Update:
On Friday (7/4) the kids came over and Karen, Kate, David, Jon, Josh
and I spent the day cleaning and sorting out our rented storage sheds. We were able to get all three emptied. We have more stuff still to dispose of but we
accomplished our goal. I wasn’t too much
help with the lifting and carrying. That
was tough on me emotionally; but I did what I could. The shower felt so good that night and Karen
and I were so worn out that we feel asleep with the sound of the neighbor’s
fireworks going off all around us. “I’ll
never be able to get to sleep with all this….Zzzzz!”
Our outdoor water faucet broke on the Friday. I decided to try to repair it myself on
Saturday morning. I certainly wasn’t
going to call a plumber on a holiday weekend.
I was grateful for the helpful assistance I got at the hardware store
and was able to replace it myself. The
toughest thing that I had to do was get the ladder down into the basement. I got a good workout going up and down the
stairs and up and down the ladder a half dozen times each. I was hesitant even attempting the project
not being certain if I could safely do the work on the ladder. I’m glad that I tried and found that I could
get it done. Faucet works perfectly now
and no leaks anywhere. Success!
Our yard really needed to be mowed on Saturday. I wasn’t certain if I could do it but I
decided to try. I got it done! Usually it takes about 30 minutes to
mow. It took me about 90 minutes of
mowing with several long rest breaks added to the time. I wasn’t easy but I did it! I need to talk with my physical therapist
about walking on uneven terrain and make certain I am using the best technique.
I figured that with all the work I did repairing the faucet and mowing
the lawn that I didn’t need to ride my bike or do my exercises on
Saturday. I really didn’t have any
energy left to do it anyway. It was nice
to take a break.
On Sunday, after church and lunch, I took an afternoon nap before going
to the County Jail to conduct worship services for the inmates (6-9 p.m.). I decided to strip my leg off for the nap (let’s
my leg air and much more comfortable than sleeping with the prosthesis
on). Mid-way through the nap, I got a
phone call. I was deep in sleep and sat
up to get the phone. I wasn’t fully
awake and leaned to grab the phone, forgetting that I didn’t have a leg on that
side. I fell over and slipped off the
bed, pounding my stump into the floor.
Now that woke me up! It stung a
bit at the time and but no lasting damage.
That’s the first time I’ve ever done that. All during my convalescence the medical staff
warned me about jumping up out of bed in the middle of the night and falling
down and injuring myself. I never did
that but I know of some folks who have. What
a crazy world! You would think that it
would not be difficult to remember “I am missing my left leg” but at times it
slips my mind.
This morning on Monday, Karen and I vacuumed our vehicles and I
scrubbed the winter salt off of my floor mats.
Hey, it’s July! I figured it was
about time to get that spring chore done!
Afterwards I went for a 10.3 mile bike ride before it got too hot or the
thunderstorms moved in.
I found another website/facebook page that I like: Amputee
Coalition of America. Lot’s of
good info and helpful advice. I wish I
had found this sooner. One thing I found on the website was a Body
Mass Index (BMI) for amputees. You plug
in your height, weight and what kind of amputation you’ve had and it figures
your BMI. When I used it, it told me I
was obese—no surprise, I still have 35 pounds or more to lose. So I plugged in my goal weight of 200 = Obese! My
wife’s goal for me of 185 = Obese! It
wasn’t until I put in 165 it give me = Normal!
The only time I weighed 165 was after I completed Airborne School in the
Army and I was skeletal. I thought this
thing is messed up! THEN it hit me. They are calculating the weight without the
prosthesis on. I’ve only ever weighed
with the prosthesis on. I’ll have to try
to weigh balancing on one foot and see how much difference that is in weight. “I’m not really fat; I’m just big prosthesis!” Ha!
Thought for the Day:
George Washington Carver said that people should be judged not only by
the positions they hold but also by the obstacles they had to overcome to get
there.
Carver’s own story is an inspiration to all Americans. It is one
of overcoming odds and serving one’s fellow man, achieving greatness by good
works, and devoting oneself to serving others. He was born at the
end of the Civil War to poor parents.
His father died when Carver was an infant. His mother and sisters were kidnapped by
slavers and he never saw them again. He
faced discrimination and segregation throughout his life but never allowed
himself to grow bitter; He remained friendly and open. Carver accepted whatever life threw at him
despite personal setbacks and disappointment.
I’d encourage you to take some time to research the life of George
Washington Carver. It is an amazing
story of determination and overcoming impossible odds to achieve something of
himself. We can all learn something from
him and his approach to life.
It seems like we become easily discouraged; we feel cheated out of what
we deserve; and are frustrated when the rights we believe that we are entitled
to are trampled upon. We give up too
soon and allow the short-sightedness of others dictate what we can and cannot
do.
Instead, I encourage to step forward and stretch yourself beyond the
limits anyone assumes you are capable of achieving. It is going to take time and energy, so be
prepared for the long haul. There will
be setbacks and discouragements, so don’t assume there will be an easy
road. As much as you are able become the
master of your own fate and decide the course your life will take; and who
knows where you’ll end up.
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