Friday

 Happy Friday.

This weekend it should be rather easy for me to take it easy on my leg because we are expecting yet another storm. With several more inches of rain in the forecast, we are going to be relegated inside (again.) I am frustrated by the rain but happy for the activity reprieve. My leg is healing but I need a little more time before I start moving at full speed again. 

Today it will be rather easy for me to keep the pressure off my leg because I will be spending the majority of my time (not really, it just feels that way) driving Robby to and from his various activities. I will drive nearly four hours by the time the day comes to an end. Thank goodness for audio books!

I wish I had more exciting news to report. My achy leg has forced me to thwart many of my activities, stripping my life to the boring necessities. Hopefully excitement will return with my mobility.

Healing

In terms of taking it easier on my leg I have been moderately successful. I have avoided stairs by sending the boys to courier items so that I don't have to put the strain through my angry limb. I still logged more steps than I planned but last night my leg wasn't nearly as angry. I am going to continue to keep my walking and activity to a minimum because I really want my leg to completely heal, but I don't feel the angry reminders of an ill-fitting socket with every step.

Today is a rare occasion when I don't have to drive or go anywhere. I'm going to be able to stay seated most of the day (with the exception of taking care of the boys and the Friend), allowing even more time for my limb to heal. While my leg continues to heal, I'm still working on obtaining a new socket.

My insurance company is fighting the new socket simply because denials are now part of the insurance process. Having to re-prove my limb loss and my need for a prosthesis is a colossal waste of time and resources. At some point within my lifetime I hope that I see true insurance reform. In the meantime, I will continue to fight and to play their game.

Sore

 I'm in the beginning stages of obtaining a new socket/ prosthesis, but in the meantime I have to modify and make due with a device that is entirely too big for my limb. I've mastered padding to the point where I am able to walk with quasi-comfort during most of the day. Although I'm not completely pain-free, I am functional. Given the size difference between my limb and my socket, I am grateful I am able to walk at all. 

I may have mastered padding, but that doesn't mean that my limb isn't feeling the stress. I have developed a small sore on the outside of my tibia. It's tiny right now but I know that it could grow very quickly so I am going to fall into 'limb triage' mode today. Walking is going to be minimized, as is the time I am within my socket, in order to allow for the area to heal. I've also covered it with a blister band-aid to provide some more protection and to help mask the pain. It was already difficult to walk with the padding. Adding a small sore has just increased the discomfort and frustrations that I am already feeling.

Although keeping my leg off is ideal, it is not terribly practical. It turns out that I'm not very good at taking my own advice, but in this situation I really have no choice. Everybody else will have to step it up until my leg completely heals, because I am not in a situation where I can risk my mobility.

Ripped Off Rockers

Although the venue was lacking and the weather was poor, Robby and his band found a way to rock through the obstacles on Sunday. I love watching him play, especially when he is completely relaxed and just having fun. I could tell that he thoroughly enjoyed all of his songs this time because his head was bobbing and he was having a blast every time he stepped onto the little stage.

While the kids had a great time playing, the audience was a little more uncomfortable. The venue, a public park, offered no amenities and the weather was miserable. A downpour would have garnered a cancellation but instead we were provided with light drizzling rain. It was enough to keep the musical instruments and kids safe but it eventually saturated through everybody and everything in the audience. 

I was frustrated by the event because of its poor planning. The school charges an additional $85 before each show as a "performance fee." So, sitting on a lawn chair in the rain, I counted the number of kids that would be performing across all of the bands scheduled throughout the afternoon.  There were 85 kids, which means that the school netted an additional $7225 to cover the cost of the show. 

The funds were certainly not spent to provide for the show. The lack of signs, water, shelter, seating and promotion could all have been addressed through these extra monies. So, while Robby was waiting for his turn to rock, I sat in the rain steaming about the performance fee. I abhor being ripped off, and this bullsh*t fee is a primary example. 

Regardless of the fee frustrations, Robby had a great time and that is what matters. I managed to put my ripped off rage to the side to enjoy his show.