timhan.com

These are the remains of what is now called Casa Grande, part of an ancient Hohokam farming village in the lowland desert of central Arizona. It is the largest structure known to exist in Hohokam times; 4 stories high and 60 feet square. It was completed @ 1350 AD. The farming village surrounding it was approximately 2 square miles and had a population of approximately 1150 inhabitants (that’s the size of many of the small towns that now lie adjacent to Casa Grande). Nobody really knows where the Hohokam went after abandoning Casa Grande, or why they left.

I’ve been out of the hospital for a few days now, and have spoken to many of you, but here are the pics to prove I’m alive and well. I felt amazingly OK just after being wheeled up to my room at the hospital.

No pain or grogginess to speak of. I was a little afraid to move at first, but shortly after I came to, the nurse had me roll over to check my ‘b’ side. At first glance, not too exciting considering all the heavy bandages.

Best of all, my pals Sharon and Chris were there to hang out with me that first evening.

Although, they did tourture me by bringing in take-out from Thai Basil, an awesome Asian Fusion joint. For all you Denverites, Thai Basil has a new location @ 1422 E 18th Ave (right across the street from the hospitals there). The food is so good that each of us ate there twice last week. That’s 6 meals and they were all fantastic. My second meal was during my second day’s stay in the hospital. Presbyterian/St. Lukes orthopedic staff take note: Free delivery on orders of $10 or more. Yum!

This is the surgical staff the fixed me. They are awesome, definitely a great reason to visit the mile high city for a few weeks. Maybe next I’ll have my c-spine fixed…

Finally, a special thanks to all of the staff on the 6th floor. You ladies really know how to pamper a wounded body.

So here it is folks, the picture you’ve all been waiting for. My new and improved spine! Thought I’d save the best (and the gore) for last…

* or what to do in Denver before your spine surgery

If you’re headed for the Mile High City for some R&R, there are lots of fun things to do a see. The Denver Grand Prix takes place August 12-14. That’s a retired Rahal Racing machine I’m sitting in. It’s parked at the east entrance of the Cherry Creek Mall. Humm…maybe Danica Patrick once had her slender figure squeezed into that car.

Of course this being the second week in July, the Tour de France is in full swing. No matter who you root for, a great place to catch the action is at the Handlebar and Grill. This place gets the nod from the folks at Velo News and has heaps of cycling lore hanging inside. Parked in the lot for the opening day of The Tour was Randy Wittmer and his Mobile Cyclery. This thing is packed full of every bike part and accessory you can imagine. A gear geek’s wet dream come true.

If you want to get away from it all but still stay in the heart of Denver, check out City Park and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Locals say that the ‘bird’ watching is better at Washington Park, but I like the look of the flock at this place.

*photo courtesy of Sharon Steadman

Yes folks, that’s my fat, pimply a@#. Rather unattractive from this POV. Well, I’ve just been sitting on it for the past two months awaiting my fate. Hiking for only one hour and Mom’s home cooking are a recipe for love handles. I’ll have to work them off in PT. More specifically, that’s my lower back and this is the last time it will look like THAT again. Soon it’ll have a cool scar. I’ll post a post-surgery photo in a few days.

I met with my back surgeon for the first time last Thursday and I’m a GO for a Partial Lumbar Discectomy this coming Wednesday, July 6th. Dr. David A. Wong will be performing the procedure and I couldn’t be happier or more confident with a doctor.

Here’s what’s wrong with my back:

http://www.understandspinesurgery.com/understand_problem.asp

(Select: spine, lumbar, herniated disk, lumbar)

You can read about the procedure and view an animation of it here:

http://www.understandspinesurgery.com/understand_procedures.asp

(Enter: 80218 for the zip code, view a procedure with David A. Wong, enter tim.t.han@gmail.com (or your own if mine doesn’t work for you), select lumbar, Lumbar Partial Discectomy)

My surgery is scheduled for 3:00pm. I should come to around 6:00pm. I won’t have my cell phone with me, so my apologies ahead of time for those of you who want to call. I’ll be checking in for the night, hope the room service is good. Thursday morning at 11:00am, I’ll be discharged. If I’m up to it, I’ll post an update and answer any voicemail. Wish me luck!