Re: Steve in Colorado.

[Guest guest]

> Hey Steve,

> How are you holding up? How about an update? You can just e-

> mail it to me if you don't feel like making it public. It's been

> kind of " stuffy " in the ole' chat room since that guy gave us grief

> about being frivolous.

I've had so many visitors that it's been really hard to gather my

thoughts together. Lessee:

The temperature here went from ~80 degrees to the mid-thirties (with

snow and rain) the last two days, so I've sort of been prevented from

going out and walking much. Things cleared up today, so I went a

couple of blocks (on two crutches, of course). I can't maintain a

proper gait on one crutch yet, so I'm pretty much using two all the

time. I also went out to lunch with a friend of mine (and his 2 1/2

year-old son, who was quite intrigued with my crutches). Of course,

it's only day 11. I keep looking over at the exercise bike and

wondering if I could ride it now - I don't intend to do anything foolish.

Had a little scare yesterday - my right incision was a little

inflamed. Checked my temp and I was running normal, but I called JRI

and spoke to Beaule'. He thought it unlikely that there was infection

- he said it was probably just irritation from the staples, but we

both agreed that I should have somebody local look at it. Went down to

the local urgent care facility and they concurred and took out the

staples. The doc was fascinated with my account of resurfacing.

So, I'm staple-free and preparing to use *all* the water in the Rocky

Mountain West for my first shower tomorrow.

Since I'm bilateral, I'm pretty much stuck sleeping on my back for the

next few weeks. This is turning out to be a bit of a problem, as

others have reported. The immobility is producing low back pain and

stiffness, but it's really nothing compared to the pain I had from the

arthritis.

> I'm down to one crutch, but only when 's not looking. I'm

> starting to work on flexibility some, but I still can't put my TED

> on my left leg w/out help.

I'm not even gong to think about that yet. Of course, you're nearly a

week ahead of me (and unilateral, to boot). Who knows how I'll feel in

6 or 7 days?

I'm still pretty fatigued from the anemia, but even that is getting

quite a bit better.

> My left foot just seems so far away. But

> I imagine your not going to be painting your own toe nails any time

> soon either.

I think I'm going to be a good boy and wait for the 6-week X-rays to

be evaluated before I get too adventurous.

Take care, brother and I'll be in touch.

Steve (bilateral C+ 4/20/04, Amstutz)