February Update: Where have you been Ian?

Boy - that’s a long story. In a nutshell. Injured my Achilles tendon (for the third time) a year ago last November. That complicated problems I already had with my right foot due to multiple athletic injuries I had suffered over the years as a football-rugby-basketball-hockey-baseball player not to mention assorted damage I experienced training for marathons. Not to mention being a typical male. You know - if you’re injured, just ignore it and it will eventually go away... 

So when I hurt my Achilles tendon my right leg became very swollen - at first I ignored it and the little crack I had on my right heel. Eventually I got treatment that didn’t really work that well. And I tried to continue with business as usual. Throughout the Spring and Summer I maintained my travel and work schedule. The swelling eventually went down (sort of) but the wound didn’t heal properly.

On August 18th, I took a bandage off my right foot and with the bandage came the entire back of my right heel. Serious infection, septic - you name it I had it. This resulted in 5 MONTHS in hospital, 7 surgeries, God knows how many needles and tests not to mention reading more than 40 books and coming THIS CLOSE to losing ny mind. They had to replace my right heel by transplanting major amounts of tissue, nerves and blood vessels from my left arm to what had previously been my right heel. After several months of trials and tribulations, I finally got out for good (I hope) on December 30th. I’m still carting around a serious cast on my right leg and will be for some time to come as it hasn’t and won’t heal. There’s a lot more to the story but enough for now - I’m tired to talking about my foot. I want to sincerely thank all of my friends and acquaintances who saw me through this. I can’t express how much I appreciate your encouragement and support.

Did I learn anything? Tons I hope. I’ve lost 50 pounds (I weigh less than I did in high school) and I think I have a bit more patience. Only time will tell. But I am VERY GLAD to be out and hopefully back!!!

The Committed Sardine - Thinking Outside the Can