Honored and Scared

I'm a little more than a month away from my trip to San Francisco. The final preparations are being made, hopefully, if finances come through I'll be booking my flight in the coming days. I haven't flown since my senior year of high school, much less traversed the maze of the TSA with a computerized limb attached to my body. I have many friends who travel much more than I do who have told me it's nothing to worry about, but I'm nervous none the less. This will be the first trip I have taken away from my family, my first trip as an amputee, and I'm most nervous about speaking to all of these people who are these influential leaders of industry and other ePatients who have had much more impact than I have. I've spoken to hundreds of people throughout my time as an amputee. I've been blessed enough to speak to the Kentucky House of Representatives, I've meet with other people facing similar situations as mine, I've been lucky enough to be able to do all these things
and now to be chosen as not only an ePatient, but to be part of a Panel discussion to further bring light to the importance of technology for amputees (both in social media as an outlet and way to connect and learn, but also in the function of our limbs).

As a patient who is going to be dealing with the healthcare industry and insurance companies for the rest of my life, I have learned the importance of fighting for what you need in order to be as productive as you can be. I look forward to speaking with the other ePatients and bringing our story to light.

I'll update you all more as the days progress.

PM

Speaking for Patient NeXt...

Now that it has been added to the official Medicine X website...I have some great news. I have been asked to speak during the Stanford Medicine X conference in September. I will be part of a Panel Discussion entitled Patient NeXt. You can find some information here http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/98

The goal of this panel discussion is to examine what it means to be an active patient in your own healthcare, with an emphasis on how technology and social media can enact change. Both of these aspects are very important to me, lets face it, social media is one of the only reasons I am back at work. Without the power of social media, I would not have this prosthetic I am wearing now. I would not have had the leverage to change the mind of an internationally recognized Insurance company. As for technology, the technology advancements in the prosthetic industry have allowed me to return to work, allowed me to be an active father in my children's lives. Without technology I would still be the sedentary lump I had become prior to the amputation... I will keep you updated and look for many updates from the floor of the Medicine X conference.

Pain is inevitable

I've been without Internet for awhile so the blog has suffered my long absence. Tonight I decided I had too much on my mind and would update you all via my phone. 

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 

http://hospitalpatient.com/crohns-disease/crohns-disease-chemotherapy-humira

I'll be back with more as things develop and look forward to updating you from the MedicineX conference. 

Till next time...

PM

Stanford Medicine X Acceptance

A few months back I received a message from one of my readers "Afternoon Napper," they told me about the Stanford Medicine X Seminar and that they were looking for "ePatients." I decided I would apply to be one of their ePatients and see what happens....

Friday night I found out I was selected to participate in this years Medicine X program. After a very lengthy process I was one of the few applicants chosen to come out to Stanford University and be an patient advocate for the amputee community. The reason I was chosen is because of this blog. Thanks to my readers and the amazing support you all have given me, I now get to go represent other amputees. I'm still not sure exactly what I'll be doing yet, but I'm excited and honored none-the-less.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the selection committee to see if I have qualified for a scholarship to attend, if not I may have to have a fund raiser to help with the cost of travel and hotel stays. It's only 3 days, but I'm not even sure how much it would cost to fly from Louisville to Palo Alto. I'm getting ahead of myself, so for now I will end tonight with just saying I'm beyond blessed and just want to thank all of you for all the support you've shown and the amazing opportunities I've had because of it. Look forward to updating you about more details as they become available.

You can learn more about ePatients and the Medicine X program here.... http://medicinex.stanford.edu/

Legislature, Baby, and Prosthetics

Been a busy few weeks here in Prosthetic Land...House bill 376 did not get through the Kentucky Senate. Although this is a setback, it is not the end. The fact that we were able to get it through the banking committee in the House and passed on the House floor shows that we have the support to get Prosthetic Parity in Kentucky. For those who haven't seen the previous post about the law, it's basic premise is to force private insurance companies in Kentucky to pay for appropriate prosthetic equipment as defined by the patient's doctor; instead of imposing a cap on either technology, money, or both to limit the coverage a person is able to get. As an example, the prosthetic that allowed me to return to work was only possible due to the pressure placed by those of you that called, messaged, or otherwise contacted Humana. They impose a limit on the type of prosthetic they will approve. My knee is deemed "experimental" because it has microprocessors. This type of technology has been around for years, but due to the cost of the prosthetic, they label it experimental and refuse to approve this amazing product for those who could use it most. Next legislative session we will be back, and be ready to fight even harder.

On the personal front Mrs Prosthetic Medic has returned to her throne behind the radio, dispatching at work. Liam and I have had a difficult time adjusting to being at home without her, but it's getting better.

I'm trying to get some prosthetic issues worked out. I've started to have some skin issues, while minor at the present, could pose serious consequences if they aren't dealt with quickly. My amazing prosthetic team is on the case, and assure me the problems will be fixed soon. This is yet another unforeseen complication of wearing a prosthetic. Skin breakdown is a huge problem, if it gets too bad, I'll be forced to not wear my leg until the skin is healed. This means missing work, since it's not a work related issue I won't be able to get a light duty position that would let me work without having to wear my prosthetic. My prosthetist has told me that this is a complication of wearing my prosthetic for extended periods of time, while doing very labor intensive work. In a few years, once the skin has adjusted this will no longer be an issue, till then I'm forced to find creative methods to deal with problem.

Progress is being made on the ever elusive book about this whole wild ride. I'm getting my thoughts organized and the first chapter is nearly complete. Well, It may be the first chapter. I'm just writing and will place things into place once it's fleshed out a little more. If there is anything you'd like to know, or think I should include feel free to let me know. I'm always open to suggestions.

Till next time.

PM

Prosthetic Parity and New Jobs

The past week has been quite busy and exciting. The best news has to do with prosthetic parity. Currently, when insurance companies cover prosthetics in Kentucky they are filed in a category known as "durable medical equipment." This is the same category that covers crutches, wheelchairs, bedside commodes, etc...they generally pay $2500 - $5000 and disallow any computer assisted prosthetic. Just as with any insurance coverage some companies cover more than others. With House Bill 376 insurance companies would be forced to cover prosthetics the same as any other medical prescription. This would allow for amputees in Kentucky to receive higher quality prosthetics and cover the higher costs of these limbs. I'm sure you, as well as the legislators, are concerned with how this will effect insurance premiums, the great news is it would only raise insurance rates about 12 cents per member per month. For literally pennies a month, amputees could get the prosthetic they need to get back to a functional life. Wednesday a group of us went to Frankfort to the state capitol to testify in front of the House banking and insurance committee. The next step is for it to be voted on during the next house meeting, then onto the senate.

As for things going on closer to home...I interviewed for a supervisor position at my place of employment. I'm hoping to be the on ambulance supervisor. I also have applied for a flight medic position. I'm hopeful for the supervisor position, but have no idea if I'll be considered for the flight medic position. Given my weight and disability status, I'm not sure if they will consider me at all. As soon as I know more I'll update everyone on here.

4 News Spots in 1 day...that's gotta be a record!

 Yesterday was quite a busy day at work. Aside from the normal hustle and bustle of a Friday, I was interviewed by all 4 news stations in Louisville. The stories were focusing on my returning back to work as a Paramedic as an above knee amputee. It was very humbling for them to want to do this story, much less all 4 agencies running the stories simultaneously. Not too bad for a one legged medic. If you'd like to see the stories the links are provided below.

Until next time,

PM


WLKY's News Story

WHAS 11's News Story

FOX 41's News Story

WAVE 3's News Story