Date: Sat, 02 Jul 2005 22:27:27 -0400
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
Subject: [WSFA] Update on Mark Owings condition

This from Jul:

>>> <JBOwings at aol.com> 7/1/2005 11:47:14 PM >>>
Dear Friends,
        Mark had the surgery on his  foot this morning, and the doctors
found
infection in his big toe and took it  off, along with a piece of the
bone
connected to it.  I spent the afternoon  (noon to 4 PM) with him, and
left when
they took him off for another test.   He was groggy but OK, showing the
same
humor he usually displays, but getting  late lunch (after missing
breakfast)
improved his alertness and coherency.
        They are already discussing  therapy/exercises for the
adjustments
he'll have to make in walking, given the  crucial role of the big toe
in
balance.  There's no definite timeline on  how long he'll have to stay
in hospital,
but I know he'll be there at least  until Monday with the healing he
needs.
Diabetes retards healing, and his  sugar is still higher than it was
(between 70
and 120) before he got sick with  the infection.  It was in the 170's
today,
but of course he'd just had  surgery.
        Looks like his condition is  stabilizing, and he'll be ready
for some
visits and calls soon.  I'll keep  you posted!
        Thank you for friendship  and sympathy!

Jul