In March 2007, Mike was in an accident that resulted in an above-the-knee amputation and degloving of his left leg. This blog was created to simplify keeping a large and distributed group of family and friends up to date, and while it still serves that purpose, it also now provides a record of all that has gone before.
- Please let us know you were here! Sign the guestbook, or leave a comment to an entry (look for the
). - Check out some pictures of Mike on his last blogged adventure: when he and Ruth hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2004 (as Oxymoron and Maine Dish, respectively).
08 August 2007: Sounds like a bunch of Bowl crap
Put a little twist in my routine run to Valley View this week. Before heading to my mom's, Mat Clark (Deerfield engineer) and I went to the bowling alley to see if Mike Noel's (Deerfield fabricator) modification to my walker will allow me to bowl this year. The walker worked fine but my release technique needs a lot of help. I rolled a whopping 64 and 59, less than half last season's average.
The PT at 8:00 am was pretty typical accept "St. Marsh" came with me. See Marsha's blog entry below for what happened next. I would like to add: Dr. Kelly is recommending two knee/leg prosthetics. One for every day use and an off road version with ankle articulation for athletic use (hiking/skiing etc). More on this after a little more research.
P.S. There are still a lot of people following this (based on the hit rate), so leave a little message in the guest book and let us know who you are.
The PT at 8:00 am was pretty typical accept "St. Marsh" came with me. See Marsha's blog entry below for what happened next. I would like to add: Dr. Kelly is recommending two knee/leg prosthetics. One for every day use and an off road version with ankle articulation for athletic use (hiking/skiing etc). More on this after a little more research.
P.S. There are still a lot of people following this (based on the hit rate), so leave a little message in the guest book and let us know who you are.
08 August 2007: I think they got the message!
Are we there yet?
I went with Mike to PT this a.m. and his therapist is super-pleased with his progress and said as far as she is concerned the stump is ready to begin the steps toward getting his posthesis. That alone was great news....but it gets more exciting---
Dr. Kelly's appointment (he's the amputee Dr. Physiatrist) was this a.m. as well. He along with members of his amputee clinic team examined, interrogated and finally decided that indeed Mike is ready for the process to begin. However, we do have to wait for Dr. McDonald,s green light. As measured by the "wow" as Mike demonstrated the great range of motion and strength in his stump, it was evident that physically he's ready to go! I believe the Doctor is a little concerned that Mike might let his impatience, not the prosthetist, guage his readiness to walk. Mike assured him that the prosthetist already picked up on that and has threatened to hold his leg hostage if he sees Mike is moving ahead of his training schedule. The goal is to learn the walking on the correct leg (C- leg seems to be winning); the correct way ---the first time. No bad habits allowed.... He's looking forward to Haaserpalooza!!
I went with Mike to PT this a.m. and his therapist is super-pleased with his progress and said as far as she is concerned the stump is ready to begin the steps toward getting his posthesis. That alone was great news....but it gets more exciting---
Dr. Kelly's appointment (he's the amputee Dr. Physiatrist) was this a.m. as well. He along with members of his amputee clinic team examined, interrogated and finally decided that indeed Mike is ready for the process to begin. However, we do have to wait for Dr. McDonald,s green light. As measured by the "wow" as Mike demonstrated the great range of motion and strength in his stump, it was evident that physically he's ready to go! I believe the Doctor is a little concerned that Mike might let his impatience, not the prosthetist, guage his readiness to walk. Mike assured him that the prosthetist already picked up on that and has threatened to hold his leg hostage if he sees Mike is moving ahead of his training schedule. The goal is to learn the walking on the correct leg (C- leg seems to be winning); the correct way ---the first time. No bad habits allowed.... He's looking forward to Haaserpalooza!!
01 August 2007: AND SO IT BEGINS!
Did my routine run to Valley View. Overload at 5:30 pm on Tuesday and PT at 8:00 am on Wednesday with an overnight at GiGi's. Mom and I were on our own (no Marsh - how strange).
Joyce arranged an examination by physiologist Dr. Kelly that will co-inside with a Hanger prosthetic clinic next Wednesday after PT. "And Thus It Begins". The Cleve Metro team will kick things off, while waiting for the medical stuff to transfer south.
The clinic is reported to be very informative and an important first step in the prosthetic selection process. More so because Ruth K and I are starting to say (out-loud) that we want do a significant chunk (1000+ mile I hope) of the AT again in 2009. Once the knee/leg/foot is selected, I will be committed to it for a long, long, long, long, long time. So no pressure not to screw this one up.
Joyce arranged an examination by physiologist Dr. Kelly that will co-inside with a Hanger prosthetic clinic next Wednesday after PT. "And Thus It Begins". The Cleve Metro team will kick things off, while waiting for the medical stuff to transfer south.
The clinic is reported to be very informative and an important first step in the prosthetic selection process. More so because Ruth K and I are starting to say (out-loud) that we want do a significant chunk (1000+ mile I hope) of the AT again in 2009. Once the knee/leg/foot is selected, I will be committed to it for a long, long, long, long, long time. So no pressure not to screw this one up.
29 July 2007: Ready to play!
Hi Erin!
We were out for a stroll this evening around the "pond" and Mike wanted me to snap his photo for the blog. So here he is! Let me know if this comes through or if there's any problem.
Your Dad is doing great and really looking forward to getting out of the wheelchair when he gets his prosthesis. We're both anticipating Haaserpalooza and Hatteras. It won't be long for either!
See you and Chris in a couple of weeks.Take care,
Bonnie
To those of you that have been following along, please note he is on the grass. I mentioned this, and he said that the forearm crutches are really good for uneven surfaces, and that his upper body is strong enough now that, with their help, he can haul himself up steep steps and curbs (16-18 inches). He said he went out to a restaurant the other day sans wheelchair! He just had the crutches, and was just thrilled at how well they worked.
Dad told me in a phone call last night that he's been practicing, and can play all of the outdoor hillbilly sports we Haasers have been playing for the past few years: HillBilly Golf (or Ladder ball), Corn hole, and Washers. I was amazed, by the way, to find that all of these games were in wikipedia, though I have to say that our variant of washers (a box-- maybe a lipped platform?, a bucket, and a pin in the middle) is better.
26 July 2007: 198.5 - and counting
Some more firsts:
-Thursday 26th - Did 3 laps (about a mile) around the lake (the condo's puddle with fountain) with my forearm (polio) crutches. I tried that two weeks earlier and didn't get 500 ft.
-Sunday 22nd - Bonnie and I saw Potter #5. The wheel chair was a piece of cake. The newer theaters are very handicap friendly.
-Tuesday 24th - Drove to GiGi?s (after an eye exam) for my "Overload" session in Beachwood. Took a stand-up shower without a shower chair (the shower does have permanent hand rails. Thanks again Judd).
-Wednesday 25th - (PT session @ Metro) Joyce thinks I'm ready for a prosthesis, but needs that confirmed by a physiologist. She also said, if I don't get medically transferred to Drake, we should go ahead and set-up an appointment with Dr. Kelly at Metro to get thing rolling. I would still be using the local prosthetist from Hanger. I also got exposed to a new prosthesis, the Rheo System by Ossur out of Iceland. It's being used a lot by military amputees and claims features that might make it a more versatile fit to my goals than the C-Leg.
-Thursday 26th - Ba-da-bing ba-da-boom, finally broke under that seemingly impenetrable 200 lb barrier. Got up this morning and weighed in at 198.5. 18.5 lbs to go.
-Thursday 26th - Did 3 laps (about a mile) around the lake (the condo's puddle with fountain) with my forearm (polio) crutches. I tried that two weeks earlier and didn't get 500 ft.
-Sunday 22nd - Bonnie and I saw Potter #5. The wheel chair was a piece of cake. The newer theaters are very handicap friendly.
-Tuesday 24th - Drove to GiGi?s (after an eye exam) for my "Overload" session in Beachwood. Took a stand-up shower without a shower chair (the shower does have permanent hand rails. Thanks again Judd).
-Wednesday 25th - (PT session @ Metro) Joyce thinks I'm ready for a prosthesis, but needs that confirmed by a physiologist. She also said, if I don't get medically transferred to Drake, we should go ahead and set-up an appointment with Dr. Kelly at Metro to get thing rolling. I would still be using the local prosthetist from Hanger. I also got exposed to a new prosthesis, the Rheo System by Ossur out of Iceland. It's being used a lot by military amputees and claims features that might make it a more versatile fit to my goals than the C-Leg.
-Thursday 26th - Ba-da-bing ba-da-boom, finally broke under that seemingly impenetrable 200 lb barrier. Got up this morning and weighed in at 198.5. 18.5 lbs to go.
21 July 2007: Bod-Pod!
It's been a while since my last up-date. No news is good news for the moment. Still waiting for word from the local physiatrist at Drake Hospital to get my case transferred from Cleveland-Metro. Joyce (Metro-PT) was on vacation last week. So, I didn't go to GiGi's last week. The Tuesday and Friday "Overload" (overloadfitness.com) sessions were at their Columbus facility. Adam (the GM and trainer) cut me no slack. He also put me through the "bod-pod" test.
It's an egg shaped capsule, tilted back about 30 degrees, and has a door that splits it in half along the long axis for easy walk-in access. The top half of the door has a large window to minimize claustrophobia. I stripped down to swim trunks and stepped into the capsule (a little tricky with one leg). Adam closed the door and sealed it (a sensation, I imagine "hard docking" would sound and feel like). The minute long test was run twice. The sensation was similar to an MRI, but rather than sound there were medium frequency air pulses. The end result (accurate within 1%) - I "flunked". My body fat is 29.6% or 60.6 lbs (excess fat category), goal > 20% (moderately lean category), fat free mass is 70.4% or 144.4 lbs (205 lbs total). To meet 180 lbs goal, my fat free mass will go up about 5 lbs (to 150 lbs), fat mass needs to drop about 30 lbs (to 30 lbs) that will bring my body fat to 17%.
Sounds like a tall order. But I'm on it, and Bonnie is being very supportive. (She's hiding the chips!)
It's an egg shaped capsule, tilted back about 30 degrees, and has a door that splits it in half along the long axis for easy walk-in access. The top half of the door has a large window to minimize claustrophobia. I stripped down to swim trunks and stepped into the capsule (a little tricky with one leg). Adam closed the door and sealed it (a sensation, I imagine "hard docking" would sound and feel like). The minute long test was run twice. The sensation was similar to an MRI, but rather than sound there were medium frequency air pulses. The end result (accurate within 1%) - I "flunked". My body fat is 29.6% or 60.6 lbs (excess fat category), goal > 20% (moderately lean category), fat free mass is 70.4% or 144.4 lbs (205 lbs total). To meet 180 lbs goal, my fat free mass will go up about 5 lbs (to 150 lbs), fat mass needs to drop about 30 lbs (to 30 lbs) that will bring my body fat to 17%.
Sounds like a tall order. But I'm on it, and Bonnie is being very supportive. (She's hiding the chips!)
11 July 2007: "Gimp Fixes"
From Dad: "The attached pics are the gimp fixes I did to the condo."
10 July 2007: A closer look!
This is Tuesday and I haven't seen Mike's stump for 5 days. As I'm looking for areas that may need a little more attention, I see what appears to be a staple. After looking closer, I was actually able to identify it as a staple and use the "handy dandy" (Ya think I watch too much Mickey Mouse with the kids?) staple remover. I have to say the graft looks pretty good. Most of the open wounds are closing nicely, some may take a little more time. The most that has to be done now is the xeroform (the yelllow medicated gauze) applied to any open wounds and the tegaderm (the see thru adhesive bandage) to any areas that could use some protection for a few days. Of course, the lotion to all grafted and donor sites helps keep the healing process moving along. The garment saves so much time that Mike still has a hard time judging how much time he needs to get ready for his appointments. What a nice problem to have. I also have noticed that he is so much more independent and hardly needs assistance for anything. It is truly amazing to see his progress and to be able to look forward to all there is to come. The goal of the proshetic leg in place by Oct/Nov is looking more realistic each day. I also let Mike know that when I went to Michigan to watch Zak and Alli swim, I stayed overnight. At bedtime the kids say their prayers and at the end of their routine, Scott and Wendy give them a chance to pray for anything on their mind. It was really cute to hear each of them pray for "Uncle Mike to feel better". Wendy tells me they have been praying for him like that since his accident.
03 July 2007: The "garment" and its' "bits and pieces".
Mike's appointment at Metro today was to try on the garment that was fashioned just for him. The purpose is to keep gentle pressure on the graft and donor sites to prevent scar tissue formation and to shrink his stump by keeping the fluid from collecting there. Becky took some photos so everyone can see for themselves how much easier it will be for Mike as he will now set aside his dressing supplies and his creative suspenders. Becky tells us that the flash seemed to make the garment "see through" for that visual she thanked her Uncle Mike. Watch for the posting tomorrow. We'll see if the photos are able to be posted without an "x" rating. This "girdle-like" garment goes on fairly easily and provides light constant pressure. Ideally, it should beworn 23 hours per day. It was comical today as Mike complained about the garment--it was warm, the waist band was a little "itchy", it was a little difficult to slide up and down, etc. Most women know exactly what he's talking about. The up side is that the garment was extremely light weight and very supportive. Looks like it will work very well...an overnighter will tell the tale. The stump should appear a little thinner as time passes and we near the time for the prosthesis to be measured and fit. Mike is still at Overload to build up his muscles. His waste and leg sizes are a bit smaller, but the scale isn't moving downward as fast as he would like.
The refreshing thing is that his attitude and outlook is still very positive and his goal to get his life back is more reachable every day. We actually miss him now that he is home more than he is here at the compound. Each week brings the excitement of more healing and more accomplishments. I'm very proud of all he has accomplished in this relatively short period of time.
Here it goes!
The refreshing thing is that his attitude and outlook is still very positive and his goal to get his life back is more reachable every day. We actually miss him now that he is home more than he is here at the compound. Each week brings the excitement of more healing and more accomplishments. I'm very proud of all he has accomplished in this relatively short period of time.
Here it goes!
01 July 2007: Isn't Life Grand When Its Boring?
Spoke to Dad on the phone this afternoon. He didn't have much "new" info to discuss. We talked about his work, my deck, cell phone technology and the like. He did mention that Bonnie is doing very well (very good news!!). Long story short, he's pretty happy with things getting a little boring. Perhaps the ancient Chinese curse "may your life be interesting" is quite a curse indeed.
