Now I think the election is going to get interesting!

WOW!

Well Lynne had the surgery to repair the collar bone today (1 plate and 4 -6 screws to repair) and the first person she talks to is her Mom - natural enough. Thank God for cell phones!

She's staying the night for observation - the pain was intensifying as the boys and I left the hospital. She's in great hands. The following photos are from a time prior to the medications from surgery wearing off. Notice the smile on her face - not there anymore :(



No X-rays to share as of yet.

Posted Update tonight:

Lynne is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning (8/23) 9:30 to repair her broken collar bone. The same Dr who reworked Andrew's shoulder is doing hers too.

I heard that at sometime or another a cyclist will endure a broken collar bone. Tristen finally had his too this year and also needed surgery. Lynne is in good company. I'm guessing her right shoulder will look very similar to his. Her X-rays showed at least four main pieces. Thanks to all who have written, called, or generally passed along good wishes.

John

Today was shower day - heading to the Dr this afternoon for a followup visit. A couple of quick shots to give you an idea what she's dealing with.


Good side



Bad side




You can probably see the slight discoloration and the slight protrusion of the bone on her right collar bone. YUCKY!

Thanks to all for their good wishes and thoughts!

It's really amazing how much the new helmets stay together after they're busted up a bit. They don't call them brain buckets for nothing.





You may or may not see the crack on the helmet, thankfully she was wearing one!





How the Dr's remove clothing from injured riders: I'll call this one "Surgical Jersey".

Well, if you haven't heard already, Lynne crashed last night at our weekly mtn bike race in Franklin. Here are a couple of photos too.

Concussion and right collar bone busted.


Post Percocet snoozing:



Face rash to the max:

Earlier this summer I had the great furtune of meeting a climbing Sherpa from Nepal. In June, during my trip west to attempt to climb Mt Hood & Mt Rainier, I stayed at Whittaker's Bunkhouse on the final day. If you remember, I stayed there during last year's uneventful trip to Rainier too.

This summer after visiting Paradise and taking many photos prior to the storm moving in which thwarted our journey, my climbing partner and I headed back to Whittaker's for our last night in the mountains. While hanging out at the snack bar area Mike pointed to this fellow standing in line and mentioned he looked familar. I went up to speak with him and introduced myself.

He gave me one of his cards and we conversed a bit - quite difficult for a midwestern boy with little exposure to the outside world. It turned out to be Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa - considered by many to be one of the SUPER SHERPAS. I consider myself extremely thankful for this chance meeting - I even received his autograph on the business card. Unfortunately I had left the camera back in the room and don't have a photo to go with the story. Sorry. At some point I intend to get the Mt Rainier map and the business card framed for a token keepsake. My brush with fame was so fleeting, yet I really feel a connection to this fellow. After all I did buy he and his fellow guides a round of beers - for which they were much abliged.

Not much new happening around here the last couple of weeks as we have settled into our summer routine.

Lynne - Started back at St Joe's in L&D this week. After 2 + years working away from patients at corporate headquarters she found out how much she missed taking care of patients and has returned to bedside nursing.

Drew - he's preparing for life in the real-world (if you can call life at college REAL). We're preparing to send him out on his own as we intend to move him into his dorm room on August 25th. He's still hanging out with Jenni and enjoying the last summer home. We rarely see him as he is either working or gone with friends.

Ben - He's been participating in summer weight workouts for Tosa East football in addition to participating in his first year of mountain bike racing in the WORS series. Both activities have him at or near peak physical condition. He really is quite quick on the bike and I am looking forward to next year already and him racing in sport class with Lynne & I. Football begins on August 12th and we're looking forward to watching the high schoolers play.

John - having had a less than productive spring (hamstring injuries really do take quite some time to heal) I'm just now getting into some sort of fitness. Having a new job and all that is associated with that has also been challenging. Soon we'll be getting the sleds ready for another wonderful winter season. Already, the amount of daylight is dwindling and temps are moderating a bit.

Preiding tonight at Sunburst for the upcoming race this weekend, then volunteering at the Brewers game concession stand for church on Saturday night, and then racing WORS on Sunday at Sunburst. Not much going on right?

Congrats to my little sister and her husband - they're having a boy! Poor Grandma S -not many girls to go around.

That's all for now. Oh yah, 21st wedding aniversary this month too. Who could forget that?