Things have been rough over the past 2 weeks. I had been making progress in leaps and bounds. I have been walking with my kids in the evenings, I started running (well my version of running, it's not pretty, but it is forward progress that's faster than walking), and was finally getting the motions to walk up the stairs step over step...until I was forced out of the leg. A few weeks ago I found a mass on my stump. It was the size of a golfball and painful. The doc grounded me to uniped status until it cleared up...well now I've been passed onto a surgeon who looked at me for 2 minutes and dismissed me to a dermatologist. Now I'm waiting for the dermatology appointment and getting fed up quickly....
As I began to fall deeper into my solace I got a phone call about Allie. I had the honor to meet a young woman who is a new amputee and try to show her that there is still a great life to be had as a uniped. With the right technology and the right determination nothing is impossible. I think she has the drive to accomplish anything and meeting her has renewed my passion for changing public opinion and political opinion of what an amputee is capable of.
It's weird how things work out...I'm just like you....I wake up and put my pants on one leg at a time, the only difference is after I put my pants on, I put my leg on too...that's what I want to accomplish. It's a lofty goal. I know that not all amputees are as functional as others, life and health situations determine that. I just want to prove that you can be who you want to be and limits are only restrictions you place upon yourself.
Yes, I'm mad as Hell that I've suffered this setback. Yes, there are days where I still get angry that I've been placed in this position. Some days I flat out hate being an amputee. Then, there are days where I realize that although I suffered a great injury, I'm doing very well for a man with a foot in the grave. I've been given a chance to change the world...with that I am reminded of two of my favorite quotes; so I will leave you with this...
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - Ghandi
And my personal favorite..
"Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional" - Irish proverb
Since you've stuck with me this far why don't you check out the blog of my Medicine X ePatient roommate Michael Weiss
I'll be back with more as things develop and look forward to updating you from the MedicineX conference.
Till next time...
PM
