40-Year Reunion

We are off to Napa, CA for a get-together with 20 of the 22 California students who studied in Bergen, Norway from June 1973 to June 1974.  I haven't seen most of them in 40 years.  Here's a retrospective look from Tove's photos:

Surgery

I went to a private hospital (Aleris) in October for shoulder surgery.  I had been having trouble with my right shoulder for over 10 years, but last year, after slipping on the ice, it worsened to the point I couldn't sleep on either side, or my stomach.

The entrance to the surgery department. 

I went to my primary care doc in March.  She referred me to an MRI lab for tests, but she forgot to do the paperwork, so I didn't get the MRI done until the end of May.  The MRI showed severe inflammation and a torn cuff.  Under Norway's health system, I was free to choose a state hospital or private, at no extra cost, and there is a website that lists the wait-times of all the hospitals for all types of surgeries.

I chose Aleris.  The surgeon, Dr. Siri, operates out of Stockholm, but travels to Oslo and Trondheim during the month to do shoulder surgeries here. He's done 1000s.

When you check in, you pay at the automat:

The automated payment system.   

I think it cost about $100.  The MRI cost about $50 and the consult with the surgeon, another $50.

Surgery went smoothly.  Here's my post-surgery snack:

Snack  

After surgery I was referred to PT.  I went to PT 2x/wk for 6 months.  The therapist said it will take 2 years to get back to normal.  Right now, I feel 80% recovered. Oh, PT was free.

Last month, my left shoulder started bothering me.  I had the MRI last week.  I suspect the same problem.  I suspect I'll have surgery in the fall.

Meråker fall 2013

Our friends Asle and Solfrid have a cute little cabin in the mountains next to the Swedish border.  It's fun to go there in the autumn when the colors are golden, the air is crisp and the last berries of the season are ripe for picking.  At this time of year the sky is dark at night -- welcome after 3 months of sun-filled days and twilight nights.

The heather is beautiful in autumn

The trees in the mountains are scraggly survivors

Tove, Asle, Solfrid and I went up into the mountains to pick cloudberries.  Here, we take a pause for lunch.

In contrast to SoCal, the brown grasses (almost purple in some cases) of autumn are not dry, but still lithe and lively.

I think they found some berries

We set fishnets on the lake in the distance.  Caught a lot of trout.

Into the woods.

Reindeer entered the meadow below the cabin

I wish I had a telephoto.  The reindeer are not wild, but probably belong to the local Sami people.

They did not like me photographing them.

Taken from the cabin.  Ahhhh, darkness and moonlight.