Researchers

 Yesterday the sun was shining and the temperatures were beautiful. Desperate to escape the house I was able to pad my leg enough to enjoy a few longer walks with Friend. He was delighted to be outside playing again, happily sniffing everything and trying to chase every leaf that is drifting on the breeze. I was hesitant to add him to our family but I can't imagine not having this little pup.

Although I enjoyed being outside with Friend, I spent the majority of my day working on a project and being interviewed by researchers. I don't think I have ever passed up an opportunity to help somebody with their research into limb loss and/or prosthetics. I find the process, the topics and the discussions to be fascinating. Everybody benefits when time is taken to learn about the needs of the amputee community.

My discussion with the researcher yesterday was particularly interesting. The study is focusing on the daily needs and obstacles of the "typical" amputee. I've had researchers focus on just about ever aspect of my life, but I've never had a team so thoroughly delve into my daily activities. They were able to pull back the layers on every little accommodation and adjustment that I made for my prosthetic. I knew that I made adjustments, but it wasn't until they were dissected through this interview that I realized the depths of my accommodations.

If you are interested in meeting with the researchers to share your story, send me your email and I'll make the introductions.

Boring

Scott had off work yesterday so I was able to off load some of my chauffeur duties for the day. It was nice to be able to work throughout the afternoon without interruptions knowing that Robby was being ferried to and from his activities. If this is a glimpse into retirement, I can definitely see the benefits.  Today he returns back to work so I will miss out on my helper. 

This morning we woke up to even more rain. Sigh. Our yard is now a muddy, hickory nut covered mess that even Friend is trying to avoid. Looking at the bright side (since there is certainly nothing bright in the sky), at least I have an ongoing excuse for staying inside and for keeping the pressure off of my leg. I wish I could just leash Friend and go for a long walk, but my leg won't allow it. With the continuing rain, I have a scapegoat for my avoidance.  

We don't have anything spectacular planned for today. The boys are in school and I have meetings throughout the afternoon. If everything remains boring I am going to take it as a win. I don't have the bandwidth to handle a crisis right now!

Weekend Wrap

 On Saturday we had a tropical storm roll through our area, dropping several inches of rain while casting dark skies throughout the day. It was miserable outside but it was exactly what I needed. I had the perfect excuse to keep my leg off and to relax throughout the day. I spent most of the day working quietly on the couch, watching movies and taking a very long nap. I kept my walking to a minimum and my leg was able to rest and heal.

Sunday I was busy because selling FlexyFriends at a local kid vendor event. Originally Robby was scheduled to sell but his band scheduled a performance for the same time. Undeterred, we decided to divide and conquer our obligations. Timmy worked the booth with me while Scott took Robby to his school. I felt badly that I missed his show but the strong sales certainly helped to temper my remorse. 

Although I was busy at the mall selling, I did not have to do a lot of walking. My leg, which was angry and red on Friday, is now flesh toned and feeling more comfortable. I won't say that it is completely healed, but it is definitely more comfortable and manageable. Hopefully I can keep it this way until I finally get a new socket.

 

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.