Closing Party at the Museum of Ventura County

On Thursday, March 28 the Museum of Ventura County had a “Closing Party”.  It was the last night to party at the old building before the massive reconstruction begins.  A new and improved museum will be the result.  At the party were Hiroko Yoshimoto l., and Lis Schwitters r.  In the middle is a photograph in the exhibit of Lis.  Self portrait with hair.  Deborah McKillop was standing on my right at the time of the photo.  What a thrill I had that night being surrounded by all my favorite women. 

My Rotator Cuff Surgery

I have not been able to type for a while.  Way back in November I got up in the middle of the night, well after the effects of a martini and dinner wine had worn off.  I got light-headed and tipped over.  I landed on my left shoulder.  It hurt.  The next morning I could not raise my arm.  I got my teeth cleaned that morning and my dental hygenist happened to also be a chiropractor and she told me it was not broken but was “frozen”.  I waited for it to heal.  Months went by.  It was not healing.  My M.D. sent me to physical therapy.  That helped a little but it was not healing.  I was then sent for an MRI.  That revealed that cartelidge was torn and separated from the bone.  It would never heal.  I was sent to a surgeon.  In less than a week I was operated on.  4 little holes bored into my shoulder.  Pins were screwed into the bones.  Ligaments were sewn onto the pins.  Bone spurs were scraped.    I went home and spent about 48 hours hooked up to ice water circulating to my shoulder area.  My arm was in a sling.  I slept for about 5 days like a cat.  I did not realize how much my body would need healing sleep.  I went back to the gallery in a sling on a limited basis after 5 days.  It is now over three weeks and I can sleep without a sling. I wear it every day so that I will not reinjure myself.  that would be the worst thing I could think of to happen.  I get physical therapy from Adan 3 times a week.  He bends my arm and it hurts like hell.  It is very theraputic.  I am getting better.  After about 6 weeks I expect the stitches will heal and there will be not much danger of reinjury. I’m slowly getting my full mobility back.  Next comes strength exercises.  I am told that after 6 months I will be fully back to normal.     I can use my arm well enough to use my camera and tripod on a limited basis.  I’m trying to get ready for an antique photo show in Emeryville April 20 where I will bring limited inventory for once.  I’m also getting ready for a trip to Havana in May.  I expect to handle that well.   I think I’ll go do some stretching execises.