Personal or Property Damage?

A few weeks ago my friend Dave participated in a panel discussion. Typically I would just retweet the event and not give it much thought after logging off. This time was different because I found the topic captivating.

Should damage to a prosthesis incurred during an accident be considered property or personal damage? I kept thinking about this debate long after his panel participation. Finally I called him and suggested that we record a podcast to explore the issue. Enjoy!


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Hocus Pocus

I'm gearing up for another busy day. After dropping off Robby at school, I have to leave for a slew of work appointments. Hopefully Timmy cooperates because he is going to have a lot of adventures (also known as errands and meetings) today. When school is over, we are heading to Magic School, which Robby adores but I am starting to dread. I love seeing him so happy, but the reality of facing Washington, DC, rush hour traffic takes a large bite out of my enjoyment. 

It turns out that magic is right up Robby's alley. He isn't particularly skilled or swift with the tricks that he has learned, but his enthusiasm radiates with each not-so-slight of hand movement.  He approaches his craft with an intense seriousness, faithfully referencing the "magician's code of secrecy" each time I ask him how he does his trick.

I certainly don't expect him to become the next David Copperfield, but thankfully his expectations are realistic. When asked why he was in the class, he proudly told his magic teacher (and all of his classmates) that he is hoping to learn tricks so that he can "impress girls at the bar someday." What can I say?  At least he is planning ahead!

Hair Adventures

Feeling either ambitious or a glutton for punishment, yesterday I decided to get my hair cut. Since my hairstylist opened a small salon in her basement and eager to establish her business, she invited Timmy to come along with me. I thought that her idea of allowing me to bring my toddler, saving me the hassle of securing daycare, was a stroke of brilliance. A parent-friendly salon would be the perfect solution for so many work-from-home moms.

Entering her basement with a squirmy Hamlet in tow, I realized that I misunderstood her invitation. She was not relaying that her business was child friendly but more that she was willing to tolerate him during the appointment. From sparkling glass coffee tables with carefully arranged magazines to expensive throw rugs strewn through the sparsely furnished room, this was definitely not a kid-friendly environment. With the exception of the puny toy I grabbed from the car as I unlatched him, there was nothing productive for my mischievous little toddler to do. 

I immediately sensed that this appointment was going to be anything but relaxing. I tried to reschedule for a time when I had care for Timmy, but she was rather insistent that we proceed with the appointment. I reluctantly sat in the chair and allowed her foil and brush on dye. While I was being "pampered," Timmy was knocking over every magazine, dancing in circles and throwing a Nutrigrain bar across the room. Not exactly  my most proud moment!

After the dye was applied, I was freed from the chair, allowing me to (attempt to) play and entertain Timmy. Needless to say, it is exhausting keeping an 18 month old busy without the benefit of toys. I was compelled to purchase only 2 bottles of shampoo (due to him gnawing on the caps while my hair was being rinsed), so I will consider my efforts a success.

I emerged from the basement two hours later, my hair newly cut and colored but soaking wet. (I didn't want to risk the time needed to dry and style, so I decided to forgo that luxury.) Maybe someday I'll be able to enjoy relaxing and being pampered during a hair appointment, but in the meantime I'll remember to bring more toys to the next one.

Healing

This past weekend I went to visit my Mom which was just what I needed (both physically and emotionally.) We didn't do anything of consequence, but just sitting around and relaxing certainly felt like a vacation. My Mom assumed early morning Timmy duty allowing me to catch up on some much needed sleep.

I have been dealing with the sores on my leg since September. The severity has varied with my activity level and socket fit, but they have never gone away. I've tried just about everything to promote healing, but my efforts only produced modest improvements. I was growing so tired of the nagging pain each time I took a step. The discomfort was omnipresent, but it wasn't intense enough to force me off my feet.  

Staying off my feet was exactly what was needed for the sores to finally begin to heal. With my Mom and sister eager to entertain Timmy, I was able to keep my leg off for most of the weekend.  In a few short days, the leg misery of the last few months began to dissipate.  

Once again, I'm reminded that I'm not too old to need my Mom!

Personal Justification

I realize that the personal nature of my blogs last week may have made some readers uncomfortable. My decision to write about such an intimate and personal topic was not taken lightly. Believe it or not, there are some details of my life that I keep private! 

I decided to write about the multi-tissue prolapse including the examination by the doctor because I was feeling alone and scared. Much like the times I tried to research my amputation, I found no first-hand accounts from those who had experienced this situation or the surgery. I decided to come forward about my condition in the hope of minimizing the isolation I was feeling. I am also optimistic that my relaying my experiences will help another woman in the future from feeling the embarrassment that the examination and diagnosis evoked in me.

Since the prolapsed blogs published, I have been flooded with emails and messages of support. I have heard from women across the country who have been living with the same diagnosis. Because of the intimate nature of the organs involved, I've learned that prolapse is discussed in hushed tones and often confided to few outside the immediate family circle.

I began this blog so that I no longer felt alone and with the hopes of helping others feel connected. I apologize for the embarrassment that my blogs last week may have caused, but the reward of starting a dialog about this difficult topic makes my coming public worthwhile. I assure you that this will not become a "prolapse" blog, but since this is now part of my reality, I will probably refer to it occasionally. I will try to refrain from being graphic, but will not hide this diagnosis in the shadows anymore.