The docs tell me I'll be fit to teach by August, if not necessarily to pace in my accustomed manner, so I've agreed to teach Torts again — this time, mercifully, to a 'small' section (they're not that small) in the Fall term.
Meanwhile my recovery progresses. I'm able to do more, like get around the house, although still need a lot of help with stuff. I can walk down the block a few houses and back with a cane or a supportive arm for balance. Baby steps indeed.
I am home, and so happy to be there. I remain very weak – climbing the stairs feels like doing Everest, and I can’t walk far. My balance is uncertain but I expect to graduate from a walker to a cane soon. My hands shake, and typing is hard. I get tired pathetically easily. But every day I’m a bit stronger, and the prognosis is good, although it will take some time to make a full recovery.
I am so deeply grateful for the messages of support here, in email, in cards, and via intermediaries. I will write more fully about that when I’m a bit better as it has been humbling and amazing. Meanwhile, please forgive me if a personal reply to your email is delayed a little more.
I’ve been discharged from the hospital and I’m now in a rehab facility trying to gain back my strength. I expect to be here about a week, and there really doesn’t seem to be any wi-fi anywhere in the building.
The hospital IT guy got me online.
I am still very very weak, and can't type well as two fingers are numb (nerve got bruised in surgery; it will heal in time). I am likely to be discharged soon — next day or two I think — but while my progress is real, I have a long way to go.
If I am no longer as weak as a kitten, I would still be hesitant to take on a litter of them.
Basically, if it can't be done sitting or reclining, I still need help to do it. But that will change.
I'm still in the hospital — and, ironically, in a part with no Internet. People have been reading me some of the e-mails and comments that have been sent and I'm very grateful, but unable to respond. It looks like I'll be in the hospital as much as another week. I hope once I get out to be able to thank people more directly.
I’m alive.
For those of you who may have been wondering why there haven’t been any posts here since Feb. 12, the reason is that I had emergency open-heart surgery, and now I’m recovering.
If there’s a really great way to ruin a writing sabbatical, it is by spending it in the hospital.
The prognosis is good, but I was under heavy sedation until just recently, and I’m still very weak. (My brother Dan is entering this for me.) So posting will be light to nonexistent for a while longer.
Jotwell Blenderlaw