Day-4 (Tuesday)
I awoke to the phone ringing...ah, my wife back home (8:00AM EST) calling about inground pool vacuuming issues. Talked her through this, and got off of the phone. Jumped into the shower & noticed that my limb was a 'little' sore but nothing major. Got dressed and headed out to the store.
The initial walk and feel was alot better...tremendously different and inspiring. I felt good, the socket at this time was not too tight and was not pistoning. Got into the car and made my way to the store that was approximately 1 mile away down US395 South. I got to remember that RIck stated he does NOT want me to go any place far..sight-seeing ride and walk off into the woods. If something pops-up and I get into trouble with the limb, this could be a difficult situation...I'll just go back to the motel room and hangout...see if something arises.
Leaving the store I got back in the car, and upon starting it, noticed the 'check engine' light was on. The rent-a-car had the manual in the glove compartment and sure enough stated that emissions may be having an issue. Well, I got to wait until they open; it is only 5:35AM PST.
As I am riding back, my limb begins to hurt, you know when you have that PAIN that just starts pinging...kinda makes you want to crawl out of the hole that you are currently in...trust me, right now I'm in a hole...wife calls all upset w/ the pool, mind you, I'm an early-bird and no one gets up as early as I do...I got the phone call on the 3rd ring in my sleep. Then this damn rent-a-car 'check engine light'...yeah, yeah, I know, its an 'idiot light' BUT not now!!!
Lastly, the new test socket prosthesis is driving me nuts, I have to go back to the hotel room to take it off...its too early to call Rick ...yes, I have respect for the man. So, I gotta not let the day crumble so quick, what is causing this within the socket? Concentrate Dan, what area seems to be giving this painful sensation?
This is hard, most of my limb is bony, I have probably 4-5 inches of limb from the knee down. There are some sensitive nerve areas also...the pain is different and does not seem to becoming from any of these areas. AHA!!! the back of my residual limb (the calf) as small as it is...it is used as an area to apply pressure...why not, the skin is not grafted (natural skin)and defintely can take alot of pressure. Obviously not as much as being applied by the modified 2nd test socket. I get back to the motel room, take off the prosthesis and comfort slowly comes back into my life...WHEW.
I then continue to feel around the socket where it contacts my limb...I believe this is the area located in the back of the socket. Apply pressure to my calf to validate this is what I am feeling; of which, aligns where the socket slightly protrudes to apply pressure. So I wait an hour (it is early), put on the prosthesis again, go for a short walk outside, wait for that pain to come back (approx. 10-15 minutes). I go through the process again of pressing on the back of my residual limb (on the calf) and have located the 'exact' location of where the pain/pressure is coming from and review the socket protrusion for pressure...God I wish I had some sandpaper!!! I feel confident though because I have clearly identified what is causing this issue. Well, I guess I'll have to wait for the scheduled time to arrive at RIck's for the adjustment. He did say to call if any problems occur...but it really is too early...I have a lot of catching up to do with work via my laptop using a VPN connection...this will occupy a couple of hours.
I shoulda' brought the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' prosthesis as a backup...what a horrendous thought. As bad as this may seem...the fix is very obvious...you get to this point in the fitting process and I can already see the 'light at the end of the tunnel'. What goes through my mind for 'red flags' (warnings) at this point? Duration...endurance of the fit is already where I want to be with this test socket.
I have to be careful as an amputee not to jump to cause. We 1st need to address this latest issue and see if this causes another area to be affected. Rick will know what/where this may shift to IF the pressure is to shift at all to some other location.
POSITIVE NOTES:
1) I stopped using the cream I use to apply on the end of my limb...this is so much better. I use the Hand-Sanitizer to clean the limb and keep it dry. Someday I will be able to afford a shower leg... one of Rick's recommendations.
2) The socket really does feel better...not too tight, not too loose, I really need this area corrected.
3)My gait/walking ability is sooo much better...it is smooth, my strides are effortless. There is no 'swinging' around the prosthesis effect. The overall walk seems very natural. Even though it is for a shorter timeframe than I would like at this point.
I gotta remind myself that I have been working with a couple of prosthetist for a year now on another leg. We are on test socket number 4 or 5 (with modifications on some of the sockets). Here I am on Day-4 and I know where this problem is as an enduser, let alone having a prosthetist like Rick to resolve the issue. I really need to get to the 'endurance over time' part of this fitting process...PATIENCE!!!
Arriving at Rick's place I explained all of the above to Rick. Within 15 minutes this issue was resolved. He suggested that I go out for approximately 45 minutes and to test this alteration on the modified 2nd test socket. Well, I took a drive to pickup some hamburger & buns, walked around the store for a bit during this process. Came back to the shop/office and the problem was resolved. No other issues seem to have arisen during this time frame.
I explained to RIck that I am anxiously awaiting to get to some type of endurance test of the leg. You know when a prosthesis is used for fairly short periods of time and no problems are found. Then when you leave and wear the newly designed prosthesis for some longer period of time (hours, days, etc) and then an issue arises. That wouldn't be good.
I had to give the #2 test socket/prosthesis back so that Rick could go onto the next phase; of which, was to add a soft material to the inside of test socket #3. This process will take somewhere between 3 or 4 hours. IF there were any discomforts, this last step would eliminate any slight discomforts by as much as 10-15%.
I have to clarify the term 'discomforts'...this is not pain that is being experienced when using the test socket. The term 'discomfort' here is those 'slight' areas within the non-bony & non-nerve areas of the residual limb where 'good' contact pressure is being made. The 'healthy' pressure areas used to keep the prosthesis on the limb. In other words, discomfort is not referring to those extremely sensitive areas (bony or nerve).
As we get closer & closer to the final product, I have now become so comfortable. Again my walking stride is back to being normal...this may lead to some muscle or even hip discomfort...but the avenue that this will lead me down is for the better. I have already noticed better movement of my hips when walking...I am no longer 'swinging' my leg out to step like I have been doing with the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa'...if my hip begins to hurt when using the newer, wait a minute, "MUCH IMPROVED" newer socket, I will know why. This can be addressed by using some 'Ben-Gay' type of product like Mineral Ice, Icy Hot, etc for a period of time until I get my body back to a normal stature.
I must add, watching Rick go through the process of making a socket is truly inspiring. When we hear custom design...I always thought that he made a socket that would fit the residual limp comfortably...meaning, the socket has every dimple, nook, and cranny that the stump had...a mirror image. Not only can Rick do this BUT I NEVER IMAGINED all of the layers that are put into place on top of the socket design.
I mean, every amputee's limb is different, DUH, we know this. BUT Rick adds pieces of felt, and other materials in specific areas of the socket according to that individual's needs. It is remarkable how many variables can come into play just between 2 amputee's physical makeup. Let alone market your business on this pretense...and more importantly DELIVER that product to EVERY customer...this is what Rick Riley does...a remarkable talent that he has developed over the years. There is a whole separate landscape that is implemented by this prosthetist in his service. YOU WOULD BE AMAZED!!!
Well, a few hours have passed and I am wearing test socket #3. Rick made 2 adjustments to the component between the socket and the foot (pylon made of aluminum that DOES NOT act as a shock absorber...it is really basic ) and I am walking more comfortably now. My old prosthesis hurts all of the time when I wear it. I have only realized this after having/wearing/using the socket made by Rick. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! My limb is sore though from my other prosthesis.
I walked around for 10-15 minutes and we decided to call it a day. I told Rick that I will probably have to take the prosthesis off for the night when I get back to the motel and see how it truely feels in the morning. Giving the night off of my amputated limb because is hurts from wearing the old prosthesis. I want to get a fresh start...the old prosthesis really changes the physical makeup of my limb. We said our goodbyes and selected a time to meet on Day-5 (Wednesday).
By the time I got home my leg was starting to feel better. So I decided to leave Rick's socket on. The wife called, we spoke for a bit & I decided to go back out for a while. This is the 1st time I go out at the end of the day since being here...my amputated limb does feel better.
I got back in around 9:30PM PST and NPF (no problems found)...I left it on until I went to bed (10:45PM PST)...this is a 1st. I just started wearing this limb and I am feeling so much better. When I took off test socket #3 prosthesis my limb was a little sore BUT that was because I had to wear the old prosthesis for 3-4 hours earlier that day...I know this.
Got cleaned up using the Hand-Sanitizer cleanser and well see how I feel on Day-5 (Wednesday).
So, the wife's issue with the inground pool issue is resolved w/ some guidance, Rick, as usual has done a tremendous job in JUST 4 DAYS!!! And you know what, that damn 'idiot' light in the car went off...no, I'm not going to gamble, I'm staying in the 'Winner's Circle' for as long as I can.
Lets sign off and see how Day-5 goes!!!