Measurement Day!
Well, today was the big day, and it couldn’t have gone better! We got there on time and were introduced to Harry, who would be doing the casting of my leg and building the actual prosthetic. We spent what must have been close to two hours talking about care for the prosthetic, the kind of activities I’d be able to start up, the kinds I shouldn’t, etc. The actual casting of Leeroy only took about a half hour or so. They decided to go with a plaster cast, rather than use the laser, so I didn’t take a video. (Somehow, watching plaster dry didn’t seem as interesting as a handheld laser would have.) With all that out of the way, I can pass along some of the details of my new cyber-foot.
1) The carbon fiber socket will be suction fit, meaning that it will slide on over the gel liner on my leg. A one-way air valve near the bottom of the socket will allow air out, but not back in. Combined with a second gel sleeve at the top of the socket which will prevent air from getting back in to the socket, this will hold the leg tightly in place without putting all the stress on the end of my leg.
2) The foot will most likely also be carbon fiber and will probably have some sort of vertical shock absorption as well as allowing for some twisting, making every day activities a bit easier.
3) I will be going back next Wednesday to be fitted for a brace on my left leg, then it’s off to PT.
So, in summary…I AM COMPLETELY EXCITED. For two years now, I have been struggling and fighting to get back to “normal,” and I have never been closer than I am right now. I’ll definitely be keeping you all updated as we go through this. Talk to you later!
1 year ago
