New Beginning

June 2022 is when this chapter of my life began. Prior to that date, I ate everything that I wanted to and smoked for 45 years with no regard to my health or diabetes. Boy, was I wrong! 

After all these years of abuse with sugar and the neglect of going to a doctor, my body just couldn’t take it anymore. It started with a diabetic ulcer on the bottom of my left foot. During this time, Tamra, my wife, was recovering from her own health issues, so I did not want to burden her with mine. 

As a result, the ulcer on my foot grew bigger and bigger. It finally got to where I could no longer stand the pain. I knew it was time for me to show it to Tamra. She called and got an appointment with a podiatrist the very next day!

After a week of antibiotics, I returned to the doctor, only to be told to rush to the ER. I had developed gangrene gas and went into surgery to save my life. However, that wasn’t the end. I also had a blockage in my legs, and that is why the antibiotics did not work. It could not reach the infection.

Once my foot healed enough to return to work, I had to wear an awkward looking boot with an open toe. It was not even a week later when I began having a high fever, so I went back to the ER. This time it was because I contracted Charcot and osteomyelitis, both resulting in a toe amputation and weeks of a PICC line for intravenous antibiotics.

Because of the Charcot, I ended up wearing special shoes. However, I did not like the Frankenstein look.

Unfortunately, a few months after the first amputation, the deformity caused a pressure point on the bottom of my foot, which never healed. Instead, the infection remained, causing two of my toes to swell up to look like red grapes. Back to the ER, I go. It was time to get rid of the infection once and for all!

On November 29, 2024, I said farewell to my foot and all the infections. I feel as though a veil has lifted off my head. Everything became so clear to me, and maybe it’s kind of like when you lose one sense, another sense heightens. I don’t know. 

Throughout the entire ordeal of recovery, I always kept and am still keeping a good mind about myself. As a wise person once told me, attitude is everything. I’ve maintained this positive attitude since day one (post-amputation), and it has helped me get to where I am today in my recovery. 

I just completed rehab in April 2024 at a local hospital rehabilitation center. After just 10 days, I am mostly up to speed. I attribute my success to, first, my wife and the team of doctors and nurses, as well as other staff members who worked together to help me be vertical again. 

Along my journey, I have realized that I need to give back and pay it forward. I am working on my Peer Support Certification with the Amputee Coalition. One requirement is to be an amputee for 12 months, so I have a few months before I can receive my certification in order to offer moral support to a person facing amputation or already experiencing an amputation. 

Although I was lucky enough to have a custom socket, I felt strange looking at this shiny metal pylon. My “terminator” leg, as I called it. It was a constant reminder of what I went through. I am sure there are other amputees who may feel the same way.

That is when Tamra and I developed the Pylon Cozy, which is reversible and washable. This Cozy will cover up that metal pylon between the prosthetic socket and foot, therefore looking more like a human leg than a robotic one.

Now, I am taking one day at a time and helping other amputees who are on the same journey. 

For more information on the Reversible Pylon Cozy, please click the link or image below.