Falling means progress? My progress continues. It seems that it is a bit slow right now. A couple weeks ago, my prosthetist received verbal approval for my knee upgrade. Understandably, he wants to wait to receive the written approval. I know how this insurance business works. In our office a verbal OK from the insurance company does not guarantee payment will be received for services performed. Verbal approval is only as good and the paper its written on. :-) There is a BIG difference between the financial commitment of the $200.00 filling I would place for a patient with a verbal OK and a $40,000.00 knee he would have, should he deliver a high-tech knee to me with only a verbal approval. Hence the wait. Physical therapy is on hold also, pending the delivery of my upgrade. I am working on my stretches and walking at home, and weight lifting at the local Y until PT starts back up. This weekend I decided that I am not taking the risks necessary to improve. A friend of mine is an avid snow skier. He once told me that on the ski slopes, if youre not falling occasionally, youre not pushing yourself and not improving. I am not falling, so I am not stretching myself. I talked to Shari about this theory, and her words were, Im glad you finally decided that out on your own. So, I put one crutch aside and began walking with only one! This one-crutch walking takes a lot more effort. I find myself getting hotter and sweating more. It requires more concentration. I feel like it is getting easier each day! I am being forced to trust my prosthetic leg--that it will support me as I propel myself forward with each step. Shari asked me if it hurt to walk with my prosthesis to which I explained it is not painful, just different. Imagine wearing a hard plastic sleeve tightly around you thigh and with each step, that hard sleeve pushes up against your butt bone (just below the fold of your buttocks). That is how it feels. During the day, my stump shrinks, and I sink deeper into the socket (hard plastic sleeve). When this happens, I begin to feel pressure near the end of my stump (in the outer thigh area). This is a tell-tale sign I need to add a sock to redistribute the pressure better. When I add the sock, it feels better. This past weekend, I experienced a couple of firsts. On Saturday, as I was walking with only a single crutch, I fell on the sidewalk. A lady walking with me at the time commented, That was a good fall. It was pretty graceful. She asked how she could help me get up, I told her I could do it. Luckily I fell near a stop sign so I could use the pole to get up. As a car drove by, I am certain they were curious about me on the ground. I was not embarrassed, after all I am not improving if I am not falling occasionally! The fall did cause my knee to poke a small hole in my jeans. Looks like patches on the knees of my jeans will be part of my future. That is reminiscent of my days as a child! On Sunday, we received our first snow here in SE Kansas--my first snow as an amputee. Crutching/walking in it was a bit scary. Later, as it started melting and then refreezing, I was so scared to walk for fear my crutch and or feet would go out from under me. This winter will pose quite the challenge to me. I feel I am walking like a very old man--cautious with every unsure step. Remember, falling occasionally will stretch me! It will also give me plenty to write about in my blog! I feel blessed in my life. I have an beautiful, supportive wife. I have kids who tolerate me. I have a wonderful team at work. I have a super, interim doctor working my practice part time. I am progressing well. I have MANY supportive friends and acquaintances. God is good! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Thanks for following my blog and updates. Until next time!
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 02:11:45 +0000
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