Update:
I just got
off the phone with my prosthetist discussing options about what we can do with
my leg to reduce the pain I’ve been experiencing. Currently I am experiencing increasing
discomfort from the moment I put the leg on that grows into pain by the
afternoon each day. By 5:30 p.m. each
day I cannot ignore the pain any longer and I have to take my prosthesis off. Mentally, that wears me out and limits my
evenings to staying at home because I’ve got nothing left.
Next
Wednesday (1/7/2015) I’ve got an appointment with the prosthetist that will
last the afternoon as we continue to discuss options and she shows me examples
of them. All the options are designed to
take some of the pressure and weight bearing off of my knee and move it up to
the thigh. One option is called a “thigh
lacer” which is a leather cuff that goes around my thigh and is attached to the
prosthesis at the knee joint. Another
option is changing from my pin system to a sleeve suspension. I don’t know a lot about that except that I’ve
been told that it makes the knee joint stiffer.
I don’t like the sound of that because in my current pin system, I
already have trouble getting down on one knee and it barely is enough bend to
ride my bicycle now. I hope that I don’t
have to lose that ability as well.
So next
Wednesday will be spent tweaking, exploring, and deciding on which option to go
with. I’ll probably be re-cast so that
we can start fresh with a socket that is as close to my current shape as
possible.
I’d
appreciate your prayers for wisdom about which direction to head as well as skillful
ability and intuition for my prosthetist.
She has to interpret what I tell her I am feeling into action plans based
upon body structure and functionality.
Some of what I think I feel may not be actually what is happening since
my brain doesn’t necessarily know that my leg is missing—it still receives messages
from the nerves (thus giving phantom feelings and pain). So it is quite a puzzle to solve.
I’ve been
frustrated these last few months since I haven’t had the ability to fully
continue doing the things I enjoy and need to do. Like I said before, I don’t go out much at
night. That limits my church involvement
and most of my time as Chaplain for the police and fire departments. The pain (although mostly low grade) eats
away at my ability to focus throughout the day.
My prosthetist believes that given another month or so with the new
options, we should see improvement which will allow me to resume more of my old
schedule. I hope so. It is frustrated being so limited.
On a
positive note, my wife and I have been married 37 years today! The events of the last year have caused us to
grow much closer together. We are going
out for an early dinner this evening to celebrate. The good thing about getting married on New
Year’s Eve is that it is nearly impossible for me to forget our
anniversary! The bad thing is that we
rarely go out on our anniversary because of the crowds of people all out to
celebrate. With my weight loss and the
cold weather, I’ve had a hard time staying warm in bed at night. So my wife and I are going to go buy an
electric blanket as an anniversary gift for me.
Who could imagine that I, Steve Hurd, would want an electric
blanket? It is a gift that will give me “warm
feelings” all winter long!
Thought for the Day:
As we close
out 2014 and get ready to begin a new year, I look back on this past year with
thankfulness. I believe that despite the difficulties that I’ve faced, this is
also been one of the most blessed years that I can remember. I’ve been blessed by a number of people who
have made an extra effort to care for me and to help me along the way. Most notably, my wife has taken on a larger
role in caring for me and doing things that I used to do for us. We’ve struck a good balance between allowing
me to do for myself what I can and her doing the things I need help in
accomplishing. We make a good team and I
am thankful for all her labors on my behalf. I think back to the men who have shoveled snow
for me last winter. I’m grateful to my
children for taking the time to drive me to medical appointments when I needed
a designated driver, and for just spending time with me in the evenings when I
was housebound and fairly helpless immediately after my amputation. Many in the church have covered for my absence
and continued the work of ministry even when I couldn’t. My church has also been gracious in giving me
time to recover, allowing me to work from home more, and have a reduced work
load, etc. I have had countless prayers
and well-wishes offered in my name. I am extremely thankful for my medical team
who I rely upon continually. They’ve
enabled me to regain much of my old life.
Yes, although it’s been a trying year, I’ve been blessed and I am truly thankful.
Although
your life is certainly less than perfect and you face struggles, frustration,
sorrow, and pain, like we all do—there is still something to be thankful for. I’d encourage you as this year closes and a
new year begins that you take time to ponder and look back with thankfulness on
all the blessings you’ve received. And may
God bless you with even a better year to come!
Happy New Year!
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