To all my friends in the Forum

Prof. Tilly, I'm sorry to hear about the ordeal you have been through and are still enduring.  I don't check this board every day and didn't find out until just today that you have been ill.  I can relate to what you are going through to some degree.  About 2 1/2 years ago I shattered the two bones in my lower left leg (tibia & fibula).  Literally crushed them and to add insult to injury, jammed the entire mess about 4 inches up behind my left knee.  Two surgeries, months of recovery, first in a wheel chair, then on a walker and finally on a cane, accompanied by months of painful physical therapy.  But, I hung in there, did what my doctors and therapists told me to do, and now I am able to walk with only a barely noticeable limp unless I'm really tired, in which case the limp becomes more noticeable. 

It can be really hard when you are in the midst of dealing with a catastrophic injury or illness to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I had some periods of real depression during my recovery.  So, hang in there, try to keep a positive attitude and by all means, lean on your friends, including your friends here.  That is truly what friends are for.  I think one of the most important things is to avoid the depression that can come with the feeling that what you are going through will never end!  Believe me, it will.  Try to make yourself do things you enjoy, get to the bench if you can, read books you enjoy.  Do whatever it takes to keep the Black Dog at bay.

I'll be thinking of you, as I'm sure many of us will.  Keep us up to date about your recovery and may it be speedy and uneventful!

Bob

Glad to hear you are on the mend.  Encouraging you are looking forward to your next build.  As many have said, you got nothing, if you don't have your health.  Me and the fam are heading to church shortly, so we'll shoot an extra prayer on your behalf.

Professor Tilley,

This is the first I have heard of your predicament.  I can sympathize.  i am wheelchair bound after an onset of MS and recovered from an E-coli infection.   I have always enjoyed learning from your informative posts and look forward to more in the future.

I will celebrate a Mass for your recovery.  My prayers are with you.  Get well!

Mr. Tilley,

I wish you a speedy and thorough recovery.

 I stumbled on this site and forum back in December instant when I was searching for some information on the Revell 1/96 USS Constitution which I'd just bought. I read some of your comments on the subject of sailing ships and was convinced I could not have found more solid information on my plastic model anywhere. I am grateful for the generous amount of time you've taken to impart your knowledge of model ships to those who've asked for help. I do hope you continue to help this community for a very long time.

The best to you,

Mike Stolting

Oh Dear Lord...

Prof. Tilley, I am sorry to hear about your predicament! Glad that you are on the mend, but still... yikes (I thought a little scare I had a few months back was bad). I've come back to the forum, and there you are, all laid up!  Suffice to say, shocked.

Be well, Professor. Looking forward to reading you again.

Cheers,

Rob

I look forward to reading you posts and comments. When I saw that you haven't been posting, I thought you left the forum.

Its good to hear that you are up and about.  I hope you get better everyday.

JTilley great to see your back at it. Last year was my time with problems . The new Titanium parts have me going great.

Rod

Dr. Tilley, As a longtime lurker, I have always found your posts interesting and informative. Best wishes for an even speedier recovery, and nothing but the best from here on out.

Mike

John,

Good luck with it! I know what it is like to return to teaching in a wheel chair.  When I shattered my foot in a classroom fall in October, 2009, I returned late November in a full leg cast and in a wheel chair.  I found out then just how small a classroom can be!  But, my students were fantastic about it and took turns helping me negotiate the chair throughout the school and the campus.  I don't believe that I will ever forget them!

Welcome back! You were missed!

Bill

That is really fantastic news! And the chuck wagon sounds like a very fun project, too. I hope that it turns out well.

I can't begin to express my gratitude for the messages so many fine people have sent.  Like I said earlier, you folks are the greatest. 

I started back to work a couple of days ago.  I have to ride around the classroom/office building on my little electric scooter (bless it), but that isn't much of a problem.  (It does make me grateful for "accessible" buildings.)  It really feels great to get back in the harness.  Our most generous and decent department chair was good enough to assign me just one course (HIST 1051:  The U.S. since 1877) for the second summer session; that should be a good way to break back in.  (I'd prefer a time other than 8:00-9:30 MTWTF, but one can't have everything.)  There are fourteen students in the class - in my opinion about the ideal number.

Haven't started modeling yet - mainly because most of my tools and other stuff are in the workshop, which is too far from the house.  My intended next project was the Trumpeter 1/700 North Carolina (a popular subject in this neck of the woods).  I'd already laid in a bunch of Gold Medal and White Ensign photo-etched parts for it, but I think my fingers need to practice on something less intricate.  My eye lit last night on an unusual kit from my stash:  a Revell/Miniature Masterpieces old west chuck wagon from 1954.  (I built it several times when I was a kid - along with most of the other 1/40 Revell horse-drawn vehicles.  I bought this one at an IPMS convention some years ago.)  It's a beautiful little kit, complete with three people, two horses, a calf, and a dog.  No teensy metal parts, but a really stimulating exercise in painting and weathering.  And I figure I can build it on my drafting table.

Anyway - it's great to be back!

John Tilley

Hello Professor Tilley!

GOOD to have you back!  Best wishes and hopes for a full and quick recovery!

Chris

Dr Tilley

Best wishes on being on the mend, I'm sure once your at work you'll really start to feel better. 

Regards,

Scott

Dr. Tilley,

I too was greatly concerned about your absence. I know how quickly this type of thing can blow up, as I am also subject to infections in my foot due to my Diabetes, and I have been in the hospital five times in the last three years because an infection started in my foot.  Fortunately, it never went staph or MRSA.  On the plus side, I did get to have a private room every time!  Nobody to keep me awake at night!  I am very glad to hear that you are fully on the mend, and I truly hope you never have to go through this again.  Get well soon!  I look forward to seeing your posts again!

Great to hear of your recovery and welcome back!

Feank

Well, let me say that I'm glad you are on the mend (and would have preferred to have heard you had been on sabbatical someplace mild and tropical, and not in need of mending at all).

So, best wishes for speedy and uncomplicated healing.

And to remember, a Historian's work is only finished when History is.

your not alone i was out for3 months with same prob.    they amputated 1/2 of one foot  because of the infections    i was finally able to go back to work 1st of feb         

the only bright side is    WHEN THE WOMEN AT WORK FOUND OUT I HAD A FOOT AND A 1/2  THEY WERE ALL OVER ME  

Mister Tilley - get well soon, best greetings from Poland

Paweł

John, I guess I have not exchanged notes with you but from all of us here in it's good news that you are recovering fast. We hope to see you back in the frontline soon. Man, too many models to build, too many more are coming. Take advantage of your wheelchair and start building while you're recovering. Get well very soon!

John,

I've known you since we were both teenagers and I know that you have faced adversity head-on in the past. Glad to see that you are on the mend!  I will probably be entering sick bay myself soon, so we can compare medications!

All the best!

Jack

jtilley,

Good to have you back.  Here's to a complete and speedy recovery!

Hi Dr. tilley,

It is good to hear from you again. Best of luck in your recovery.

Pete

De. Tilley - my wishes for a complete recovery for you. Your knowledge has been a great asset to these forums.

Mike T.

Glad you are doing better John. Hope things keep moving in the right direction for you.......

All the best

Bill

Doc Tilley

 Hey get well, take it slow on the recovery, and take all your meds. Even if you start to fell like your old self and think that the meds are a waste of time, follow the attending doctors guidence. I look forward to your sailing craft observations...and who knows you might be asked to judge a model contest as part of your cure!!!

Warm regards

Mike M

A  "Judge" John Tilley contest winner 1990  

Get well soon...then build something and post pics...

Dear Prof. Tilley,

I am so glad to hear from you. We missed you, as you can see in all those replies.

I  wish you a quick and complete recovery! Take care and do not push. Good health needs time and care.

Looking forward reading more from you!