Wednesday (10/26/2016)

Update:

Another very positive week! 

This Friday (10/28), I will be five weeks post-op.

I was given approval to begin ‘standing end-bearing’ exercises by my surgeon.  It’s the next step in preparing for using a prosthesis following my ERTL revision surgery.  I stand up and put my residual limb down on a bath scale and then push down.  Eventually I’ll be able to bear my entire weight on the end of my limb, but right now I’m supposed to start small and gradually increase pressure.  This is something someone with a standard amputation cannot do, but the ERTL bone bridge which I have allows it.  On the recommendation of my prosthetist (the guy who will build my leg), I started out doing this exercise sitting down.  I have more control and less chance of overdoing it in the beginning.  This morning I pushed 15-20 lbs. five times.  I felt that I could have done more; but I was warned not to push it because it takes a while to recover from a set-back. 

I also had a great appointment with my physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor) today.  Dr. Schmidt has been with me since I first became an amputee almost three years ago now (12/3/2013).  She was very happy that it appears that I found a solution to my pain and I’m on the road to recovery. 

My pain continues to be a zero or a one.  I’m not taking ANY pain med (prescription or over the counter), occasionally I do ice a sore spot.  Not only is my leg pain free; but currently my sciatic and lower back pain are also gone.  Post-op swelling in the leg is almost non-existent.  I’m feeling more energetic and able to do more things.

I’m scheduled to see my surgeon face-to-face in a couple of weeks (Nov. 9).  I’ll also do a face-to-face appointment with my prosthetist, Rob, and continue my participation in a research study, while I’m in the area.  I’m not necessarily looking forward to the long drive to Indianapolis, but it won’t be too bad if my sciatic/back pain doesn’t return.

It may be a cloudy, wet day outside; but I’m all sunshine on the inside!!!

Thursday (10/20/2016)

Update:

On Tuesday (10/18), I drove on my own for the first time since my revision surgery in late September.  I’ve been off all pain meds for a couple of weeks, regained some energy, and figured out how to load my wheelchair safely into my truck by myself.  So I did a number of errands: filled the truck with gas, aired the tires, got a haircut, bought some groceries, and picked up a new pair of shoes and orthotic inserts, etc. 

This is the first time in three years that I got something other than a pair of black shoes.  The new shoes still look kind of strange to me; but I like them!  On Tuesday, I also got my shrinkers so I can begin reducing post-op swelling. 

It’s nice to regain a bit of freedom again while waiting for my limb to heal enough to begin building a new prosthesis (???about another six weeks or so???).  I’m on the way and very thankful for a great day!

VIDEO Wednesday (10/12/2016)

Wednesday (10/12/16)

Update:

It’s just over 2 ½ weeks since my revision surgery and I’ve been off all pain meds since last Thursday (10/6) and have had almost zero pain since then!!!  I do get some aches and discomfort but that can be taken care of with ice.  Most nights I am sleeping well (One night I had to sleep in the recliner—but it worked!).  I got out of the house for the first time last Friday (10/7).  My pastor took me out to lunch.  I’m not driving yet so he had to come get me and the wheelchair too!  What a guy!!  Thanks, Jerry!  I was able to go to church and over to one of my daughter’s for lunch on Sunday.  I was out 5 ½ hours which turned out to be too long.  I was worn out when I got home and had to take a 2 ½ hour nap to recharge. I still have a ways to go to rebuild my stamina.

Pretty exciting day for me yesterday!  Since I live so far away from my surgeon (about 10 hour drive), I had a follow-up appointment over the phone with him (I also send information, photos, and questions by email).  I was given the okay to move onto the next phase!!  YESSSS!  I am making good forward progress!

I can start using a shrinker to reduce some of the post-surgical swelling and a can begin doing light compression on the end of my limb.  {Please Note: only amputees who had an Ertl-type surgery can load bear on the end of their limb.  Standard amputees should not attempt this.}  I’m taking a folded towel with the middle slung over the end of my limb and gently pulling until it smarts.  I was surprised at how much I could pull already!  Over time, I increase the amount that I’m pulling and the number of repetitions.

My first amputation was a traditional one and the lower end of the muscles were not attached, so they haven’t worked for almost three years.  My Ertl amputation that I just had reconnects the muscles so they are functional again.  Having those muscles work again makes me feel more whole—that’s a good feeling!  I’m doing some leg exercises designed to get those muscles below the knee tuned up.  On my residual limb, I imagine that I have a foot and move the muscles to get that imaginary foot to move up and down and all around.  I also have to imagine that I have a marker attached to my outstretched toe and I have to write the alphabet on a marker board.  It is pretty fun to see and feel the muscles moving down there again!!!  Right now, I am making the motions with my right foot as well so I can tell my brain what muscles to move in left leg. It is kind of hard to explain how difficult it is to do otherwise without the visual feedback of seeing a foot move. 

I can start doing floor exercises and stretching, along with bending my knee and occasionally kneeling again.  Wow! My world is opening up for me again and I am making good progress.  Minimal-to-no pain and appears to be plenty of good possibilities ahead!!!  I am so very thankful!!!  I deeply appreciate everyone’s prayers and words of encouragement for me over the past three years.  I’m grateful to God for bringing me to this place in my life—it’s been a journey and I’m not finished yet.  I mentioned to my wife last night that for the last three years I’ve been on far end of the bell curve (poor results and a downward spiral of health issues and limited mobility); now I’m feeling like I’ve been moved to the other end of the bell curve and have good things ahead.  NICE!!!

I have a face-to-face appointment with my doctor in Indy set-up up for November 9^th.  Afterwards I’ll travel to visit the guy who will build my new prosthetic limb (my prosthetist), Rob, at his office just outside of Cincinnati (I also keep him up to date with emails and phone calls too).    I’ll be making this loop numerous times during the coming year.

If things continue as they have been, I’ll probably begin the process of getting my new prosthesis in late November or early December. 

Wish you could see the smile on my face!

Check out the YouTube video as well (some duplicate material but lots of different stuff too):