I got my new leg today!!
Today I got my prosthesis! It is so cool! For the very first time in my life, my legs are the same length, and my feet are actually the same size! :D That's what is neat about having a prosthesis, is that the prosthetists can adjust my artificial leg as I grow, and make them the same length.
I have to learn how walk on it. It is very different having to actually *think* about the mechanics of walking. There is a lot of things to remember, such as how long each step should be, when to bend my knee, and when to straighten it out. I walked back and forth, holding onto these parallel bars. The prosthetist, Dick, said that I did very well for my first time walking on a prosthesis. It will take some time for it to become second nature, and not to have to think about each step so much. I saw Dr. Dahl today as well, and he was very surprised that I had just gotten my leg this morning, and was already walking as well as I was.
Dick says that my stump will continue to shrink and expand on a daily basis. Some of that is due to just having had the amputation. Some of that I will experience for the rest of my life. He says that barometric pressure will affect my stump. As it rises, my stump will expand. He says they don't know why it happens, just that they know it does. Also, until my stump gets used to the prosthesis, I should really take it easy, and should only walk on it 15 minutes out of every hour. I can gradually increase that as time goes on. So it will be a while, before I can do those cartwheels, and bike riding and roller blading. ;)
I will accomodate the shrinking and expansion by the number of socks I wear under the prosthesis. Also, each sock has a different thickness too. I really have to pay attention to where the pressure is being put on my stump. I should expect there to be pressure, but not really any pain. I guess I will learn as I go along, and eventually it will all become easy. Right now, it just seems like a lot to remember.
I will have to go in for physical therapy 2-3 times a week. I don't know for how long, though. I did get to take my leg home, even though it is not completed yet. He decided to let me, because I was walking pretty well with it. At some point, I will have to leave it there for a day or so, so they can finish it. In the meantime, I have to continue to walk with my crutches. When we got home, I took a few steps without them, and it hurt too much. So it might be a while, before I won't need them. It is easier to use just one crutch, than two crutches. So maybe I can get a cane instead.
I just wanted to share my good news with everyone! I am so excited!
I have to learn how walk on it. It is very different having to actually *think* about the mechanics of walking. There is a lot of things to remember, such as how long each step should be, when to bend my knee, and when to straighten it out. I walked back and forth, holding onto these parallel bars. The prosthetist, Dick, said that I did very well for my first time walking on a prosthesis. It will take some time for it to become second nature, and not to have to think about each step so much. I saw Dr. Dahl today as well, and he was very surprised that I had just gotten my leg this morning, and was already walking as well as I was.
Dick says that my stump will continue to shrink and expand on a daily basis. Some of that is due to just having had the amputation. Some of that I will experience for the rest of my life. He says that barometric pressure will affect my stump. As it rises, my stump will expand. He says they don't know why it happens, just that they know it does. Also, until my stump gets used to the prosthesis, I should really take it easy, and should only walk on it 15 minutes out of every hour. I can gradually increase that as time goes on. So it will be a while, before I can do those cartwheels, and bike riding and roller blading. ;)
I will accomodate the shrinking and expansion by the number of socks I wear under the prosthesis. Also, each sock has a different thickness too. I really have to pay attention to where the pressure is being put on my stump. I should expect there to be pressure, but not really any pain. I guess I will learn as I go along, and eventually it will all become easy. Right now, it just seems like a lot to remember.
I will have to go in for physical therapy 2-3 times a week. I don't know for how long, though. I did get to take my leg home, even though it is not completed yet. He decided to let me, because I was walking pretty well with it. At some point, I will have to leave it there for a day or so, so they can finish it. In the meantime, I have to continue to walk with my crutches. When we got home, I took a few steps without them, and it hurt too much. So it might be a while, before I won't need them. It is easier to use just one crutch, than two crutches. So maybe I can get a cane instead.
I just wanted to share my good news with everyone! I am so excited!
posted by John | 5:57 PM
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