Another Update

I finally inspected the radio (Yaesu FT-857D) and other equipment that were in my backpack when I fell and broke my arm. I set everything up--including the Yaesu ATAS-25 vertical antenna--inside my house; it all seems to be working fine. Because I was indoors, my signal did not get out very well. I did have fun listening to all the hams taking part in a sweepstakes on 40 and 20 meters, though. I have been out of touch with happenings in the amateur radio world for the last few months, so I do not even know which contest it was.

Update: a Progress Report on My Recovery

On October 31, I had a followup appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. Overall, things are looking positive; the metal plate and screws are all still in place and have not come loose, and the doctor says she sees signs of possible healing of the fractures in the bone. I no longer have to wear the very bulky sling that I had been wearing--virtually 24 hours a day--for the six weeks after the surgery. Sleeping is much easier now, although I still cannot lie on my left side and there is still some general discomfort. I have also been cleared to drive again, which makes life easier for my wife and mother, who no longer need to take time off to drive me to my twice-weekly physical therapy appointments.

Speaking of my physical therapy, it is progressing with signs of progress. I still have far from full movement, but I seem to be move the arm a little farther each week. After the trauma of the injury and going through surgery, the muscles knotted up and are reluctant to relax (for lack of a better term).

Now that I am getting more confident in my ability to do little things, perhaps I will soon open the backpack I was wearing when I fell and inspect my radio equipment--I have not been able to bring myself to do that yet. The Efactor antenna--which I was carrying in my right hand at the time of accident--took some of the brunt of the fall and is bent out of shape; I think that I might be able to repair it, though.