Mike had a staple working its way out this morning. He asked me to help him get it out, and I'm sorry to say that I was very squeamish about it. (A nurse I'm not!) After a few attempts on my part, he managed to finish the job himself. I expected an inch-long staple to pop out and was surprised that it was about the size of a regular staple. Hope this isn't a frequent occurance!

This morning Mike met a woman while hiking and she saw him navigating a challenging hill of dirt (this in addition to his walk on the Little Miami Bike Trail and uphill climb home). She came up to him very excitedly and wanted to know how old he is.

They struck up a conversation and she told Mike that she is a personal trainer herself and that her father-in-law just lost his leg October 1st. She was most impressed with Mike's superb condition and suggested that he be an inspirational speaker. He gave her his phone number but forgot to give her the blog URL. Anyway, it was quite a coincidence.

It won't be long now 'til he gets the C leg. Carly Simon's "Anticipation" should be his theme song! Will we get to boogie at the company Xmas dance? Stay tuned.

I'm sure (well maybe) you're all anxiously awaiting highlights of the "thank you" vacation Mike gave Phyllis and I last month. The final destination was a compromise between my "Dude Ranch" and Phyllis' shop-and-craft-until-you drop. We ended up at "Dry Creek Ranch" in Magnolia, TX owned and operated by a nursing classmate of Phyllis'. Can you imagine retiring from nursing, selling a home in California (Ocean Side) and buying a horse boarding ranch. We spent a week with Peg at the ranch so I got my fill of brushing, saddling, bridling, cleaning up after and riding horses. Then Phyllis took us away from the ranch for a couple of days visiting local shops and a neat eatery called "Wunchies" founded in 1902 for the railroad that passes about 200 feet from the building. The "Howdy" plaque was a fun purchase as Peg settles into being a Texan. We even got to the Johnson Space Center!....amazing place. The biggest challenge of that day was climbing the 87 steps to the control center. (Yes, we actually climbed and didn?t wimp out and take the elevator!) Enjoy the pics!! ( After Erin loads them!!)
And, oh yes!......thanks Mike! We love you!

» Read More

The last entry was almost a month ago. Things really have slowed down. On the most part, things have been status quo. I am continuing to get stronger with Overload (Columbus) fitness training twice a week. Their progress report shows a 125% gain at 270 lbs (that would be aprox 540 lbs with two legs) on the leg press, a 104% gain at 184 lbs on the overhead press, and a 60% gain at 320 lbs on the pull down (chin-up) are among the most dramatic. The progress report was used as part of a "C-9" to get "Workman's Comp of Ohio" to recognize the significance of Overload in my recovery.



The transition evaluation with Dr. Nubunago went smoothly and the prosthetic process is progressing (be it a little too slowly to suit me). The PT evaluation at the Drake Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday the 8th will complete the transition to the Cincinnati team.

I bowled a 327 series (109 average) last week. The scratch bowlers have nothing to fear, but a little improvement each week works for now. Still hoping to be averaging in 120/130 range by the end of season.

9/29 Completed a three mile hike from our condo down the switch-backs to the "Old Powder Plant" (nearest parking lot on the Little Miami Bike Trail) for 2nd consecutive weekend. Came home drenched and with sore palms and wrists which are the current distance limitation. I weighed a new post-amputation low, 192 lbs after Saturday's excursion. I really am ready for a leg.







10/1&2 Did another 3 mile bike trail hike Saturday and its starting to get easier. thought I'd try some "bulldozing" Sunday with Bonnie on the camera.












Click "read more" for more "Overload" pics.

» Read More

Yes today is may 60th birthday and I'm really glad to be here. Made my last Tuesday/Wednesday Overload workout/Metro PT run to Cleveland this week.

Mark (Overload trainer) put me thru another great workout. Got on a few pieces of equipment I hadn't done before. My next workout at the Beachwood branch will be to film the "Good Company" show (local morning TV spot) sometime in next few weeks. Hope I get Mark for the live broadcast. Next week and beyond I'll be doing the Overload workouts with Adam in Columbus. That's still a 1 1/2 hour drive each way but well worth the trouble.

The last exam by Dr. Kelly (Metro physiatrist) followed PT this week and I was declared to be in perfect health except for a missing 20 lb chunk of leg.

Wednesday was also Dr. Kelly's last day at Metro (the V.A. is getting a good guy). So there were plenty of hugs, handshakes and moist eyes, as Joyce, Dr. Kelly, the rest of the rehab/Hanger team and I said good bye. They really are a fine group and will be missed.

Monday I meet Dr. Nobunago and we start laylng out the prosthetic program. As this blog is starting to get a little boring (not the "close to death" good read it used to be) it's just starting get exciting for me. I got to hold a C-Leg in hands and flex it while at Hanger Monday. Pat (prosthetist) took the prelinary measurements and the rather extinsive intended use servey which will be tranlated into the perscription for my proyhetic knee, leg, foot and accesseries. He said I might be walking as early as the third week in October. That still seems like a long way off but "Walking - WOW".

This is Mike's first trip to Valley View after Hateras. He looks rested and yes, it's true, a few pounds heavier. Jennifer and Tyler came to join us for dinner...a pleasant surprise and the kids here always like more kids to play with. If you recall from past entries, we are nearing the phase of Mike's recovery where he will be transitioning to his Physiatrist in Cincinnati. A little scary, but I believe he has not deviated at all from his goal to secure his care from members of "The Good Doctor Club". You will be hearing more about this when the switch occurs. Phyllis and I will be heading to Texas for some R+R at the end of September---thanks to Mike's generosity. By then, it appears that he will be well on his way to getting his leg....then it's all about mastering the mechanics. I am already starting to miss him!

I know it's long gone but Marsha told me a Haaserpalooza story that is just too cute. I had already headed for home (about 2pm Sunday Aug. 12th). A half dozen or so great grand kids (all under 6) playing in the upstairs sunroom, made pairs of mock forearm crutches and started hopping around on one leg. One of the kids, Mara I think, said, "This is hard!"

We are back from Hatteras and not too much worse for the wear. I weighed in this morning at a beer soaked 203.5 (an 8 pound gain). My back is just a little stiff from the pile driver/washing machine wave that got me while out hopping around and crashing into relatively gentle four footers.


Mike and Erin carving some sand

The sand baskets on the bottom of my crutches worked great but the distance (a few thousand ft.) in the soft sand to beach kicked my butt, so I was limited to one trip each day. I'd like to thank everyone who participated in (and got blisters) shoveling the sand pile that eventually became the castle. Carving was fun and impressed the neighbors.

Bonnie and I had a wonderful time in spite of obvious limitations and look forward to doing it again next year when we are both in better shape. Thanks to all, for your much needed assistance. Special thanks to Erin for organizing things up front.

See below for more pics

» Read More

Mike, being the brilliant engineer that he is, has come up with sand
adaptors for the forearm crutch tips. And with the soft tips intact, there won't be any slipping on hard, slick flooring either. These should prevent him from
sinking down to Middle Earth in the Hatteras sands. Yeee-ha!
Hatteras, here we come!

Holy swimming one-legged wonder, Batman!!

Looks like Dad is taking his prep-work for Hatteras seriously.



So Dad, what was your first swim like?

» Read More

Everyone seemed to have a good time at Haaserpalooza. We missed Tyler, Bonnie, Walker, Tasha and Rick. Hope they make it next year. The foot paddle contraption that replaces one leg of my walker worked fine, so I managed get in few games of corn-hole and hillbilly golf. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn but I wasn't much better with two legs.

Joe and Pat Fedorka and Bonnie and Jim Howard made it. It is always a pleasure hanging out with old friends. Hope I didn't peter-out too soon. My butt was really dragging by Saturday evening. That was a lot more late to bed, early to rise, up the stairs, down the stairs, sunshine, beer drinking and game playing than I am used to. I also ate way too much food, but I was pleasantly surprised to weight in at 198.5 this morning (only a 2.5 lb. gain). Not bad considering how much I ate.

Time to start getting ready for Hatteras!

Mat and I bowled a league style practice game (alternating between lanes each frame) during lunch break today. Rolled a not great but respectable 107. Felt much more comfortable with my release. So looking forward to a fun season.

A September 16th appointment with local physiologist Dr. Nobunago was made today. I am really excited about the long awaited introduction to the Drake Hospital rehab team. I'll miss the Metro team. They really are a super group of professionals.

Hope to see a lot of you at Haaserpalooza this Saturday.