Here ya' go Dr. Feelgood,
Trying offseason
Infection left Bears backup Matthews near death
After undergoing hernia surgery in the offseason, Shane Matthews feared more for his life than for his career. AP
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (AP) -- Shane Matthews has no complaints about being the third-string quarterback for the Chicago Bears. After battling an infection for 2 1/2 months during the offseason, he's just happy to be alive.
"I'm glad to be part of the team. Realistically, a couple of months ago I didn't know if I was really going to make it, to be honest with you," he said.
Matthews, who started seven games, including the opener a year ago, underwent hernia surgery after the season and an infection ensued.
His weight dropped more than 20 pounds to 174, and he spent most of the time from mid-March to late May lying on a couch. His most strenuous activity, he said, was going to the mailbox.
Matthews said he feared more for his life than for his career.
"It got scary, really scary. I'm 100 percent now. It will teach you to never take your health for granted. It was pretty bad, believe me, for three months. It was the worst three months of my life," he said.
One of the incisions made for his operation developed an abscess, which had to be removed and kept Matthews on medication for 2 1/2 months.
Doctors didn't tell him his condition was life threatening, but he'd never felt lousier.
"When you are taking medication and continue to feel bad and running a fever and losing weight, and it goes on for 2 1/2 months and you're like, `When am I going to feel better?'" he said.
"I had a permanent IV sewed into my arm for a month and a half. My wife and I had to give me medication three hours in the morning and three hours at night. This was some serious stuff."
Matthews completed 61 percent of his passes with 10 for touchdowns last season, before being sidelined by a hamstring problem. He couldn't work out a deal with another team in the offseason, so he eventually re-signed with the Bears.
Now he's behind Cade McNown and Jim Miller and still trying to get into shape, realizing there's a chance that this season as the No. 3 quarterback, "I won't even step on the field."
But his view of life has changed and that's what is most important for Matthews, the father of two who turned 30 last month.
"My wife and I talked about who cares if you ever play football again," he said. "I just wanted to be around to take care of my kids and see them grow up. It puts everything into perspective, but everything turned out fine."
sniff, sniff <g> |
