Dear Friends and Family,
Tuesday afternoon December 14, Freddie was helping to roof the Sunset room and he fell from a ladder onto the asphalt. He fractured his hip and pelvis. His left hipbone pushed through his pelvis. He is now at Stanford Hospital and is scheduled for an operation tomorrow (Thursday AM). I don’t have more info yet.
I enclose the rather long Holiday letter I wrote earlier, describing the year. Now just tack this sad bit of news onto it. I’ll be emptying the garbage alone tonight. And Holiday presents and cards will definitely be late or un-mailed this year.
Love,
Marianna
Dec 20, 2005
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you for your e-mails and calls. I am finally home in Santa Cruz for the day. Freddie didn’t have the operation earlier because the world renown surgeon didn’t have room in his schedule. His operation will be this Tuesday, December 21, probably around 12:40, but perhaps earlier or later, according to the nursing station, so exact time still unknown!!!!
Please keep him in your thoughts, journey for him, pray for him (and for me too!).
I don’t have all your e-mails in Palo Alto (where I’ll be), so I might not be able to get back to you until after Christmas.
Please pass the word to our non-e-mail friends and to those in Spain who don’t speak English. I haven’t had time to translate a Spanish version yet. Thanks.
Love,
Marianna and Freddie
Dec 21, 2005
Hello everyone,
Freddie’s operation will be about 12:40 today (Tuesday) and will last 3 - 5 hours. I spoke with him this AM and he is cheerful and “up”. What an inspiration he is. He is one of the most positive and loving people I know.
I won’t be able to e-mail you his progress, but I have a very good feeling about it all. (So does Freddie). Thank you all for all your support and loving words. I may not get to answer each one individually, but you are all in my heart and your words mean a lot to me. I read all the e-mails to Freddie too.
I’m off to the hospital.
Love,
Marianna
Monday night Dec. 27, 2004
Hello everyone,
Freddie had a successful operation and is now in the recovery stage. He has just been transferred from Stanford to Pacific Coast Manor in Capitola where my cousin Rosanne works as an occupational therapist. He will be in good hands. My understanding is that when he can walk a little and take care of himself, he can finish recuperating at home. He cannot put any weight on his left foot for 6 weeks.
Thank you all for your love and caring.
Love,
Marianna
Jan 9, 2005
Freddie came home from the convalescent hospital last Thursday. He can now get out of bed by himself and into his walker, or a chair, etc. He has learned how to go up and down one stair, so he can go in and out of the back of the house only at the moment. He has to stay off his left side for 6 weeks (from the accident, I assume). We have an appointment with the surgeon (Palo Alto) in two weeks. I assume this is when they do the next x-ray and and determine how healed he is. He still sleeps most of the day and tires quickly. He is busy healing. He has physical therapists and nurses coming to the house during the week to check on him. The physical therapist says that when he is allowed to put weight on his foot again, then the real work starts to rehabilitate his atrophied muscles. Meanwhile he has some exercises to help maintain what muscle is left. He must stay careful not to put any weight on that foot while the bones are healing.
He is excited that is second (and last ) set of staples come out tomorrow (Monday). The incision goes more than half way around his midsection.
His spirits are good and of course he is delighted to be home once again.
Again, thank you for all your concern, well wishes, prayers, journeys, etc. All is appreciated.
Love,
Marianna and Freddie
Feb 11, 2005
Freddie will be allowed to put weight on his left side as of February 15. The bone is still separated but growing together every day. The doctor said that Freddie’s pelvis was fragmented in so many places that he couldn’t tell us how many pieces he had to “puzzle” back together. The physical therapist says that Freddie’s real work will start on the 15th, when he can begin to learn to walk again! Please pass this news on to our non-e-mail friends! Thanks.
Freddie’s spirits are generally good, with a little up and down as can be expected. We are preparing for the play, Duende Makes a House Call, which we will both be in. I think this play is helping Freddie’s spirits a lot! It will be wonderful. Details are on the website http://duendeproject.com/ and tickets are now available from the box office. March 4,5,12, 13th. At the Capitola Theater.
His current ex-ray, taken with my palm pilot at his last Dr. visit, is below. Note the hardware on the right (F’s left side). Metal plate with screws through the holes.
Love,
Marianna and Freddie