg Report. Today is Tuesday already and I promised you all an update on my medical condition as soon as it was received. But like many things I promise, life as a correctional resident gets in the way.

I had hoped for good news on Friday morning but alas it was not to be. On the other hand I did not get BAD news.

It turns out that according to the CAT scan the fracture line is still visible. This fracture line is on my right femur just below the ball that sits in the hip socket. There are three pins holding the bone together. As of now I am still holding onto all my original equipment. No artificial parts have been added yet.

According to my surgeon, the area of the break has minimal blood flow and as such, healing, if any occurs, takes time. While he has always told me that there was a good chance that the bones would not fuse, he has taken the long view and is giving the bones plenty of time.

The operation took place on April 19, 2008. We are just over two months of healing. At this point I am not putting any weight on my right leg. I am mobile with the aid of a trusty pair of crutches. It is certainly an interesting experience when I am hobbling along the walkways and letting my mind wander and next thing I know I am about to free fall onto my face.

I am in a wait and see mode with any decision at least six to eight weeks away. Even though some healing is taking place, it might not be at a fast enough pace. At that point I am told that the option would be to put in a replacement ball and hip socket. I am willing to continue to hobble along as long as the chance that I get to keep my original issue parts inside me where they belong.

Time will tell and at this time that is what I have a lot of. Time.  ¶ 2:31 PM (1) comments