Have you hugged your doctor today?

     Thank goodness there are still so many brilliant people willing to sacrifice an immense amount of time, effort, and money to go to med school (seemingly for-EVER).  These truly special people courageously follow their dreams, and devote their lives to improving the lives of others. So, for all of you amazing doctors, nurses, PA's, health care professionals, etc... please give yourself a giant hug... from me.  

     Special thanks to Dr. Drakos and his entire team at the Hospital For Special Surgery Hand and Foot Center (the Achilles Ritz).  Though I wouldn't suggest you find a reason to have to check in there... the HSS Hand and Foot Center is like the Ritz Carlton of hospitals and orthopedic surgery.  It wasn't exactly the Ritz Carlton San Juan where I would have been headed, but I was really comfortable and I was treated like royalty from the time I arrived to the time I left.  Everyone was extremely kind and caring, and the level of professionalism was world class!

 

 

     My surgery went extremely well, and Dr. Drakos was even able to use my plantaris tendon to help reinforce the repair of the Achilles (extra credit and further learning).  I was in recovery for a while sleeping. Then, after the sedation wore off, I ate a relatively delicious meal, took a procedural pee I was released and on my way.  When I got home I enjoyed a great dinner from Mama Theresa's!  I had a really easy first night sleeping on the couch because the anesthetic block the docs put below my knee were still keeping everything numb. 

     I was spoiled by a pain free and productive morning feeling like I could do anything. I cancelled my flight to San Juan; spent an hour on the phone with NY State regarding my summer youth lacrosse camp (...join the PAC!); and I learned from reading and watching tv.  I also had a really nice visit from my loving niece Tess who was a little nervous about the dressing on my foot, but still had the heart to sit and cuddle with Uncle Pete... it made my day.  She even came back later dressed as a fairy princess to put magic healing on my foot!  Next, I witnessed a surprise shout out to Coquette on Fox 5's Good Day New York which I thought was really cool(see pictures). Finally, I also caught an inspiring news story about, Mikey Stolzenberg, a remarkable young lacrosse player in Florida who still competes in sports despite being a quadrilateral amputee.  He is currently raising money for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and inspiring them to keep up hope.  His message is for those who were injured to continue following their dreams despite the devastating life changes and hardship they've endured (follow Mikey's story and donate for Boston).  

    Thanks very much to the Doherty family (Erin, Dan, and Mary) who sent me a beautiful gift from Edible Arrangements. It came in perfect time as the numbness in my foot wore off and I had to eat something before firing up the pain killers. I'm struggling a bit right now, and hoping the percocets kick in soon.  With that said I want to remind everyone how serious and dangerous misuse and/or abuse of these substances can be.  So, if someone you know or love might be casually misusing pain-killers... get them help possibly here.  

     I hope you've enjoyed this smorgasbord of an update and pictures today.  There is inspiration and goodness to be found everywhere. Sometimes you just have to be open to it, watching tv during the day, OR just keeping up with my blog!