Yep, that's how I am looking at it, because I doubt they will cover a C-leg based on my walking ability which is so limited, now if I was about six inches longer of an AKA (above Knee Amputee) then I have no doubt I would get a c-leg covered with NO problem and I would NEVER have spent these long hard years I have in a chair. BUT I have long since accepted what I have left to me and I am GOING to get a new leg, but it's gonna be on my terms, an AKA socket and NOT this bogus HD (hip disartic_ socket style which was only good for standing...SO not what I need it for.

I also wanna get this:

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/3451.html

It's House's Flame Cane! And they are two hours away from me! I will be able to drive to get one when I am ready. Assuming I CAN make a new leg work well enough to justify 30 bucks on a cane. I plan to lose another 10-15 pounds when I have this broken tooth yanked the 15th, so I figure by my math and experience with getting legs made, I should have the initial casting session done around halloween, then be standing on the first leg with it's new components in November when they all get in after we've pinned down what I need to have, IMO a hydraulic knee will do just fine and they have decent prosthetic feet too so just those two components ordered and received will get me UP and standing.

Then I have to use my canadian crutchs until I get the Flame Cane probably in late January. I should be able to get down to one cane, but NOT before building up some tolerance to using it in early January. I really have great hope that this trial will be successful, I really WANT OUT of this darn chair. Even if it's just to stand and do dishes and cook successfully with it on, that would be ENOUGH.I hope to be able to work up to going to the local store, and then maybe to doing the super walmart, but I KNOW DARN well from experience NOT TO OVER DO IT, or else you can set yourself back by weeks, sometimes longer. I will increase the increments of use by 15 minutes at a time for a month, then up by 30 minutes like increasing by a week, one week 15 minutes, the next 30, the next 45, and then an hour. After that an hour and a half and then two hours, and so on until I am able to actively tolerate it for up to 6-8 hours a pop.

It's a long process, but I know I CAN do it. I was worried about Jackie, but I think he's gonna acclimate to my using a leg again quickly, and hopefully it will HELP with the pain I have in my calf muscle, it's always feeling strained from pulling my fat butt along in the chair, I hate it, but if I walked it would probably ache in a new way but I will deal with it when it happens. Thank you ALL for the encouragement to DO this for myself. I know I will probably have to argue with Jack over spending the gas to go to two weeks of therapy, and to all the fitings, but I think I am just gonna FORCE It because this could benefit me in so many ways, I want to DO this NOW not five more years later, I might not be up for it in five more years...I'd be 46 in five more years, and that's kinda old to be trying to get up after almost 30 years IN a chair.

I'll post about the meeting with the prosthetist after I see him thursday morning.

Thank you for posting pammie,
Did I read somewhere in another post that you have had another artificial leg before? Or will this be the first time for you?
very excited about all of this...it sounds like you are going to have this work out....what does jack think about this? I hope he is being supportive.
I will be waiting to hear your up date on thursday.

I did have a functional artifical leg in 95'-98' and got out of the chair for those three years. I'm so happy to share my good news and appreciate all your encouragement Beth, you and the others here are so wonderful! I count myself lucky to have such good friends like you and Mari and Donna and waves and everyone else I love from NT.

as far as taking it slow and not pushing yourself too hard at first. i have my fingers crossed for you about the prosthetist appointment and the insurance coverage, not to mention some decent support from Jack.

If he is fussy about helping you get to therapy remind him that part is brief, and just a transition... and besides...

HE can WALK!

YOU DESERVE TO as well, by George!!!

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the Flame Cane, OMG OMG, I'm gonna call you Houster if you get that, LOL

i so hope all this works out... one thing at a time meanwhile... gulp...



~ waves ~

Houster, I love it! And I'll use the flame cane in my siggy instead of the Turtlini for it! Oh man, I just pray this works out. Thanks waves for the support! I can hardly wait to see how THursday goes.

Dear Pam,
I hope Thursday comes soon.
Mostly, I hope it goes well for you.
M.

Thanks Mari! Today I dyed my hair blonde again, so it's a little lighter then what it was the first time last month. Much happier with it now. I can hardly stand the wait! I really need to get IN there to talk to this new prosthetis. It's gonna take a couple of months, but it will be worth it IF I Can make it work, even if it's just around the [h]ouse, (lol) it will be worth it.

Pam

We are there with you in spirit. And are rooting for you.

Donnna

Have everything crossed here hoping and praying for a positive outcome!!!

Even though I haven't posted, I have been following along and quietly wishing you well!!!

I'm very excited for you!!!

Abbie

Thanks Donna! Thanks Abbie! It's coming, two more days and I'll be there in person talking about my options. I can't wait!