In his Father's Footsteps

Today my eldest grandson started his student enlistment in the New York Air National Guard. He starts his monthly drills soon and will attend basic training in San Antonio this summer after he graduates from high school. His father, a four year AF vet, was on the flightline at Edwards AFB in the late 1980's servicing fighter jets.

We are so very proud of him. He will be a full time member of the NYANG assigned to security once he completes his advanced training, probably late this year. As an MP I think he will be pursuing a career in LE, like his grandpa.

Grateful That It Wasn't Worse

We got home from the hospital this afternoon... exhausted. Yesterday (Monday) I had to undergo a hastily scheduled surgery on my replacement shoulder after my surgeon thought there could be an infection. And there was.

The original 8" incision had to be cut open again and the infected tissue removed. By the grace of God the infection did not get into the metal joint as it would have necessitated the complete removal of the new joint, the insertion of a "spacer"and a six week regime of IV administered antibiotics. My wife, bless her, stayed with me through a sleepless night. There were some other complications but things got sorted out and I was finally able to be discharged with prescriptions for oral antibiotics and painkillers.

So I am back in a sling and unable to drive again for about 10 days but I am very happy with that given the alternatives.

Still, all in all, it's been a rough four months...

Yep, It's Been A While

I'll make this short and succinct.
Last October, 10/10/17 to be exact, I tripped and fell in my garage. I landed on my face and left shoulder. Except for some scrapes, my face was fine. Unfortunately I shattered my left shoulder in three places.

This was the second time I had broken that shoulder. First time was in 1976 when I was chasing suspects in a drug deal. It never healed properly. It wasn't going to heal at all this time around.

I went into surgery on 10/16/17 and the entire joint was replaced. It's called a reverse total shoulder replacement. And it's a bear to recover. This is what I was left with after the surgery:

Lookit them freakin' screws. The T1000 Terminator had less metal. The rod almost reaches my elbow. I went in for my annual physical last week and showed this to my doctor. He said, "Holy shit!"

But it's finally feeling better and I am starting to actually use the arm more. I felt like crap for so long.  I can now pick up my 15 month old grandson and it doesn't hurt too  much. Hopefully by this Spring or early summer I will have a great deal more use.

On a more pleasant note, my daughter is expecting again. It's a boy and he is due in mid-June. Other than that and physical therapy, I stay inside mostly. It's been so cold here. Thank God for my neighbor across the street who has been helping with the snow as I can only do so much with a small electric blower. Can't handle the big 10 HP one anymore, so it was sold. We've had over 75" so far this year.

I'll keep you informed. I just don't feel like blogging much.