[azoyizes]

hello everybody,

please excuse my typing. i had my (left) elbow surgery yesterday afternoon, and it went well. my doctor performed an ulnar nerve decompression. evidently, cartilage had built up around the nerve in my elbow, which was pushing against the nerve and causing all of the problems in my hand. This, I was told was the easiest to correct. I'm already getting some feeling back in my left ring finger.

My arm was set inside a rigid splint that goes from the bottom of my fingers up to just under my armpit, keeping my arm bent at a 90 degree angle. They then put cotton over that, and then wrapped an Ace bandage around all of that. They also gave me a sling to wear when I'm up walking around, and Vicodin.

I am scheduled to see my orthopedic surgeon a week from today. he will remove the dressings, etc. and probably remove the staples if everything looks okay. Hopefully, the splint will stay off. Then, we'll talk about exercises.

it had gotten to the point where the muscle between my forefinger and the bottom of my thumb had collapsed, forming an indentation. There are no guarantees with this surgery, but it was necessary, Now, it's over and I can begin the healing and nerve regeneration process.

Arnie has to cook ans wash dishes. We had cream of wheat for supper, because that's the only thing he knows how to cook. Luckily, he also has to do the dishes, so we've decided to eat out the rest of the week. Yeah!

Monty is walking on my right side now. I was amazed how easily he switched over, as he's always walked on my left since I got him 2-1/2 years ago. He turned five last week!