Day One...

A good friend of mine once said, "work is a four letter word."
I always say, "I need a job."

So, it's back to work I go. I hope to keep this blog going, well, really I want to keep http://havelegwilltravel.blogspot.com/ going. So I really need to go back to work and make some money so I can get traveling. Then I can add to that blog and there will be a better reason to check back in. Or the travel channel can pick up my show and I'll travel for work and still keep up the blog.

But until then, thanks for checking in.

And now here's David Wain:
http://davidwain.com/anchorman.mov

Thymus through the Danger Zone...

The results are in, and there is no cancer. So I'm happy.

Otherwise, I would of posted this:

I watched My Life, again. I guess it's good that the Bucket List comes out on Tuesday.

In a little Cafe; on the other side of the border...

It was getting late and my new friend, Rodrigo, had just bought another round of tequila shots. I wasn't sure if it had been 2 hour or 2 weeks, but we had been in this bar a while and I was starting to think something was up. Again I tried to say; "I need to go, I've got to get back to my..."

But I was cut off by Rodrigo's laugh. He would charm me with another wonderful story of being out to sea and his crazy adventures. Oh how I could listen to that man talk. His eyes told the story, and the tattoos on his arms were the pop-up book that accompanied. But when he said something about a meatloaf, I new that there was a very good possibility that this was going to be the last night I was going to be alive.

I quickly pushed my way back from the table and jumped up. Being that this was my first night that I had gotten really drunk with the new leg, I just as quickly stumbled to the floor. Being to drunk to get up I started flopping around like a fish out of water. I managed to get up and swing myself into motion. But being new to this walking thing I thought I was running to the door, but two of Rodrigo's men sort of hurried, maybe a little less then a skip, in front of me and stopped me at the door.

I awoke the next morning in a tub of ice. Written on the wall, in what I could only imagine to be the blood of the dead guy next to me, was: Thanks for the Thymus.

Moral of the story, always eat your vegetables.

Did someone speak to soon...

Oh yeah, I think I did.

It's all fun and games until the Thoracic Surgeon see that your thymus is getting bigger.

YOU know what I mean?!?

So, it's back under the knife for me. The good thing is my lungs are clear, that's my biggest worry. The Sarcoma I had moves to the lungs and as long as they are clear I'm doing well.

As for the Thymus, it's grown since the last CT scan. And from what the surgeon tells me that's not what should happen. It seems that the Thymus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymus) does all it's work when we are young and stops around 15 years old. Then is shrivels up and just becomes a little piece of fat under you chest bone. Now it is just a liability and because mine has grown; there is a possibility that there could be a tumor in it. Translation: that bad boy needs to come out!

So under the knife I go. Right now my scheduled appointment is on May 29. And again I'll be at the lovely Cedars. The procedure should take about 2 hours and I'll be at the hospital over night at least.

Now to Sports;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7243481.stm

Things are good...

I had a new CT scan and the Chest is still clear. The doctors want to check me every three months for the first year.

I'm still trying to get some Physical Therapy, a little HMO problem, but things should be on track in a couple of weeks. Had to change Physical therapist because the one my HMO sent me to wasn't ready for an Amputee.

All that walking I'm doing now, I've been learned from my Prosthetist. He's really been great.

http://www.lermanandson.com/

With all this good news, We took a trip to try and center us, before I have to go back to work. I decided to start a new blog for traveling. http://havelegwilltravel.blogspot.com/

Thanks for checking in.

And the Winner is...

With the overwhelming response to the Color Me post, it made it really hard to chose. So I piled them all together and decided to pick two. Yes, doubling the amount I said I would give. So I tossed both of the drawings in the air and here they are;

The Co-Winners of the Color Me contest:

By Marc
By Collins
A big thanks to both of you who participated, I wish I could of made everyone a winner.

And now a little about me, whom this blog is about: All is well here, I'm in physical therapy now. Going twice a week trying to build up my strength in the limb. I'm walking around with a cane and getting use to wearing the leg more and more. Thanks to everyone that has sent emails and letter. I hope to talk to each of you very soon. And the next time I see the winners, I'll pay up.

The New Leg has arrived...

The time has come (soft roar of music)
Man has merged himself with machine (Increasingly louder music)
The Machine has taken over (Sudden crash of Cymbals)
And this time the leg wins. (the loan trumpet calls out)

Me and Me Leg...
Me Dog...

Now I need to get a job reporting for the Paralympics in China. If anyone knows someone give them my number.
usolympicteam.com

Color Time, Fun for All ages...

While we wait for the leg, lets have a little fun.


Please print this picture and color it in.

Then post your finished picture in the comments section, or send them to me and I'll post it. We'll make a contest out of it,

Top prize: $1 dollar and braggin' rights

First socket...

SOCKET:
"Prosthetic sockets are as unique as the people who use them. They must fit residual limbs that change in terms of volume, shape, and size." - ACA wedsite

Here I am with the first casting of my first socket. (You think I could remember to wear a different shirt if I'm going to post pictures of myself.)

We took measurements and now we (the Prosthetist) will pour the next socket, which should be the one I will use for awhile.





Please notice the sexy blue shorts.

One Step in front of...

Determined not to start the day on the wrong foot, I put on my shoe and hopped over to the bathroom. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and combed my hair. By 5pm I was getting hungry. Down the street is an Applebee’s, but I wouldn’t step foot in there, not after last time. But the hunger started to kick inside my stomach and I knew I needed to find something quick. Deciding that I needed to have some balance in my day, I went to KFC. I ordered two thighs and a leg, a medium Coke, and a side of mashed potatoes. Looking in my wallet I noticed that I didn’t have any cash, which was weird because I had just been to the bank. Not thinking about it to much I paid with my ATM card.

It was now getting dark, and by all accounts the day was over. I headed home and decided to go to bed. So I took off my shoe, and hopped over to the bathroom. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and got ready for bed. I dreamed of last calls and toes with no right to be there. When the bouncer questioned them, they looked outraged, and refused to by the bill. I took another drink and left. When I awoke, I noticed that my sock was half off, and my toes smelled of gin. I thought back to the previous day and what happened between the time I combed my hair and 5pm and what a crazy time I had with those five guys, and would ever get back the money I loaned them. Looking though my wallet I found a receipt for KFC.

I'm not dead Yet...

Sorry for not updating this blog, But it's tough when not much happens.

Fill in your own one liner here: _____________________________________ .

Thanks for Checking back now and then, I promise, once the leg comes in I'll have more to say.

over and out.

Lets Go Shopping...

This is the only way to roll.

Update:
1) Thanks to the Physical Therapist I'm working out more now then I did when I had two legs.
2) The Staples have been removed and the wound is healing well.
3) I should be able to take the first real shower, without covering the limb in a bag, this weekend.

One thing I miss doing:
1) using the left foot to take the shoe of the right foot.

My wife said that we should go for a pedicure,
She knows a place that I will get half off.

It's the Big 31...

I have a really funny joke about not having a leg on your birthday, but I can't remember it.

Thanks to All...

This post is for you...

I wanted to thank everyone for being so generous, understanding, and caring. From my Family, to Friends, to my extended Efilm Family.

I would like to thank everyone who has responded to this blog, or in emails. To those who have donated (and she who set up the account), this really is more then I ever expected.

I didn't want to use names, because I don't know who is ok with having their name out there. But please know that I owe each of you a huge thanks and you will all forever be in my thoughts and heart.

This silly little blog will never really let you know how much all this has meant to me. This has been a crazy and strange experience but with the help and strength from everyone it has made it much easier.

My next appointment with the doctor on Jan 15 (tomorrow) we should remove the staples.

Thanks again to everyone. And an extra big thanks to my wife. Without her, I would be nothing.

I've returned...

In on a Monday and Out on the Friday.

And yes Britney and I hung out.

Update on mobility...
Right now I move around with Crutches and a Wheelchair, my left limb is kind of swollen so I can't really put any pressure on it. I go to see the doctor in a couple of weeks, for now its at home Physical Therapy and Nursing (to change the dressing). The goal now is to keep the limb strong and stretched out.

Here are some pictures...
Before
After


P.S. the Phantom Limb Pain and Sensation are real and they are the weirdest thing ever.