“It feels good to be back in the United States,” Campbell said from his hospital bed Monday. “I am very sore in the hip, back and stomach.”
Campbell had surgery Sunday where doctors went into his hipbone and did some major cleanup.
Campbell’s wife, Tanya, and his mother, Sue, flew to Texas to be with Campbell. Other family members drove to Texas Sunday and Monday. Dad Mike, sister Paula and her husband Keith and their daughter Callie, took a 16-hour trip to be with Campbell.
“Getting to see my wife and family was huge,” Campbell said. “It makes me feel a lot better. In Germany, I felt all alone. I want to thank my wife for being a true blessing.”
Tanya Campbell said she was relieved to see her husband.
“He’s a big Auburn fan and I was able to bring him some Auburn memorabilia,” Tanya said. “He has a lot of cards here that students at Ragland School made him and we have taped them to the wall.”
Tanya Campbell said her husband has a long recovery ahead of him.
“But Michael is strong and I know he will see this through,” she said. “The hospital staff here at Brooke Army Medical Center is great. They are doing a great job with him but I will be so glad to bring him home to Ragland. I am here until I get to bring him home.”
Sue Campbell said wound vacs are a foam type material they leave inside her son’s body to absorb the infection.
“They will not take them out until they know there is no more infection,” Sue Campbell said. “I am so relieved I could see him. He was glad to see all of us. This is going to be a long process and I feel he will be here at least a month.”
His dad, Mike Campbell, said he was ecstatic to see him.
“I’m proud to see him,” Mike Campbell said. “I think he’s improving some. He looks fairly good and his color looks good. He’s been through a lot and I believe he will pull through. He has shown a lot of improvement. I look forward to him getting out of here and coming home to Ragland.”
His sister, Paula, said it has been very emotional for her.
“I’m glad to see him and glad to see his face,” she said. “I’m sure he is going to be okay. He has made major strides toward a full recovery.”
As he lay in his hospital bed Monday afternoon, Campbell’s thoughts turned toward all his family and friends back in Ragland.
“I want to say thank you for all the get well cards I’ve received from students at Ragland School,” he said. “I want to thank Hardin’s Chapel Church for all the things they have done for my family. I especially want to thank everyone for their prayers. It means so much.”
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
