Has anyone heard from Andrew or Scooter?

[Lord Jim]

Maybe there's a Pedantists Convention going on on some tropical island that doesn't have internet service....

[SisterMaryFellatio]

[@meric@nwom@n]

Both are known to have health issues. Hopefully they are just busy having a life.

[Gob]

I was thinking the same Jim, but without the funny.

Both are contributors of merit, as are most here now, so we can ill afford to lose them.

Anyone here in contact with either off the baord?

[Gob]

Ok, I've heard from Scooter.

He's had some health problems, but is now recovering, and is getting looked after and enjoying a little TLC.

He passes on his good wishes, and will rejoin us when possible.

I think we can all wish him a speedy recovery.

[The Hen]

Yay and Boo.

I want to be looked after and get some TLC too.

Heal quick Scoot.

[Scooter]

I have been over at the local library using a computer when I got Gob's email saying folks have been asking about me. Thanks for the concern. I developed an abscess on Xmas Eve which spread very rapidly (nasty aggressive bug) which required surgery on Xmas Day. Had it waited much longer, it could well have endangered some rather valuable bits. As it was, I ended up with an incision that runs from the edge of my sphincter to the base of my scrotum, about 2 inches wide and about an inch deep. Apparently, I was "lucky" as the source of the abscess was something superficial and did not, as most abscesses in this area, originate from an infection and fissure in the anal wall which works itself outward (which would have meant much more invasive surgery and a much bigger gaping pit on the seat of my pants than I currently have). Everything is healing well, but the nature of the incision and its location requires that it be left open to heal, rather than stitched up, so I have nurses coming every day to pack it with fresh gauze. I was told the whole process could take something from 2 to 4 months, but the speed at which it appears to be healing makes me guess that I should be back home in about 8 weeks or so. I don't have internet access at my mother's which is where I am staying for the next while, so I won't be posting with any regularity until then.

And not that I didn't respect them before, but the care I have been receiving has given me a whole new admiration for the work that nurses do, so kudos to @w and anyone else in the profession.

[BoSoxGal]

Glad you are on the mend, Scooter! We look forward to hearing from you regularly again soon.

[@meric@nwom@n]

That's a really unfortunate spot to have an abscess Scooter. My husband had a mole removed from that general area, it was a giant tag mole that kept getting ripped off, and the dermatologist froze the spot very deeply and then there was a giant hole that had to be packed daily. It seemed to take forever to get that thing healed. Of course time can seem very relative and slow when you have that sort of hitch in your giddy-up and your sitter-downer parts. Now that was bad enough and yours sounds hugely more invasive so....

Glad you are on the mend and glad you got sane compassionate nurses to do your care and not some crazed one who comes in and says, (with a German accent) "assume zee position".

See you around soon and keep us posted when you can.

[loCAtek]

In my country, that area is known as the taint; 't aint quite your arse and 't aint quite your bollocks it that bit in between.

[Sue U]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Scooter.

[Rick]

Speedy recovery...

[Lord Jim]

Glad to hear you're recovering Scoot....

I have to say from your description, it sounds extremely unpleasant....

[Scooter]

Just popped home for the evening to pick up some stuff I needed to have with me for the rest of my time away.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Jim, I have to say that it isn't anywhere near as unpleasant as I would have thought when it was described to me prior to surgery. Hardly any pain to speak of, which is surprising to everyone including me, but I have decided to just accept it without bothering to ponder why. Getting the dressings to stay taped and stuck in place is my major annoyance, since it's an area that obviously naturally gets a bit moist, but I'm learning the judicious use of cornstarch to keep dry and of a mirror and adhesive tape to conduct repairs as necessary. Went to see my surgeon yesterday and she is very pleased with the progress, saying she has never see a wound as big as mine in this area heal as fast.

@w, one of the nurses actually does tell me to "assume the position", but in a way that is just part of the banter that has developed between us. I'm certainly intent on keeping a sense of humour about the situation, and most of the nurses seems to be on the same page (except for the gay guy who seems to think he has to try extra hard to maintain a "professional distance" in my case; I'm tempted to tell him that I'M the one with the sore ass and that he needs to remove the barbed stick from his).

[loCAtek]

Good to hear from you Scoot thX for stopping by.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Get well scooter

[loCAtek]

I guess this means you won't be showing us your cool new scar?

[oldr_n_wsr]

I for one, have no desire to see that.

[Scooter]

Advantage of allowing it to heal itself (vs. sutures) means no scar (not that I plan to be showing off the area anytime soon, sorry if anyone's disappointed )

[@meric@nwom@n]

S'okay, if you've seen one area twixt balls and butt hole you've seen 'em all!