9 Lives

In the show Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray's wife Debra often refers to him with contempt when he goofs up with one word.  Idiot.  It is a proven theory that husbands are often idiots, especially when it comes to our health.

Last weekend, from across the room, both my wife and daughter in law noticed that my right leg was swollen and red.   After some badgering and an admission on my part that their reasoning was valid (it's kind of hard to argue when it's swollen to where my sock and shoe were restricting the bloated ankle and calf, the heat emanating from the tender, sensitive red area and the fact that it was indeed painful to walk on).  Ok, I admit that when Jeff agreed with them, was when I gave in.  Gayle was soon driving me to Urgent Care on a late Sunday afternoon to have it evaluated.

Even when the doctor was drawing an outline map of the infected area and commenting that if it spreads beyond those lines that I was to immediately go to ER; it didn't hit me how serious the condition was until Gayle blurted "Do people die from this?".  The Doc looked surprised by her question and answered yes.   Uh oh.......

After a days rest, I decided it was ok to go to work.  Dr. orders were to rest, and elevate my leg.  Now after being restricted for months after bypass surgery, this did not sit well with me.  I figured, I would sit in my cube and work the phone and computer.  After two meetings (I did prop my leg up) something didn't feel right, so I pulled up my pants leg and checked my calf.  All I could think of was Uh oh......  Needless to say, I went home, called Gayle and my Dr. (in that order) and elevated my leg, higher than my heart.

Now even as it is going on 5 days with not a lot of improvement, a change in antibiotics, being shadowed by Gayle and constantly being tracked like a GPS by Jordan; I am still considering officiating a basketball game on Sunday.

This is the point where I start citing the many examples of those who did not listen to their wives and paid some dire consequences.  I am sure you can fill in your own story.  The common denominator seems to be we either drive ourselves to ER, alone; or we don't follow our Drs. orders.

As I visited a friend today who had a recent heart attack, we were commenting on how we are using up our 9 lives.  Only some of us only get one.

And no, I am not officiating this Sunday.  Of course I haven't told Gayle I even considered it.  I can hear it now......."idiot".