Rumors of my demise - Untrue!!!!

[PixarFan2006]

Hope you make a full recovery soon.

[Rose Dome]

It's great to hear you're out of hospital.

Stay strong.

[Disney Lover]

I'm glad to hear that you are out of the hospital and are doing well.

[Disney Duster]

I'm really glad you have such a great family support system too. Sounds like you got a lotta love around ya, that's really good, and they can help you so much.

On Oscar night, you use that prosthetic limb to become a winner, too! lol

[dvdjunkie]

Well, it's official!! I am back, at least for a little while. I got my desktop up and running again after it was eaten by a worm. Nasty people who put those things in because they think it is funny. With everything else I have been through these past almost two months, I didn't need that. My son-in-law thinks it came from a Facebook page that I opened that contained the viral thing and ate my computer.

Any way, I am here and catching up on what has been going on. Met one of our new members, on line, and ended up fixing him up with a copy of "Song of the South" that he is truly enjoying. I happened to have an extra one and it was looking for a good home, and I think it found one.

This Friday, at my Physical Therapy, I will be given my artificial leg, which will be the first time I will attempt to stand on two feet. I have been warned that it might be a little uncomfortable at first but I will get used to it as I lose the weight. Then on Oscar Monday, the day after the Academy Awards, I will begin total rehab exclusively with the new limb. My doctor says that I will be under a lot of scrutiny for the first few visits to rehab to make sure everything fits correctly and that I know how to put on and remove the stainless steel leg that will now be mine.

I am about twenty pounds above my goal weight, but with all the new exercises I will be doing and the diet that I have put myself on, it shouldn't be too long before I am seeing the smile on the face of my rehab technician.

Anyway, thanks for all the support from my personal family, and my extended family, all of you here on UD who have passed along your well wishes.

[Rose Dome]

Stay strong, junkie.

[Disney Duster]

to make sure everything fits correctly and that I know how to put on and remove the stainless steel leg that will now be mine.

Stainless steel, awesome! lol

Great job with your losing weight, keep it up!

[blackcauldron85]

I bet you're excited to get the leg! I'm so happy that you seem to be in good spirits and that things are working out for you!!!

[dvdjunkie]

Yesterday I got my first lessons on putting off and putting on my artificial leg. I now know that it isn't stainless steel, that would probably weigh more than I do presently. It is really shiny and very light-weight, and they will be making some adjustment before I start training to walk with this attached.

My stub is pretty sensative to touch and when they put the cushion around it, I can still feel the pressure. I have been told as I lose the weight that I need to lose I will feel less and less pressure. It is really cool to stand up on it, but I can see where my balance or should I say equilibrium is going to have to make some adjustments.

Monday is the next day I get to start official training on my artificial limb, and I am very anxious to have it become part of me so I get rid of these crutches and the wheel chair.

[Rose Dome]

Good luck with the training.

[dvdjunkie]

Well, the first week of Physical Therapy for me and my new artificial limb went very well. I definitely have a lot to learn before I will be up walking without a noticeable favoring of my left side.

Monday was a very short session because of the discomfort I felt putting any weight on my stub. But the therapists realized that and we only spend about forty minutes spread out over almost three hours with my new orthotic in place. Tuesday went a little smoother and the discomfort was not as noticeable. Wednesday I found that my weight is about 50% of the problem, and I have to really work on shedding a few more pounds. The therapists each told me that every ten pounds I lose takes 20 pounds of pressure off my joints and will help reduce the discomfort of my orthotic.

Yesterday, Thursday, we spent most of my therapy time in the pool with a lot of different exercises, and then on a mat on the floor doing so sit-ups and weight training. We are going to give everything a rest today, Saturday and Sunday, and charge back into it on Monday.

They say that I should be able to walk without favoring my left side in about two or three months. I still have a way to go, but I have goals set and I plan on reaching them no matter what.

[Goliath]

Well, it's official!! I am back, at least for a little while. I got my desktop up and running again after it was eaten by a worm. Nasty people who put those things in because they think it is funny. With everything else I have been through these past almost two months, I didn't need that. My son-in-law thinks it came from a Facebook page that I opened that contained the viral thing and ate my computer.

You sure it wasn't the porn?

[Disney Duster]

Oh, not stainless steel, well, good thing it's not heavy as that then.

I think you can reach all your goals, of losing weight and whatever else, just keep at it, you sound like you're really getting there, keep going!

[dvdjunkie]

Another update. I can now walk with my artificial limb and use a crutch to keep all my weight off of it. I am retaining it for almost 30 minutes each session, which is great. 30 minutes on and two hours off. It is a long process and at least I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Went to see a midnight screening of "John Carter" at our IMAX theater, and I used my wheelchair and then the elevator up to the top rows where there are perfect seating for all four wheels, and I really enjoyed the movie.

I will be going to Physical Therapy five days next week, and then they are going to cut it down to Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I get to practice at home, and I am continuing to lose the weight I need to lose for comfort with my appliance.

Will try to get some pictures posted in the next couple of weeks so everyone can see how it looks and how I am doing.

thanks for the well-wishes, and To Goliath: I am too old for that porn junk. Besides they can't show me something that I haven't already done.

[Rose Dome]

It is a long process and at least I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

A good mindset to have.

[Elladorine]

I am too old for that porn junk. Besides they can't show me something that I haven't already done.

TMI ALERT!!!!

*runs away screaming*

[dvdjunkie]

Here is a latest update on how I am doing.

I am getting more and more comfortable with my appliance. I can put it on and take off virtually with no help. I am still walking with a crutch some times, but there are times when I just use a 'four-poster' cane.

I am still about eight pounds away from getting my weight down to where the doctor will be happy, and I only go to Physical Therapy three days a week now. The rest of the time I do my exercises at home or at the 'Y'. I am learning how to handle people's stares when enter the pool area at the "Y", and the little kids pointing and asking what happened to me. It doesn't bother me one bit and after most people see me in the water and see how well I maneuver, I have lots of people to talk with while I am doing my laps.

This strange weather we have been having has been really good for me. I am able to get outside more often, and spend less time indoors. I am looking forward to summer very much.

Oh, and I drove my car for the very first time since the surgery, yesterday. Usually my wife has been driving me around, but now I am back behind the wheel.

Thanks again for all the well-wishes and support from my extended family here at UD.

[Rose Dome]

It's wonderful to hear that you're doing well.

Keep up the great work!

[blackcauldron85]

Yay!!! I'm so glad you're progressing like you are!!!!!! Keep it up!!

[dvdjunkie]

Well, I am through with my Physical Therapy, I only have two more sessions scheduled, one next week and then one two weeks later. My physical therapist is giving me good grades on my progress, and said I am ready to be on my own.

I am learning to walk without a cane or any assistance, and I can take off and put on my artificial leg by myself. I even got brave in all this warm weather and wore my favorite pair of khaki shorts and actually went shopping with my wife.

There were a few stares from kids, and pointing fingers, but I just ignored them and kept up with my wife and the shopping cart. I still have some issues with my weight, but I am handling those with my chin up high and just following my doctor's orders to the letter.

I have been put on a 2600 calorie-a-day regimen and am finding it is very easy to keep up with. Lots of fresh vegetables, and lots of fruit, and lots of salads. But I normally eat like that except during the holidays.

My goal weight is 215-220, and I am currently at 226. So I hope in a few weeks I can step on that scale and it will say 214.9999999999999, then I can raise a glass and toast my goals being reached.

I personally would like to be able to thank each and every one of the UDers who have been so kind to me during this challenge. But since I live in Kansas, I will just have to use the internet to say THANK YOU!! and I do appreciate your good thoughts and prayers. This whole thing could have gone a different direction, but with my family support and the support of my friends on UD, I have made it over the hump and am getting ready to resume life to its best for the next few years.

Big date coming for me and one of my long term goals: July 23, 2015, I will turn 75 years old. Hope to see all of you at my birthday party, if only in spirit, but I will have an invitation posted so those who live close by can come and help me celebrate my milestone.

Thanks again, to everyone here at UD, and to my family and friends for all their good wishes. Without you and them, this journey would probably have had a disastrous conclusion. Thanks, again.