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

Thu Sep 13 00:41:43 UTC 2018

Wow, Sheri, Thank you so much!
One thing I have learned these days is never to let an offer of assistance go untended.  
Text or call me when you can to let me know days and times when you might be available.  
My address is 3531 Michigan Ave.
Looking forward … 
Deborah

From: Cinci-nfb <cinci-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sheri Albers via Cinci-nfb
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2018 12:52 PM
To: NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List <cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sheri Albers <sheri.albers87 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Cinci-nfb] For those who have asked and others who might want to know

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 <mailto: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 <mailto:dkkendrick at earthlink.net> 

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