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NAME: RUSS THOMAS 

ALLERGIES: GRAVITY

CAUTION: (some graphic pictures)

(click on thumbnails for larger view)

This page is dedicated to the strongest person I know, my wife Cindy. For the past 14 months she has been able to take care of every aspect of our lives and then some. Although I wish her no health problems, if one should arise, I hope I can be half as strong for her.

    March 13, 2004, a Saturday that started like any other Saturday on a mini farm. We were just starting preparations for an add-on to our home. To start this add-on, I had to take down a tree. That morning I had already taken down 7 or 8 branches and I did them correctly, getting off the ladder on the branch then cutting the branch. The last branch I cut, I decided due to being in a hurry that I would stay on the ladder and just quickly cut off the branch. In a matter of seconds the branch hit the ladder, knocking it out from underneath me. My first instinct was to throw the chainsaw and jump. I  threw a Stihl 029 chainsaw about 20 feet and it continued to run after it hit the ground. Nothing was broken or bent, tough saw. I jumped feet first and the outside of my right foot caught the base of the tree where the roots start. After I finished rolling I realized my foot was bent out at a 90 degree angle and I couldn't bring it back. Surprisingly the pain was not as I expected. I was wearing a 2 week old pair of Rocky boots approximate value $180.00 that I wanted to preserve. I had my son take the laces out as quickly as possible so I could take it off, because from my experience as a Firefighter EMT I knew the first thing they were going to do was cut my new boot off. Well after my son took out the laces, I tried to kick it off with the other foot. It was at this point I realized I had some bones hanging out of my foot. I could see the bulge and blood starting to form on my sock. As I pushed the pain told me very quickly to let the EMT's cut my boot off. Being a former member of my local department, the people who were arriving were friends of mine. I've got to say they were very gentle with me, and I thank them very much for that. 

    I was transported to the hospital were I underwent surgery. After spending five long days in the hospital I was released to go home with an ankle that looked like this on the inside note:(the hole is where the bone came through.) It looked like this on the outside. On the inside it looked like this

    Throughout this ordeal, I have had 6 surgeries, 5 PICC lines, 1 blood clot, and many other memory making events.

    I ended up with osteomyelitis (bone infection) that lasted months. You could actually see the bone and the screws through a hole in the side of my leg. During a 8 month period in 2004, I was doing 2 I.V. antibiotics a day at home. Eventually the fibula bone had to be removed to attempt to get rid of the infection. Without the support of the fibula, my ankle joint started to weaken. It wasn't long until deformity and a lot of pain set in.,, . I was then left with 2 choices, ankle joint fusion, or below the knee amputation. I, of course, chose the fusion first. It was the most difficult and painful surgeries of all. The next series of photo's are of ankle and ankle x-rays after the fusion.

You can see the red seepage coming from the stitches, that is a sign of infection. 2 weeks later when the stitches were pulled there was a gaping hole in the side of my leg. The doctor immediately sent me to the hospital where I had surgery the next day to clean out the wound and cut some of my tibia bone out. Some incredible swelling started then. . I then had to start using a vacuum pump to remove fluids and infection from my wound. . Now I have to carry around this pump with hoses hanging off me. . As of this writing 5-2-05, I am still using the pump. 2 weeks ago it was determined that I was going to have to have the amputation. A last minute culture showed that the infection was no longer in the bone so we are going to attempt to save the foot.

Please stop back for an update.

Update: June 6, 2005:  Vacuum pump was removed 2 weeks ago. Although I am not to walk on it for 3 months, I started walking on it as soon as the pump was removed. Total freedom. I am now using a cane. Am getting around pretty good. Some serious chronic pain, but that is to be expected. My surgeon and Infection doctor have motivated me to save my foot. I was mentally prepared and starting to demand they amputate. These two physicians were very insistent upon waiting on the amputation once the wound vac was removed. Due to privacy concerns I cannot list their names here, but in an e-mail I would. So if you live in the Lima, Ohio area and are in need of their names, drop me a line. They have been great!!! If you can compare these two photo's with the ones above, you will see a major difference. 

    Within 24 hours of using the wound vac, the swelling was reduced by half. AMAZING!!! The photo's of when I started using the vac above show a very larger hole that tunneled deep into my ankle. Now it is closed and I have very little drainage. I am still using the antibiotic Levoquin, and according to my Infection doctor I might continue it for a year, barring any side effects. I was fitted for a new brace last week that will allow me to wear work boots. My bad foot's boot will be approximately 3 sizes larger than my good foot, but hey, I still have my OWN foot. When the vac was removed I then asked my infection doctor if this eliminated the chance of amputation, he said I am not guaranteeing anything. Guess I'll take what I got, I am still luckier than some. I was not to start putting weight on it until June 20, 2005, God willing, I am attempting to return to work on that date.

Update August 27, 2005: Went back to work on July 11, 2005. Was very busy working 46-60 hours per week, so I haven't had time to give an update til now. Kinda pushed it a little, but needed the money. Things went fairly well. Had chronic pain that seemed to be worse when I got up from a sitting position. It seemed the more I was on it the better it felt. I had to just keep moving. 

    The pain steadily got worse until I had to go back off work. August 19 was my last day. I was hoping to just rest it for a week and then return on some light restrictions. By Friday 8-26, the pain and swelling has got real bad. The indention where the previous opening was is starting to seep a clear fluid mixed with blood. I also have a lymph node that is swelling, which indicates to me the infection has reared it's ugly head again. 

    I contacted a traumatic reconstructive surgeon out of Columbus, Ohio who specializes in amputations. He is going to see me 9-12-05. As of my last update things looked promising. Now, since the infection is flaring up, I am seriously considering going through with the amputation. I believe it is the only way I am going to get my life back. I will have an update immediately following my appointment on 9-12-05.

Update September 19, 2005: (Happy birthday to my Mother (Shirley) who met up with the Lord in 1995.) Went to the reconstructive surgeon September 12. He agreed that the ERTL amputation was the best choice for someone at my age and activity level.. He stated that the only other thing we could do is to continue with revisions on the fusion. He said that it does not have a good success rate with people who do not have an active infection, let alone one who does like myself. He asked that I meet with a psychiatrist which I did on 9-14. I also met with the prosthetic people on 9-15. Also met with 3 amputees, one who is a double amputee who were very inspiring. I go back to the surgeon on 9-29 for a pre-surgery physical and at that time I will get my surgery date. 

NOTE: Although I have nothing but good things to say about the majority of the people I have dealt with, I am cautious about putting their names here. By the next update I hope to have obtained their permission and then there will be links on my site to their websites. In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to know their names, you may contact me by e-mail at thomas@ohiolink.net and I will disclose that information. 

September 21, 2005: I have worked for Honda of America Mfg. for 15 years. I have had a very colorful past of speaking out publicly when things (in my opinion) were not right. Over the duration of a  year and a half of this injury, I have not been there the majority of the time. My employer has been very supportive and understanding. Due to my injury I have many things to worry about, my job has not been one of them, and I thank Honda for that. Although our benefits have changed on occasion, as it does with most employers, it has got my family through this with minimal out of pocket expense. It will also allow me the benefit of modern technological prosthetics that will give me back an almost normal level of activity. 

    When it comes to employment, you just have to be thankful for what you have and not sweat the small stuff. "Accentuate the positive." It scares me to think what would have happened if I suffered an injury of this magnitude with the benefits I had at my last job. I guess this whole thing has taught me that things have to go bad, before you realize you have it good. Thank you Honda.

October 2, 2005: My September 29 appointment was changed by the office to October 3, 2005. As they were scheduling my new appointment, I ask if we could get things rolling for my surgery date. They came back with October 11, 2005. This is fine with me as the pain, since a week ago Friday has been horrible. This amputation is definitely going to be a step forward. The reason for so much pain is the fusion did not work, and the ligaments and tendons are destroyed from the fusion procedure. I am walking on the equivalent of a broken, severely sprained ankle. Here are a couple of views of what my ankle looked like today. I am not sure what these rings around my ankle are, but they are rock hard, and very painful.  This photo shows the swelling on the outside of my ankle. You can see the infected area and the swelling is slowly creeping into my heel. Nerve damage has caused my big toe to curl under the second toe. A view from behind,   and one from the front. You can see that the entire ankle joint has collapsed. These photo's should explain how I can actually say something I never thought I'd ever say, "I can't wait until they cut my foot off." I will give an update after my visit with the doctor tomorrow. 

October 20, 2005: OK, so I didn't have time to give an update when I last promised. I am now, and isn't that what's important? I would give an excuse but as you will see I don't have a leg to stand on. :) I had my ERTL amputation at Grant hospital in Columbus on October 11. I cannot say enough about everyone I have came in contact with from the surgical staff, the hospital staff and so on. The surgery took 4 hours and I was in recovery for 4 hours also, part of that was waiting for a room to become available. The nurses and the Techs on the 7th floor Trauma unit were outstanding!!! Thanks to all of them. My surgeon, Dr Attila Poka is a very talented and in demand surgeon. I feel very fortunate to have come in contact with him. What amazed me was how he and my Prosthetist Ray Francis work so closely together. He and 2 staff members from

 The Ohio Willow Wood Company were actually present in the operating room. I was hospitalized from the day of surgery, Tuesday, and released on Thursday of that same week. I am in a cast up to mid thigh with an IPOP, (Immediate post operative prosthetic.) The cast has a garter belt type of strapping system  I will not go into details of, which I will not miss. Only you ladies, and cross dressers, can understand what I am talking about when I say you are wearing a garter belt that is holding up what feels like 20 pounds of hose.

     I could not believe how quickly things are progressing. Besides Cindy actually catching me trying to scratch an itch on a foot that is no longer there, things are going great!!! 

    On Tuesday October 18, I went to Willow Wood for my first cast change. They told me things were looking real good. I got to bend my knee for a half an hour, what a relief. I also got to hang out with some pretty neat people. Cindy really enjoyed her first visit there. She got to spend some time with Tim Powell. Tim (a bi-lateral amputee) is quite a character. The staff at Willow Wood told me there were only two rules to follow. 1. Always listen to Ray, (my prosthetist), 2. NEVER listen to Tim. I am sure over time I find out why that is so important. 

    I feel my surgery and recovery have been so successful because of the help of what was complete strangers who I am now developing friendships with online and in person, and the support of some very wonderful family and friends. The outpouring of care that I have received has made me realize that even though I have lost my foot, I am a lucky man. My wife Cindy continues to amaze me with her positive outlook and strength. 

    I will be having cast changes once a week until the ERTL bridge has healed. To see the amazing things the ERTL procedure can do, go to ertlreconstruction.com click on the video pages, then click on the seals video's. 

November 13, 2005: First I would like to congratulate an online fellow amputee Melynda Schnee. Her story can be read at ertlreconstruction.com. Click on site map, ertl amputees, then Melynda Baker-Schnee. She had her amputation a year ago this month. Last Sunday she competed in the New York Marathon, on a hand cycle. , , . She completed the 26.2 miles in 2 hours 44 minutes, 15 seconds. Putting her 10th female and 49th overall. You have to read her story to understand what an accomplishment this was. With what she has been through, to do what she has a year after her amputation is amazing. Her journey makes mine look like a walk in the park.

    I haven't been doing much but waiting on things to heal. I continue to have my once per week cast change. Here is an x-ray of what the ertl amputation is all about. The bone bridge is what makes the stump a lot stronger, allowing the patient more flexibility and mobility. I still have quite a bit of tingling in my non-existent foot, but my friends tell me it is to be expected. I have stopped the antibiotics that I was taking for 30 days as a post op precaution. I also failed to mention earlier that I was giving myself stomach injections once a day for 20 days as a precaution against blood clots. I have happily stopped those. I can't wait to get out of this cast. I would settle for a prosthetic made of barbed wire if I could get out of this cast, but all things in due time. I will remain to be patient.

January 7, 2006: Many things have happened since my last update. I have been fitted for my temporary socket and foot. I was to use crutches with the new foot until around the end of January. Instead a couple of weeks ago I was at Ohio Willow Wood for an adjustment and Ray said to start walking with one crutch. Things were doing real well so he said to call Dr. Poka and ask if this was ok. His office called the next day and said it was ok to us a cane as tolerated. I used a cane for the next 2 weeks and at my next appointment they said I could start trying to walk unassisted. I have been able to do it quite a bit, I still have a long way to go but things are moving along faster than expected which I attribute to having the ERTL procedure and the excellent care of Dr. Poka my surgeon, and Ohio Willow Wood's Ray Francis, and Jeremy Farley. I have to use the crutches for about an hour in the morning until I can bear weight on it. I am still experimenting with the fit between the liners and the socks which will get better as I gain experience. There is more information on www.ertlreconstruction.com 

February 13, 2006: I have been so busy walking I haven't had much time for an update. I have come along way since my last posting. I have been walking unassisted for a month. Things get better everyday. First, I lost my truck in an airport parking lot and spent 40 minutes walking around looking for it. That is what the ERTL will do for you. Here I am 4 months post op and I am wearing my prosthesis around 16 hours a day. Thanks to an excellent surgeon, Dr. Attila Poka, my residual limb has healed very well and can hold up to about anything. Thanks to Ray Francis and Jeremy Farley at Ohio Willow Wood for expecting nothing but perfection. Due to these people and their dedication, I went back to work today. My employer, Honda of America has an 8 week Work Recovery program that allows me to go to the Associate Center, (which is a company fitness center), to get physical therapy 2 hours a day. After being sedentary for the better part of 2 years, I can sure use this! Honda's Medical department, and the Assembly management have helped my transition back to work go very smoothly. I haven't been through a lot compared to most but I really appreciate the fact that I am getting my life back in order. Never again will I take the benefit of walking for granted. By my next update I hope I can post that I finally made it back on a horse. 

April 14, 2006: I am currently back on my feet from a minor setback. Just a couple of weeks after my last update I was trying to catch up some well overdue chores. It was a Sunday morning and I was loading some telephone poles into a trailer that were left over from building a roundpen. I wish in the past I had a few problems that caused me a little pain to slow me down a little but things were going so well I just kept pushing and I overdid it and broke my prosthetic foot in 3 places. I was informed that my amputation does not heal for 6 months and the bones will not calcify for a year. So when the foot broke it jammed my stump into the socket causing me more pain than the day when I originally broke my ankle. It caused me to not wear my foot for about a month so it could heal. I just bruised it real bad. Now it is healed and I am back on my workout schedule at Honda. I am starting to get active again but at a slower pace. I know I could push harder but I do not want another setback, so I will go at the pace my prosthetist tells me to. I am sick of using crutches. Oh and you know of the quote "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" Here is proof that I consider that true. Here is a picture of my new foot with the original socket a tribute to one of televisions most memorable characters and recently deceased, Barney Fife. So spring is here, the weather is great and Barney and I have a lot of chores to do. As you get out and enjoy the weather, slow down practice safety. Think all of your decisions through real slow. If you have to go up a ladder, take your time, tie it off. Remember, there is no such thing as gravity, the earth sucks. :) 

May 17, 2006: Well here I am 7 months to the day since my amputation. I have been motoring like crazy. I recovered just fine from my little setback explained in my last update. I had two big Maple tree's taken down in the back of my house, as a matter of fact one of them was the one that broke my ankle that started all of this. Cindy and I have been cutting, splitting, and stacking firewood since Good Friday. We have finally finished and my leg held up to some pretty nasty abuse. I am still working out almost everyday and it just gets stronger and stronger. I have been playing some basketball and find that my lungs give out before my leg does. I am going to start playing racquetball next week. I guess the only problem I have is that I am realizing that I am an old man with a new leg. I wonder if there is an ERTL body replacement? :)  I am doing some cardio stuff that should help with that problem.

May 26, 2006: Happy Memorial Day. Be sure to keep our troops in your thoughts as you gather with your families. Got my new socket It has a picture of Barney Fife on his motorcycle and sidecar and says MAYBERRY CHOPPERS. Kind of an addiction wouldn't you say. Well at least it's not unhealthy. Oh and while I was on my way to my appointment I hit a deer. The only other eventful thing to happen was to run into my buddy Tim Powell. You might remember my mentioning him a few times in the past. Whenever Tim is around things always happen. I won't say what kind of things, we'll just leave it with that. As you can see, Tim is a bi-lateral amputee. Guess he likes to live twice as hard as me. Gloria, you have our prayers. 

    Anyway I had developed a blister on my knee and was out of my leg for a few days while that healed. There are always gonna be setbacks but as Ray Francis says, "keep your head on straight and you'll be fine." I'm learning that if you watch for signs of problems, and tackle them before they get out of hand, you can beat anything and maintain the ability to stay mobile. While at Ohio Willow Wood I read a Time or Newsweek article about a soldier who lost his leg in Iraq, I wish I could recall his name, who has told other soldier amputee's that "the difference between a cripple and an amputee is, an amputee does not give up." I understand that spirit and it was put so well.

January 6, 2007:  I can't believe my last update was May 26th 2006. So much has gone on since then. Myself, I have been pretty much going as normal. Have had a few skin conditions due to adjusting to the liners but overall I am out of the woods I think. Structurally, my leg is very sound. No issues there. What I have been excited about is the folks I have been meeting in my everyday life and through my website. I have met not only new people locally and across the USA, I have started communication with people internationally. What I plan on doing in the near future is to put a map on my website with information on whom I've met and where they are from. this thing just continues to grow.

    I will start with my international friends. I have met Hung, who is a young man from Da Nang, Viet Nam. He works in a hospital there and he and I have become almost brothers. 

    Recently I have met Mario from Croatia. He was the victim of a motorcycle accident who started out as a below the knee amputee, and recently, due to an infection he has had to have a revision surgery and is now an above the knee amputee. Please have him in your prayers for he is struggling.

    In our great country I have met Tony from Montana. He is just starting to prepare for his amputation. He is very eager to learn more about the ERTL.

    I met Diane from Pennsylvania who is still attempting some things to save her foot but has begun to inquire about an ERTL amputation.

    This year I met John Reinke from Texas. John struggled with his injuries for years and finally opted for the ERTL and has had nothing but success since his surgery. He had an autographed edition of the ERTL amputation from one of the ERTL family surgeons himself. John came to Ohio for a visit and Cindy, Shane and I were able to drive to DeGraff, Ohio to meet him. It was great. John has also started communicating with Tony to assist him with his amputation issues. Like myself, John opted to go with a theme socket for his prosthesis. Click on the thumbnail for a larger view. I think it is awesome.

    A security guard Deb Hook from Honda had been struggling for 11 years with pain from her ankle. She has had many surgeries and finally had her amputation just 3 days ago in Piqua, Ohio. I have been on the phone with her daily and she came home today and is not having anymore pain and sounds like she finally has the relief she has been looking for. Like everyone I have written about she is a fine example of courage. I know she will do well.

    Then there is Rex Meyer, who is a right below the knee amputee like myself. Rex is the equivalent of a cat who has used up about 28 of his 9 lives. :)  We met by chance at a local restaurant when we were both having difficulties in our early stages of our amputations. It seemed our paths crossed at the right time as we have been able to give each other the support we each needed at that time. Rex had a birthday yesterday and we went to Ohio City, Ohio for a surprise birthday party. Met some wonderful family and friends there who told some interesting "Rex stories". I have always mentioned the strength of the spouses and families of the sick and injured and Rex's wife Shelby is no exception. She has dealt with many situations, some very unusual, in her life with Rex. Not enough is ever said for those who help those in need. Here is a couple of photo's of Rex and I near a truck he restored. The beauty of this truck is proof of the things you can accomplish when you are determined to do something no matter what situation you find yourself in.

AUGUST 3, 2007:  Quite a busy summer. Have tried to commit a little bit of time to my shop (see my interests page under woodworking) but we have another horse coming in September. She is a spotted draft horse and she is trained to ride and drive. Ought to be interesting. Spent the last month putting up all new pasture fence. I was off work the week of the 4th of July and spent about every daylight hour out there. We took the afternoons off later in the week due to the heat. Otherwise the leg has been holding up quite well. A few weeks ago I was not wearing my suspension sleeve and as I got out of my truck my foot got caught on the brake pedal and my prosthetic leg came off. This has happened before but I always caught myself. This time I didn't and I fell on the end of my stump. I went to my family physician for an x-ray and it was discovered that I have 4 bone spurs on the end of my ERTL. Not a real big nuisance but something I have to be careful of. Even with this issue I still am very happy with the ERTL and would make this same decision again. These might have to be dealt with in the future but I was told if they don't bother me they will be fine remaining where they are. 

    Anyway I am not doing too bad for a recent amputee. The most exciting news is I just bought a motorcycle and am loving it. I have no problems controlling it because the prosthetic foot controls the rear brake, so with the suspension sleeve I have no problem. For you folks with missing limbs, these need not be setbacks from doing what you want. If you want to ride a bike there are many great folks out there who can modify bike to whatever your needs are. Like my case, If braking was a problem I could have the rear brake mechanism modified to somewhere else on the bike. Here is a photo of my new baby.

I am loving every minute of it!!!! Got a lot of work to do in the near future. Will update this fall unless there are any drastic changes. Enjoy!!

OOPS!! Quick update. August 25, 2007. I can't believe I forgot this little tidbit on my last update. In May I went on an annual fishing trip to AEP Recreation in south eastern Ohio. I caught this monster from a belly boat. Largemouth Bass, 5lbs. on the dot. From an amputee standpoint, this was challenging since you have to wear scuba flippers to maneuver the boat. I will be posting a video later of how I overcame this obstacle. Now this is the actual photo of the fish that is currently at the taxidermist. There are some photo's out there in circulation that shows this fish as a mere minnow. This would be due to the photoshop talents of one Gary Kahler. Gary is a fellow who I work with who has a reputation of photo (enhancing) that can be detrimental to the person in the photo. So there will be more in about a week. We have a new addition to our farm coming next Saturday, a draft horse. I will post some photo's of her arrival next weekend.

August 29, 2007: Setbacks, they happen. The weather has been hot and I worked an odd shift 2 days this week which didn't allow me to "air out" my leg on occasion. I have developed a rash that seems to start seeping by the end of the day. I want to post this problem so that new amputee's can see what can happen and that it is normal. You need to take this very seriously though and make your family physician and prosthetist aware of any problems you encounter. I personally have found that just simply airing it out and my family physician has prescribed me a cortisone cream that I can put on at bedtime after washing my leg and usually by morning I see positive results. Other than some pain I can still get around on it. 

    I don't have specific permission to use her full name here, but please keep Diane from Pennsylvania in your thoughts and prayers. She has fought pain for a long time and has recently attempted a final surgery to prevent an amputation. So far things look good. Let's hope this surgery is successful. Good luck Diane.

The new horse comes Saturday. Look for photo's I will post this weekend.

September 1, 2007: Well she made it. She is a whopping 1800lbs. but very gentle. She is a Spotted Draft Horse and recently had a baby so she is about 100lbs. overweight. I can't believe her disposition. Our goal is to get a small cart and harness and do some driving. Here is her photo. We spent most of the day introducing her to our other 4 horses. It will take some time for them to get used to each other and establish their pecking order. I hope to ride her soon. So far the one thing I learned about having a draft horse is she distributes the equivalent of dinosaur droppings. You can pick up our other horses mess with one scoop of a manure fork, Jane, it takes about 3 scoops. Looks like the garden is really going to grow now. :) 

January 7, 2008: Happy New Year!! The year 2008 can only get better because it sure started out rough. What do they say? Once you're at the bottom all you can do is go up. Guess I'll test that theory this year. 

    Just after the Christmas holiday our oldest horse "Country Fantasy aka Fanna" gave up her fight for life. Although her heart and spirit were still colt-like her 33 year old body could not support her. She was laid peacefully to rest in her favorite pasture.

    My first day back to work I stopped to help two stranded folks who were stuck in a snowdrift on the middle of the road. I got the first one out and on his way and when I went to help the second one I slipped and fell pretty hard on the knee of my prosthetic side. It was painful but I was able to get the other person and myself to work on time just barely. After about an hour at work the pain became unbearable. I went to Honda's first class medical department and Carol cleaned what appeared to be a growing red area. She removed a small splinter and the wound seeped a little. I was sent out for an x-ray which came back negative but the Emergency room physician diagnosed me with "cellulitis" which is a skin infection that according to information if not caught early could develop into something serious. He said that it could have been underlying and when I fell it brought it to the surface. I had some say that maybe as an amputee I shouldn't be stopping and helping others. On the contrary, the E.R. physician said by my falling it brought medical attention to the infection days sooner than if I had not fell. So I have been on the antibiotic "bactrim" and have been off work and off my leg and back on crutches since Wednesday the 2nd of January. I go to see my family physician tomorrow afternoon. As usual, I will take my problems. You might remember "Mario", a fellow who contacted me through my website from Croatia. He is an amputee who recently broke his sound leg. For as young as this guy is he has been through quite a bit. Think of him when you pray to your God. Also while we are on the topic of prayer, there are 2 ladies that I work with whom I'll call "P" and "B" who are dealing with serious health issues, you are in our thoughts. 

    Today in west central Ohio we had temperatures in the mid 60's. Outstanding for January. In closing as I type this Ohio State is losing to L.S.U 24 to 10 in the 3rd quarter in the BCS championship game. I hope they can pull out a victory.

April 6, 2008: Spring has sprung and this weekend was the tip of the iceberg. Yesterday and today (Sunday) were both sunny and in the mid 60's. I spent most of both days just enjoying the outdoors. I spent a little time riding my motorcycle. It feels as though I was enjoying the last vestiges of freedom as I have chose to go back to school. Tomorrow night I start my first class of a two year degree in Business Administration. I am enrolled at Rhodes State in Lima, Ohio. I will be attending class 4 hours every Monday night and then will have some studying commitment throughout the week. 

Before my amputation I felt pretty comfortable with where I was in my life. The amputation has caused change in different aspects of my life so I can either roll over or adapt to those changes. Since my employer has placed me into an office setting within the safety group, I feel I can be of more help if I can understand the basics of business. They have been very patient with me as I try to adapt so I feel I should try to obtain the education I need to be as of much use as possible, and who knows, I just might learn something. :) So keep an eye on future updates as I start out on a new chapter. I have recently discovered through taking the college entrance "Compass Testing" that it has been 30 years since I have even thought about Algebra, and now I understand it even less. So please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I shake the cobwebs off of parts of my brain that I have not use in quite some time. Happy Spring!!

July 2, 2008: Everyday of my life seems like a new road. Recently I received an email from a fellow who had just had his amputation from a motorcycle accident in 2004. Tom Signs is another one of those incredible human beings that should not have lived through his traumatic experience. Through his correspondence I have learned that it was only his faith in God and his devoted love for his family that his desire to go on was so strong that now he is facing a new chapter in his life of getting mobile with his new leg. Due to my work and school schedule I have been negligent in my emails and have not heard from him since he got his leg. I am hoping the lack of emails means he is doing great and is living the life he deserves. Maybe by next posting I can have a photo of Tom with his new leg to post. Tom has asked that I put his name and email on here so anyone suffering like he has can contact him also to help gain the courage and strength to go on as he has. Once again my foot loss story is minor in comparison to what he has went through so if you are reading this because you are searching for answers please contact Tom at kickerwing@hotmail.com  and he can help guide you through your situation..........and the network continues to grow. 

Personally I am grateful that my youngest son Shane made it back home safe. He was in Belize doing mission work for the Restoration Temple in Lima, Ohio. The youth cell he is a member of went there to help build an add on to a home. I was at their Sunday morning service when they came home and gave testimony to their experience in Belize. It struck me that when they left I think they believed they were going to help some less fortunate folks, but when they gave testimony a couple of Sundays ago it seemed that they were the ones whom were helped and blessed. The modest almost impoverish lifestyles they live in Belize, I imagine looked uncomfortable to the group. But one thing that stood out was the happiness and unselfishness the people of that village had. Makes you wonder who is more happy. 

Summer has proven to have a busy start while continuing to test the limits of my prosthesis, and thanks to Ohio Willow Wood I was able to carry 6- 80lb, bags of concrete into my barn without any problem. The make an awesome foot. Not too bad for a one legged guy. I continue to ride my motorcycle when weather permits. Gasoline is crazy and to work and back home on my bike I spend about $16.00 a week where in my truck it is about $65.00. 

Once again I am grateful to all of those kind folks whom have emailed me with their kind words. Sometimes I think I am about to let this site go due to time constraints and then someone like, most recently, Tom emails me and it gives me the desire to push on to maintain it. The biggest reason is I cannot forget where I came from and how scared I was when I was searching for answers about my amputation, so it must go on for those in the future. Remember, "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone is fighting some kind of battle."

September 24, 2008: I have a photo of Tom Signs that I mentioned in my last update. Here is Tom on the day he mountain biked 20 miles. Six months out from his amputation and mountain biking? Pretty amazing dude!! As I have said before it is attitude and good spirits that prevails. here is a photo of Tom that I enjoyed and gives an example of both. I know there is nothing this guy can't do. We have been trying to make plans to get together sometime. Can't wait to post those photo's.

Recently I received an email from Ross in Idaho who is having his amputation on the 30th of September.  He has been battling pain for 13 years and that fact alone assures us he is true American grit!! He has sent me a photo of where he lives and it is God's country. I don't have his permission to post more on here yet but if I do I will post his progress. I feel so fortunate to be able to trade emails with all the folks I have mentioned on here. My story still seems so minor compared to most. Oh yea, I almost forgot. My last leg appointment at Ohio Willow Wood I met a fellow biker who was in a motorcycle accident. I wish I had exchanged names with him but he was near death and came back from enormous odds. 

Well we recently added another 4 legged addition to our farm. Sierra came to our home this past Sunday. She is a German Shepherd who is so much like our Hydie it is amazing. Sleep has been kind of scarce lately and not because of her but our male Beagle Barney seems bent on asking her to be his Valentine. He whines and moans but we have to keep them at a distance until she is of age to have her spayed.

You remember reading about Rex Myers? His wife Shelby has told me he keeps pushing his limits. Horseback riding? When will he ever quit? Look back at the restored truck he did. Here is the trophy he recently won in a car show. The guy loves his truck. Well that's all for now. I know I am missing some things to say. Oh, one more thing, my new leg, I went with a Harley theme this time. No pun intended but I am now "one step" closer to having a Harley. Ok now that's all. I am sure I will remember something later and I will repost. Enjoy!!

November 7, 2008: As usual all things good come with some bad. First the bad. Barney our little Beagle died a couple of weeks ago. He was an inside dog who spent all his time with us. He would come out to my woodshop and lay in his basket. He loved it out there. He will be missed. 

We finally got together with Tom and Starr Signs. They stopped on their way back home from Michigan and spent the day with us. We had a great time. They had a photo album of Tom's accident and man oh man they have been through some terrible stuff. His accident makes mine look like a splinter. Once again the strength of people still amaze me. Here is a photo of Tom and I in front of Wally's. Some other happening news. Rex from Ohio City decided he needed to get up on his roof and clean out the gutters. Shelby we are still wondering just what you have to go through on a daily basis living with this guy. :) 

Please be thinking of Diane from Pennsylvania. She had her ERTL amputation this week. Hopefully she will let me keep a diary of a female's perspective of getting her life back from an amputation. And last but not least here is my Halloween costume. Scary huh? ARRR matey!!

February 4, 2009: Well my friends, now comes the time for a heart wrenching confession. I am only putting this on here to show those of you who may be struggling that these are the things we deal with when suffering pain. From my story you can tell I was healed and pain free since around march of 2006. It was at that time I tried to end my reliance on the pain medication Vicodin. I had a very tough 5 days and decided I was not strong enough to get off them. I continued them without really needing them because I was addicted to them. It is easy to lie to yourself, your doctor, and your family but not to your body. I can tell you honestly getting off the Vicodin was worse than the amputation itself. I wanted to end my reliance of them badly and went back to the internet for help. What I found that scared me most was that Vicodin can cover the pain that your body gives you to detect serious health conditions like cancers that if caught early can be cured. There are many helpful websites that can give you ideas on weaning yourself off the meds. The biggest reason I was able to beat this was through prayer and faith in Jesus Christ. I have always had a personal relationship with him and with much prayer I got through it. My son Shane started going to a new church that has a great outreach attitude The Church at Allentown in Lima, Ohio. Pastor Neal and the congregation are very supportive and have made Cindy and I feel very welcome. It seems that everything happens for a reason and just two weeks ago, which is a month after I got clean from the Vicodin I was asked to fill in for a visit to the Restoration Recovery House in Lima which is a halfway house for men getting off drugs and alcohol. It has opened a door that I never want to close. I asked God to show me the way to connect with these men and so far so good. I realize I am there to try to help council these men through testimony and faith but when I leave there I feel I am the one being rewarded. Please pray for Joe, (the house Director), me, and the men of this house as they are at a crossroads and the near future is all they have. Last night Bruce, (haven't got permission to use his last name) and I spent some time with them and I think a couple of them will be coming to Sunday service. All for now.

February 11, 2009: I would like to explain a little more about the addiction. I with held this information due to embarrassment mostly. I have always felt that someone who is a drug addict is weak and I know different now. These things happen so easy, you keep telling yourself that it is not a problem, I can quit anytime I want to, but that time sometimes never comes. I would like to say I am healed from the drug addiction to pain pills but you never heal, you recover. It is a daily battle that requires strength and like I said I got my strength from Jesus Christ. So for those of you who are suffering from addictions or those of you who know someone who is be there for them, and be firm. Brian, one of the recovering alcoholics at the Restoration House said last night, "If we don't say no, we are saying yes" when it comes to dealing with those addicted. Very profound. Please pray for me in my daily battle as I need it. 

September 28, 2009: Summer just flew by and Jesus Christ has been moving me to the things that are important. I just wanted to give a brief update to let you know that nothing has changed with the foot. Still going strong. One thing I did find out though. I usually suffer from rashes from the liners but this summer it has been very mild. I think it is from my gaining more experience and getting better at recognizing the signs and treating it before it gets worse. I am looking for some pics to post but can't remember what folder I put them in. Shelby sent me some pics of a cookout we had at the house and Bruce and Darla Rice introduced us to Mike and Susie Bartlett. Mike is an above the knee amputee and he and Susie are some awesome folks. Mike just got into the test program at Ohio Willow Wood. And speaking of Shelby ole' Rex just bought a real neat sportscar. He let me drive it and I have to say he is a lot better at driving a manual shift than I am. here they are coming over in their new ride. Real quick ride. The Law Enforcement over near Ohio City accepted a nice donation from Rex just shortly after he bought this ride. Gotta learn to control that speed Rex. So anyway I have just been enjoying my summer, and my new life in Christ Jesus. The doors he is opening are many and i am staying busy. Please check back as our church, The Church @ Allentown is starting a Celebrate Recovery and it is a faith based recovery program that is very exciting and it covers all sorts of hurts, hangups, and habits. A little something for everyone. So as soon as I locate all the pics I want to post I will give another update. 

December 12, 2009: Will do a full update between Christmas and New Years. Just need to get some info out to a courageous young man. Chris from Canada. I received your email and have been trying to reply since that day and it keeps coming back. If you have one could you please send me another email address so I can reply. I am thinking you were using the hospital wifi and that could have interferred. If the next one does not work I will give you my number to call me. Please, please, stay in contact. You are in my prayers. God Bless.

May 31, 2010: Have not heard from Chris so my prayers go out to him. So many of the past updates have not been fullfilled as it is difficult sometimes to stay in contact with folks. God has kept me real busy and seems to have landed me a part time job. Last October I started Leadership training for Celebrate Recovery which is a Christ centered recovery program for all hurts, habits, and hangups. It was brought to this area by Eddy and Sandy Monfort, Kelly Biese, and my Pastor Neal Whitney. I know the Lord is smiling on this program as it is growing very fast. See my front page for a schedule of meetings in the Lima, Ohio area. I was blessed to be on an Emmaus team this past winter and when I came off of that I was asked to be Ministry Leader of Allentown's Celebrate Recovery. That is the part time job I was referring to. When I signed up to help and train to become a Leader I had all these visions of helping those through what I had already experienced in my addiction. What I found is these 12 step programs really help you to grow whether spiritual or secular. I know why AA and NA and programs like that are so successful. The only difference with CR is that Jesus Christ is your higher power. Anyway as I go through the 12 steps I am finding that I have a lot hidden deep inside that I was not even aware of. By going through this program I have let go of things that have been holding me back and I am getting more and more free each week. So I recommend you find a CR program in your area and give it a chance. This program was founded by John Baker who attends Rick Warrens Saddleback Church. It is now all over the world in different languages. So email me with any questions you have and I will be glad to get back to you. I pray that you will find the peace that I am finding in God's love and grace.

June 12, 2010: If you are happy where you are in your boring, stagnant life in bondage, don't turn your will over to God or he will have you doing things you never thought possible. Ok, so yesterday I spent the day in Columbus at a Celebrate Recovery training seminar. Some real good stuff when it comes to serving others through the Lord Jesus Christ. Now for the kicker, whoops, no one legged pun there, honest. About 2 months ago, I got a call from Denise Lyle who is a singer in the Worship band Branches. She was calling around looking for a drummer for that evening as her drummer had to back out. She said my name had come up so asked if I could fill in at 6pm that evening. Now keep in mind that I had played the drums in my high school years but only in my bedroom never in front of an audience. I had a kit for about 6 months I think when I was in my early 20's but had to sell them to buy a washer and dryer as the family was growing, so I hadn't played in 27 years and had lost my right foot since then which is required to kick the bass drum. So I was not sure I could physically play them. Once again I forgot that God does not send out the prepared, he prepares those he sends out. Well I told Denise of my concerns and she insisted that I show up and at least try. Well I did and have been playing with them since. I remember the first night I played publicly the band was meeting to pray and I made the comment that I know God has a sense of humor as the band was in  need of a drummer and he sent them a one legged drummer who hadn't played in 27 years. Only the Holy Spirit can move people outside of their comfort zone into things I never thought possible. I praise God for continual growth.