328

That's the magical number, 328. I had 328 emails awaiting my return to work after being off a week after surgery. I wish they were all well wishes for my health, but that only counted for 6 of the emails. Glad to know that I am needed so much when I am gone.

My parents are back from Hawaii and have delivered us our much anticipated pineapple. If you have not had fresh pineapple from Hawaii, I highly recommend it. If you like it so much, you can grow your own by simply chopping about 1/2 inch below the top of the pineapple and putting it in some water. After about a week transplant it to soil and wait 2 years. Hey nobody said the good stuff comes fast in life.

Next up to return is my brother and his fiancee. Ok I have received many inquiries regarding what's up with my brother. Well this is the story. Last year he began corresponding with Lin (sorry if I am misspelling her name) via the Internet. After several conversations he decided to visit her in China. After his trip and several more months of corresponding he flew to China and proposed to her. Now all of the paper work is complete and she is now on her way to see our country and become a part of our fun family. So their you have it. The story of my brother (I saved some of the colorful stuff for another day).

I have a new adventure that Becky is partaking in . . . softball. That's right Becky has been drafted to play softball on Michelle's team The Kimodo Dragons. Unfortunately I have not been cleared to play so I will be fielding the teams Coaching position. We had our first practice on Saturday. All indications are we will have a very fun team, if not I have a lot of jokes and pranks to start playing on people (be scared Michelle be very scared).

On the hockey front I had my coaching debut lead to a loss. I coached The Grave Diggers against The Komets. Yeah I know I am such a traitor for going against my main home team. Let me give you some details. The Komets have a very strong and experienced coach. The Grave Diggers coach had a scheduling conflict, so I stepped in. We played shorthanded and lost 5-0. For now I will stick to trying to play hockey instead of coaching it. For any of my co-workers who maybe reading this, it is safe to say I will not be leaving to coach in the NHL anytime soon.

I hope everyone is doing good. My rehab is going good and I look to be on schedule for returning back to everything as expected for my time table.

Before and After

Just in case you need a chuckle here is the before.

Here is the happy drug after!

I guess it's clear to see where the "Pink Elephants" came from. No Stephen thats a straw not the Elephants trunk.

Post-op

Stephen is now at home, resting and no longer seeing those pink elephants. He again was fun to talk with during the recovery stage. No he did not propose to me this time around, but he kept telling me how much he loved me. He had no problems during the surgery and the doctor said everything went well. I will keep you all updated especially if those pink elephants come back again.

Thanks for The Memories

Tonight was my last hockey games before my surgery. Though it was a fun night filled with many memories only the Grave Diggers won (3-1) as the Komets suffered their second defeat in regulation (2-1). Both games were skating challenges for me. It was not brute strength, size, or stick handling that made my night, it was my ability to carry the puck and skate hard man to man that made the night. I had an assist in the Komets game ending my night on a personal note in a good way.

Though my season is over, my comrades will continue to play on and to fight in the playoffs. To this I would like to wish you good luck and to tell you thanks. Thanks for the tough plays, close games, and support. For the Grave Diggers thanks to Bob S., Bob B., Dan, Ron, Steve C., Steve S., Randy, Raul, Tom, and Jon. You guys have continued to improve in so many ways and I know that this season will help catapult you into your best season yet next session. For the Komets thanks to Will, Ryan, Mike B., Mike G., AJ, Scott D., Scott B., Sean, Albert, Kevin, Dustin, Chuck, Brent, and Coach Al. I wish you guys the best and I know that next week will dictate your post season, good luck and go for The Keg!

An extra special thanks to Supergirl (Mel), Bobby, and Michelle. Thank you guys for sticking around to watch me play. Thanks Michelle for always being there and offering your support. Thanks to Bobby for the comic relief, you always make the game more fun. Thanks to Supergirl for being my strength when my shoulder could not handle it. You made playing on your line one of the highlights of my night and my season.

Now for my surgery, to answer the major question am I nervous . . . YES!! Ok last year I knew what was the problem, what was going to occur, and how long I would be out for. This time I still have many questions. We know the labrum has tearing but how much and how bad is everything else will not be known until after the surgery. How long will I be out of work . . . right now best case scenario just one week. I will probably be unable to drive for 2-3 weeks, so it looks like I will have to work from home for awhile. Am I ready for this . . . YES!!! Let's get it over. It is not getting any better and I am starting to get real frustrated with my limitations.

Becky will be off for my surgery. She started her new job and is enjoying the opportunity that it is offering in shaping a unit that has such great potential. I am so excited for her. It's good to hear her come home with new challenges and tales. Being such a small facility they try every way possible to make you feel like part of the family. Something that the large size of Children's was not always possible to achieve. If you go by to see her, call first. Her new Hospital has such strict security that she needs to know your coming to let you in. Makes me feel good just in case she ever picks up a night shift.

I know many of you will be keeping me in your prayers this week, but I ask that you also keep my Grandmother (who is recovering from surgery), my Parents (they will be leaving on their regular Hawaii trip), and my Brother (who is traveling to China to pickup his Fiance, I will explain this in my blogs to come). Finally I have been made aware of the party that is being thrown in my honor after my surgery (or should I say dishonor). I guess I will just say bring your cameras and take your pictures. Just remember I will get you back some day. As for you Becky, just keep the pain medicine coming and I will think about forgiveness.