Two doctors this week.  General doctor and Nephrologist (kidneys).  Not too worried about general doctor she is always a good visit but the kidney doctor is another story.  To recap while I was in the hospital the first go around with the amount of infection and all the antibiotics it had burned my kidneys, whatever that meant right, well my function was around 20% and my creatinine levels were at almost 3 they should be 1 or lower.  Basically I was really close to kidney failure.  Last check, 3 months ago, i was at 55% function and climbing but the creatinine levels were still high.  Drum roll please,  levels back to normal and kidneys functioning great.  Also found out my HbA1c which is the number they used to determine if you have diabetes.  It tells your blood glucose level average for 3 months.  At first check in the hospital I was at a 12.9% which is a BG of 345.  I am now at a 7 which is really good hopefully I can get it lower.

    So all in all a pretty good visit with both.  See the prosthetist again Friday to adjust the knee and my pigeon toe, little turn of an allen wrench.  The bathroom remodel is coming right along. The shower, toilet and sink have been purchased.  Have to pick out fixtures and vinyl.  Soon I will be able to move back in permanently.

Might Not Be Much....

     The bathroom remodel is coming right along. My cousin and his son are helping my Dad and I can finally supervise, lol.  I have been able to pull nails out of the old wood, so I dont feel completely useless.  As they were taking down the walls, there was handwriting on the wall of The Dentons Everyones name written on the wall, it felt like opening a time capsule.

     I finally walked up the steps to help my Mom in the kitchen, which I have been doing but sitting on mu butt, this time I stood at the counter and chopped proper.  Then I took off out the back door and down the driveway to my house.  I got to the bottom of the hill and picked my walker up and took about 12 steps all on my own.  It wasn't a pretty walk but it got me kind of emotional.  To me it was a big step.  The thing I have noticed with the prosthetic is learning to trust "it".  I am getting there,  I think I am trying to rush it but I am learning patience.

     The other great thing is that I can get a lil more movement and it helping maintain and lower dramatically the blood sugars.  I am waking up with it below 100 for me that is quite the accomplishment.  I still am on just the long acting insulin about 22 units a day.  With just monitoring my diet and being vigilant with my schedule and BG monitoring, I feel like I have some sort of control on it.  I see my Dr tomorrow I hope she likes what she sees and hears.

     I have a friend that just found out she has a chronic illness, it has devastated her, and you will feel that way when you first find out.  But the choice is yours to change and take control of your health and learn to manage your illness.  She told me I was the reason she got checked out because of my stories.  That has been one of the reasons I wanted to tell my tale, that and the therapy it offers.  Thanks to everyone that reads these and also for the kind words and encouragement.  Just remember to take care of yourself.

just a little bitchin

    Today is a good day Im a week into my prosthetic and I am feeling a lot more confident still not enough to let go yet, but it is a marathon not a sprint.  I guess my only complaint I have is with our state level government.  I applied for healthcare when it was required because I was excited to have affordable healthcare.  I had heard all these horror stories from folks about how it was ruining their lives, I know so dramatic.  While I was workimg I received quite a tax credit to help me pay the premium which was great, but now that I dont work I dont qualify for the tax credit anymore.  Well I was devistated thinking here I go gonna be one of those people that hate the President because he trying to help everyone out.  But as I discovered it is not his fault it is our wonderful oil rich Governor who decided not to take tax free federal money to help disabled folks, truly disabled, bridge the gap in our health coverage.  I am more blessed than others but I have worked since I was 14 and am having to wait for a decision to determine if I am disabled or not.  I mean come on this is a no brainer, I am no trying to perpetuate fraud, just trying to pay my bills with the money that I have paid in for 25 years now.  I even had to "roll" into the SS office, which by the way are very nice compassionate people, I guess I am an illusionist hiding my right leg below the knee.  Now I hear that our newly elected congress wants to take away peoples healthcare and social security.  It is wonderful that we live in a country where most everyone is free to do what they prefer and choose who they want in the voting booth but I will never understand why the very people, the elderly, disabled and the poor, would vote for these idiots that want to only take care of the very wealthy.  I think that people are very unhappy with an African American president.  I cant understand for the life of me why we are still dealing with these issues,  I mean what are we gonna say when there is a woman in this same office.   Maybe when they have the majority they will ruin everyones lives and folks will stop voting for these money hungry A-holes.

Best Day Ever

     Day 3, have walked back and forth to my house maneuvered the steps and doorways and most importantly the rocks, all with my walker of course.  I have been trying to go to the house and help with the remodel of my bathroom, which is very little but my cousins son came and helped pull the toilet and sink, thank you so much Micheal Smith.  Peyton and Diane Rhea have a very good son.  Me and my mom dusted and rearranged some things as well.  I mostly sat on the couch.

     The leg is different I still dont feel like I can put my full weight on it.  Its all in my mind Im sure.  This is yet again another set of rules to learn.  Getting ready is more entertaining everyday you get all that crap on and your bout to pull up your britches realize, Well, dang still got my jammies on,  pull your leg off and out of your pants then start all over stand up let it click 6 or 7 times and you are off and running.  Still, its not so bad.

    Right now the prosthetists says I dont need any kind of physical therapy because he says I am a very motivated person.  I hope I dont let him down.  I hope I never have to make a referral but if I had to I would tell to go to Choice Prosthetics and Orthotics, they are absolutely the greatest folks on the planet.  God truly did me a solid and put some really hreat people in my path thru this.

     Now tomorrow back to the retina specialists for my shots in my eyeballs, YUCK!!! apparently the preferred treatment for diabetic retinopathy just one more thing on the list but something that can be controlled with well maintained blood sugars.  One difference I get to walk in there this time.

6,000 dollar man

     as of Jan 2 2015 I am again a walking member of society.  I went to the office with trepidation because it didnt fit the last time, and he thought maybe Imhad other prpblems that were causing the swelling, but I watched my salt intake and drank plenty of water and I was slightly smaller than the new socket.  Now there are some new terms to learn.

     Socket: this is the clear plastic or neoprene shell thay goes around the knee and hooks to the pylon.

     Pylon:  is the metal rod usually carbon fiber or titanium that serves as the "leg" part

      First I slip on a silicone gel liner that has a screw in the bottom that clicks and locks into the socket and then you stand up and your walking.  It really was that easy other than the weeks it took them to make this thing.  My mind is still blown.  I strolled up and down the little barre for thirty minutes and I dodnt even realize it.  Four months to the day of this life changing event and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.  With that said I still have some hurdles I have to watch for sores and blisters cause thats gonna happen probably.  I also have to learn to balance again, I cant beloeve how much this thing weighed, but my guy said it wasnt any heavier than what was removed and that is just crazy to me.  I am still using my walker til I get used to it, but I did get to go to my house and hang out with my dog.  Needless to say we were both very excited.  So Im on the road to a sense of normalcy and I cant wait to see what the next day brings.

ANXIETY

     Well its January 1, 2015 today marks four months since my amputation and tomorrow I go to try on my leg for the second time.  Last time my stump was two inches bigger than the measurements that were taken im hoping the new bigger one will fit.  I know that this process is gonna be the worse part of all this.  There has been very little pain but I know that starts tomorrow,  I just hope that I dont try and push myself too hard. My goal is to get back to my lil dog and some sort of normal life.  I know my mom would love to have her house back in order,  I know she would give up everything for me but I also know we are the same.  I am gonna miss my nurse and chef.  I think I'm a pretty good cook but no one cooks like your momma.  I'm also here trying not to be so anxious about tomorrow but that probably will not happen.  I dont smoke anymore so theres that, cant drink so theres that, and my general doctor doesnt prescribe meds so theres that.  But I will keep the same attitude I have had this whole time.

     Went to Hobby Lobby and Lowes today.  I love both places.  I can say I am finally gonna remodel my bathroom finally but out of necessatie, but none the less.  I live in a really old house but I love it.  Its my grandparents home and the house my mother grew up in so lots of memories there.  Its crooked and drafty but little by little Im making it mine.  My dad is the most handy and amazing man.  I feel bad cause I wont be able to help as much as I used to but Ill do what I can, and slowly but surely we will get it done.

     Gonna get off from here and try and get some rest.  But one more thing.  People have said how much they admire how I have handled this, and I appreciate that but I dont think I am doing anymore than anyone else.  You never know how you would handle a situation till your in it, but you might just suprise yourself of the strength you find inside you, cause its either poop or get off the pot right.