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My Blog
Monday, 8 January 2007
Time Flies!
Man does time fly! Ever notice that the less you're getting done the quicker time passes? Don't get me wrong stuff is getting done, but wow, days fly bye. Suze and I just got back from the vet's, at 7 & 1/2 weeks old Keia, yes her name is Keia (Alaskan/Tinglit for dawn, new beginning for us) is already 17.5 lbs. Keia did exceptionally well at the vet not even a whimper, she did seem somewhat annoyed with the more vocal dogs there. We enjoyed quite the canine chorus including a contra-bass 6 month old Mastiff/St. Bernard puppy who weighed in at 60 lbs. A little girl sitting next to me asked if Keila was a coyote. Keia got an A-OK from the vet, but she must have been a little nervous with a heart rate of 170BPM, or maybe like her owner she needs more endurance training. (Does Polar make a canine model heart rate monitor?) Speaking of training, (nice segue eh?) Saturday I went on an almost 3 hr bike ride with John & Derek, fellow training freaks. We went at 12 noon with the directeur sportif's assurance that the rain was over. After riding 45 minutes to the training loop at 42° the skies darkened and we proceeded through the rain at a brisk 39° and headed for home. After about an hour into this, and after a brief discussion about the range setting of Doplar radar, things felt great! I was dressed appropriately (insert Boyscout motto here) and was warmed up and tried riding in the drops (aerodynamic/low position) and to my surprise was able to do so and still breathe normally. Previously when I would ride in the drops I couldn't breathe well with a posture looking like the question mark I typed earlier. Since this is the proper position for sprinting I tried a few "Flat Sprints" (all out effort off a 15 mph roll for 15 seconds) with a good rest in between and it felt good to have the left leg contributing way more than it used to. Oh, and speaking of further training we've had a couple of little accidents in the house but no big accidents as of yet. Keia was the dominant one of the litter and she's starting to show some of her "personality" and it's just great! Training a puppy is hard patient work but the joys definitely outweigh the pains. Keia didn't complain at all with her collar and we're working with her instinct to follow/chase someone in her leash training with frequent but short leash sessions. She has gotten used to, and now loves Juneau's old igloo and we have to get her used to the cage next. So training continues on both the dog and her owners. We're realizing just how small a seven week old puppy bladder is. So here are some pic's to enjoy. Craig This is Keia (front right) at her last family meal with Momma, (actually I've decided to post another album to save space)  Keia's puppy pictures
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 7:13 PM EST
Updated: Tuesday, 9 January 2007 11:52 AM EST
Tuesday, 2 January 2007
Out of the Basement & On to the Asphalt
Mood:
 incredulous
Happy New Year to All! Today marks the end of the fifth week post-op. Thanks to Pres. George Bush and his Globe Warming policies, the roads here are bone dry, the sun strong (thank you aerosol hairsprays and styrofoam cups), and it was a balmy 45 degrees (probably due to bovine flatulence world wide) for my new hip, new year inaugural outdoor ride. With my progressive surgeons blessing I listened to my body while spinning out 40 miles in 2 1/2 hours today, nice & easy. It was nice to feel both legs contributing on Lone Pine hill which stoutly reminded me that I need to lose some holiday packaging. Now for the kicker, "normally" after such an excursion I would have to get off the bike and unfold myself like an old rusty pocket knife and bent over hobble myself to the house. Not today baby! No not anymore! I hopped off the bike, stood straight up and with barely a limp walked into the house without the lower back tightness, the aching hip, or the knot between my shoulders. I felt so good I took a picture of myself to share with you, ain't this special.  Things also are getting pretty excited around here getting ready for the new addition to the family. We'll get to see her in about 14 hours. I was good to go through all Juneau's things again nothing but good memories. We were remembering training her and how she would take off running around the basement and just fly into your lap. We miss her terribly but know that Cupid (we're still working on her name) will bring new memories all her own. It's going to be difficult not to overstimulate the poor thing the kids promise to let her sleep, it's not going to be easy.
Ein Gutes Neues Jahr! Craig
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 7:15 PM EST
Updated: Tuesday, 2 January 2007 8:10 PM EST
Saturday, 30 December 2006
We have a winner!
Mood:
 celebratory
Topic: New Family Member
Well we heard back from the breeders today. They have evaluated the litter and Cupid is available as a pet! Vixen outclassed us and was selected as a show dog, Comet (male) went the same route. Cupid almost was selected but Dawn (of McCellans Malamutes) said they didn't know how she would do in the ring. I had requested the litters dominate female and according to Jeff McCellan, Spot (their pet name for Cupid) is ruling the roost. Dawn also mentioned that she hoped that Spot would go to a potential show home and asked if we had thought about showing dogs. In lieu of Uncle Bob's passion with his Sheperds Suze and I had talked about it, but with three pups of our own we're plenty busy. So showing will most likely remain a thought. At least untill we're true empty nesters, that would require some of these pups to take flight (chuckling). So here are the latest pictures of the new family member, we'll pick her up on Jan. 3. It's kind of scary how much these pictuers look like Juneau except that Juneau was almost all white with her winter puppy coat.  So Happy New Year everybody!
 Now for a name, any suggestions? Susan just showed me that we still have Juneau's puppy collar, choke chain, and little stainless bowls, its hard to beleive she ever ate out of these things.
Please celebrate safely, and we wish everyone a most excellent New Year! Craig
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 11:04 PM EST
Saturday, 23 December 2006
Negotiation Deadline Nears!
Mood:
 caffeinated
As members of the "family" increase their propaganda blitz, (pictures of Juneau as a puppy over the kitchen sink! No mercy here!) Management's last pillar of bourgois resolve is starting to fracture. A increase of rations, especially custom ordered breakfasts has done little to quell the rising chorus of the solidarity. The following dossier has been proffered as a contingency to avert the threatened Holiday Boycott! (Management is looking for new negotiation tactics) Here are the possible internments. Vixen 
Comet 
Cupid  And those responsible the dam, Sonoma does she remind you of anybody?
The sire, Tikaani, the first all white Malamute I've seen. So we're presently awaiting the availability reports on these and are looking at others. I'll keep you updated, Merry Christmas! Craig
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 7:42 AM EST
Updated: Saturday, 23 December 2006 5:29 PM EST
Thursday, 21 December 2006
Back on the Bike!
Well yesterday was the three week post-op mark! Recovery has been so uneventful that it's almost routine. Range of motion continues to improve with exercises and mild stretching. I'm up to two mile walks with trekking poles. I'm whittling down my honey-do list nicely. Best of all I rode my bike (in a training stand) with John in his basement yesterday. It was just an easy endurance ride, already my bike feels wierd it just fits better with no strain on my lower back. I was figuring out my new heart rate monitor/bike computer/altimeter thingy and just kept pedalling for about 80 minutes while stumbling through 50 functions worth of menus. Again no strain or pain or even a sore butt, no wierd pressure points or pulling on the incision and best yet no rocking pelvis on the saddle. I was looking pretty saavy in white compression stockings and black bike shorts, sure am glad we were in the basement! Dr. Bis said to go ahead and add resistance as long as it didn't strain or hurt so I did some one-legged pedaling drills for the operated leg, no problem. Then some muscle tension exercises, biggest gear (53x12) slow cadence 55RPM. I remember these being hard but with the pain and stiffness gone they seemed easier. My heart rate didn't even get to 165 (I usually peak at 175 doing these). So John was kinda flipped out saying,"It's hard to beleive that three weeks ago your femur was hanging outside your body and now your riding like this." So post workout there was no swelling or stiffness just general fatigue so I fell asleep watching Peanuts Christmas w/family at 8:00 woke up at 12:00 went up to bed and slept untill 6:30. It felt good to be the "good" kind of tired again. Hoping that everybody's enjoying the Christmas madness! (just embrace it)! This has got to be my Best Christmas ever! Still Truly Thankful, Craig PS Don't be afraid to post something, Kroske's rarely at a loss for words (I even gave you a little bait in this post son, LOL) PPS Stayed tuned for further news on the Christmas boycott threat, I had to throw the prolitariate a bone.............ouch!
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 10:51 AM EST
Updated: Thursday, 21 December 2006 11:03 AM EST
Saturday, 16 December 2006
Shiney and new
Mood:
 cheeky
Well if you have braved the photo gallery of horror this will seem like an old black and white version of your favourite movie. Here is the star of the show my Birmingham Hip.  That's right folks all glorious #1.5 pounds of Cobalt Chrome! Notice also the lack of the lateral bone spur at the outside of the pelvic (acetabular) side. And this thing didn't set off any metal detectors at the airport. If I ever get the videos to post you'll be able to see me playing around with one of these at my final appointment before coming home. They're truly remarkable. With that device in me I was able to complete my planned 1 mile walk (with trekking poles) Thursday, and a 1.5 mile walk with Amy Friday afternoon. All this two weeks and a day or two post-op. The range of motion exercises continue to bring good results, and with the walking activity I'm sleeping straight through 7-8 hours now. the leg swelling is almost completely gone and now the incision is starting that healing itchy thing still no redness or swelling of the incision even after a mile and a half (no ankle or knee swelling either). So praise God all is well. And thank you for your prayers and support! Over the top and flying BABY!!!!!! Craig
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 1:35 AM EST
Updated: Saturday, 16 December 2006 2:27 AM EST
Thursday, 14 December 2006
The Gorey Details
Mood:
 a-ok
Good Morning!
With being inactive it's difficult for me to sleep longer than 4 hours at a time. So I put this album together early today, believe it or not I've had requests for these surgery pics.
I put these in an album so as to spare the squeamish undue discomfort when visiting this blog. I must warn you these are graphic photos of my femur hanging out of my body and being prepped for my BHR. So here's the address if you dare.
http://craigshhipsite.tripod.com/surgery_pics
Meanwhile back at the ranch certain unnamed members of the "family" are threatening to boycott Christmas if I don't get a new puppy. Union reps are rallying solidarity it looks as if management is going to have to cave in. (Teenagers are so demanding!) So much for suprising them. Looks like I'll have to get my bourgeois butt in gear to stave off a prolitariate uprising, or I could just cut thier rations. I'll keep you posted on further negotiations as they develop.
I feel great just absolutely great! I drove part of my riding route after dropping off the head negotiator Amy at school yesterday. After making her yet another India style breakfast, (I need chips for the bargaining table). And while listening to Bob Marley, watching the sun rise a Queen song came to mind,.....did you guess it?, ..... "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it now!" So this Wednesday I can get on the stationary stand and start light spinning slowly adding resistance as pain allows . Then back on the road conditions permitting Jan. 15th. Yes, I ride in the winter.
Again thanks for all your prayers and support!
Craig
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 4:20 AM EST
Updated: Friday, 15 December 2006 11:06 AM EST
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
Roughin it
Now for the sweet side! My BHR is two weeks old today! Things are great. Once again I mindlessly walked up the basement stairs using just the railing and no baby stepping, like normal, that means full weight on the operated hip stepping up 7.5" two weeks post-op slightly ahead of schedule. I want you to know that when these things happen it's just that, they "happen". Both Dr's Bose and Bis said that the body will let you know what it can handle, respect or listen to it. I have no intention after 60hrs of air travel, the cost, the time away from family, not to mention my future success of pushing it. I'm just amazed at how normal things feel.  Now, on the lighter side here's some pictures of MGM Beach resort, including a picture of some new friends Stephan and co. some IT guys from Denmark I had breakfast with Friday. It was good to have a normal conversation as they spoke fluent english with no accent, (less than Arnold Schwarz).
I'm still trying to figure out why the video clips are not working Jonathans' friend Bobby (video editting wiz) is stopping by after work tonight so hopefully they'll be up and running, I get the feeling it's going to cost me. 
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 8:47 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 13 December 2006 8:35 PM EST
Monday, 11 December 2006
Bittersweet Return
Home at last! Since I don't know who knows and who doesn't let me start with  the bitter. Driving home From the airport it became my son's duty to inform me that one of my best friends had passed on. One day before I got home the world's most loved and greatest dog Juneau Braue had to be put down.(details later, like they matter) Never forgotten and forever missed I didn't get the homecoming I was dreaming of, her house empty and her leash slack. After all the crap that happened to me on, as Keith so prophetically put it, my Indian adventure, (Details forthcoming) this some how doesn't compute doesn't fit, doesn't make since. So if I didn't take your call Sunday night or haven't e-mailed quick enough please understand! She was adored by every vet. (all of them would say you could tell she was deeply loved) and I think everyone who had the priviledge of meeting her. So since I'm always the first one up, when the kitchen light went  on she was the second (her paws on the screendoor) and the first to receive my affection, a huge hug, general rub down, kiss on the muzzle which she always returned. She would wait, sometimes impatiently for me to make my coffee knowing when after I poured milk into my cup it would then pour into a stainless bowl for her. She quickly learned that if she got too sassy she would have to wait untill she laid down quietly to get her morning treat. She was rarely sassy. Alas, no more. We blessed each other's lives for almost nine years to the day, I have no regrets, just fond memories. I guess that I'm thankful it happened so quickly she only suffered for a day, and I was spared having to watch her health slowly decline to the same end. She was releived of her pain while still under anesthetic yet was able to respond to the families last touch. With all the accidents and things that I've endured none makes me look heavenward more questioningly than the timing of this, not looking for reasons, just trying to understand His purpose in it. So Juneau's life with our family ends, as my new life with the same begins, the sun sets and new one always rises, such is life. The Lord gives the Lord takes away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord! Your fellow sojourner on this planet, still looking for that city who's architect and builder is God,
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 9:56 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 14 December 2006 2:22 PM EST
Friday, 8 December 2006
CRAIG UPDATE
Hi Everyone, Here's a quick update on Craig... These have been so far and few between because Craig does not have a computer in the resort where he has been recovering since last Monday. He has kept in touch with Sue and Dad by phone and kept them updated on his status. He also just left a voice mail for me (was teaching so I couldn't take the call!!) so this will be the jist of what he said: wait just a second Ok Craig here with more than the jist. Alright this picture is the result of a great story. Please meet my good friend G.Reegan Prabhu. This picture was taken Sunday morning 4 days post-op by yours truly. No big deal right?....Well as Mr Harvey would say,"here's the rest of the story." Reegan woke me up with a "good morning sir" @ 6:30 am everyday. While bringing my early morning steamed milk with sugar. He also brought my food the rest of the day with professionalism and a smile. He likes basketball but doesn't quite get it. So we talked basketball, work, and good attitudes etc. Since I was checking out Monday I wanted to take his picture as he was leaving the room. "Wait wait a second" I said, "I want to take your picture." I then proceeded to grab my camera off the tray (visible bottom left) hop out of bed, walked around the bed was going to move the chair (to the left) Reegan being the one of us in his right mind said,"no sir, please please I'll do it." I proceed to the corner of the room, spin around, lean back to frame him in, and then seeing both my hands on the camera, realize I had just done all that without my crutches. Now they had pulled the pain med pump Friday morning. Saturday afternoon I had stopped the oral painkillers. (I had no pain plus I hate having medicine head.) Then I look at Reegan, he looks at me then both of our heads turn and look at my crutches leaning against the opposite wall. "You're doing very well sir," said Reegan as I'm thinking, man am I busted. So i said to him "shhhhhhh Don't tell anyone." He starts laughing, I go ahead take this picture, walk to him show him it shake his hand then quickly got back in bed befor anybody else see's me without crutches. I then realized all that happened without a twinge of pain, I was so happy I started to cry!  So fast forward to the next day same situation being discharged and i do it again, moron! Right in front of Dr. Bose, I hand Suni the camera spin around and take a couple of steps and come face to face with my doctor who's grinning from ear to ear chuckling and says,"Craig with no crutches."
Now mind you i walked right in front of him and he didn't put his hand out or tell me to go get my crutches, I think he was enjoying the show. So I have documented proof here standing with Mr Mohan,(to my right) next to Dr. Bose, with Dr. Bis to his left, no walker, no crutches 5 days post-op!! Since he has been at the resort, he has been doing the PT exercises 3 times a day, only as prescribed, and has had a great deal of recovery. He says the range of motion is coming back very fast and the pain is diminishing equally as quick. He was using the crutches to get around, but then they became more of a bother then a help, so he checked with the DR and decided to basically just use his trekking poles. He'll start with two and then maybe even drop to one on the plane. He's being careful not to push to fast and try to do to much, but he stated again that he can't believe how little discomfort he's having and how quickly he has been able to work through the PT exercises. He said the biggest problem right now is just BOREDOM!! Apparently he's passing the time by reading "Walden" by Thoreau. When he gets back he needs to take it easy until the 1st of the New Year but then he can begin riding carefully and returning to all normal activities. And the best news, which he's the most geeked about is, in 6 months Dr. Bose says "NO LIMITATIONS WHAT-SO-EVER" So basically a complete success here, even better then what Craig expected so far, SO LET'S KEEP IN OUR PRAYERS for a safe return and a not too uncomfortable trip home! He sends his love and says he misses you all, Craig (by Chris)
Posted by Craig R Braue
at 11:00 AM EST
Updated: Tuesday, 12 December 2006 6:38 PM EST
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