I have been an amputee (LBK) for 5 years. During this time I have learned so many tips and tricks along the way. Here is a list of what I have found to be most helpful. My key take away though is that not everything works for everyone, just like living, parenting and learning. Please… Continue reading What Worked For Me
Category: My Blog
Convincing A Surgeon
For a couple of years before my amputation, I tried a variety of treatments and therapies before making the decision to have surgery. When the time came to find a surgeon, I was surprised to be turned down by three because "You are so young and have my whole future ahead of you!" Their reaction… Continue reading Convincing A Surgeon
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Round One
At times I have thought that the fitting process for a prosthesis is similar to that of a boxing match. There are three rounds with the socket, at least in my experience thus far. The first two rounds beat up your limb, try your patience and test your will. The final round is excitement, anticipation… Continue reading Round One
Hop Along with Me
Alrighty - so let me share my plan with you! I'm going to do a couple different posts to cover the last 10 months. I want to do this because it was my first year as an amputee. There have been ups and downs, which is not entirely unexpected. They were for various reasons but… Continue reading Hop Along with Me
Mermaid Transformation
When I was a little girl, I had many daydreams about all the things I wished I could be. At the top of the list was princess, superstar, and mermaid. As I aged, I put those childish fantasies aside. However, recently my daughters best friend came over to swim and brought with her a mermaid… Continue reading Mermaid Transformation
Have you talked to your children?
Have you talked to your children yet? Have you told them about what's going on in the news? Have they heard the name George Floyd? No? Why not? If your gut instinct is to respond with any of these: They're too young.I don't want to worry them.They’re anxious enough.I don't want to stress them out.They… Continue reading Have you talked to your children?
Getting closer
It feels so close, yet so far away. I can almost taste hat it feels like to run! But I am getting ahead of myself. There is always an order, logical yet annoying. Balance, stand, walk, jog, run. With 101 exercises in between to ensure that I don't injure myself. A girl can still dream… Continue reading Getting closer
Creative Kidface
Even though last week was technically Spring Break to keep our routine and sanity I hosted a relaxed learning week. More time was spent reading Tom Sawyer on the couch and discussing life. We watched The Hate You Give and discussed many of the injustices blacks are faced with today. The compassion and understanding our… Continue reading Creative Kidface
Taken by surprise
Friday was my first day out of the house in 2 weeks. I drove downtown for a doctor's appointment to have the last of my staples removed. Thankfully the prosthetist was able to meet me at this appointment to fit me with shrinkers and complete an exam required for ordering my first gel liner. I… Continue reading Taken by surprise
Social Distancing & Home Schooling
This whole practice of social distancing has brought a couple of things to my attention. Things specifically related to my lifestyle. As many of you know I had a below-knee amputation three weeks ago. With this, I am still on leave from work. Generally, I work remotely from a home office. This means that at… Continue reading Social Distancing & Home Schooling
Little Things
Per the usual I have been taking note of all the little everyday things that give me a moment of joy. This is happening more so now that I am less mobile (at least for the near future). I am really taking the time to be present and smell the roses. While doing so I… Continue reading Little Things
One Foot Good – Two Feet Bad
Today I have officially lived as a single-footed monster for 14 days. Eleven of which have been spent at home. It feels absolutely amazing to be home! Nothing is better than being surrounded by people who truly care about you and sleeping in your own bed. Since coming home, I have learned that I struggle… Continue reading One Foot Good – Two Feet Bad
Amputee Day 3
So it is officially my third day after surgery. I just wanted to share how things were going. One thing that I find most interesting is that I'm so incredibly hopeful I don't feel defeated anymore. Another exciting and interesting thing is that my nerve pain prior to surgery was sitting at about a 6/7… Continue reading Amputee Day 3
I am officially an Amputee
So it happened. It's official. I had below knee amputation surgery on my left leg yesterday (Wednesday February 26th, 2020). I am now 24 hours out from surgery and doing pretty darn good. I'm actually doing better than expected. So sit back and hang tight while I lay out what all happened this week. If… Continue reading I am officially an Amputee
Operation Meet Stumpy
So I'm officially in the 10-day countdown. 10 days until I have my left leg amputated below the knee. 10 days until I am able to start moving forward with my life. I have been at such a standstill for so long that it was hard to maintain hope and the will to not be… Continue reading Operation Meet Stumpy
To Us
My husband and I just had our six year anniversary on the 23rd. We have been together for eight and a half years. Looking back on our wedding pictures from 2014 and our renewal of vows pictures from 2015 I am reminded of how much things have changed. We are both slower, rounder, less youthful,… Continue reading To Us
Halloween – Pushin’ Boundaries
Even though it is December I want to share this story. I have come a long way as a parent. Our eleven-year-old challenges us to learn, grow and improve nearly every day of her existence. Now, this particular story fills me with pride. Not only am I proud of our daughter, but also of myself… Continue reading Halloween – Pushin’ Boundaries
Gang Initiation
August 29th we moved from a suburb of Madison to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. With moving to a smaller city there is one thing that we did not expect to happen on the first day we arrived. Our 10-year-old daughter was initiated into the neighborhood gang. Roughly an hour after we closed on our new house,… Continue reading Gang Initiation
Madeline Island
Even though this post is a few months behind I wanted to share it because it was a wonderful weekend. At the end of June, just 2 days after hearing about Nick's promotion, we had reservations to spend the weekend at big Bay State Park on Madeline island. We almost canceled our trip with so… Continue reading Madeline Island
Savoring Life's Moments 