Yeehah!
Tom had his long awaited appointement with his surgeon this morning and, of course, a new x-ray.

Dr. Blitzer pointed out new bone growth on the x-ray, congratulated Tom, and gently kicked him out of the office and into the hands (later this week) of the Rockingham VNA physical therapist to teach him how to walk again.

He said his only fear would be arthritis in his ankle...which would only be a worry if Tom were a soccer player in his 30s. Somehow I don't think this is a problem in a 70 year old concertina player...

But the BOOT is GONE!!! And Tom can put weight on the ankle which means he should be up and cooking again soon.

Meanwhile, he's not pushing it -- he came back up the stairs to the house on his tush. He did try out some options first, but he is going to be safe. Time enough with the physical therapist's advice.

He's lost lots of muscle in his right leg, but he should improve with therapy and without that damned boot. I think I'll continue massaging his leg...actually both of them. It can't hurt and may very well help his (as confirmed by his podiatrist last Friday) very bad circulation.

Linn