For those who want to walk, we will cut you.

New England summer weather is the worst for one who’s had an ACL replacement, fractured back, fractured hip, or currently broken femur. Humidity rises. Temperature rises. Humidity drops. Temperature drops. Throw in the occasionally thunderstorm and it all equals chronic pain.

However, I digress.

Several updates for those keeping score at home. First, dad is finally out of the hospital. After a brief 18 night stay between the Union Hospital in Lynn and Beth Israel in Boston, dad is half cured. Believe me, when it is called the “practice” of medicine, they aren’t joking.

Secondly, my son earned his orange belt in Kempo karate this past Monday. I am an extremely proud papa-bear. I love watching him perform karate. He puts in the effort and earns his awards.

Thirdly, my mom found a part-time job. This is excellent news. She has searched and searched to no avail. Hopefully, this will work out well, where she can stay busy and earn a little extra spending money.

Fourthly, I participated in my 4th American Cancer Society Relay for Life. For the first time, I was accompanied by my son and mom. Half-dozen friends came to support our team and assist in pushing my wheelchair around the track. I am grateful to everyone’s contributions, whether it was monetary, time or effort.

Lastly, surgery is scheduled for August 16th to repair and replace my left knee. This will include a revision of cutting & repairing my femur and a total knee joint replacement. I should be in the hospital up to 3 days, followed by 1 month of in-home physical therapy and 3-4 months of out-patient physical therapy. Surgery could have happened as early as July 19th but I opted to share my summer with Gabe instead of recovery.

I look forward to spending many summer days with my son, friends, and family and endure a long recovery from surgery in hopes of doing it all better next year.

Cheers!