On Saturday, August 26th, Andrea convinced me that it was time to go to the ER with my leg. I was admitted to the big Christus hospital with severe cellulitis in my right leg, the result of a stubbed toe which became infected and which I thought was covid because it presented with a rash on my leg very similar to the one I developed after my 2nd and 3rd covid vaccinations. My VA doc had prescribed an oral antibiotic but apparently it wasn’t strong enough to touch the infection.
So, after checking in at the Baylor Scott & White on Broadway the doctor took one look at my toe and sent me to the Christus ER a couple of doors down. Dr Baum examined my toe and I began a round of intravenous antibiotics for several days. Saturday evening I was transferred to the primary Christus downtown, where I met with Dr Troy Overbeek and discussed the alternatives (more antibiotics with no guarantee that the results would change) or removal of the infected toe, where the infection had set up in the bone. I appreciated Dr Overbeek’s frankness and sense-of-humor; I never doubted that he would help me make the best decision for my health.
I would like to thank all of the wonderful nurses who saw me through those five days of IV antibiotics, blood tests, and vitals taken every 2-3 hours. It was difficult to get enough sleep with so much activity, and I’m sure my frustration became obvious at times. Still, Claravel, Jamie, LaKeisha, Kristi, Dava, Taurus, Hailey, and several others whose names I didn’t get were always professional and patient. And of course, thanks to my dear wife, Andrea, who had told me for a week that I needed to go to the doctor and finally wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I am home now, eating soup and hobbling around the house for the next 2-3 weeks. I am answering emails, and yesterday I edited photos of a new listing so I am making myself useful.
This experience has made me realize that I am no longer immortal and that I need to seek out the professionals who can assess my health issues sooner rather than later.
