Update #26 - May 22nd, 2002

Winthrop, Maine - 4,569 miles

For the past six and a half days, I've been staying at the United Methodist Camp Mechuwana outside of Winthrop, which is about 12 miles west of Augusta. The damage to my left arm is much worse than I had ever imagined. I was able to finally see an orthopaedic specialist last Friday. It was good that I got copies of the x-rays.

The head of my left humurus had been broken into four pieces. The only thing that has been keeping my left arm from flopping around has been my upper arm muscles. It is going to be major surgery to repair it since they have to cut my arm muscles to get to the damage. There hadn't been a decision on whether pins or screws will be used.

The surgery needs to be done in around ten more days before calcification of the fragments occur and the surgery will be more tricky. As it stands right now, there is a seventy percent chance that the surgery will come out okay and I will have full use of my arm after rehab. There is a thirty percent chance that even with the surgery the humurus head will still die due to lack of blood circulation.

I don't know what is wrong with my left elbow yet since it hasn't been x-rayed. The stumbling block is where I would be staying after the operation. I was told that I would have to stay in the hospital for at least six days. After that, I will have to have a place to stay near the hospital and the surgeon for at least eight weeks for recovery and rehab. We are trying very hard to find the respite place but it is taking longer than anticipated. If I ever get back on the road from the accident, it will not be until at least September.

All I can do now is pray that things will work out and have faith. Any prayers would be appreciated.