Opinion ID: 221835
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Harper's Objections to the Report and Recommendation

Text: Harper objected to the magistrate judge's report, providing further information as to both his hospitalization and subsequent recuperation. As to the former, Harper explained that he underwent six surgeries, was confined to the bed, and was heavily medicated, affecting his consciousness and rendering him unable to write. Objections to R & R ¶ 7. As evidence of his diligence while hospitalized, Harper noted that on April 28, 2008, he managed to send a letter to the Eastern District pro se clerk requesting an extension of time to file his petition. Harper Letter to Pro Se Clerk, Apr. 28, 2008 (requesting extension until at least, the 13th day of June, 2008, when I anticipate that I should have access to the necessary legal documents and be able to complete the petition). A date stamp confirms the court's receipt of the letter on May 1, 2008, but the record does not indicate a response. [3] As to his recuperation, Harper explained that, after his June 3, 2008 hospital discharge, he remained on medication and under doctors[`] orders to take it easy because he was still healing and recovering. Objections to R & R ¶ 9. Specifically, during the sixty-five days from June 3, 2008 to August 7, 2008, when he filed his petition, Harper was only able to sit up for short periods of time, requiring him to work slowly to complete the petition, because the doctors feared that any attempt to move around too much could rupture the approximately one foot incision in [his] abdomen that had been left partially open to heal from the inside out. Id. To substantiate his allegations as to the severity of his condition, Harper authorized disclosure of his medical records. See id. ¶ 13. Respondent appears not to have produced any of Harper's prison medical records for the court, nor did he challenge Harper's more detailed assertions as to his condition.