Mile High Amputee

28/11/2023

IN AWESOME NEWS:

I have been asked to be one of only five people to receive and test a new microprocessor knee and foot prosthetic system by a French manufacturer! They wanted a very active amputee that would give them absolutely honest feedback, no holds barred. Hmm…hope they know that’s exactly what they’ll get!

I told them “well, it’s French so I’m sure the leg will light a cigarette and stare at me with contempt from time to time.” 🤣

In less awesome news, I am now subjected to the same rules as a house cat. I’m not allowed on the counters. Heather took this photo on Thanksgiving Day as I was climbing up on the counter to reach something on the top shelf of the cabinet. She yelled at me and I managed to get down just in time before I got squirted with a water bottle! 🤣🤣🤣

Onward and upward as always, friends!

18/08/2023

Friends, I make it a point to tell others that the only reason I am able to face the challenges I do with such outward positivity is because I have the greatest family and friends on Earth, and better days are always around the corner.

I’ve spent the last 12 days having three marathon surgeries, coming home from ICU to recover, and weaning myself off painkillers following my hospital stay. It was brutal. Brutal. I’m still not fully recovered and it will be a few weeks before I get my stamina back.

But tonight was the other side I was waiting for! I enjoyed an amazing dinner with my DoCR brothers overlooking the mountains, my boys loved hanging out with YouTuber Zealous, and the love and support I was surrounded by was undeniable.

We do that which is hard to get to that which is good. It’s just how life works. When I’m in my most difficult times, it’s times like these that I look forward to. I’m back home on the couch relaxing and it wore me out, but I reached the other side. I once again know what the backcountry of difficulty looks like, and it’s beautiful!

Many thanks to my dear friend (he also happens to be my remarkable attorney) Grant Van Der Jagt for hosting! Much love, all!

07/06/2023

I am almost fully recovered from the two surgeries I had two weeks ago to save the left leg. The last few days have been pure heaven for me! I did something I was told I should not expect to be able to do again. Again.

Chart you own path, friends!

Huge thanks to Dr. Rafael Malgor at University of Colorado Anschutz!. Rafa, much love!

10/05/2023

Serious update, friends, and I wish I didn’t have to post this…

Yesterday at Anschutz did not go particularly well. There are serious problem with my left leg, and further surgery is needed. I noticed a small pale spot on my left foot, then woke in the middle of the night with my foot cold as a block of ice. I notified my medical team and after extensive testing at UCH, it was discovered that at least one stent has failed. Fortunately, at the moment, my body is finding alternate paths to get blood to my lower leg and foot, but it’s only about 21% blood flow. I could absolutely lose this leg, too. Very soon.

I am being admitted and expect to undergo some serious surgeries with serious recovery times. I’m having a very hard time dealing with this mentally and emotionally. Last year I endured 25 surgeries in six months and over a year of endless pain. Endless recovery. More injections per day than I could count. The absolute loss of my autonomy, freedom, and privacy.

I finally got to the point where I was on fire on my new prosthetic, had my freedom and autonomy back, and was looking to the future. Now it appears as if I’m starting back on the path I thought I left behind. I’m anxious like I’ve never experienced in my life. The reality is that if I lose the left leg, too, life as I know it is absolutely over. Tomorrow would be the same as today, for the rest of my days. I’m having a very difficult time with this, and just seeing the world going on around me is already crushing my spirit. It’s so difficult to watch those you love do things that seem to them so utterly mundane, while my reality is so very different. I can’t seem to find a way to get past that at the moment and it’s breaking me.

I will do what I do. I will persevere and move forward with vigor. I’ll meet the challenges and try my best to do it with kindness and humor and heavy doses of p**s n’ vinegar, failing at times but always trying. I’ll tolerate the losses and find my wins where I can find them.

I will keep y’all as updated as I can. And as always I hope it goes without saying that I appreciate all of the love and concern you have all shown towards my family during these times. The level of care I require is intense, and it effects their lives immensely. Every time one of you amazing humans helps with the boys, drops off dinner, or just calls to check-in it helps those helping me, and I love you all for that.

Much love, friends.

Now let’s do this…

05/05/2023

Last night I went to see Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit with Amanda Shires, and back to Red Rocks, for the first time since my amputation last September. Just two weeks after losing my leg I saw Amanda Shires at a small Denver venue, and that was a big win. But this…this was a win on a whole new level! There was a time, not long ago, that I was laid up in my hospital bed in excruciating pain, getting through the nights with Jason Isbell in my ears. I literally grieved that I would never do things like seeing JI400U at Red Rocks again. Of all the things that were forever changed about my life in those days, the thought of missing out on shows like the one I saw last night broke my soul, so much so that it almost made the physical loss irrelevant.

I am not at all ashamed to admit that last night brought smiles and plenty of tears. Standing on two legs with the mountain winds against my face, the amazing sound of that violin being carried by the breezes, the city lights in the background, and the music that got me through the worst of days. Amazing people sought me out, bought me a beer, and welcomed me back to the JI400U party in high style! Ashley hooked me up with a rockin’ new sweatshirt, and Chad took amazing care to make sure that I had the time of my life and no stresses.

Friends, I might be short a twig, but I am without a doubt one of the most complete people alive. What I have lost is so far outweighed by the good people in my life, the amazing souls I encounter.

Much love, friends! Much love.

12/04/2023

GREAT FU***NG DAY TODAY, FRIENDS!

Days after surgery #24 and days before surgery #25 to amputate the leg, I was driving my truck to my ranch on a beautiful September Indian Summer afternoon, and it hit me that “I may never do this again.” The sun peaking past the Rockies and streaming light through the pines as I drove with my tunes blaring, sunroof open, and the warm mountain breeze in my face. I had to sell that truck a few weeks back, and it utterly broke my heart.

After the amputation, as I spent months recovering from the abuse of 25 surgeries and preparing for my prosthetic, there were days I would lie in bed and just think about that particular drive. I could smell the air and feel the sun on my face, but it was all in memory only. On some of my toughest days, I would think about that drive and just hold back the tears, wondering if I would ever experience that again.

Well, friends, today was that day! It’s a stunning 80° day up here in the mountains, not a cloud in the sky. I drove out to the ranch in my new F-150 with the sunroof open, tunes blaring, and felt the warm sun on my face, the breeze through my (graying 🤣) hair. The sun was shining through the pines, with just streaks of light breaking through across the road. It was magical. And simple. And in the simplicity was the magic.

This moment was made to happen because of some amazing, but anonymous folks. This new F-150 Platinum has fully autonomous driving, and is a right leg amputee’s dream! Big thanks to my buddy Jose Medina, owner of Castle Rock Ford!

Friends, we are forced to live in today, regardless of what the day has in store for us. To worry about the future is like trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. Fruitless. The win is in consciously taking the time to notice when the good comes, and then hyper-focusing on it.

This old man still has a lot of miles left in him, and so do you. Roll down the windows, open the sunroof, and crank some tunes. None of us knows when it will be the last opportunity…don’t waste it!

Much love, friends!

22/03/2023

Phantom pain can dramatically reduce the quality of life for many amputees. Join me for a quick chat about phantom pains and one way I have found to deal with them safely and effectively!

For more information on the Theragun shown in this video, please visit therabody.com or one of the many retailers that carry them. Most Target stores carry the complete Theragun line, and Golf Galaxy and other online retailers often feature them on sale.

Be well, friends!

18/03/2023

Friends, enjoy your f**king lives! Sing, dance, do what makes you happy!

Huge thanks to Chad for his amazing skills on the guitar! This was his first time playing the song and my first time giving it a go, so here goes nothing…

Cover of Chris Stapleton’s Joy of My Life. I missed a lot of shows last year, including this good ole’ boy. Well, friends, sometimes you have to make your ow...

18/03/2023

Friends, here it is! Our first podcast is out and it’s a banger! Join us as we discuss the notion of ”toxic positivity.” Fair warning, strong language and opinions ahead. Much love, friends!

Thanks for visiting the channel to view our first video podcast, which is being posted here first! Viewer discretion is advised due to foul language and sens...

18/03/2023

Friends, let’s talk about portable hand control systems! Take a little ride with me as I review the Peddle Master and QuicStick portable hand control systems!

I tested the top two portable hand control systems on the market, the Peddle Master and QuicStick systems. This video will compare and review the two systems...

18/03/2023

An update 10 days after amputation surgery…

A recap of my first 10 days as an above the knee amputee living and working in Castle Rock, Colorado. There have been successes and failures, but I’m continu...

18/03/2023

Out on the town on “Big Red!”

Castle Rock is very accessible using the municipal trail system! I am able to get to just about anywhere I wish in town… #...

18/03/2023

Join me on my first trip to the shop and ranch following my amputation!

My first time getting out and about following my amputation was a full day for me! We hit our favorite taco joint, went to my ranch and shop, and then did so...