It’s Holy Thursday of Holy Week, the day we celebrate and remember the Last Supper: when Jesus established the Eucharist and washed the feet of his disciples.
It’s a big deal, and I didn’t get to Mass today.
I’m not happy about that.
What happened was a scheduling problem and — more basically — an exercise of balancing immediacy and priority.
A week ago yesterday I noticed a drop of blood on my lower left leg. A few days later it had grown into an open sore. Yesterday my wife and I decided that since it wasn’t healing, I’d better go to the local clinic.
Two Trips to the Clinic
Good news, I could get in that afternoon.
An RN evaluated the sore, took a photo — while putting two paper rulers near it — to start a visual record, and had me pick up an antibiotic at a pharmacy. What I’m dealing with is, apparently, in medical-speak, a venous ulcer.
The antibiotic was a new one to me, but — more good news — I’ve exhibited no allergic reactions to it.
I was back at the clinic’s ‘Wound Care’ section this morning.
Most of this morning. Getting more data about my sore wasn’t what took time.
Something else was going on, so I had an opportunity to relax in one of those tilt-back chairs for maybe an hour.
Don’t know what the ‘something else’ was. Or why a Life Link helicopter was revving up its engine as entered the clinic.
Might have had something to do with a massive gathering of law enforcement, medical, and other vehicles a block north of where we live. Then again, maybe not. That sort of thing is unusual around here, and I’m drifting off-topic.
Helping my Body Heal
Anyway, I finally got home, with instructions on how to make it easier for my body to deal with that sore. I’ll be back at the clinic in two weeks.
The working assumption now is that the MRSA infection — it resurfaced my lower left shin several years back — flared up.
I’m not happy about that, either. But the odds are very good that this infection will get cleared up. Or driven back into hiding, at any rate.
More good news: what my wife and I had started doing a couple weeks back, putting an antibiotic on the sore and a bandage over it, was a good idea.
It’s what we’ll keep doing, but now with a more effective antibiotic. Two antibiotics, actually. One working on the infection from the outside, one from the inside.
So, on balance, good news.
Getting back to Holy Thursday and what I did today: Mass is important. The Eucharist is very important.
But taking care of my health, within reason, is also important. And an open sore that wasn’t healing is a rather immediate concern.
I’ve talked about life, health, faith, and using my brain, before. Along with why and how I’ve learned to ask questions and think about medical treatments:
- “Pope Francis, Prayer, Health, and Perspectives” (February 24, 2025)
- “Early Diagnosis, Tardy Treatment, and a Gimpy Hip” (January 25, 2025)
- “Another Trip to the Emergency Room” (May 15, 2021)
- “Polka Mass and Adoration” (December 13, 2019)
Apparently, venous ulcers are also blood flow problems? Makes me think some more about my mother’s concerns about varicose veins during my childhood. In any case, thanks very much for this update, Mr. Gill, and I’m glad to know that you’re managing with your best!
About venous ulcers – yes, that’s my understanding. In my case, my age and general health aren’t helping the situation – but – well, every day I thank God that I’m part of this family. 😀