Friday, January 6, 2017

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.

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