Last month something occured that has not happened since the inception of this website back in 2004….July’s Corner was totally empty…nothing…nada….zip….zilch….zero. I didn’t even prepare an apology. I had expected to have my new ‘Blog Site’ up-and-running by then. Well, the reality is now hitting me in the face….this is an entirely new technology to which I need to become accustomed. Not being a teenager any longer, these type of adjusments don’t come easy. Now it is time for me to ‘pay the piper.’
During the first weekend of July, I completed my third ‘Tour de Montes.’ I, along with my biking buddy Dave ‘Bikeman’ Richardson, biked 265 miles over three days. The second day featured six mountain climbs nestled comfortably in the framework of a 110 mile ride. Although I chose to do only five climbs, I am in no way apologizing for my short cut. This is and continues to be the hardest endurance event that I have ever done. In fact, a professional triathelete, who was participating in the event along with me, said that the ‘Tour’ was harder than an Ironman Triathelon. I guess that ‘Torture is in the Eye of the Beholder!’ I do feel that God must be a biker, though. The weather leading up to the Tour was ‘Maryland at her best….hazy, hot and HORRIBLE’!!! Then suddenly, on the morning of the event and for the subsequent three days, it became cool and dry. I believe that it was this fact, more than the miles of training I had done leading up to the ride, that was responsible for my successful completion of it. For a more in-depth review of a previous Tour, go to the Archives of July 2005.
As discussed in an earlier ‘Corner,’ my daughter Carleigh has been suffering for the past two and a half years with a debilitating tendonitis affecting her left foot. This problem has led us through a parade of specialists, most recently Dr. Gregory Guyton, from the Foot and Ankle Center of Union Memorial Hospital. Now, at age 13, she is skeletally mature enough to do a definitive procedure to hopefully put this behind her once and for all. This will involve the breaking of some bones which will then require bone grafting to reconstruct her foot and ankle into a more structurally correct unit. In addition, her calf muscle will need to be lengthened. The entire procedure will require about two and half hours to complete. When asked if this was something she wanted to do at this time, the answer was an unhesitating and resounding ‘yes!’ We have the utmost confidence in Dr. Guyton. For Carleigh and our family, he is ‘just what the doctor ordered.’ We are indeed very lucky to have found him.
I am beginning to appreciate the advantages of ‘blogging.’ It is now Sunday, 48 hours after Carleigh’s surgery. She is recouperating well. The entire experience at Union Memorial Hospital was WONDERFUL. Now remember, I am referring to hospitals and surgery here. Everyone with whom we came in contact was personable and attentive. This started with the parking attendant, continued on with the registrars, the nurses and anethesia personel. EVERYONE with whom we interacted appeared to really care about us and our problem. They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and at ease. In addition, the system flowed like a well-greased machine. Waiting was rare. Well, this is not entirely true. Carleigh took what seemed like an eternity to come out of anesthesia. Although the surgery was, as predicted, about an hour and a half, it took her twice as long to wake up enough for us to bring her home. Finally, Dr. Guyton was very comforting both before and after the surgery. He even showed us some intraoperative Xays revealing the restructuring of Carleigh’s foot which will hopefully put an end to her misery.
Finally, on this Labor Day, I would like to wish all of you a great end-of-summer. Have a great fall season. And now, let’s see if this blog thing really works…
