Well, it couldn't all be good news.

I met with my shoulder specialist this week to review the results of my recent tests and found that her initial suspicion was correct. I have a previously undetected, displaced humerus fracture which involves a piece of my greater tuberosity and the associated rotator cuff muscles swimming around in my shoulder. No wonder I can't raise my arm. The only solution is surgical and the likelihood of repair hovers around 50%. It all has to do with how pliant my muscles are at this point and how cooperative they are in the process of reattachment. So off I go to surgery in mid-December to get this business repaired. I was clear with the doctor that the most important outcome was getting my left arm to "handlebar height;" anything else is extra. The surgery is possible on an "outpatient" basis (can you believe it?) so I will not require a lengthy hospital stay and should be back in action with my arm in a sling within a few days.

On the more positive side, I spent a few days at work this past week and I was thrilled again and again by the warm and caring reception I received from students, teachers, staff and parents. What a great school we have! While the recent medical news is somewhat discouraging, I have great confidence in my surgeon and am optimistic about a complete recovery and return to randonneuring and ultra racing. I have done a little recumbent research, so I have a better sense of what might be available in the worst case scenario, but I hope to be able to place an order for a new Independent Fabrication Club Racer later this winter after healing a bit more to enable my friend Paul down at Signature Cycles to do an accurate fitting.