WKYT's Shuck back in hospital

It's turned into the most painful experience of his life.

T.G. Shuck, chief meteorologist at WKYT (Channel 27), was once able to count on one hand the number of sick days he'd taken in his career at the CBS affiliate.

But on July 9, he began to feel a bit of pain around his sternum.

It got worse Friday. On Saturday, he ran some errands, including taking his daughters to his parents' house to play in their pool. The pain continued, and after talking with family and friends he went to Central Baptist Hospital that night.

Just hours later, his appendix was gone, having already begun to perforate slightly, he said.

He left the hospital Tuesday but returned Thursday, the victim of an infection that probably stemmed from the slight perforation, he said.

"I personally think the reason I'm back here now is I waited so long to go," Shuck said Friday. "For me, personally, last night I can honestly say is the sickest I've ever been in my life."

Shuck's absence has had an unintended consequence that's turned into a welcome sight for many longtime WKYT viewers: former station meteorologist Chris Bailey has returned to help fill the void.

Bailey, who now works for WSAZ in Huntington, W.Va., originally planned to fill in for Shuck on Friday night while Shuck's fill-in, meteorologist Lauren Raymer, was off for a family commitment.

With Shuck hospitalized again, though, Bailey also will be filling in on Monday and Tuesday, WKYT news director Robert Thomas said.

WSAZ is owned by WKYT's parent company, Gray Television, so Bailey's new employer was able to help out.

Shuck said he hopes to return next week, but his doctors haven't advised him when he might be able to leave the hospital.

This story was originally published July 18, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "WKYT's Shuck back in hospital."