Hey all!
Patience finally won out! During the last four months, the gap between chemo (the bad guy) and prosthetic (the good guy) slowly widened until yesterday when the good guy finally won! We brought home our new pride and joy yesterday with my new leg! It’s heavier than I anticipated. It’s also going to require more work from me than I anticipated. The first steps yesterday were difficult but manageable. Learning to walk again is going to require more time than I believed and also some serious thought about my socket, stance and gait, words that would not have entered my vernacular prior to the cancer detour. I’ve been told that, as an amputee, the first year to 18 months is the worst with the prosthetic, with a love-hate relationship developing over time. I’ve already experienced a small portion of that with the first few steps. Maybe I held too high expectations, but the leg does NOT fit like a glove and strangely, I was not walking normally in 20 minutes. Huh? After about 15 minutes of walking back and forth, aided by parallel bars, a pressure (and pain!) point had developed and intensified on my residual limb and I was ready to, wait for it…take it off!? Really? Luckily, our prosthetist informed us that that was normal; that it would take time for Short Round to adjust to his new home. I knew this in my mind, but of course was hoping for an unusually optimistic outcome in my subconscious. Fortunately, the discomfort is nowhere near the level of phantom pains; that memory is enough to get me through future somewhat painful therapy sessions.
Regardless of the minimal frustrations, owning the actual, physical device represents so much more than just another “step” in this cancer journey. Most of you realize how long we’ve been waiting to take possession of it and the many obstacles that have continually pushed this day further down our calendar. Most of these were unknown and unpredictable: hospital stays for small, silly symptoms that slowly crept into our existence, waiting on the actual wound on Short Round to heal (a process delayed by the diminishing effects of chemo on my immune system), and of course the recent insurance issues. Bringing the leg home was more than just a part of the journey; it was a major milestone, a piece of technology that stands for undaunted optimism against the backdrop of the cancer horrors we’ve so far endured. I realize it’s not an idol (is it too much that I have it stored in a three-lock, retinal scan safe that releases a boulder on anyone but me who opens it?) It’s simply a tool for my family and me to realize a bit more normality. But every time I look at it, now taking up well-deserved space in our home, I see a future – one that is more hopeful than the previous one; one that grants me a long awaited sense of control. The excuses for not walking are no longer outside of my sphere of influence. Now it’s up to me and my capabilities. I will make the daily decisions of how much to practice and learn walking again based on level of discomfort, fatigue and just whether I want to or not! The robotic leg sitting next to me right now is just that, physically next to me, touchable, and no longer abstract.
I’ve previously mentioned the level of technology embedded in the leg which is is astounding (I mean really? It’s got Bluetooth to remotely program it!) I admire and respect the incredible amount of research and development that Ottobock undertook to produce it. I also cannot ever appreciate enough part of what has driven the prosthetic industry, especially in the last decade – the hundreds (maybe thousands?) of military amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan looking for a better way to own a new limb. Ottobock and similar companies had decided that the current level of prosthetic technology was not enough and pushed the envelope to develop products such as mine which help amputees move a little quicker, sit-down a little easier and participate in what were previously more difficult activities. Because of the sacrifices of these veterans and the dedication of the prosthetic companies, folks like me, new to the amputee world, will not have to endure many of the problems associated with older technology. This is my humble thanks to all of those before me.
Please enjoy the pics and videos of the first few steps. Jenn unselfishly had to work in a small room with limited phone memory to get them! The other guy is my prosthetist, Eric. Yesterday had quite an impact on us and today I can look at my leg, and make a decision on whether to use it. I think I will.
Hunter
It's Not a Sprint 
Congratulations on your new leg!!!! Very fancy. Now get practicing, you owe Jenn a night of dancing 🙂
Awesome Hunter!! The day is finally here!! So happy!
Hunter I have to admit I’m disappointed by the photos, no offense your wonderful photographer. I totally thought you were getting the hot pink version of the leg! Your leg looks so ordinary for such an extraordinary guy.
Glad to see you up on your feet and moving around. By Halloween you’ll be all ready to play tricks on people 🙂
So happy for you! You look awesome! Keep up the amazing work! 🙂
Woo Hoo! Now you have to keep Ben from wanting to take it apart and see how it was built! Congratulations!
Looking good, stud! I like the shapely calf on your new leg!
Great news!! Congrats!
Fantastic news! Enjoy your new leg! We are celebrating with you in our hearts. I bet your boys are fascinated with it. Looking good in the pictures!
This thing is amazing: A real advance over Long John Silver’s.
An acquaintance who has been on one since the mid 70s said still there is some nerve discomfort but only after a time of wearing where his ‘short round’ contacts the prosthetic in the socket.
Does yours have acceleration sensors and motors and brain wave recognition receptors to keep the limb in concert with will?
It won’t be too long before it does what you want. Keep it up.
It looks good even if not OD — super calf.
U. Cliff
It’s simply beautiful.
Awesome, Hunter!
That’s awesome! And you don’t even have to shave it! That should cut your bath time in half.
I agree with Hailey – ordinary leg for an extra-ordinary dude. Can you do a tough mudder in it? or, do you have to keep it free from dirt? Godspeed, brother!
Sweet! What incredibly wonderful news. You look like a pro already.
Can’t wait to see it (and all of you) in the Spring.
Sending our love.
Bob and Gail
Glad you finally got it Hunter! Hope all goes well as you adjust to it! Many thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family over the coming months.
That’s awesome! Very high tech! Celebrating with you!
How cool that it has bluetooth in it! I’m sure it is a big (and painful) adjustment, but it’s so neat that you have overcome this hurdle. Rooting for you!
Awesome job Hunter! Keep it up and you’ll be running in no time! Sending hugs and prayers your way! YOUR AMAZING!
So . . .what’s the name for the NEW ADDITION to the family????
I don’t want to rain on your parade, but will it withstand an entire day spent in the cold room? Because that enzyme is not going to purify itself…(says the guy who regularly mooches enzyme from your lab).
Amazing…great news, Hunter. Now you have to walk over and see me sometime when you’re up at Vandy! 🙂 I may even let that pressure point on Short Round have go at the infamous purple tool if you want?!
So happy for you Hunter. You will be a pro in no time…I have faith in you. Think and prayer for your recovery all the time. Blessings to you and your wonderful family.
I am just getting caught up. So, Short Round’s new partner with the Blue Tooth, does it let you talk into to it? Can you call out with it? I feel like my recent trip to Montana has not only put me behind in my emails, but in technology as well. Amazing stuff! BTW – I think your new leg looks sexy. I bet Jenn thinks so too…Love you guys!