Hand Update

I'm still in the middle of a monster bought of indecisiveness/procrastination regarding this amputation idea. On one hand, it would give me significantly more function and less pain (hopefully). On the other hand, I have to cut off the other hand.... After talking with a number of inspiring people, going to the annual Amputee Coalition conference in Atlanta, surviving the reunion with the Wake/ATL crew there, and putting a ton of thought into this decision, I feel like the eventual call will be to amputate. It's been comforting to gain perspective and insight on the topic over the past couple of months. They make some amazing Mr. Gadget stuff out there. The electric hands in the pipeline are pretty incredible as well.

I would most likely wear a body powered devise (like he standard split hook) for the first few years and then move to one of the electric hands that I like which isn't currently available. From what I've gathered the Roy Munson model hook is still one of the most popular ones out there for function, although there have been a few upgrades. While in Atlanta, I was able to see the prosthetic in a different role than I had originally envisioned it. The folks there saw and used the devise as a tool. It isn't your hand. The hand is gone. This is a tool that allows you to complete tasks. The prosthetic doesn't have to always be worn, just worn when it is needed. There are also many attachments for different jobs, general labor, shooting, dancing with your crew, etc. As I explained to my Big C's, the TRS catalog contained countless activities that I currently can't do but could with the use of a specialized prosthetic.

It's hard to explain where I am with it all. Probably the hardest part is ending up here due to a flubbed elective surgery. While attempting to increase my hand function last year, the surgery resulted in my losing almost all the use of the two fingers that did work. I actually debated even having that surgery because I was getting along so well, but decided to roll the dice. Unfortunately, the radiation treatments and other surgeries created unforeseen complications for what my surgeon (who is the man) considered a routine surgery. I told him in pre-surgery that my only concern was losing what I had gained after so much work. To which he genuinely replied, "You won't." Shit on that!

So what now? The plan is to talk to some prosthetists in the area and find one that I'm confortable using. Once I'm happy, we'll decide what he would ideally like to work with after surgery, keeping in mind the future of the industry. The goal would be to have a stump (the un-PC term) that would work best with a prosthetic, whether it be a body powered or myoelectric device. Most likely, the amputation would occur halfway between the wrist and the elbow. I was told the surgery would only take a couple weeks of recovery, then the prosthetist would fit me with socket that the terminal device would be attached to. That's about it.

4th of July marked two years without any cancer. One more year and I'm out of the (statistical) high risk period for recurrence which we will most likely celebrate with Ashley moving into a high risk for becoming pregnant again. This past Saturday I participated in Duke's first annual kick off run/walk (do you need to ask?) for international sarcoma awareness week. If you're reading this, be prepared next year to participate with your presence and your wallet. It was a last minute event, but had a good turn out. Most of my oncologists were there with their nurses on an informal level, celebrating the combined success with their patients. This week Ashley and I are taking the girls to one of the events Wednesday. It truly is special for everyone. Thanks to the folks at Duke, the support from everyone, and His will, we have a happy, healthy family of four. Well, as long as no one is tired or hungry...

As long as I can continue to write about anything other than having to battle cancer, I think we're OK.

Take care.