“The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility.” – Thomas S. Monson
We have some disappointing news. Our first season of boating will come to an early end. Pete sustained a significant knee injury (ruptured left patellar tendon) that required surgical repair and will demand a lengthy rehabilitation. He fell while playing basketball with his family in Connecticut.
He was treated at Hartford Hospital by a very efficient team of nurses and doctors. His orthopedic surgeon is a well respected sports medicine doctor. He is recovering at his sister’s home and making arrangements for boat storage.
Since I’ve been in California this past week, I’ve relied on Helen and Greg, Mary and Mitch, and his surgeon, Dr. Robert O’Connor, to provide updates on his care, details on his surgery, and his prognosis for recovery. I couldn’t be more grateful for a steady stream of calls, texts, and photos but you can imagine how challenging it is for me, an ER nurse, devoted wife, and control freak, to be 3000 miles away!
I fly back tomorrow (6/26), the Tuesday “Red-Eye,” to assume my role and duties, and with the aid of a local captain, I will get our boat to her storage yard. We will stay back east until “Reverie” is secured and Pete makes his first post-operative visit to his surgeon. Subsequent care will be arranged through our local orthopedic surgeon. There will be no knee-bending allowed for two months, after which time, Pete will be eligible for a hinged knee brace for several more months. Physical therapy and progressive activity will be necessary to regain full function of his left leg. Of course, I will need to discourage Pete from doing too much, too soon, as he does not take well to being immobile or feeling helpless. This is where you, our family and friends, are needed. Thank you in advance for reaching out, encouraging slow and steady progress, and helping Pete smile though his recovery.
Our Great Loop adventure has been wildly successful up to this point. I can’t tell you how confident and accomplished I feel knowing I can handle the helm of a 22,000 pound, 40 foot trawler! I’ve cherished the quality time with our relatives and loved the undistracted intimacy of floating along with the love of my life.
This is just a bump in the road, a temporary change of course, and a chance to plan the continued adventure in 2019. We will face this setback with courage, cheerfulness and humility.
Sorry to hear this news! Bummer Pete, but is a temporary set back. Look at all the work already done, you have your boat that the two of you wanted. You know her and how to operate her. You are way ahead of the game for the next leg of the journey. Good luck with all of this medical stuff ! Jay Mailloux
Hope you feel better uncle pete! Wishing you a speedy recovery 💕
whoa….oh my golly…captain Pete has a boo boo…ah shucks…dang dang dang…please call if I can be of help…special van ride home from Sac to Foresthill…or San Francisco if need be. luv ya’ll…wow
Such a bummer …. but you will do it again BIGGER & BETTER!!!
Best wishes for a full recovery. Mind the doctors, and Susan, you have plenty of time for recovery before the next leg of the trip.
Just a patch of rough sailing. Sending Pete all our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Oh crap, Pete. The good news is that you have a toughassnurse who will make sure your recovery is successful. Dennis was scoping out the EAA…or whatever the air show is…this past week. We will do it for 2019 instead. Steady recovery and safe flights back to CA. Love and hugs.
Wishing a complete recovery for Pete and peace over the change in plans – all will be well. Sail on sailors!
I would like to echo some of the comments posted here. It is a bummer you got hurt, but just think how much you have learned about your boat, and yourself. You will be way ahead for more of the trip when you start again, and you have lots of time for recovery as long as you listen to the pros and follow the game plan, just as you have so far on the trip. Jo and I were truly upset to hear the news from Ronnie. We will call when back after the Fourth.
We are so sorry to hear this news!!! We are in Vergennes right now (thanks to your recommendation) and are headed to Burlington today. Is there anything we can do to help? Not sure where the boat was but I thought it might be Burlington? If we can help in any way, we would be honored to do so!!!
If not, PLEASE when you all resume Looping and you get to Tarpon Springs, contact us and we will show you around!!! <3
“Sweet Pete!” Sorry to hear about your injury. I will still submit your name to the basketball hall of fame.
Your a “brother from another mother.” We wish you a speedy recovery.
Mind your control-freak nurse, mind you DR, and get better. We will be waiting for the next chapter. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. D&D
Well, you have worked on some wonderful adventures. All is not lost. Come Spring you will be itching to get to the Great Lakes. When rehab gets boring, remember the lakes.
Pete, remember me? Heinz? The guy with the little boat and I am sorry to hear about your injury. I hope this will not stop you from fulfilling your dream cruising that very big loop eventually. I truly wish you a full and fast recovery. I know you are tough guy. I hope to see you back home soon and perhaps you can tell us all about your cruising experience in person.
Your friend,
Heinz
I’m looking forward to the Webb/Hnat sailing team to come back strong in 2019. I’ll help Pete work on his cheerleading skills, just in case there’s a family B.B. rematch.
So sorry to hear this news! Pete, behave yourself and give your body the time it needs to heal properly! Take it from one who has suffered from knee problems for decades. Patience, patience, patience, and you’ll be back at it very soon.