This rough, color sketch seemed appropriate for this week's Illustration Friday topic: Repair. A few months ago I experienced some aching in my left leg. I thought that I had just pulled a muscle. After 3 or 4 days of it pain, swelling and swearing under my breath, I became concerned and called my doctor's office. Based on what I was describing, my doctor's nurse was convinced that it was a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis.) I soon learned that this was a blood clot. She recommended that I go to the ER!At the ER, they confirmed that it was in fact a DVT. I spent 6 days in the hospital to treat the clot and my swollen "Hulk-leg." It was decided that the clot had to come out because there was the risk that it could travel to my heart or brain. The procedure to remove the clot was a success!
Then the bad news. Why is there always bad news?! A second procedure was required to install two, titanium stents (small, mesh-like tubes) to support the walls of the vein which collapsed after the large clot had been removed. After the second procedure, my leg (which has almost returned to its normal size after the first procedure) swelled up to the point where it was close to the size it was before the clot was removed. Welcome back Hulk-leg!
I created this sketch while laying on the couch a few weeks ago. At that time my leg was still shrinking back to human proportions. Now it looks like the right leg. Huge relief! I did this sketch quickly and loosely with a ballpoint pen, cleaned it up and colored it in Photoshop. It only took a few hours and now I have this bizarre, cartoon version of myself that captures the point in my life when my leg was enormous. Thanks to the wonderful surgical staff for doing a great repair job!
9 comments:
That sounded like a really scary experience! I'm glad to hear you're all better now.
Awesome! Fun, funky "Hulk" pose, great expression. It looks more like a finished piece than a sketch. One quibble, I saw the leg – it was much larger than you drew it. Glad you're back on regular sized feet again!
Hi Michelle: It was a bit scary! But for an anxious artist, I seemed to handle it remarkably well. I'm glad to be back on both legs AND that they're the same size.
Robert: Wow! I think I just earned my first "awesome!" from you. Guess there's a first time for everything--lol! Apparently you have a thing for caricatures of temporarily, deformed friends.
True, after all the clean-up work I did, this DOES kind of resemble a finished piece. It still retains much of the "awkwardness" of the non-cleaned-up sketch. I guess that's why I don't consider it an actual illustration.
That leg WAS way bigger (not really folks.) I didn't want to scare people away from my blog by being too accurate!
I've like very much your draw...of course because you have now good health.
And are healing your problem!!
God, I'm glad you're alright! That's some self-portrait. A great drawing, though, but don't go to these lengths again for inspiration.
The important thing is, you're wearing pants again, thank god.
Dave:
True! I'll take pants (even purple ones like they make the Hulk wear in the comics) over those unflattering, hospital gowns. I didn't realize when I was admitted to the hospital that I'b be attending a Cinderella's ball!
Did you pick up on the fact that I made the wall green and the floor purple? Only a TRUE Hulk fan would notice that!
Sorry Rosalia, I tried leaving the following comments on your blog but after my 5th attempt I gave up! Guess I should have studied Spanish in school. Here is what I tried to post:
Thank you for the well wishes and compliments that you left on my blog.
You have a wonderful/original stlye! I love the colors and patterns especially! Great concept for this week's IF topic.
Best Wishes,
--John
Oh Thanks John
You did it all rigth and 3 times,I choose the same you have here!!
So kind of you!!
How are you ?
I hope that better and better!!
Take care
Post a Comment