A New Reign of Terror

This is the fourth part of a series of nine posts.  To see the third do the thing with the mouse right here. To find the fifth scroll to the end of this post.  


While playing basketball with the Young men I was serving I noticed some rashing on my legs.  It slowly got worse.  I knew that too much physical stress could result in a new onset of HSP, but I didn't think I had done much more than I normally did.  I always tried to take it easy and not push myself physically.  I didn't want another bout of HSP.  I scheduled an appointment with my dermatologist and...... well, I would begin my second onset of HSP.  

This onset was in some ways worse than the first onset. It not only impacted my legs and ankles, but my feet and toes as well.  The picture in the second post is from this onset.  This made working, even a desk job, rather difficult.  The swelling was intense, the pain excruciating. I ended up taking six weeks off work.  I again found myself flat on my back, with my feet elevated.  I hadn't been working at my employer very long and didn't have paid leave for all of the six weeks.  I again found myself injured, unable to work, without pay, and needing to go to the wound clinic to have my wounds cared for.

Part of my calling in my church required me to attend weekly or bi weekly meetings.  During those meetings I listened to my bishoprics and relief society presidencies talk about all the many times that they went and visited sick people in the ward, brought them meals, and helped various people in the ward with their basic needs.

During this onset, as well as the prior, there were no visits from anybody in my ward, save a couple that we are friends with.  No meals were brought in. No assistance was given to my wife. I had been planning a week long trip for the boys in Yellowstone National park, but had to cancel due to my wounds.  I had again begun looking for an assistant in January of that year, but hadn’t found one, so there was no weeklong camp for the boys that year.

Please don't think I am saying that nobody showed compassion.  People constantly asked me how I was doing.  My bishopric showed genuine concern for me, as did other people in my ward.  I just didn't get the attention I knew other people received.  

I had been doing all I could to fulfill my calling: visiting the boys that weren’t actively coming to church, inviting them to activities, doing all I could to help them with the scouting program, giving of my time and energy.  I wondered why in the world this happened again. I did not have a recent cold. Did I not learn enough from the first bout? What new lesson did I possibly need?  What did God want me to learn?

While discussing with my doctor the possible reasons this onset happened it was found that all that I was doing for my calling is probably what caused the new onset.  While the normal onset is due to a cold or the flu, it can also be caused by too much stress on the body. The physical stress was just too much. 

This caused me to question a number of aspects of my faith.  So what did I do? I asked for priesthood blessings and carried on. I didn’t know how to discuss these doubts with anybody because you don’t discuss doubts about your faith. You just have faith and know that things will turn out for the better.  Things happen for a reason and you need to learn what God would have you learn. Be humble about it, and it will make you a better person. Endure and you will find true happiness.  

Well, my wounds were mostly healed by July of that year, and since I had already scheduled the time off work for the campout (that didn’t happen) Melissa (my wife) and I went on a two week road trip.  We went to see her sister and family in Oregon. After a few days we then went up to Washington. I had served my mission in central Washington. I felt that maybe a return to those areas, and visiting with the people I had served and taught, would give me the increased faith I felt that I needed.  

While we were gone my wounds healed up.  I was able to connect with many people that had meant so much to me as a missionary.  It was awesome. I felt rejuvenated. I had the increase in faith I needed. We arrived home early in August and a little more than a week later the scouts were planning a campout to Haystack Lake in the Uintah’s.  I wasn’t going to go, but my friend, and an assistant with the Venture scouts, said he would carry most of my gear for me. I would just need to bring my food and clothes. The hike isn’t long or strenuous and I had made it many times; I decided to go on the campout.   

Prior to our trip to Oregon and Washington my doctor had advised that I was fine to go on fairly simple and basic hikes, as long as I could still care for the wounds, and that continued physical activity was necessary.  Given how simple this hike would be,  (and all I would do at the campout would be to sit in my hammock and rest) I didn’t see any problem with going. With my newly invigorated faith I set forth to continue fulfilling my calling.  Well, it was a bad idea. The day we came back from the overnight campout I had a new onset of HSP. While this onset wasn’t as visually bad as the prior two, it was in some ways worse. 

This new onset hit my feet, tops and sides, ankles, and of all places, between my toes.  None of the wounds were crazy huge, and I was able to have Melissa help me with the bandages and wound care.  In order for the skin to grow back it needs the correct amount of moisture under the bandages. So, this meant no shoes so I could keep my feet from getting too hot. However, as one wound would heal, another would form. This onset continued in small batches for a few months. It eventually got to the point that we couldn’t care for them, and I ended up going back to the wound clinic.  This onset and recurrences went from early August 2013 to sometime in December 2013.  

This time I didn't end up having to take long times off work, but it still sucked.  I wouldn't wish for anybody to go through anything I'd been through.  It is horrific and crazy painful.  Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.....see part five here.