[Cinci-nfb] For those who have asked and others who might want to know

Sheri Albers sheri.albers87 at gmail.com
Wed Sep 12 16:51:55 UTC 2018


Hello Deborah, I would love to come see you and help you in your apartment. What is your address?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 12, 2018, at 11:09 AM, Deborah Kendrick via Cinci-nfb <cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good morning all,
> As some of you know, the last 20 months has been a time dominated by broken bones and reconstructive surgeries for me.  It has also been a time of learning and adventure.  I have continued my work with the Library of Congress and many writing commitments, although I am no longer teaching in the iCanConnect program.  Most importantly, I have learned how a lifelong practice of finding alternative techniques for accomplishing tasks large and small can be useful experience when faced with an unexpected physical challenge. 
> Except for six days in April, when I returned to Cincinnati to receive an award and celebrate the longevity of a nonprofit I helped launch long ago, I have been in Florida.  My plan was to attend the NFB National convention in Orlando and then return to Cincinnati in July. 
> Regrettably, at the beginning of July, I went overnight from feeling terrific to excruciating pain, from walking shakily with a support cane to barely walking with a walker. 
> As some of you may know, I had a large leiomyosarcoma (soft tissue tumor) on my left thigh 15 years ago.  Extensive radiation and surgery removed the cancer but weakened my femur.  A hip replacement two years ago turned out to be more than that poor weakened femur could tolerate and thus began a long siege of fractures and reconstructions. 
> There is enough metal in that leg now from the past 20 months of surgeries to open my own junkyard! I have plates, rods, cables, and screws and, oh yes, that prosthetic hip. 
> Unfortunately, that hip has been sliding down my leg, ripping multiple fractures in my overly radiated and craggy femur.
> Finally, I am now waiting for word that the surgery of surgeries is about to be performed in Tampa.  A custom device is being made for my leg.  It is a femur, knee, and partial hip – not sure if I get to choose its color or not!
> My instructions while waiting were to continue walking with the walker, putting no weight on my left leg, but remaining as active as possible.  Yes, this is a bit of a contradiction, but I am doing my best to comply!
> Because I had committed long ago to make a presentation at the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, I decided to try coming back to Cincinnati. 
> My presentation was August 25, so I flew here August 23, allowing one full day for rest and recovery!
> Since that worked out fairly well, I fulfilled another commitment and flew to San Francisco for a board meeting this past weekend at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael. 
> My plan at present is to continue working and continue the definitely unfinished job of settling into my Cincinnati apartment.  When I get word that the surgery is ready to happen, I will be on the first plane to Florida.  
> My hope is that that will happen before Halloween, which is why it does not feel safe or prudent for me to plan to attend the NFB Ohio convention. I have been in several environments now in which other blind people, mostly dog guide handlers, have served as my guides and done so admirably!  Although I keep a white cane on my walker for identification, it is not possible to use it for safe or serious navigation, since both hands must be on the walker at all times.  I can walk, but only very short distances. (Example: walking back and forth between kitchen and living room twice can exhaust me completely!)
> At this point, I only go places where I know someone will ensure my safety when I arrive. 
> A missed curb or step could mean irrevocable damage at this point.
> Anyone who wants to come to me, however, is warmly welcomed!  Especially if you want to help schlep a box or two from room A to Room B in the settling in process or if you want to play cards or Scrabble! I can’t say I would cook for you, but I do a great job of ordering pizza and Chinese!
>  
> Apologies for the length of this message.  I have heard from a few people and decided it would be easiest to write an update to everyone at once. 
> My primary focus at present is on work, reading, and staying as healthy as possible for the upcoming mega surgery. 
> Hugs to all,
> Peace,
> Deborah
> 513.673.4474
> dkkendrick at earthlink.net
>  
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