01:15
There are many reasons why I can't sleep.
I have been trying to increase my daily walking to get ready for another park run before I go to the states. This socket really hurts on my ischail bone, and I have blisters and a rubbed raw spot. The prosthesis place is making a new socket with air bladders inside it. I so hope it works well. The new socket should be ready by Thursday.
This next socket will probably be the one I go to the states with, so it better be good enough for 6 months. I seem to average about 3 weeks per socket. Needless to say I am concerned about that.
I walked about 1.5 km every day last week. Any farther is very painful. The whole air bladder thing is good because it allows me to change the fit of the socket. But with the increase flexibility come increase complexity. The best way for me to inflate the bladders is through the zipper in front of my shorts. It is a little shocking to other people. They see me unzip, play around inside there, then starts pumping a rubber pump. They all have dirty minds. :-)
On Friday, I was walking back from the shops, and my Achilles tendon started hurting. I had that a few years ago, and had to wear a moon boot for a month to fix it. I don't think I could use a prosthetic leg AND a moon boot at the same time.
I walked slow and gentle the rest of the way to the house. I was almost to the front door, when I fell in the driveway. As usual, I don't know why. I was walking, then I was face down. I hurt my right wrist. I'm sure it is just sprained. It is swollen a bit and tender, but everything seems to work OK.
Now I can't use the cane or the crutches. Even the wheel chair is difficult. I have to use the wrist bone to push on the tire.
With blisters on my ischail, sitting in the wheel chair sucks a bit, add to that a sore wrist, and I decided to play computer games all day Sunday.
I had planned on buying food this Sunday, because I am so close to being on a forced diet. For real food, I only have eggs and Muesli. But getting around with this wrist means I couldn't shop.
I did find some old, unopened bran self raising flour, so I made some flat pan bread. Not healthy, but tastes good with enough peanut butter and jelly on it. Actually anything tastes good with enough peanut butter and jelly on it. :-) If my wrist doesn't get better soon, I may find out how eggs and peanut butter taste.
(and Muesli?)
I went to bed at about 22:30 and couldn't sleep. When I turn out the light, I start a one hour white noise generator. I have not heard it quit in a month. I am sound asleep by then. But tonight I was still awake when it quit. I started it again.
For some reason I was having PLP. First time in a long time. My wrist also hurt when I moved in bed.
Having only one leg means it is harder to sit up in bed. I used to just hold both feet in the air, with my legs straight, and I could sit up. Now nothing happens when I do that. I now have to roll onto my side, then push up sideways with my arms, until I sit. I didn't think about my wrist, and I hurt it.
When the noise generator quit the second time, I just got up. I took some pain drugs for the first time in many weeks, and I am now waiting for them to kick in. I don't know if I took the drug for the wrist pain, or the PLP, or the ischail blisters. I guess it doesn't really matter.
---
Monday, 24 October 2016
Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Oct 19 2016 - Putting Force Sensors inside my prosthetic socket.
I have been building a sensor system to show the forces between my prosthetic socket and my stump.
I am using some force resistive pads as sensors. They change resistance as the force on them changes. They can measure from 0 to about 20 kilograms of force.
I sense the change in resistance with an Arduino computer, and then use the Arduino to vary the power to 3 LED lights.
The LED lights are two color ones. Red and Green. I am using Green to show that things are on and working, and the red to show the pressure.
It looks like this.
I put the 3 force sensors that I had, and their wiring, in-between two pieces of thin hard, clear plastic. I put the wiring for the LED's, and the LED's in similar plastic. I then connected the two pieces of plastic so that when the plastic with the sensors is inserted into the socket, the LED's will always be in the same spot on the outside of the socket, where the sensors are on the inside of the socket.
I tested everything.
Then I slipped the sensors into the front of my socket. The lower sensor should be down by the end of my stump, and the top sensor at the top of my socket. The middle sensor is about where I have my inflatable air bladders.
Then I test if it all works, by standing in front of the mirror.
Then I inflated the air bladders.
All my walking with the sensors never lit the bottom LED. This means there was never any pressure on the lower part of my stump. I don't know why I need lights to tell me that. Pain usually does that job. :-)
To be really effective, I would need about 50 sensors in the socket, and a way of recording the forces, so it could be played back and studied. Tomorrow I go to visit my prosthistist. I will show him my invention.
He and I need to talk lots about me going away for a few months to America. I fear it will be on my old Mauch Knee. :-( I am spoiled from wearing the Total Knee 2000.
--
I am using some force resistive pads as sensors. They change resistance as the force on them changes. They can measure from 0 to about 20 kilograms of force.
I sense the change in resistance with an Arduino computer, and then use the Arduino to vary the power to 3 LED lights.
The LED lights are two color ones. Red and Green. I am using Green to show that things are on and working, and the red to show the pressure.
It looks like this.
I put the 3 force sensors that I had, and their wiring, in-between two pieces of thin hard, clear plastic. I put the wiring for the LED's, and the LED's in similar plastic. I then connected the two pieces of plastic so that when the plastic with the sensors is inserted into the socket, the LED's will always be in the same spot on the outside of the socket, where the sensors are on the inside of the socket.
I tested everything.
Then I slipped the sensors into the front of my socket. The lower sensor should be down by the end of my stump, and the top sensor at the top of my socket. The middle sensor is about where I have my inflatable air bladders.
Then I test if it all works, by standing in front of the mirror.
Then I inflated the air bladders.
All my walking with the sensors never lit the bottom LED. This means there was never any pressure on the lower part of my stump. I don't know why I need lights to tell me that. Pain usually does that job. :-)
To be really effective, I would need about 50 sensors in the socket, and a way of recording the forces, so it could be played back and studied. Tomorrow I go to visit my prosthistist. I will show him my invention.
He and I need to talk lots about me going away for a few months to America. I fear it will be on my old Mauch Knee. :-( I am spoiled from wearing the Total Knee 2000.
--
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Oct 15 2016 - Life getting Real.
I have just spent lots of money, and bought plane tickets to the USA.
I leave South Africa in the middle of November, for Daytona Beach Florida. I should be back in South Africa by May-ish 2017. I bought tickets that I can change the return date up until November 2017. That would be a whole year away.
If I feel that I can return to my old life style of 6 months SA and 6 month USA, then I would want to be in both places in summer, NOT winter. That means staying till November 2017 would put me back in the right cycle.
I have some Oncology tests next month, on the 9th Nov and the 10th Nov. Assuming these are OK, then by the following week, I'll be in Daytona Beach.
My Florida buddy says he will fetch me at the airport, and take me to the RV.
His House, and the RV both survived the Hurricane.
Some guy on TV in South Carolina, was asked if his house was damaged by the strong wind from the Hurricane. He answered that there was no wind damage at all, because his whole house had been under water. :-)
I will need many stump socks to enlarge the stump as it shrinks.
I have spent a lot of time with Delta Airlines on the phone, trying to get a good seat, and arranging everything. They want to take the prosthesis and check it in as baggage. I definitely don't want that.
I will start wearing it longer and longer each day, to try to be ready for the trip. If I get a seat with plenty of room, then I will be able to take the prosthesis off and hold it in my lap. If I get a seat with very little room, then I will still take the prosthesis off and hold it in my lap. :-)
I haven't planned enough regarding my transport while I am in the USA. I'll never drive my car there again. It has a manual transmission. I really like that car. :-(
Maybe I can convert it to an electric car. :-)
I am debating just renting a car at the Daytona airport when I arrive, and having that problem solved for the first week. I will need to do shopping and probably buy parts for the RV. So much, depends on so much. I hate that.
I am actually quite nervous about this trip. I have done all I can to arrange wheelchairs and baggage trolleys at the various airports. All the airports say that wheelchairs are available on a first come first serve basis. That could screw me over during the Atlanta connection. That is one reason I am flying all flights Delta.
I am only taking clothes, toys, my prosthetic leg, and a cane. No crutches or wheel chair. I need to see what will be necessary for living in the RV. I may buy crutches, or maybe a wheelchair once I am there. Unfortunately, the time I'll need them most, is the first few days in the RV. I fear my poor stump will want a few days rest after the flight.
I also am worried about the prosthetic leg while walking on the Florida property. Walking on uneven ground is a real bitch, and that ground is all uneven. Clumps of grass growing in sand. Moving around on the property may be easier with crutches.
I am excited about getting to see the bears again. They roam all over the Florida Property. I wonder which is best for running away from bears, crutches, or a prosthetic leg.
Here is a picture of a bear and cubs taken from inside my RV during my last Florida visit..
And here is a picture of my RV and a Bear with cubs.
The ranch in Texas will be better for walking, if I stay on the roads. I'll still be paranoid, because I'll be slow. Being slow, AND being in the food chain is a bad combination.
Inside the RV will be problematic. The passage is to narrow for crutches or a wheelchair. I have racked my brain to try to figure out how to get into the bathroom in the RV. I am so dependent on grab bars everywhere. The grab bars I have in this house would rip the walls apart in the RV. Here in Pretoria, I also have a very strong bar going across the ceiling in the bathroom.
Wheelchair ramps are only useful for wheel chairs. They are counterproductive with a prosthetic leg. I am very concerned about the steps up into the RV.
I am so worried about a thousand things. But that is what will make "everything" I do exciting. Maybe not pleasant, :-) but definitely not boring.
The life I had a few years ago, was designed and built by me. It was how I wanted my life to play out. That has changed. Fate, did not listen to my desires.
I still want to live on the cheap. But I may have to throw money at any problems like hotel, car rental, buying wheelchair, crutches, or even a different RV if necessary. Spending money for non-toys gives me hives. I am allergic to it.
I may have to ask my friends for help in hooking the RV up. Electricity, water, and sewage. So much depends on the health of my stump. I hate being totally dependent on something that is so variable and nebulous. I can not wrap my mind around hooking up the RV sewage pipes, while in a wheel chair, on sand while in Florida, or on rocky ground while in Texas.
A sore on the stump may mean a month without a prosthesis. Only a wheelchair or crutches. Of course, if I would lower my life expectations, and be happy with just reading a book, and looking out a window, then it wouldn't matter as much.
I need to visit my Brother in Washington..
I would like to drive the RV to Texas, but I'll fly to visit Washington.
I think I'll spend a few months in Florida, with good friends, then drive the RV to Texas, and spend a few more months with good friends.
If I need help driving, I'll ask someone to drive with me. Something simple like a sore stump, and bad phantom pain would mean drugs and not driving till it gets better.
I could get stuck in someplace like NOLA indefinitely. (This is a good lead in, for a talk on suicide.) :-)
Another patient I knew from my chemo days has died. He had colon cancer. He was healthy on a three month check up, then dead before the next three month check up.
I also am sort of stuck in South Africa because of my Medical Aid. I am so sad that I don't see me living in America. :-( I should be with bears, and coyotes. I understand them better than people.
I just noticed how almost every paragraph of this blog, starts with the word "I". That should tell you what the blog is all about. :-)
The word "I" is used 84 times. Please don't tell my Buddhist teacher.
I have now expressed some of my fears and worries. (85)
Since being diagnosed with Angiosarcoma, and having my leg amputated, I have kept myself securely encased in my small world. A world of easy wheel chair movement, lots of grab bars, and everything in easy reach. Now I will experience real life. On it's terms, not mine. (87)
I feel like this is where all the "theory" of daily prosthetics use, gets real. (88)
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Oct 9 2016 - Donning, an Air Bladder Socket
My newest socket has air bladders in it It is great, but takes some getting used to. I designed and built the air bladder part myself.
I went to Bradley to see if he had any air bladders that I could put between the flexible liner, and the fiber glass socket. He had some cool air bladders. They are about 2 inches by 4 inches. (5 cm by 10 cm).
I got 2 of them. Each comes with a valve to trap the air pressure, and a pump.
Here is what the bladders look like.
The bladders are supposed to take 100 kg (220 pds) of force on them when full of air.
It is not easy to see on the picture, but the one end of each bladder is double the thickness of the other end.
I only have only one pump, but the pump attaches to the bladder with a quick fitting adapter, so I can carry the pump in my bag rather than on the leg.
During the construction and designing, I had many failures :-)
DON'T do it like this :-)
If you remember earlier this year, I was complaining about it taking 10 minutes to put my leg on. It now takes much, longer, and requires more parts and accessories. But it doesn't hurt. That is vital and SSOOOO important.
Here is my morning procedure:
1. Take off the stump compression sock that I sleep in.
2. Put on part of a lady's large pair of tights. I had to cut away most of them. Their purpose is to stop my pubic hairs from getting pulled by the silicone liner. I tried shaving, but the stubble was worse than the hair being pulled out.
3. Next I smear glycerin over the end of my stump. This is to ensure that the silicone liner does not pull the skin on the stump end. Any pressure or force on the stump end is painful.
4. Now I liberally spray a mixture of alcohol, glycerin, and distilled water into the inside out silicone liner. This makes it easier to roll the silicone liner onto the stump.
5. Gently roll the liner onto the stump. I have to be very careful doing this. Any time I pull the liner toward my hip it hurts.
6. Now the liner is on, and the top part is over a part of the tights. The liner has small silicone ridges around it, down the length. On my last few sockets, these would form a seal for the vacuum in the lower part of the socket. This socket with the variable volume, caused by the inflatable air bladders is unable to form a vacuum seal with these small ridges.
7. Put on a sealing ring.
8. Now I put on a thick wool stocking on the top part of my stump because the top part is not adjustable using the bladders. The bladders only are on the bottom part of the stump, but not near the end of the stump. I need a little more security at the top part, so I put on a thick sock. I make sure the vacuum seal will not be broken by the wool sock.
9. Now I inspect the hoses, valves, and bladders. The bladders need to be fully deflated. I have replaced the metal hose clamps with Velcro. The Velcro strap wraps around the socket 4 times.
10. I now tuck the hoses out of the way, and get the valves in a place where I can reach them when the socket is on the stump.
11. Now I inspect all the pieces of foam I have inserted between the flexible liner and the socket shell. These will put pressure where I can not put the air bladders. I use 3 types of foam. They are color coded by compress-ability. White, Red, and Blue.
12. Now I liberally spray the inside of the socket with the same spray I used to put the silicone liner on. With out lubrication, the sealing ring will not slide against the inner flexible socket liner.
13. Now spray the sealing ring, and the whole silicone liner to make it slide easily into the socket.
14. Put the stump into the socket.
15. Push, shove, and bounce to get the stump down as far as possible into the socket. This is the part that scares me most. Any friction causes the silicone liner to try to move up the stump, and forces against the end of the stump. This can be very painful. It is pushing HARD, but gently. Duh!
16. When the stump is as far in as I can push it, it is still not in far enough. This is a bad time, because since the stump isn't far enough into the socket, the leg is way too long, and not steady or supported well. Walking is very difficult.
17. After about 30 minutes of bouncing and walking around the kitchen, the stump is far enough into the socket.
18. I check by sticking my finger in the vacuum valve hole. This way I can feel exactly how far the stump is into the socket.
19. Now to attach the pump to the bladder and pump. The bladders push securely on the sides of my thigh, and hold the femur very tight. The Proprioception increases dramatically. I can feel every movement of the foot.
20. Now I struggle and battle, to get my shorts on. Then I wait for my Buddy to drive up and take me to lunch. :-)
--
One of my readers sent me the links to some interesting sites about bionics. Cool stuff.
http://www.cybathlon.ethz.ch/en/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqGx-eUykZLDKjjrwRhfilQ/feed
Thanks for that. :-)
--
I went to Bradley to see if he had any air bladders that I could put between the flexible liner, and the fiber glass socket. He had some cool air bladders. They are about 2 inches by 4 inches. (5 cm by 10 cm).
I got 2 of them. Each comes with a valve to trap the air pressure, and a pump.
Here is what the bladders look like.
It is not easy to see on the picture, but the one end of each bladder is double the thickness of the other end.
I only have only one pump, but the pump attaches to the bladder with a quick fitting adapter, so I can carry the pump in my bag rather than on the leg.
During the construction and designing, I had many failures :-)
DON'T do it like this :-)
If you remember earlier this year, I was complaining about it taking 10 minutes to put my leg on. It now takes much, longer, and requires more parts and accessories. But it doesn't hurt. That is vital and SSOOOO important.
Here is my morning procedure:
1. Take off the stump compression sock that I sleep in.
2. Put on part of a lady's large pair of tights. I had to cut away most of them. Their purpose is to stop my pubic hairs from getting pulled by the silicone liner. I tried shaving, but the stubble was worse than the hair being pulled out.
3. Next I smear glycerin over the end of my stump. This is to ensure that the silicone liner does not pull the skin on the stump end. Any pressure or force on the stump end is painful.
4. Now I liberally spray a mixture of alcohol, glycerin, and distilled water into the inside out silicone liner. This makes it easier to roll the silicone liner onto the stump.
5. Gently roll the liner onto the stump. I have to be very careful doing this. Any time I pull the liner toward my hip it hurts.
6. Now the liner is on, and the top part is over a part of the tights. The liner has small silicone ridges around it, down the length. On my last few sockets, these would form a seal for the vacuum in the lower part of the socket. This socket with the variable volume, caused by the inflatable air bladders is unable to form a vacuum seal with these small ridges.
7. Put on a sealing ring.
8. Now I put on a thick wool stocking on the top part of my stump because the top part is not adjustable using the bladders. The bladders only are on the bottom part of the stump, but not near the end of the stump. I need a little more security at the top part, so I put on a thick sock. I make sure the vacuum seal will not be broken by the wool sock.
9. Now I inspect the hoses, valves, and bladders. The bladders need to be fully deflated. I have replaced the metal hose clamps with Velcro. The Velcro strap wraps around the socket 4 times.
10. I now tuck the hoses out of the way, and get the valves in a place where I can reach them when the socket is on the stump.
11. Now I inspect all the pieces of foam I have inserted between the flexible liner and the socket shell. These will put pressure where I can not put the air bladders. I use 3 types of foam. They are color coded by compress-ability. White, Red, and Blue.
12. Now I liberally spray the inside of the socket with the same spray I used to put the silicone liner on. With out lubrication, the sealing ring will not slide against the inner flexible socket liner.
13. Now spray the sealing ring, and the whole silicone liner to make it slide easily into the socket.
14. Put the stump into the socket.
15. Push, shove, and bounce to get the stump down as far as possible into the socket. This is the part that scares me most. Any friction causes the silicone liner to try to move up the stump, and forces against the end of the stump. This can be very painful. It is pushing HARD, but gently. Duh!
16. When the stump is as far in as I can push it, it is still not in far enough. This is a bad time, because since the stump isn't far enough into the socket, the leg is way too long, and not steady or supported well. Walking is very difficult.
17. After about 30 minutes of bouncing and walking around the kitchen, the stump is far enough into the socket.
18. I check by sticking my finger in the vacuum valve hole. This way I can feel exactly how far the stump is into the socket.
19. Now to attach the pump to the bladder and pump. The bladders push securely on the sides of my thigh, and hold the femur very tight. The Proprioception increases dramatically. I can feel every movement of the foot.
20. Now I struggle and battle, to get my shorts on. Then I wait for my Buddy to drive up and take me to lunch. :-)
--
One of my readers sent me the links to some interesting sites about bionics. Cool stuff.
http://www.cybathlon.ethz.ch/en/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqGx-eUykZLDKjjrwRhfilQ/feed
Thanks for that. :-)
--
Friday, 7 October 2016
Oct 7 2016 - Hurricane and Air Bladders.
03:30
I can't sleep.
No special reason.
Not cancer, or pain, or drugs.
Just a normal, garden variety, can't sleep.
I don't think my mind ever completely rests. I woke up at 03:00 thinking a jumble of thoughts.
My Florida friends and hurricane Mathew.
Air bladders for my prosthesis socket.
My poor solar batteries.
Getting my car through the roadworthy test.
All these thoughts flooding seconds apart, over and over. No one thought taking charge.
Some of my Florida friends have boarded up their houses, and some have fled to the West, and some have done both. Away from the East coast and the hurricane's path. Usually these friends either have hurricane parties while the wind and rain blows, or else they just work as normal. Not this time. The predictions must be real bad. I have these people in my thoughts.
The eye should pass right over one friends house. My poor neglected RV is only 16 miles from the center of the path. It will probably get damaged. :-( It is deep in a forest, so it is protected from the wind, but the roots of the trees are in sand, and often the wind blows the trees down.
--
I have always thought of having multiple air bladders inside the prosthesis socket, which would allow the varying of pressure at different points against the stump, as needed. But the mechanics of incorporating bladders into the socket design require much thought and design work. I have a medical boot that is mainly used for sprained ankles.
It has air bladders inside to control pressure at different parts of the foot to prevent the foot from moving around. I just opened mine up and removed two bladders. Now to put them somehow into my socket. I think between the soft socket liner, and the hard shell of the socket. Then when they are inflated, they will press the liner against my stump. Ideally there would be many many bladders, each individually controlled. I question the strength of the bladders.
A perfect fitting socket is every amputee's dream.
--
Last night while I was watching TV, using headphones, we had a power failure. My solar system batteries kicked in, and the inverter supplied power to my house just like it was supposed to, but I didn't hear the alarm. After 4 hours of using the lights, TV, 2 computers, and cooking supper, I only then realized the power had failed. I normally reduce the electricity usage as soon as the power fails. This time I didn't know. So when I headed for bed at 23:30 I noticed my poor batteries were way below the minimum I normally allow them. Discharging batteries to far hurts them. :-( Sorry batteries.
Right then, before I could reduce the usage, the mains power came back on, and started recharging the batteries. They have been on high charge for about 4 hours now.
I need to devise a fail safe alarm, not just a soft buzzer to warn of power failure.
--
I got the car brakes fixed. The one slave cylinder had leaked real bad. Now I need to take it through roadworthy before I can put it into my name from Maddie's name. The papers Maddie sent arrived yesterday. 14 days to get here from George.
At the brake repair place, I saw a notice for a company that waits in line for people at the motor vehicle department offices.
We-Q-4-U.
In British colonies, the word "Que" means to stand in a line. These people take all my papers, and stand in line for hours in my place. It is a good employment of poor, uneducated, people. They mainly do vehicle registrations, and renewals.
They are offering a new service, where they take your car through the roadworthy inspection, then take it to mechanic to fix any defects, then back to roadworthy, and keep doing this until the car passes.
My car has non standard tires. South Africa law requires the tires to be manufacture recommended tires. My car has Mag wheels with bigger tires.
WE-Q-4-U says they will temporarily swap tires just to pass the test, then swap the tires back. This alone will save me R3000, that I was going to have to pay for new tires.
Then they take all the papers and complete the registration into my name.
We-Q-4-U charge a lot of money, but it will save me many hours of standing in lines, and dealing with people that I would rather do harm to, than smile at.
--
My hot milk drink is finished, and I am sleepy now.
I am hoping the humbling, hurricane doesn't hurt my friends.
--
I can't sleep.
No special reason.
Not cancer, or pain, or drugs.
Just a normal, garden variety, can't sleep.
I don't think my mind ever completely rests. I woke up at 03:00 thinking a jumble of thoughts.
My Florida friends and hurricane Mathew.
Air bladders for my prosthesis socket.
My poor solar batteries.
Getting my car through the roadworthy test.
All these thoughts flooding seconds apart, over and over. No one thought taking charge.
Some of my Florida friends have boarded up their houses, and some have fled to the West, and some have done both. Away from the East coast and the hurricane's path. Usually these friends either have hurricane parties while the wind and rain blows, or else they just work as normal. Not this time. The predictions must be real bad. I have these people in my thoughts.
The eye should pass right over one friends house. My poor neglected RV is only 16 miles from the center of the path. It will probably get damaged. :-( It is deep in a forest, so it is protected from the wind, but the roots of the trees are in sand, and often the wind blows the trees down.
--
I have always thought of having multiple air bladders inside the prosthesis socket, which would allow the varying of pressure at different points against the stump, as needed. But the mechanics of incorporating bladders into the socket design require much thought and design work. I have a medical boot that is mainly used for sprained ankles.
A perfect fitting socket is every amputee's dream.
--
Last night while I was watching TV, using headphones, we had a power failure. My solar system batteries kicked in, and the inverter supplied power to my house just like it was supposed to, but I didn't hear the alarm. After 4 hours of using the lights, TV, 2 computers, and cooking supper, I only then realized the power had failed. I normally reduce the electricity usage as soon as the power fails. This time I didn't know. So when I headed for bed at 23:30 I noticed my poor batteries were way below the minimum I normally allow them. Discharging batteries to far hurts them. :-( Sorry batteries.
Right then, before I could reduce the usage, the mains power came back on, and started recharging the batteries. They have been on high charge for about 4 hours now.
I need to devise a fail safe alarm, not just a soft buzzer to warn of power failure.
--
I got the car brakes fixed. The one slave cylinder had leaked real bad. Now I need to take it through roadworthy before I can put it into my name from Maddie's name. The papers Maddie sent arrived yesterday. 14 days to get here from George.
At the brake repair place, I saw a notice for a company that waits in line for people at the motor vehicle department offices.
We-Q-4-U.
In British colonies, the word "Que" means to stand in a line. These people take all my papers, and stand in line for hours in my place. It is a good employment of poor, uneducated, people. They mainly do vehicle registrations, and renewals.
They are offering a new service, where they take your car through the roadworthy inspection, then take it to mechanic to fix any defects, then back to roadworthy, and keep doing this until the car passes.
My car has non standard tires. South Africa law requires the tires to be manufacture recommended tires. My car has Mag wheels with bigger tires.
WE-Q-4-U says they will temporarily swap tires just to pass the test, then swap the tires back. This alone will save me R3000, that I was going to have to pay for new tires.
Then they take all the papers and complete the registration into my name.
We-Q-4-U charge a lot of money, but it will save me many hours of standing in lines, and dealing with people that I would rather do harm to, than smile at.
--
My hot milk drink is finished, and I am sleepy now.
I am hoping the humbling, hurricane doesn't hurt my friends.
--
Friday, 30 September 2016
Sep 30 2016 - Another new socket...No.10
I have been wearing my latest socket quite a bit. It is very uncomfortable, but...
IT DOES NOT CAUSE PAIN!!!!
It is hard to explain the importance of that to me.
The end of my stump that is farthest from the body center, is called the "distal" end. Actually, distal is the farthest of anything from the center of the body. Proximal is the end closest to the center of the body.
This is Doctor talk, but does help is being precise about body directions.
The problems of my stump are mostly at the distal end. Pressure on the distal end is very painful. If the skin on the stump is pulled toward the hip (Proximaly), it puts pressure on the distal end. So when donning (that is medical talk for "putting on") a socket, the friction force on the skin, toward the proximal end of the stump, causes skin to pull and puts pressure on the distal end. Of course this is also a factor when my entire body weight is on the stump inside the socket.
This latest socket is kind of weird. My stump is about 35 cm long (14 in). This socket is build so that the most distal half of my stump is not in contact with the socket. The distal end just floats around like a clanger in a bell. This means that 100% of by body weight is supported on just 15 cm (6 in) of the proximal end of the stump. By putting all the weight up high on my thigh fat, it makes the pain on the distal end zero. Having all the weight concentrated is a small area is not comfortable. Like wearing shoes that are way to small.
The big problem with having the distal end floating, is proprioception.
Wiki says:
proprioception pro·pri·o·cep·tion (prō'prē-ō-sěp'shən)
n.
The unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation arising from stimuli within the body itself.
Proprioception is deteriorated with drugs and alcohol. That is why traffic cops have you close your eyes and try to touch your nose with your fingers.
By having the stump distal end floating, I loose track of, and have no feedback of, where the prosthetic leg is. I must walk slow, and watch where the leg is to know if it is in front and ready to have weight put on it.
I spent 4 hours at the prosthetic place today. We were determined to improve proprioception, comfort, and control.
This socket needs me to wear a silicone liner against the stump skin. The socket is made of fiberglass and carbon fiber. Inside the socket is a thick plastic liner. It has the feeling of a small tire. It is flexible, but tough.
Here is me bending the inside liner of the socket with my thumb.
The inside liner is riveted to the fiberglass shell. The vacuum is formed between the flexible socket liner, and the silicone liner on my stump. That is what keeps the prosthetic leg from falling off when I take a step. So there is the stump, silicone liner, flexible liner, then fiberglass shell.
What we have been doing the last few days was putting pieces of thin foam between the flexible liner and the fiberglass shell. These foam pieces are used to push against the stump closer to the distal end, to increase proprioception. This works, BUT, the pieces of foam also increase the force needed to push the stump into the socket. The more foam, the more proprioception, but more pain. :-(
Today we cut big holes in the fiberglass shell, and put thick foam on the pieces cut out.
At first we had a ratchet assembly that pulled a stainless steel cable. This broke before we could get enough force.
Then we used my big hose clamps to pull the cut out pieces in tight once the stump is inside the socket. So the stump fits in the socket easy, THEN we add the force near the distal end to aid in proprioception and control. These movable pads put force on the femur, without putting force on the distal end.
When tight, there is a LOT of force on the stump sides. This steadies the femur and really gives me good control and it makes the whole prosthetic feel so much more like a part of my body.
The next thing we need to work on is the force required. When I release the clamps, I feel the blood rush into the stump.
But there is NO pain. I can go shopping and get in and out of the car easily.I wore the leg about 6 hours today.
--
I passed the learners test part of getting a South African drivers licence. Next is to get the car registered into my name from Maddie's name. She mailed me all the required documents express, registered mail, about 10 days ago. The post office advised me today that I can go collect the documents at the post office. 10 days for express mail to go 1300 km (600 miles).
To get the car in my name needs a roadworthy inspection. The tires won't pass because they are non standard. New tires are R3000. The one brake is leaking, and that is R1000. This money is coming out of the money set aside for plane tickets to go to America. Between this and the driving lessons, I have used half the ticket money. I am now way short of money. But being short of money, is nominal now days.
I decided I'll take the drivers licence road test, in my car. It is much easier to get in and out of than the driving schools cars. I have also removed the rest place for the left foot, to give my prosthetic leg more room. But first I need the car in my name.
--
Today at the pharmacy I chatted about an hour with a guy that works there. He is a right leg, above the knee amputee. It is so nice to hear someone complain exactly about the things, that I complain about. :-)
He has been using one of the very first bionic knees for about 10 years. An OttoBock C-Leg. He got a loaner unit for 2 weeks of an Ossur Rheo-3 knee with a bionic foot.
He said after a few days he was walking up and down stairs, and up and down steep slopes without a thought. He said for 20 years he has had to concentrate on walking, but with the Rheo bionic foot/knee combination he occasionally, actually forgot about the prosthetic leg.
He has had many falls in his 20 years of amputation. He has been hospitalized 3 times from falls. Usually when accidentally stepping backwards, and putting weight on the toe that breaks the leg loose, and it suddenly collapses. His wife has been with him all three times.
While wearing the loaner Rheo knee/foot combination they went to a party, and were standing talking to a guy, that was opening a beer. The beer squirted foam all over. He and his wife both jumped back. Then she screamed and reached for him, knowing he would fall. But the computer cut in and locked the knee, and he didn't even stumble. She looked at him and said "We are buying that leg."
That leg costs R850,000 ( $70,000). They are selling one of their rental houses to buy the leg. He is very excited.
He had to give the Rheo back after 2 weeks. He says his old bionic leg feels like an dangerous antique.
--
IT DOES NOT CAUSE PAIN!!!!
It is hard to explain the importance of that to me.
The end of my stump that is farthest from the body center, is called the "distal" end. Actually, distal is the farthest of anything from the center of the body. Proximal is the end closest to the center of the body.
This is Doctor talk, but does help is being precise about body directions.
The problems of my stump are mostly at the distal end. Pressure on the distal end is very painful. If the skin on the stump is pulled toward the hip (Proximaly), it puts pressure on the distal end. So when donning (that is medical talk for "putting on") a socket, the friction force on the skin, toward the proximal end of the stump, causes skin to pull and puts pressure on the distal end. Of course this is also a factor when my entire body weight is on the stump inside the socket.
This latest socket is kind of weird. My stump is about 35 cm long (14 in). This socket is build so that the most distal half of my stump is not in contact with the socket. The distal end just floats around like a clanger in a bell. This means that 100% of by body weight is supported on just 15 cm (6 in) of the proximal end of the stump. By putting all the weight up high on my thigh fat, it makes the pain on the distal end zero. Having all the weight concentrated is a small area is not comfortable. Like wearing shoes that are way to small.
The big problem with having the distal end floating, is proprioception.
Wiki says:
proprioception pro·pri·o·cep·tion (prō'prē-ō-sěp'shən)
n.
The unconscious perception of movement and spatial orientation arising from stimuli within the body itself.
Proprioception is deteriorated with drugs and alcohol. That is why traffic cops have you close your eyes and try to touch your nose with your fingers.
By having the stump distal end floating, I loose track of, and have no feedback of, where the prosthetic leg is. I must walk slow, and watch where the leg is to know if it is in front and ready to have weight put on it.
I spent 4 hours at the prosthetic place today. We were determined to improve proprioception, comfort, and control.
This socket needs me to wear a silicone liner against the stump skin. The socket is made of fiberglass and carbon fiber. Inside the socket is a thick plastic liner. It has the feeling of a small tire. It is flexible, but tough.
Here is me bending the inside liner of the socket with my thumb.
The inside liner is riveted to the fiberglass shell. The vacuum is formed between the flexible socket liner, and the silicone liner on my stump. That is what keeps the prosthetic leg from falling off when I take a step. So there is the stump, silicone liner, flexible liner, then fiberglass shell.
What we have been doing the last few days was putting pieces of thin foam between the flexible liner and the fiberglass shell. These foam pieces are used to push against the stump closer to the distal end, to increase proprioception. This works, BUT, the pieces of foam also increase the force needed to push the stump into the socket. The more foam, the more proprioception, but more pain. :-(
Today we cut big holes in the fiberglass shell, and put thick foam on the pieces cut out.
At first we had a ratchet assembly that pulled a stainless steel cable. This broke before we could get enough force.
Then we used my big hose clamps to pull the cut out pieces in tight once the stump is inside the socket. So the stump fits in the socket easy, THEN we add the force near the distal end to aid in proprioception and control. These movable pads put force on the femur, without putting force on the distal end.
When tight, there is a LOT of force on the stump sides. This steadies the femur and really gives me good control and it makes the whole prosthetic feel so much more like a part of my body.
The next thing we need to work on is the force required. When I release the clamps, I feel the blood rush into the stump.
But there is NO pain. I can go shopping and get in and out of the car easily.I wore the leg about 6 hours today.
--
I passed the learners test part of getting a South African drivers licence. Next is to get the car registered into my name from Maddie's name. She mailed me all the required documents express, registered mail, about 10 days ago. The post office advised me today that I can go collect the documents at the post office. 10 days for express mail to go 1300 km (600 miles).
To get the car in my name needs a roadworthy inspection. The tires won't pass because they are non standard. New tires are R3000. The one brake is leaking, and that is R1000. This money is coming out of the money set aside for plane tickets to go to America. Between this and the driving lessons, I have used half the ticket money. I am now way short of money. But being short of money, is nominal now days.
I decided I'll take the drivers licence road test, in my car. It is much easier to get in and out of than the driving schools cars. I have also removed the rest place for the left foot, to give my prosthetic leg more room. But first I need the car in my name.
--
Today at the pharmacy I chatted about an hour with a guy that works there. He is a right leg, above the knee amputee. It is so nice to hear someone complain exactly about the things, that I complain about. :-)
He has been using one of the very first bionic knees for about 10 years. An OttoBock C-Leg. He got a loaner unit for 2 weeks of an Ossur Rheo-3 knee with a bionic foot.
He said after a few days he was walking up and down stairs, and up and down steep slopes without a thought. He said for 20 years he has had to concentrate on walking, but with the Rheo bionic foot/knee combination he occasionally, actually forgot about the prosthetic leg.
He has had many falls in his 20 years of amputation. He has been hospitalized 3 times from falls. Usually when accidentally stepping backwards, and putting weight on the toe that breaks the leg loose, and it suddenly collapses. His wife has been with him all three times.
While wearing the loaner Rheo knee/foot combination they went to a party, and were standing talking to a guy, that was opening a beer. The beer squirted foam all over. He and his wife both jumped back. Then she screamed and reached for him, knowing he would fall. But the computer cut in and locked the knee, and he didn't even stumble. She looked at him and said "We are buying that leg."
That leg costs R850,000 ( $70,000). They are selling one of their rental houses to buy the leg. He is very excited.
He had to give the Rheo back after 2 weeks. He says his old bionic leg feels like an dangerous antique.
--
Saturday, 24 September 2016
Sep 24 2016 - Nightmares, and too much Thinking.
02:30
My good leg is itching.
My stump end hurts.
My lower back is needing constant stretching.
I'm hot.
I haven't shat for days.
My brain is doing way too much thinking about stuff it shouldn't think about.
At about 01:00 I woke up from a bad dream. On the airline flight to America, I had taken off the prosthetic leg to sleep, and some child had poured glue in the socket as a joke.
I awoke again at about 01:15. I was under arrest at airport security because I had a tool kit that I use to repair the prosthetic knee.
About 1:30 I dreamed I was on crutches in the RV in Florida. Some friend were outside wanting in, to visit. I couldn't get to the main door to unlock it. I have to go down the narrow stairs to get to the door to unlock and open it. I can't get down the steps. I can't open the door with the crutch tips. So I sit on the floor and slide to the drivers door and open it. My friends enter the RV from the drivers door, but I am laying on the floor. They have to step over me. They remark how all the food they had bought with me three days ago, when I had landed at the airport, was still in the bags. I can't crutch, and carry stuff to the cupboard. Some of the food was starting to smell.
I still haven't hooked up water, sewage, or electricity. It is very cold in the RV.
I only have the RV for transport, and haven't even started it yet to see if it even runs. I have no cell phone sim card, so have not called any one to help me.
At 02:00 I awake to the song "Being done to soon." in my head. It is playing over and over in my head. Maybe I need a tattoo of the lyrics.
At 02:15 I get up, and turn the computer on.
I blame the nightmares because I watched "Brian's Song" on TV last night.
I fold my laundry.
I make hot milk Horliks. Maybe it will make me sleepy.
I start playing a computer game. But I can't concentrate.
I rub an anesthetic on my good leg, and massage my stump lots.
There are advantages, and disadvantages to being alone in life.
I can get up at 02:00 and nobody else gets inconvenienced, but also, nobody cares.
I don't have someone touching me when I don't want to be touched. But I also don't have someone to hug, when I need a hug.
I don't have to "report" my whereabouts to anyone, but there is also no one to care whether I got home OK or not.
There is no one to "bother" me when I want to be alone, but there is no one to call at 02:00 if I need some help.
Friends are a very good thing, but they are not right here, right now!
So maybe being in a bad relationship is better than not being in any relationship.
There should be some happy medium. Like someone living with you that is a very good friend.
Maybe I am thinking about things like this because my life situation has changed, and I am now more dependent on others than I have been in the past.
I desperately crave total independence, but I also need someone. Reconciling these two aspects of my life will probably never happen. I have never worked at improving the people skills needed for this to happen.
I don't know.
Now 05:30.. I'm going to try sleep again.
My good leg is itching.
My stump end hurts.
My lower back is needing constant stretching.
I'm hot.
I haven't shat for days.
My brain is doing way too much thinking about stuff it shouldn't think about.
At about 01:00 I woke up from a bad dream. On the airline flight to America, I had taken off the prosthetic leg to sleep, and some child had poured glue in the socket as a joke.
I awoke again at about 01:15. I was under arrest at airport security because I had a tool kit that I use to repair the prosthetic knee.
About 1:30 I dreamed I was on crutches in the RV in Florida. Some friend were outside wanting in, to visit. I couldn't get to the main door to unlock it. I have to go down the narrow stairs to get to the door to unlock and open it. I can't get down the steps. I can't open the door with the crutch tips. So I sit on the floor and slide to the drivers door and open it. My friends enter the RV from the drivers door, but I am laying on the floor. They have to step over me. They remark how all the food they had bought with me three days ago, when I had landed at the airport, was still in the bags. I can't crutch, and carry stuff to the cupboard. Some of the food was starting to smell.
I still haven't hooked up water, sewage, or electricity. It is very cold in the RV.
I only have the RV for transport, and haven't even started it yet to see if it even runs. I have no cell phone sim card, so have not called any one to help me.
At 02:00 I awake to the song "Being done to soon." in my head. It is playing over and over in my head. Maybe I need a tattoo of the lyrics.
At 02:15 I get up, and turn the computer on.
I blame the nightmares because I watched "Brian's Song" on TV last night.
I fold my laundry.
I make hot milk Horliks. Maybe it will make me sleepy.
I start playing a computer game. But I can't concentrate.
I rub an anesthetic on my good leg, and massage my stump lots.
There are advantages, and disadvantages to being alone in life.
I can get up at 02:00 and nobody else gets inconvenienced, but also, nobody cares.
I don't have someone touching me when I don't want to be touched. But I also don't have someone to hug, when I need a hug.
I don't have to "report" my whereabouts to anyone, but there is also no one to care whether I got home OK or not.
There is no one to "bother" me when I want to be alone, but there is no one to call at 02:00 if I need some help.
Friends are a very good thing, but they are not right here, right now!
So maybe being in a bad relationship is better than not being in any relationship.
There should be some happy medium. Like someone living with you that is a very good friend.
Maybe I am thinking about things like this because my life situation has changed, and I am now more dependent on others than I have been in the past.
I desperately crave total independence, but I also need someone. Reconciling these two aspects of my life will probably never happen. I have never worked at improving the people skills needed for this to happen.
I don't know.
Now 05:30.. I'm going to try sleep again.
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