i received my leg on Wednesday, April 27. i was nervous but excited. After nine months and several setbacks, i was more than ready to begin living again.
i took it very careful, only wearing it for short periods to get comfortable. i sat in the garage doing a little cleaning. Walked to the mailbox. But not too much. On Friday, i put my bench inside the shower, but was still nervous to go in. My last shower was over nine months ago. On Saturday, i finally did it. i got undressed, sat down on the bench, turned on the water and felt like i was in heaven. i have been taking sponge baths, but never truly felt clean. i sat there scrubbing my body over and over. The water finally became luke warm, so i had to get out.
On Sunday, we had tickets to see Kenny G tickets, which i had bought in January. This would have been my first real outing in over nine months. i was excited but so nervous. My prosthetic does go over my pants very well, and during this months i've gained weight, so i wasn't sure what i was going to wear. After my shower, i just put on some nice sweatpants. We called for Uber and during the trip to the venue i was looking around like a child seeing things for the first time. Especially when we were on the freeway and the beautiful Seattle skyline came into view. i love this city.
We arrived at the venue, dinner and a show. The food was so good, but expensive. Kenny G was so great. Devon sitting so close to me, occasionally putting his head on my shoulder. The evening made me feel so alive for the first time in months.
After the show, the evening was so warm. This was my first time downtown in so longer, i felt like a stranger in a new city. But i didn't want to push myself, so we called for an Uber to take us home. Thankfully with construction and protest riots, our driver had to take a longer route home, allowing me to see more of downtown.
Once home, i took off my leg, but i was feeling really good. Just tired.
On Monday, May 2, my nurse came over to care for my wounds. She has been coming over for months, waiting with me for the wounds to heal, especially the amputation wound so i could get my leg. She took my vital signs and cared for the wounds on my left leg. We both took a deep breath as i removed the cover from my stump. After so many setbacks, i was ready for bad news AGAIN. As i stared at her very expressive face, a smile came over her. Everything looked fine. Which means i can start physical therapy and truly begin to live again.
After she left, i went into the backyard and swept the porch. Something so simple and basic, but it made me so emotional. For the past nine months i haven't felt useful to anyone. Now i am starting a new chapter to my life. Most importantly, i have to continue exercising and eating healthy.
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