Back in San Diego

After spending a busy two months with us in Meadville, Luke is back home in San Diego. During his time here we had an open house celebration with many friends stopping in, we spent a week fishing in Canada, a day in Pittsburgh at the Dithrich family reunion, and a weekend in Pine Grove visiting Paula's family. Of course there were several visits to Applebee's to visit all his friends there.

For the trip to Canada, we rigged up a rod so he could cast and retrieve with one hand.















He accomplished the unbelievable of landing two bass on one cast!















He quipped "Some can't catch one fish with two hands, but I caught two fish with one hand!"

Of course, he had to do some tubing as well.















Luke went back to Scope Orthotics for remeasurement and they found that his leg has shrunk about an inch. They are starting the procedure of making another socket for his prosthetic and will apply again for a more sophisticated leg. He has regained a little bit of in and out motion with his left upper arm. Previously, the most he could do was shrug his shoulder. We praise God for the improvement and pray for continued healing.

He is meeting with the Border Patrol to see about going back to work. More updates will follow as things develop.

---Bill

Let's Celebrate!!!

Luke is due to return to Meadville later this week. To celebrate his return "home" we have planned an open house at our home, 10561 Pettis Road, Meadville, on Sunday, August 9th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and welcome him back ... family, friends, acquaintances, well wishers and prayer warriors ... stop by and visit with Luke!

---Bill

Luke's New Wheels

Luke has finally been able to become mobile! Since he's getting around good on his new leg, he was anxious to be able to get to places on his own. He turned in his Jeep with a standard transmission and purchased another Jeep with an automatic tranny. Unfortunately, all our pleas fell on deaf ears with Chrysler Financial and he had to pay about $4,000 to get out of the lease on his old Jeep and turn it in. Here is his new wheels with his dog, Boston, who is equally happy to escape the confines of immobility.

---Bill

A Leg Up!! - Luke Surprises Mom and Dad!!

Luke likes to pull little surprises on Mom and Dad. For instance, we had made plans for Luke to come home in August to accompany us on a family vacation to Canada and stay a bit longer so he could attend the country music concerts at the Crawford County Fair. But what a surprise when he emailed is travel itinerary! He is flying in on August 5th and staying until the 30th of September!

But that doesn't compare to the one he got us on today! Paula returned home from a week long missions trip to Utah and so this evening Luke suggested we get on Skype to chat. After chatting for a while, Luke said he had to excuse himself for a bit and we saw him wheel away from the camera. The next thing we see is Luke walking out of the room and down the hall and then turn around and walk back. Yes, I said "WALKING!!!!" We expected to see him hopping like he did to get around when we were at the Mayo clinic in March, but we were totally blown away to see him walking.

Here he got his leg on Wednesday, and Becki was the only one that knew. He really wanted to wait to let us find out when he flew in on August 5th and see him walking at the airport. But he and Becki figured that we'd somehow get wind of it before then and he did want to be the one to tell (well, actually 'show') us.

He told us that he was scheduled to get his leg a while ago, but it was right after he went into the hospital with the infection in his leg, so that delayed it. He saw his orthopaedic surgeon on Monday and she gave the OK and he got it Wednesday. He is supposed to have five weeks of physical therapy, but he's doing so well on it already, they'll probably release him after a week or two.

It was so great to see him up and walking around. And here he is!!

Back At His Home

Luke was released from the hospital on Wednesday after the last flush-out surgery on Monday. He will be administering the intravenous antibiotics himself with visiting nurses stopping in occasionally to check on him.

---Bill

More Cleanup

Luke was back in surgery on Thursday for additional flushing and cleaning of the infected area in his left leg. He is scheduled for one more on Monday when they can hopefully close up the incision. If all goes as planned he should be released on Wednesday.

Infection Setback

Luke developed an infection in his left leg that proved to be very extensive. After running a fever late last week and then draining quite a bit of fluid from an abscess that developed, he went to UCSD emergency room on Sunday and was admitted. He went into surgery Monday to flush the area and perform debridement. Today he had a pick line put in because he will be on intravenous antibiotics for a month. He is scheduled for more surgery tomorrow to again flush out the area. They are hoping that this will be the last flushing he will need and they will be able to close the incision. If not, he will need another cleaning in a couple of days.

His grandmother went to be with the Lord Tuesday evening. His hospital stay will prevent him from being able to travel for the funeral. In addition, this will once more delay his getting a prosthetic leg as his leg will need to go through the healing process.

Despite the setback, Luke remains upbeat and very positive and is taking things as they come, as he has all along.

---Bill