Monday of this week, I went to see my foot doctor. She finally conceded that amputation was a viable option and that I should do what I want. I could choose reconstructive surgery or I could choose amputation. I was relieved that she supported my decision to choose amputation.
On that same day, I went to see a prosthetist to discuss the different prosthetic devices, discuss amputations, and just help me to learn all I can about the process of having an amputation, recovering, and getting a new prosthetic leg. They were so helpful explaining the ins and outs of getting a prosthetic device. They even let me talk with a below the knee amputee, Mr. Cook. He shared with me his experience of being a 20 year amputee. He shared the good and the bad and I am so thankful for his time. We was very generous and gracious. The prosthetic people said that they think I am a good candidate for a C-leg and that is very exciting because that is the one I want. Woohoo! Keep your fingers crossed!
This is what a C-leg looks like...
Tuesday I went to see my pain management specialist and I got a fourth nerve block. The nerve blocks are doing very well. I have had some break-through pain and last week I thought I might have broken my foot again, but it was actually some break-through nerve pain. The X-rays show that my bones are healing in my foot. Woohoo! I have a few more nerve blocks to go, and the doctor said that we will concentrate on getting as much pain managed before they decide to do the amputation. I am totally ok with that!
The final appointment I had was an orthopedic doctor that would be my second opinion on having the amputation. When he walked in, he asked me to explain what was going on. I explained all of the reconstructive options that have been offered up and why I thought none of them would work. I explained why I wanted an amputation. When I was finished, he said that he thought an amputation was probably the best route and he approved. YAY!! Finally!!! So the door is open to getting it done. So now I go back to the first doctor that I talked with and we will discuss amputation in terms of getting it done. My preference is sooner rather than later so that we can get as much of the expensive procedures completed in the year 2014 since we have met our deductibles this year already.
So my target date for getting my amputation done is May the 28th. My last day of school is May the 27th and I want to go right in and get the procedure done so I can recover over the summer and maybe even be ready to go back to work in August (in a wheelchair of course because it will be too early to have the actual prosthetic leg, yet). I also have a goal to work out at the gym from now until the time that I get the amputation to make sure I am making the thigh muscles of that leg as strong as they can be so that I can recover quickly and move into my practice leg as soon as possible.
Today I went back to my classroom. I was so excited to see my students after being out for three weeks (one of those weeks was spring break). I teach high school biology and my students must pass my class and the state test in biology to graduate. Every day I miss is a day they do not get quality instruction. So I am ready to hone in on that state test, get them some final instruction, do a rocking review, and get that test done on May the 10th. I think that even with me being out so much because of my leg situation, my students are still going to do a really good job on the test. My pass rate last year was 82%. My goal with my students this year is 90%. They can do it! :-)
If you would have talked to me just one month ago, I would have told you that I was frustrated with the process of seeing doctors and trying to convince them that I preferred amputation over a long process of foot and knee reconstruction. Most of them just did not see the big picture. But I am so thankful that I found doctors that are seeing the "big picture" and see that I do not want to spend the rest of my life with the frustration of the pain in my knee and foot and living with the worry that I might just take a step and break more bones. I am also so excited about the new possibilities that exist with a prosthetic leg! Here are things I am excited about:
1. Shoes, shoes, shoes. I have some "cute" shoes, but they are shoes that were chosen because my right foot could work in them. With the prosthetic leg, I can choose shoes that are "Oh my gosh, those are cute shoes" kind of shoes. Woohoo! I am already scoping the shoes at several different places. I believe that I am going to create a budget to make sure I do not go overboard! :-)
2. Stairs. I have always been very slow to go up and down stairs. I have to end up placing both feet on each step. With the C-leg, I might be able to go up and down the stairs putting only one foot on each step. Holy cow...I can't even imagine that! I can totally see myself challenging people to a race up or down the stairs. I am sure I won't win...but I will be close! :-)
3. Walking and talking. Right now, if I am walking, I have to pay such close attention to the process of walking and the area that I am walking, that it is almost impossible for me to have an intelligent conversation while walking. I am hoping that the C-leg will allow me to be able to actually have an intelligent conversation while walking with people...and maybe even keeping up with them as well! It is funny now because most people walk so fast and I just cannot keep up with them. So they will start a conversation while walking and then get so far ahead of me that I don't even hear what they are saying! I can't wait to be able to keep up with them and actually talk to them!
4. Getting the dream job. I am currently ABD and working on finishing my dissertation for my doctorate. Obviously it would not be the right time to apply for a new job yet. But after I get my final prosthetic leg, I am going all out to find that dream job. I want to teach at the University of Arkansas because I want to be a razorback! I would love to be able to teach teachers how to teach, classroom management, and how to use technology in the classroom. I believe the new leg will give me confidence to go for that job!!!
5. Bungee jumping. After having gone skydiving, swimming with sharks, and ziplining, I am finally ready to tackle bungee jumping. I cannot do it now because if my right leg was tangled up in the ropes at all I would probably snap my tibia like a thin twig. But...after the amputation, I might be able to do it...and so I will. I also want to go skydiving again as an amputee! How awesome would that be? And my husband and I want to go to south Africa to swim with the great white sharks. I am ready, ready, ready. A month ago, these were just thoughts that I might or might not do but I knew that my leg in its current state would be my limiting factor. Now, with newfound excitement and confidence, I am excited again about the future and what I will be able to do!
6. Razorback and Broncos leg. At the prosthetic place, they showed me that they could actually decorate the legs with things that you like. I LOVE the razorbacks and broncos. So I am considering getting the final leg decorated with my two favorite football teams. How cool would that be?!! And if I got a job teaching at the University of Arkansas, that would be even cooler!!
So I asked the doctor if, after he removed my leg, we could put the leg in a big jar and add it to my preserved organism collection in my classroom. He said no...after we both giggled. How funny would that be? "Hello students...in this jar I have a baby shark, in this jar I have a bullfrog, and in this jar I have my old leg." Oh my gosh...that would be a hoot! But he explained that the leg would be incinerated...so much for that idea. he he he :-)
My family seems to be all positive and excited for me. My students, after updating them today on the situation, seem excited for me. My doctors are assuring me that I will probably do very well with the amputation, recovery, and fitting of the new prosthetic leg. My husband is so supportive and reassures me constantly that all he wants is for me to be happy and pain-free. I have been through so many surgeries in my lifetime that the amputation does not scare me even a little. I am very excited and very ready. I bet I am one of very few people that you would hear about that is excited about getting an amputation.
I can't wait to update you next time on any new developments and more things that I am excited about. :-)
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