My New Socket

Several weeks ago, during my visit to San Francisco, I was fit with a new socket. I haven't been able to disclose the process or the new socket because it was classified within the company. With the official release of the new Infinite Socket TT-S by LIM Innovations, I am finally able to write about my secret. 

My new socket has been a difficult secret to keep. I have been chomping at the bit to talk about my experiences. I have been wearing the adjustable socket now for several weeks, and I have been gobsmacked by the benefits I have reaped.

Ever since my re-amputation four years ago I have struggled with socket comfort. I used to be easy-to-fit, but the surgery changed the shape of my limb and my tolerances for pressure. Elliot and I finally settled upon a socket shape that allowed me to be mobile, but I have never been completely comfortable.

For the past four years I have lived with a love/ hate relationship with my prosthesis. I loved that I am able to walk and take care of my kids, but I hated the discomfort I experienced throughout the day. During normal days I was forced to stop my activity to release the valve and readjust my prosthesis 20 times in a quest for comfort. Having to constantly fiddle with my prosthesis had slowly become my new norm.

My limb health has declined over the past four years. I developed small sores on the back of my knee in 2014. The sores have gone through various stages of healing, but they have never completely closed and healed. It is frustrating to acknowledge that I have had small sores for four years!

I was skeptical when I was asked to try the new TT-S. Although I have struggled with cramping within my socket, my volume fluctuation remains stable. I wasn't sure that I would reap the benefits from an adjustable socket, but I was excited to try a new style. My goodness, I completely underestimated the benefits of the new TT-S.

After four years of struggling, the sores on the back of my leg have completely healed within one week of wearing the new socket. The skin on the back of my limb is no longer tomato red but has resumed a healthy hue. Once I get the compression dialed in on my socket, I don't have to constantly manipulate my prosthesis to remain comfortable. Even Robby has noticed that I am no longer constantly releasing and readjusting my leg. I put it on in the morning and I don't even think about it again until I take it off at night. The absence of the constant cramping and the nagging leg sores has been liberating!

Today LIM is hosting a Facebook Live at 2 pm EST to showcase the new socket. I hope that you can tune in and check it out. I am confident that the TT-S will revolutionize the prosthetic experience for so many because it has made a world of difference for this skeptic. 

Unraveling Yarn

Last night I had a dream where I was pushing a large ball of yarn up a hill. I didn't quite know why I was tasked with pushing the yarn, but I felt an overwhelming compulsion to keep moving up the hill. When I finally arrived at the top of the hill a large bird came and landed on the top of my yarn. The weight of the bird dislodged the ball, and it began to teeter. Although I scrambled to regain control of the yarn I was not successful and I was forced to watch it roll and unravel down the same hill.

By the time the yarn reached the bottom of the hill the hall had completely unraveled to a single long strand. I woke up feeling distraught, scared and frustrated. Who would have thought that a weird dream about yard would elicit such a strong response?

I'm not versed with dream interpretation, but even I could decipher the message. Recently I have been feeling like my life is beyond my control. I know that I cannot control everything, but it is time that I start reigning in what is within my power. Of course, that is easier said than done.

Part of my problem lies with my ignoring my own needs. I am so busy with work, school, taking care of Timmy and trying to keep up with the house that I feel like I am unraveling. I keep wanting to return to my meditation and to improve my own self-care, but by the time I'm done with everything for the day I'm too exhausted to add anything to the mix. 

Have any other Mom's been in this predicament?  How did you keep your thinly veiled metaphorical yarn from unraveling?

Pedal Power

Due to a steady stream of meetings on my calendar, Scott took Robby to his PE class last night. Timmy rode along with them, leaving me with a quiet house so that I could concentrate. Scott and Timmy headed to WalMart after dropping off Robby, hoping to fulfill a small list and to spend an hour walking around. 

About 40 minutes into their excursion I received a video of Timmy riding a bike through the aisles of WalMart. I was surprised because it was a two-wheel bicycle (with training wheels). My little Hamlet has never ridden a two-wheel bike, but he looked like a seasoned pro. I could tell by the pure glee written all over his face that the chances of him coming home with a new Paw Patrol bicycle were high. 

By the time the boys came home, my meetings were finished and dinner was ready. Timmy came sprinting up the stairs, excitedly took my hand and led me to the front door. He screamed "ta da" as soon as his Daddy walked into the house, holding a bright blue Paw Patrol bicycle.

My little guy is growing up too quickly!

Falling Leaves

With another Aunt Peggy Adventure in the books, it is time to return to reality. Yesterday afternoon we traveled back to Virginia, finished up some school work and prepared for the week ahead. The calendar is bragging that the work week is one day shorter but my schedule is not faring as well. True to my new normal, I'm going to be busy. After so much traveling throughout September, I'm just grateful to be busy at home and not in a hotel room!

The temperatures are still unseasonably warm, but the leaves have decided that it is time to fall. Our yard is suddenly covered with colorful leaves. I have a love/ hate relationship with autumn. I love the aesthetics of the season, but I hate trying to walk around or on wet leaves because they turn my yard into a giant slip and slide. 

My biological foot naturally adjusts to maintain traction, but I am not so lucky on my prosthetic side. Lacking the proprioception under my prosthesis, I can't tell when the leaves are slipping until I am in the middle of a fall.  Other than avoidance and caution, I haven't discovered any tips to help safeguard against slipping and falling on the leaves. If you have any tricks I would love to hear them! 

GLOW

After nearly two months apart, yesterday the Cousin Crew was reunited. I decided to take full advantage of the open schedule and the beautiful weather by orchestrating a cousin getaway adventure. The Crew was thrilled to be reunited, and Timmy was excited to be included in the adventure.  

We got settled into our hotel rooms (the big kids were in the room next door while Timmy and I stayed in the smaller adjoining room) we headed to dinner. After dinner we all piled into the car and headed to Philadelphia to experience the Jack-O-Lantern Glow festival. 

More than 5,000 pumpkins were carved with awe-inspiring detail. The gourd sculptures were all lit in a variety of colors and strewn throughout the park. All of the kids were gobsmacked by the sights and sounds of the event. Between all of the members of the Cousin Crew, we might have a photo of nearly every pumpkin. They were snapping photos throughout the night, declaring a new favorite at every turn.  

The Crew stayed up late into the night talking, watching television, and eating popcorn. I loved hearing and watching them catching up and having fun.