Before Joe’s amputation, we didn’t know what to expect of Joe’s healing. We made arrangements for in-home care after the surgery, but the focus was on having the surgery as soon as possible. There was so much to process in a short time. Once Joe came home, nurses came to our home to check on his healing progress and to change his bandages. It was great having that support. However, it was impossible to have prepped us for every possible thing that might happen – like when his entire bandage fell off once when he was standing. I didn’t see it happen but heard Joe say, “Ah, Christine?” A neighbor who is a nurse came over to help put it back on. (Thank you, Shelly!)
Occupational therapists came to educate us on fall safety especially in the bathroom. She gave us recommendations, such as getting rid of any mats that are loose and don’t grip the floor, to install grab bars in the shower, and to never grab the towel rack to steady yourself – it won’t support you. (Thank you, Scott!) A physical therapist (PT) shared strength building exercises while another friend with vast PT experience showed Joe options for getting up from the floor and other ways to move without risk of falling. (Thank you, Lyn!)
Prosthetics Post Amputation
Over the weeks Joe continued to heal. We needed to wait until his leg was healed to a certain point before we could meet with a prosthetist. Eventually we were introduced to and learned so much about above the knee prosthetics. We are so thankful for Gavin Fortune and Alex Hetherington, Joe’s prosthetists at Hanger Clinic. Gavin’s easy-going manner belies his expansive knowledge and expertise in prosthetics and just as important, working with health insurance companies. He led us through the process with humor and professionalism and remains a friend. When Gavin headed to Texas to manage clinics there, Alex stepped right in and continues to provide exceptional care for and service to Joe. Alex has gone above and beyond to help, such as when he was a guide for Joe in his recent one-mile open water swim. More on that later.
Joe’s continual healing went hand in hand with meeting with Gavin and changing sleeves over the remainder of Joe’s leg, called the stump, to force the fluid out. As the fluid in the stump diminished, Gavin was able to fabricate the socket, the top of the prosthetic leg that attaches Joe’s leg to the prosthetic leg. At first Joe got a mechanical leg. He did well with it. Although I had to keep remembering some of Gavin’s first words to us, “With an amputee, it’s not if you’ll fall, but when you fall.” Of course Joe fell. And since he knew I worried about him, he didn’t always tell me when he fell. I will share that when Joe did tell me about some of his falls, sometimes included in the story was a stranger who helped him up. I am thankful for all those who help him get back on his feet. Navigating a world designed for able body citizens is challenging!
Microprocessor Prosthetic Leg
In time, Joe was trying out different bionic prosthetic legs – meaning they have a computer microprocessor in them. These legs collect feedback on Joe’s walking patterns and are smart! What I mean is that they “read” how a person is walking and use that information to determine one’s usual stride. They can adapt if they detect a change to the usual stride, for example when one trips. They also can be programmed. Joe tried one leg that had a microprocessor in both the knee and ankle. He didn’t like that one. He felt his knee and ankle were making decisions without him.😊 Ultimately, he decided on the Össur Rheo microprocessor knee. It’s worked incredibly well for him.
Shout Out to Our Veterans
I’d also like to thank all our veterans. The field of prosthetics has learned much from the injuries sustained by those in the line of duty. Many have benefited from the prosthetic lessons learned while treating veterans. Thank you for your service and your sacrifices.
This blog is one section of a four-part series. Click here to read the entire story. To read the next part of the story, The Spread, click here.
