New leg design

Eric was so excited to get his new "temporary" socket on Wednesday.  There was such a difference, I wanted to share.  I know this picture does not do it justice... But here you go.

The leg on the Left was the old one, it went up and covered most of his butt cheek.  If any one tried to "slap" his butt, they would end up with a sore hand.  It was too big.  It did not matter how tight he pulled the straps.  Actually on Eric's last Methotrexate treatment, he pinched his leg in the slats that are cut in the plastic liner, and it literally burned his skin (mainly from the methotrexate). 

 The new leg goes up to the top of this thigh.  He has a rubber sleeve that fits over his leg, then a sock with a rubber ring slides over the rubber sleeve.  When he slips his new leg on, the air is bled out through that valve at the bottom, and it is on tight.  He has to allow air into the socket, in order to start slipping out of the socket.  It was so good to see him walk on his new leg, he did so with more confidence.  His stride was more smooth.  I was thrilled to see the benefits of his new leg.  Eric said that it felt so much better also!! 

So he will try out this new socket for the next 2 weeks and if all is well, they will make his permanent socket, which will be even lighter this this one.  (His old socket weighed 5 pounds more than his new leg!). 

Last night at the "Man Hawk" assembly, Eric and Quinn had the opportunity to dress up like girls (in skirts) and show off their legs!  I don't have pictures and if there are some out there, I would love to see them!  But it sounds like it was a hit!