Wednesday (3/1/2017)

Update:

Up until a couple of weeks ago everything seemed to be going well.  I had cut back on my walking somewhat because my knee was popping.  I figured that I needed to give it some time to strengthen and get used to carrying the load again after not walking very much for so long. The knee responded well but then I developed a pain along my tibia a couple of inches below the knee.  For those of you into anatomy, it’s in the region of the tibial tubercle.  One thing cool about all my medical issues—I get to learn something new about the body all the time!

So communicating with my prosthetist (Rob, the guy who builds and adjusts my prosthesis), I’ve tried all sorts of things on my own.  At first I thought it had to do with the alignment of my prosthesis due to using different shoes; but after getting those adjusted the pain has continued.  If you have ever walked around the back end of a truck and hit your shin (that’s the tibia) on hitch, you have a great understanding of the pain I’m having.  Every step I take feels like I’m running into the hitch again.  Some days as I take it easy, I can get through most of the day without pain.  Most days, I get a couple hours of limited use before it starts.  On a few days, the pain begins as soon as I put my leg on.  At times I’ve been using crutches along with my prosthesis.  Usually taking some of the weight off the leg reduces the pain significantly—usually but not always.  This pain is something brand new and is not associated with the revision surgery I had done last September, that’s all good.

So I’m scheduled on March 12^th to head back to Indianapolis/Cincinnati for evaluation and have work done on my prosthesis.  Hopefully Rob can work his magic on my prosthesis and make all the pain go away!  I’m hoping that there isn’t anything that will require that I not wear the prosthesis for a period of time or requires surgery to repair.  We’ll see.  I know I’m in good hands and I trust Rob and my surgeon to find the best solution for me.

Recently I decided that driving towards the mountains is a good metaphor for my journey as an amputee.  As you drive towards the mountains, you think, “I just have to get over that one mountain.”  But then you reach the top and realize that there is a valley to go through and then another mountain top to reach.  When you get to the top of that one, you find that there is yet another valley and another peak ahead.  What appeared to be fairly simple and straight forward at first has become more of a journey of epic proportions. 

So I’ve crested yet another mountain peak and am now in another valley…  I don’t know how long my journey will last, nor do I know how many more peaks and valleys I’ll have to traverse.  All I can do is keep putting one foot forward and taking the next step…

Tuesday (1/24/2017):

Update:

I just received my “definitive” leg from my prosthetist, Rob, this afternoon.  There is one issue to fix on Wednesday and then I’ll be headed home to Wisconsin.  I cannot be more pleased with my new prosthesis.  Rob did a great job designing and building it!  What a tremendous difference in how it feels, the energy return that I get, and how easy it makes walking on inclines and uneven terrain.  It’s awesome!!!  And it looks really cool too!!!  Comparatively, the new leg is so much better than my old one!  The couple of times that I’ve had to switch back to my old leg, it felt like trying to walk with a solid log.  Combined with the changes I’ve had from Dr. Ertl doing my revision surgery in September 2016 (no back pain, no sciatic nerve pain, no residual limb pain), this will drastically change my life for the better!!!  

I still have a long road ahead of me.  It’s going to take some time for my limb to toughen up so the prosthesis is totally comfortable.  My muscles and joints need to be strengthened so I can take advantage of what I’ve gained (I lost a lot of muscle mass over the last two years).  I’ve also got to rebuild my energy levels and stamina.  But I believe that the pieces are finally in place for it to begin to happen.  That is a great feeling and gives me hope!

A few of notable moments on this trip:  1) I found out my ERTL bone bridge was broken when I fell on January 4.  Dr. Ertl said that since I was able to walk on it that it would heal fine, most likely even stronger.  On Monday (1/23) I had a standing weight bearing test done.  I was able to put 193 lbs. of pressure on the end of my residual limb (over 85% of my total body weight).  That’s an amazing indication that things are going well! 2) Over the weekend I was able to meet up with a high school buddy that I haven’t seen in 39 years (yes, I am that old).  Tim Kunzwieler and I got to catch up over a long dinner.  And I got to meet his wife as well!  It was an enjoyable evening.   3) I’ve been able to walk about 4-5 miles each day on my new prosthesis.  The only thing really holding me back is how sore the rest of my body is since it’s not used to that level of activity.  4) I was able to walk on a hilly trail in a wooded park area. That was so enjoyable!  I’ve missed being out in the woods!!!  With my new prosthesis I’ll easily be able to do that again on a regular basis.

I’m hoping that the winter weather that Wisconsin is currently experiencing won’t slow me down or cause any trouble getting home.  I’ve been gone eleven days and I’m ready to be home with my family.  Praying for a safe and uneventful trip home.

VIDEO Wednesday (1/18/2017)

Video Update: 

I was able to spend the day walking around town in my new prosthesis (in test socket mode).  By the end of the day, I had walked five miles!  I haven't been able to walk that distance in years!  I really love my new foot and the leg that Rob, my prosthetist, has built me.  

Going up inclines, up stairs, across uneven terrain, even just stopping and turning around is so much easier and feels more natural!

Monday (1/16/2017)

Update: 

X-rays were taken at my follow-up appointment with my surgeon this morning.  They showed that the bone bridge between my tibia and fibula (which was created during my September surgery) was broken when I fell on my residual limb on January 4^th.  Oh No!  When I first saw the X-ray I was pretty miserable.  I figured that I would have to have surgery to repair it or stay off my leg for a couple of months for it to heal. 

Then my surgeon came in and said it was fine.  Since I was able to start walking on it five days after it occurred it would be okay.  In fact, he said that the bridge would probably end up being even stronger after it healed.  In fact he wants me to put weight on it and walk on it because it will promote better bone growth and healing.   Whew!  I went from very low to very high in a matter of moments this morning! 

So after the doctor appointment, I traveled from Indianapolis to Cincinnati (2 additional hour drive) so my prosthetist could begin work on the new leg.  He casted my leg and took measurements today.  By tomorrow morning, he’ll have the check socket made and we’ll start fitting it.  It’s possible that I’ll even do a little walking on a temporary version of it tomorrow (or on Wednesday at the latest).

The weather forecast was for a major ice storm to Indiana this past weekend (which didn’t happen); and now I hear that the roads back home are extremely icy tonight.  I didn’t even hit any rain on my trip down here on Sunday.  Today it was about 47 degrees here in Newport, KY—it felt like springtime to me!!!  It’s supposed to be like that (with a chance of rain) for the rest of the week here. 

Saturday (1/14/2017)

Update:

Tomorrow morning I’m headed to Indianapolis.  I have a Monday morning follow-up appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Ertl, in Indianapolis and then I head to Newport, KY (metro area of Cincinnati) to see my prosthetist, Rob, who will begin building a new leg for me.  It will look similar to the picture (except without the Colts logo! Ha! Ha!).

The end of my residual limb is still slightly tender since falling on it on January 4^th.  I was afraid I would have to delay this trip but I was finally able to walk again on January 9^th.   I’ll have x-rays at the follow-up appointment to double check whether there is any lasting damage.

As is typical over the last couple of months since my surgery, swelling has reduced in my leg and my current prosthesis no longer fits properly.  I’m getting a different style foot (the big spring looking part) which will be more flexible than my current foot, allowing me to walk more easily over uneven terrain and uphill.  Right now if I walk in the grass, I have to keep my leg muscles pretty rigid the whole time to keep my knee from violently swinging out to the side if the ground is even slightly uneven since my “ankle” is pretty stiff.   With the stiff “ankle” I usually have to walk uphill or up ramps on the toe of my foot.  As you can imagine, walking this way is very wearing. 

I’m pretty excited about getting a great fitting leg that’s more flexible.  Even taking it very easy in my current socket (so I don’t cause skin problems), I’ve been able to walk about 1 ½ miles per day.  I can’t wait to see how it goes with the new leg!  I’ll stay in Cincinnati until it’s done and we’ve worked out most of the bugs (I’m guessing one week; but it might be closer to two weeks).

I’ve been watching the weather down in the area pretty closely.  I think that I won’t run into the ice storm while I’m driving, only rain.  I’m praying for a safe and uneventful trip tomorrow.  If I make good time, I hope to get into a hotel early enough to catch at least part of the Packer’s game.  Go, Pack, Go!

In the past week, I’ve been to my primary care physician to monitor my overall health and diabetes, my podiatrist to check on how my right foot is doing, and my Physical Medicine and Rehab doctor to check on my residual limb (and to get the prescription for the new prosthesis). I had good reports all around! 

I’m almost packed for my trip (I travel with more stuff than the circus) and I’m looking forward to relaxing a bit with my wife this evening.  And then out the door and on the road before 7 a.m. in the morning!

Friday (1/6/2017)

Update:

I have to say that when you fall, you find out who your true friends are--those who will always be there for you....

On Wednesday, I was transferring from my wheelchair to my recliner and forgot to set one of the brakes. When I tried to stand, the chair swung away and I slammed my residual limb straight down into the floor. OUCH!

Fortunately I'm 15 weeks post-op so I don't think I did any real damage. The outside of the leg looks normal; but I must have some internal bruising. Walking is a bit painful. :-( So I have been taking it easy in the wheelchair and doing limited walking with crutches when needed.

Hopefully after a couple of more day's rest I'll be back to walking again.

I'm scheduled on January 15th to head back down to Indianapolis to see my surgeon for a follow-up and then on to Cincinnati to have my prosthetist build a new prosthetic limb for me. If I am not walking well again by that time, I will reschedule the trip. I should be okay by then; but you never know. I'll be at the prosthetist's for at least a week as he builds and fits my new leg.

I've got four doctors' appointments this coming week, including one with my podiatrist to check up on the health of my remaining foot, as well as with my Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor to document why I need a new prosthesis so that insurance will pay for it. Unfortunately, "It doesn't fit. He wants to walk" isn't good enough for the insurance company so my doctor will have to "fancy up" the words a bit!!! Ha!

Modern prosthetic limbs are wonderful but a constant challenge to maintain proper fit, especially after the initial amputation and any follow-up surgery. My limb has changed enough since November that despite numerous pads, socks, and tec-spots I cannot get a good fit. Consequently, I've been limited in the amount of walking that I can do and how much I can wear my leg.

The new leg they are about to built should last me well over a year, maybe up to three to five years. I'll be re-using my $5,000 pump (I have an elevated vacuum system); but I'm guessing that the new leg will still cost at least an additional $10,000-$12,000. So I guess I understand why the insurance company gets a bit twitchy and wants their pound of paperwork before buying me a new leg! Without health insurance, this would be financially impossible!!!

Before falling, I was walking about 1.25-1.75 miles a day, even with an ill fitting socket. Wow!!! I can't wait to see what I am capable of doing when I have a more functional leg.

I would appreciate your prayers that my leg would heal quickly and I could make the trip as planned. I know it could have been much worse. I have a friend who fell on his limb and is probably facing yet another surgery to repair the damage.

I thank God for His protection and provision throughout this entire process. I'm grateful to my entire medical team for how much they are willing to do for me (bending over backwards) and to help me along the way.

Saturday (12/3/2016)

Today’s my third Ampuversary (12/3).  It seems like it has been years longer than that to me since my amputation.  Lots have happened so far and there is still more to come!  First and foremost, I am happy to be alive and experiencing each new day.  I’m thankful for all of the wonderful support and encouragement that I have received from my wife, my family, and my friends.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my first grandchild and to watch her grow.  I’ve been blessed to have a supportive team of health care providers (an ever growing list!).  I am happy that I decided to have Dr. Ertl do a revision of my leg recently (9/23/16)—I believe that will really change my life for the better.  It has drastically reduced my pain level all around. 

The past three years have had their ups and downs.  I’ve gone through some major life changes.  I’ve made progress in a number of areas and I’m still struggling in some others.  I’ve made a number of new friends and learn a whole lot about medicine and the human body.  I’ve had to accept some limitations and continue to fight against some of the others.  At times my journey has been the best thing that has happened to me and at the same time it’s been the more difficult thing I’ve gone through.

Lately I’ve been reading book after book written by those who have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT).  2,190 miles is a long way to walk!!!  Only about 25% of the hikers who begin the trail finish it in the same year.  It goes from Georgia to Maine and travels through 14 states.  From what I’ve read it takes 4-6 months for hikers to finish the trail.  They go through all kinds of weather and face any number of hardships, mishaps, and injuries.  Day after day they slog through the rain, the snow, the fog, thunderstorms, and even occasionally, the sunshine. They traverse the mud, the rocks, the mountains, cross rivers, etc.  They face mosquitos, mice, snakes, bears, and moose.  Their stories talk about endurance and determination--about never giving up and preserving through whatever the trail throws at them.  It’s also the story of the comradery of others on the trail, along with countless acts of kindness of others, which enabled the hikers to continue on each day.  Hikers see and learn about the world from a different perspective, and it seems they come to know themselves better as well.  They find the trail is filled with hardship and difficulty, as well as serenity and beauty.  One of the other lessons learned from these various accounts is that everyone “hikes his own hike.”  It’s the same trail, but varying weather conditions, time limitations, strength and endurance, etc. means that each hiker encounters something different and handles it in their own way.  Sometimes the trail is easy and the load is light and its easy going.  At other times, it takes every bit of energy just to make it the next few feet.

I think I’ve been reading book after book about these journeys because I see parallels to my own journey (I think my fellow amps and anyone with a chronic illness will see the parallels too).  Life is difficult; but it is also wonderful.  The journey isn’t always easy; but it is worth it. We don’t necessarily get to choose what we will experience; but we do choose how we will respond and what we will do in response.  Life (and regaining health) isn’t a sprint; it’s ultimate ultra-marathon of epic proportions.    Many times all we can do is to merely keep on putting one foot in front of the other and see where life takes us. 

Here’s to life!  Here’s to taking the next step!