Remember this incident? The one where Alex effectively shot himself in the leg with shrapnel from an axe?

It healed in place as the orthopedic doctor suggested, but only for nine months.

In February, Alex's thigh started hurting again. The pain was bearable for a few weeks but the inflamed feeling grew, especially when he exercised. The doc finally recommended surgical removal.

This morning, in a 90 minute procedure, a surgical team did just that. Apparently the thin foreign body was elusive and the resulting incision required eight staples to close. Alex is Mr. Shrapnel no more.

He kept the literal thorn in his side. Any ideas what he should do with it?