A boil almost killed me

Plus: Free nutrition class, Mutual Aid Fair and more Kanawha Valley community news

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025 | Weather: 🌧️ 75° F / 🌘 53° F

Good Wednesday, neighbor!

It’s May 21. Journalists don’t usually make themselves the subject of the story. So it feels a bit awkward sharing details of a very personal chapter in my life with you. But since May is National Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month — and since we’re just days away from May 31, National Necrotizing Fasciiitis Awareness Day — I thought I would share with you an essay I first published nearly two years ago, when I was still recovering from this very rare, and still somewhat unknown, disease.

If you’ve never heard of necrotizing fasciitis, you’re not alone — I hadn’t either before I was subjected to its wrath. You may have heard mention of it by its more common, attention-grabbing moniker, the flesh-eating disease. Regardless, I share with you my story to raise awareness of the condition in this month devoted to its advocacy. You can read it at the link below.

📅 Programming Note: Tomorrow’s newsletter will come in the afternoon (instead of the morning) and will include a link to your four-day Memorial Day weekend calendar. There will be no newsletter on Friday, May 23, or Monday, May 26. We’ll return to our normal weekday schedule on Tuesday, May 27.

Now, let’s get this day started.

Health Notes: A boil almost killed me

I went to the emergency department for a painful abscess on my abdomen. Four surgeries and 27 days of inpatient treatment later, I was finally released from the hospital.

Today

1 p.m. — WVU Extension Adult Nutrition Class, South Charleston Public Library, 312 Fourth Ave., South Charleston.
6-7:30 p.m. — Charleston Mutual Aid Fair, Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, 1009 Virginia St. East, Charleston.
7-9 p.m. — Trivia Night, Tickers & Timbers, 210 Capitol St., Charleston.

Upcoming

Friday, May 23 — 5 p.m.: Live on the Levee Featuring Rev. Horton Heat, Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston.
Friday, May 23 — 7 p.m.: Mystery Dinner Theater - Murder at the Museum, Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West, 400 Second Ave., South Charleston.
Saturday, May 24 — 4:30 p.m.: CAMC Foundation Miles for Minds, Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston.

More Events