Where I have been

[ensteele]

In June of last year, I retired from teaching for 38 years at Bellingham Tech College. In July, I started to have pain in my left thigh. It continued to get worse until I couldn't even get out of bed. In July towards the end of the month, I went in again to my doctor (after several other times). He sent me over to the hospital and after some tests, they sent to to a hospital 30 miles south of me. After many tests and scans of every type, they found an abscess in my leg that was 9 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. In surgery, they removed as much as they could and put a drain in my leg. I was in the hospital for a little over 5 weeks. I then went into a rehab center for about the same time and I started using a walker to get around.

I was home for about 4 weeks and my leg was still hurting and they put me back in the hospital and another surgery to install a drain, I was there another 2+ weeks and back to rehab for about the same. They removed the drain after a week and then after a couple weeks, it started to get infected. Back to doctor and hospital, and they did an ultrasound which found liquid. They did more surgery and removed a liter of fluid.

After a day, they decided we needed to do more, but this time a different hospital.

Total different experience. I had about 10 doctors and they were specialists. They did tests and scans and evaluated what was going on. After a week or so, they talked to me and suggested to open the leg up and clean all of the infection out of it and that is what they did. 2 weeks later I was released. 7 incisions and 80+ stitches later, i think we have got it. No pain and healing great. Lots more rehab, but by June, I hope I will be walking again.

That is where I have been and why I have been missing in action. I hope to be here more in the future. I hope you will understand.

[SVXandO]

Wow Earl, that sounds like quite the ordeal. Did the doctors have any idea why it happened, or what caused it? Glad to hear they think they've got it figured out...

Best wishes on a speedy and full recovery!

Owen

[92 SVX]

I second the best wishes speedy recovery.

[Blacky]

That's one heck of a retirement present. Good luck on a fast rehab and best wishes.

[theflystyle]

I am sorry to hear everything you went through but in the end lets hope it is in the past. This should mean smooth sailing for the rest of your retirement !

[bwb3]

What an ordeal. My thoughts and prayer will be with you.