John-Boy Victory Tour!

After more weeks that any of us would care to count, John-Boy Dickison is (by the grace of God and a great many of His helpers) on the road again, leaving the good folks at Geisinger Medical Center and headed for a spot much closer to home. Here's an excerpt from John's email:

"Good news, I’ve been traded to the State College team, and you’re invited to a potluck gathering this Saturday. As of 2pm today (Weds, Dec 19), I’ll be moving from Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA, back to Hearthside nursing home in State College. It will be lots easier for local folks to visit, but more importantly, it marks another step of progress toward recovery. I still need to keep my leg elevated, and avoid prolonged dangling, but eventually (a week or two) I can begin some 'non-weight-bearing crutch-walking.' Doesn’t that have a wonderful ring to it?

"The skin graft took very well, and they’re waiting for the exposed, drilled bone (top of my tibia, about two inches below my knee) to granulate and form some growth media that will support coverage. Skin needs to be fed with circulation from directly beneath, like grass, so a skin graft bridging the bone will just die if there’s no subsoil or topsoil (flesh or circulation) from below to feed it. Hence, we’re waiting to see what the bone grows, or else revisit some kind of muscle flap surgery down the road. But in the meantime, I will be AT LARGE! (bed-resting in a nursing home).

"Friends from church had the foresight to think I’d be at Hearthside by Christmas, and weeks ago reserved the community room at the nursing home for a PARTY—thanks, Ruby! So, please join us between 4 and 7pm at the Nittany Dining Room at Hearthside, address below.

"I will have a semi-private room for the first week or so, with a roommate, and without a phone. So, I won’t have internet much, and I’ll have the cell phone (email or contact Tracey to get the number). So, locals, come on down to the wrinkle ranch if you’re not doing anything Saturday. Bring a covered dish (with something in it) and enjoy the potluck. Tell any other friends who might not know.

"Mainly it’s a big thank-you to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers. Still workin’ on recovery process, but boy am I grateful for your support !!!

"Take care all, see some of you real soon! Love, John-Boy"