I’ve been laid up for the past five months. You don’t want to hear the gory details about everything that was wrong with me - mainly due to a staph infection that eventually went after my right knee, my kidneys, my liver, and - the scariest - my heart. Suffice to say that I was in the hospital for about a month, followed by four months of rehab therapy. I’m home now, though still stuck in a wheelchair and getting daily visits from in-home therapists. I’m going back to work next week.
I’ve been deeply moved by the e-mails and phone calls I’ve received from members of the Forum. You folks are the greatest, and I look forward to getting caught up.
Sorry to hear about your bad luck, Dr Tilley, I hope you’ll be back on your feet soon enough. I know you haven’t read from me in a very long time, but keep assured that my thoughts go to your rehab now.
As I learned, after my heart surgery a few years ago, our modeling hobby is a great rehab tool, both mentally and physically. My best wishes to you, John, and keep working on those models, as much as you feel like each day. It lifts the spirit and brightens the day!
I wish you the best of recovery. My first late wife had a staph infection on her leg that she caught in the hospital after a heart bypass operation. It is a tough ugly infection, but it can be cured. You just have to hang in there. I am sure you will survive. We miss you.
Montani semper liberi ! Happy modeling to all and every one of you.
Well , GEE ! I wish you weren,t under the weather at all ! I do know that talking to all of us can lift your spirits thereby speeding the healing process .I destroyed many , many car and military models learning how to use a nerve damaged hand and arm years ago , so I can sympathise with you .You are one of our number one GURUS on ships after all .Get to %100 soon and kep on keepin on . oldcarguy
I am so glad to hear that you are still with us and you’re going to be OK. I was really worried about your absence. Now, be sure and follow the doctor’s orders so you can join us here again.
Dr. Tilley, it is good to hear from you. I had a bad feeling when you went silent on us. After not getting a response from calls and emails to your office; I decided it was time, tomorrow 6/20/11, to call the University academic office. It is good; and I will be praying for you and your recovery. BTW, my wife is a nurse and she can tell some stories about staph infections!
Nobody ever appreciates good health until they fall sick.
Sometimes it changes your outlook on life itself, priorities, friendships, family, goals and plans for the future.
One phrase I try and intervene when heard is:
‘Plan on doing this and that once I / we are retired’
The time to do things is NOW. Not next year or the following decade.
Enjoy it while you can because life throws curve balls that may injure or take you out of a game or two. Possibly a season and even forever.
Lucky thus far with good health it took a near death experience for me to change my future.
Left everything & everybody I knew December 15, 2009. With only what fit in the truck to start over 3000 miles away with a new partner & family. A week from now my baby boy is due to arrive, looking forward to everything that brings along with the change. Its what I wanted, no regrets as I wasted no time.