[Ohio-talk] For those who have asked and others who might want to know

[dkkendrick at earthlink.net]

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>