Al is the inventor of the unique training weights that can be used in a number of traditional Okinawan strengthening exercises. He brought them to camp a few years ago, to demonstrate them to our gang. He has been bothered by hip problems for years and finally decided on a procedure last month. His wife Mary sent Susan this update today:
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Hi Guys;
I thought you would want to know; Al was doing very well after his hip resurfacing (1/23/2007), he was walking around the house. He was 3 weeks post operation on 2/13. He was standing in the living room doing free weights with his arms, he suddenly cried out in pain, said his left hip hurt and down he went to the floor.
We got an ambulance and took him to hospital. The head of the femur (thigh bone) had broken off from the resurfaced head. The joint itself was still in place but since the bone was broken he had to undergo another surgery for a total hip replacement (2/14). This means the end of his karate. He hasn't complained but I know he is devastated. (He had the resurfacing so he could walk and do karate still. Prior to surgery he could barely walk and was in terrible pain but did not want to have surgery if he could not do karate afterwards.)
So now he has a total hip. He lost a lot of blood the first surgery, so he was very anemic when he had the second surgery, and so they gave him several units of blood, ( I wanted to avoid this, but it was necessary.) He has a lot of pain but is staying fairly cheerful now that his is on the road to recovery. I hope there are no more setbacks. I am worn out running back and forth to work and hospital, but am thankful Al is on the road to recovery. He went to the Rehab part of the hospital today and should be home in a week.
Hope all of you are well, I am looking forward to Spring, am tired of the cold.
Love
Mary