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.