An update for everyone… As a late emerging issue from my bicycle crash in November, I apparently developed a blood vessel bleed in my brain after CAT scan and MRI which had been clear. It developed into a hematoma which was finally detected by another CAT scan on Feb 1.

Immediately after the scan I had successful surgery on Monday, February 1, to remove an inch and a half hematoma (blood clot) from the right side of my skull which was putting increasing pressure on my brain and could have soon led to brain damage and death. I spent the next five days in the ICU at Kaiser Woodland Hills while they drained excess fluid out of my brain and monitored my initial recovery. I was very relieved to be sent home on Saturday to begin a two to three month convalescence while my brain slowly returns to its proper position where it had been displaced by the blood clot. The recovery process is particularly challenging for me because my (hopefully temporary) disability is focused on my fine motor coordination in my left hand (I’m left-handed), making it difficult for me to write or type. (I am writing this with somedifficulty!)

Given all that… I am blessed with all the assets one could hope for to make a complete recovery. I have my partner Sally who continues to rise to this difficult occasion in every possible way, plus our kids and Sally’s parents and extended family. I am also currently a full-time employee of Kaiser (not a contractor like I was last summer) so I can go on short-term disability on at least part of my normal pay and have a wonderful and understanding boss who will hold my job for me during my convalescence. I am also blessed with having a great group of comrades and fellow travelers at the Onion.

Bottom line… I am grateful to be among the living with my brain basically intact and a path forward to hopefully complete recovery. I will do my best to keep you all posted!