Church Youth Trip

This past Sunday and Monday, we were able to host the 2nd annual church youth group at Table Rock Lake.
We are truly BLESSED to have such a wonderful group of children.
Let’s face it, the weather was miserable for most of the trip.
These kids never complained. We went out and had a blast on the tube, on the knee board and jumping off a few rocks.
In a way, the weather was perfect because there were very few other boats willing to get out on the lake.
We practically had the entire lake to ourselves.
I am sure some of them are confused about getting a little sun burn with all the clouds and rain.
Nothing but smiles and great spirits!

I do not have a Special moment or Highlight.
Sunday’s boating was fun.
Dinner at our cabin was fun.
Monday’s boating was fun and we got a bonus run after lunch.
Monday’s lunch was fun.

I continue to be impressed with our group of kids.
I loved getting to know the junior high group better.
Special thanks to Bethany and Hannah for staying with me and helping tie up the boat and put things away Monday before lunch.

Thank you for trusting them with me and Cara.
I hope they are telling stories for a long time.

Our only regret is the lack of pictures. The weather was just too rainy and wet to risk using the camera.
Cara did get a great picture of most of the group in the boat on our initial outing.
I will try to get a copy of it to share.

We look forward to doing it again next year!
Maybe we should make tee shirts for:
The 3rd Annual First Presbyterian Church Springdale Youth Retreat to Table Rock Lake…

Tim and Lynn, if you are reading this, thank you for letting some kids hang out with you on your dock. That was a life saver. We came and got the tube Monday, but we did not see Sam's flip flops. We will get them the next time we hunt you down on the lake...


J.

Allen did it again

All,
Just to keep you posted. Allen broke his left hand yesterday trying to keep from falling after getting hit in football practice. We have not seen the orthopedic doctor yet, but he should be put into a cast some time today. I hope it will not be for too long so he can enjoy his summer. He was so looking forward to showing off his boarding and skiing ability next weekend with the church youth group...
J

Bone Scan

All,
There is not a lot of new news to report. I am in the process of getting a bone scan done today to check the blood flow in my femoral neck going to the left hip. The injection was done about an hour ago, and I will go back to get more pictures taken at 1:00.
I am not sure when we will get any news following the scan.
Allen is back to football practice. Both boys are looking forward to the end of the school year.
Cara and I are excited and looking forward to Mark and Sharon flying out here to visit us from PA. I am sure it will be a great visit. We will be going to the lake for part of it and relaxing at the house for the rest of their time with us.

J

"We know more now, but we do not know everything"

That is a fitting quote from Cara yesterday.
We both went to Tulsa to talk to Dr. Stafford regarding the CT scan of my left hip. I think I mentioned before that there is still a non-union in the femur. Basically, the fracture between the ball of the hip and the femur never completely healed. The current suggestion involves a fairly significant surgery that must take place in Tulsa. He will visit with Dr. Norris this Monday to form an official plan but this is the idea: 1. remove the existing plate and all screws 2. bore into the core of the femur (saving the bone dust) 3. install a shaft into the femur and secure it to the ball of the hip 4. using the bone dust from the boring as a bone graft around the fracture to stimulate bone growth. Since the bone dust (like wet sand) has my scaffold, cells, and proteins it will pull new cells in naturally for the growth. Any scar tissue in the area of the surgery will be removed, but exploration and removal of other scar tissue will not be done. He did mention the possibility of loosening some tight tendons to help me flatten my left leg while laying on my back. Scheduling this surgery is the big mystery. How long will I be in the hospital? Walking on the fractured hip could increase the risk of breaking the screws, but he did not restrict my current load bearing. We have a lot of plans this summer that I do not want to interrupt, but the sooner I do this the sooner I can be closer to normal. No matter when I have the surgery, I will be starting over with the hip and will be non-weight bearing for (3) full months. I will certainly make a new post when we have more answers.
J

In Memory of Carver

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to my friend, Carver 4/18/09. I will be in Republic, MO for the funeral Tuesday evening. I look forward to seeing friends and talking about the fun things we did together. The picture is from one of those fun times at the chili cook-off in 2002 (green shirt on the right). Carver, we will all miss you!!!

J

New pets can be very healing!

How can you be worried about anything else when a kitten and a puppy are sleeping by your side.

It has been less than 24 hours and they seem to get along perfectly. I am sure there will be scruffs later, but they sure are cute now.

Can't wait to get our new puppy tomorrow!!!

How can you resist that? We will try to post a picture of the new kitten, Tipsy, as well. Maybe the two of them together. Both are just as cute as they can be. Cara and I are just dying to go pick up our new puppy, Bella.

My medical reality check:

No more squats or kneeling - ever. Dr. Arnold will be satisfied with 100 degrees of flex in my left knee. My therapist is going to push for 105. I will be continuing to increase it on my own, but this is a fact - there is too much scar tissue to expect more flex.

Hip surgery is pending in the very near future. We will be going to Tulsa on April 28th to talk to Dr. Stafford about a possible bone graft. After my CT scan, they discovered that my hip fracture has never healed. A bone graft can possibly stimulate bone growth and healing. The other option is a complete hip replacement. There are a lot of unknowns at this time and hopefully they will be clarified on both April 23rd with Dr. Arnold and on April 28th with Dr. Stafford.

It appears that this is going to be a lifelong experience of learning my limitations.

J