Fitted.

After several aborted attempts, I was finally able to get fitted for my prosthetic this morning at Hanger Clinic.

Originally, it was supposed to be May 19, then June 28, then July 3, and finally today. All of the delays due to a stupid little stitch wound that just wouldn’t heal.

But, finally, it has.

Just yesterday on this very blog, I asked what was next, wondering how the path forward would look. And just one day later, I have a much better insight as to what is, in fact, coming next.

The fitting was incredibly interesting and informative. I’d only had a vague idea of what was to come when I went to the clinic, but was not only fascinated, but delighted by the outcome.

First, I was introduced to a new friend that will be with me for a long time. A gel covering that will go over my naked Jimmy, about 1/4” thick, and flesh colored. I now know why I was wearing the “stump shrinker” sock for the past few months. It was to prepare for this thing.

Honestly, it feels like another layer of skin on top of mine. It was cool to the touch, but warm and snug when it went on. I can see how it will cause some sweat in the summer, but, honestly, it was sort of…comforting?

Then the clinician wrapped that in plastic wrap so I wouldn’t get dirty, and marked the location of my leg bones with a pencil. Why, you ask? Good question.

It’s apparently because the prosthetic needs to take into account the location of my bones so as not to press on them and give them undue pressure and pain. Who knew?

Then, she wrapped the whole thing in three layers of plaster wrap, kind of like an old school cast. My son was fascinated, so she bade him to put on a glove and give it a rub, which, of course, he did.

Then, we waited. After about 10 minutes, the cast was ready, and, when she took it off, the markings for the bones were, as if by magic, on the inside of the cast. Pretty sweet.

My new foot. The Blatchford Echelon.

At the end, she showed me the new foot I will be getting. It’s called a Blatchford Echelon, and it’s hydraulic, to mimic the action of a real ankle, so I don’t fall when I’m walking on stairs or outdoors over curbs and whatnot.

It looks pretty sweet.

So, next week, I get to go and stand up on two feet for the first time since March, to adjust the fitting, and then, a couple weeks later, my foot is being delivered.

And the next steps can FINALLY commence.

I’m very happy, very excited, and also very nervous. What will it be like to walk again?

I have no idea, but I’m super excited to try it!

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As always, if you have it in you, please give a thought to donating time or money to Hospice Austin. They do amazing work for people who are going through the hardest thing a person can face.

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