A Potpourri of Topics

Abby’s Artwork

My 11-year-old niece, Abby, has added three new drawings to her gallery. If you have a moment, please check out her latest work here: [Abby’s Artwork Blog].

Reflecting on Six Months of Recovery

Yesterday marked exactly six months since my April 6th surgery. Dr. DeCarbo removed the nodules from the bottom of my foot and applied a halo to realign my ankle to a 90° angle.

The recovery has flown by, which is a blessing considering I spent 70 days on bed rest. While my computer, TV, and the view from my window helped pass the time, I still feel that summer ended too quickly. Winter always seems to drag on, perhaps because the cold keeps us indoors, but I’m grateful I spent my non-weight-bearing months during the brighter days of spring and summer.

Faster Strides

My walking continues to improve! Even in the walking boot, I managed a mile both yesterday and today. Using my wristwatch to track my progress, I’ve made significant gains:

• Yesterday: Finished in approximately 54 minutes, shaving 5 minutes off my previous record.
• Today: Pushed myself a bit harder and finished in roughly 50 minutes.

 

A Legacy of Gratitude

I never take a single step for granted. Thinking back to 1977–1979, when I could only stand for 30 seconds at a time, being able to walk like this 31 years later is a true blessing. I am incredibly grateful to God for His grace and for the strength to keep moving forward.

 

Looking Ahead

I expect to receive my new right shoe in about two weeks. It will likely take another two weeks to adjust after four months in the boot, but I’m aiming to film one more walking video by mid-November before the cold sets in.

 

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves while they last. I’m already looking forward to next spring!

 

Artistic Talent: A Family Legacy

Since childhood, I’ve admired my sister Ruth’s incredible gift for drawing. While she graduated high school in 1975 and I followed in 1979, I still vividly remember "sneaking" looks through her art school book, completely awestruck by her skill. As someone who can’t even draw a straight stick figure, her natural ability seemed like magic to me.

 

We always believed Ruth inherited this talent from our Grandpa "Gus" Bensman, who was gifted at drawing animals. Now, that legacy continues with my niece, Abby. Having inherited a "double dose" of talent from both the Bensman side and her mother, Barb, Abby is already a blossoming artist at just 11 years old.

 

This past summer, I helped Abby launch her own blog to showcase her work. She is currently taking after-school art classes and will be updating her gallery regularly with new pieces. I encourage you to bookmark her site and follow along with her progress!

 

You can check out Abby’s Artwork Blog here!

 

Reached Another Goal

1.0454 & 59:24

Can you guess what those numbers represent? That’s 1.04 miles in 59 minutes and 24 seconds! I am thrilled to have met my goal of finishing under an hour, especially while still wearing the walking boot. Once I transition to my new shoe and the pain subsides, I’m aiming to shave at least five minutes off that time.

To calculate my distance, I used the Gmaps Pedometer website. It’s a great tool—I just zoomed into North Star, mapped out my laps at the church parking lot across the street, and it did the math for me.

Adjusting the Routine 

On Sunday, I tried splitting the distance into two half-mile walks, finishing with a total time of 50:56. Today, however, I really struggled with the final four laps of my full-mile attempt. To manage the foot pain and "play it safe," I’ve decided to stick with the two half-mile sessions for now.

I have a few more things to get to, so I’ll head out for now!

 

Walking With God & My Community: Thank You!

These past five months have been a journey of frustration and triumph. While I appreciate every encouraging word left on my blog, I cannot take full credit for my progress. As my blog title, "Walking With God By My Side," suggests, I am only here through God’s grace. He gives me the strength to believe I will get stronger every day. All glory belongs to Him!

My Foundation: Family & Friends

I am richly blessed by my family, who have supported me for years. To my parents, Alvin and Joann; my siblings, Bob, Ruth, Russ, and Rick; and my extended family—thank you for being my bedrock.

Growing up as a shy child in a large family, I always treasured the visits from my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Though health challenges made me more reclusive in my teens, your kindness at family gatherings has always meant the world to me. To my small but mighty circle of friends: your support keeps me going.

My Daily Support System

• Dianne: My neighbor and aide since 2005. She is the ultimate "early bird," often starting her work at 7:00 AM while I’m still recovering from restless nights. Her help in the kitchen allows me the rest I need to face the day.
• Mary Ann: A friend since the 80s. We share a deep faith and a love for laughter. I look forward to our "fun" outings next summer once I’m more mobile!
• Diana: My aide since 2009. She has a gift for lifting me out of a "funk" with her humor and shared faith. Her passion for helping others is truly a blessing.
• Father David Zink: A joyful man of God whose weekly visits with Holy Communion provide immense spiritual strength. His kindness, humor, and knowledge of the Saints are a refreshing light in my life.

 

The Community of North Star

Living in a small town is a gift. Every time I walk, a neighbor says hello. It is a kind-hearted, wonderful place to live and a community I’m proud to call home.

My Medical Team

I owe my improved mobility to the following professionals:

• Surgeons: Dr. Thomas Lee and Dr. William DeCarbo (Orthopedic Foot & Ankle) for their expert skills.
• Care Management: Vicki Binkley at Carestar, for ensuring my medical needs are met.
• Nursing & Care: The professional and caring nursing team at Comprehensive Health Network (Glenna, Lil, Linda, and the many others) and aides Teresa and Shawn.
• Transport: Spirit Medical Transport, whose EMTs treated me with the utmost respect during my trips to Westerville. 

 

To anyone I may have missed: please know that I deeply value your thoughtfulness. Thank you all for walking this path with me!

My Walking Stride has Improved

It’s been nearly five months since my right halo foot surgery on April 6th. This recovery has felt much faster than my left foot surgeries back in 2008/2009—likely because being able to walk outside in the summer sun beats being stuck indoors during the winter!

The Journey So Far

• July 27th ("The Climb"): My first video showed me taking small, cautious steps with full crutch support. 
   
•  September 3rd ("One Step at a Time"): In this new video, you’ll see my stride is longer and my pace is quicker.

 

Though my mobility is improving, I’m still using crutches due to persistent pain. I suspect the rigid walking boot is straining my muscles and tendons; I’m hopeful that transitioning to a regular shoe soon will offer the mobility I need to feel better.

 

A Fun Note: The first clip was filmed by my niece, Abby, and the second by my aide, Dianne. Despite being filmed 45 days apart, I accidentally wore the exact same outfit — I promise I have more than one outfit! Stay tuned for the third and final video once I’ve mastered my new shoes. The song is a secret for now!

Getting Cast Made for New Shoe

A Milestone Day: New Shoes and New Beginnings

On August 17th, I visited Hanger Prosthetics in Lima to be fitted for a custom shoe for my reconstructed right foot. For most, new shoes are a simple purchase; for me, they represent a life-changing milestone.

After 36 years of being unable to flatten my foot due to rheumatoid arthritis, my April 6th surgery finally returned my ankle to a 90° angle. The recovery hasn't been easy—disuse osteoporosis made my heel bone fragile, leading to complications with my "halo" wires. However, thanks to Dr. William DeCarbo’s incredible patience and expertise, my foot is healing beautifully.

 

This is John Druckemiller, the talented

Orthotist who casted both of my feet. When

John's not expertly molding fiberglass, he's

likely riding his motorcycle or working as

an auctioneer!

Here, John is carefully molding the wrap

to capture every detail of my right foot.

That yellow strip is a safety guide; once the

cast dries, John uses a special tool to cut

along it, allowing the mold to pop right off.

The final result is a perfect blueprint for my new

custom shoe.

This X-ray from June 14th shows my heel

after the halo was removed. Because of

disuse osteoporosis, my heel bone became

slightly pointed.

To avoid further surgery, my new shoe will 

feature a custom insert with a "hole" to off-

load pressure from that specific spot. As the

"X" shows, we’re making sure I can walk

without any direct pressure on the bone!

I am so grateful to Hanger for crafting shoes that allow me to walk in comfort. To celebrate, my niece Abby joined me as my official photographer! Afterward, Abby, my aide Dianne, and I headed to Staples to use a Christmas gift card on an easel for Abby’s art, followed by lunch at McDonald’s. It was my first "fun" outing since 2009—Yoohoo!!!

 

TIMBER!!!

On Monday, August 9th, a piece of neighborhood history came down. Our neighbor, Opal Subler—a remarkable 100-year-old—and her son Dick (78) have lived across the street since 1948. While Opal’s husband, Alfred, passed away in 1994, the family has remained a staple of our street for decades.

The evergreen tree they had removed was dying, but it held many memories. I remember the beautiful Christmas lights hung on it (and its twin on the east side) when I was a child. Opal’s daughter, Dianne—who is a dear friend and my dedicated home health aide—was kind enough to capture these photos of the tree coming down.

Opal's other son, Bruce, stopped by on
his way to coffee break to talk to the tree
trimmer soon after they started.

The guy with the chain saw continues
to move up the tree as he gradually
reaches the top.

And then he cuts down the logs for firewood.

This tree that was standing for close to 60
years, took less than two hours to be cut

down to a stump.

 

Pursuing Goals

The Climb 

The first time I heard Miley Cyrus’s "The Climb," it became my personal anthem. Over the last few weeks, as I’ve started walking again, I’ve felt myself growing slowly and steadily stronger. I’m incredibly grateful for this progress, but I know there is still a long road ahead. As the lyrics remind us, it isn't about the destination—it’s about the journey.

 

Below is a video from my walk this morning, set to the song that keeps me moving. "There's always gonna be another mountain... It's the climb."

I Can Only Imagine

Inspired by MercyMe’s 2001 hit "I Can Only Imagine," 

I created this music video in 2006 using a collection of images found online. The song is a powerful tribute to meeting Jesus in heaven, and I hope these visuals do it justice.

I Can Only Imagine
by MercyMe

Cats Playing to Music

I hope you enjoy these five cat videos as much as I enjoyed filming them! These were captured about four years ago, so the stars are a bit older now.

 

Our "cat journey" began in November 2005 when a pregnant Tuxedo cat arrived on our doorstep. We took her in to give her a warm place to deliver, and while only two kittens from that first litter survived—Betty (named after Betty White) and Patches—they and their Mama still hang around the neighborhood today.

 

Mama eventually had a second litter (featured in the "In the Mood" video) before we had all three females fixed. Don't worry—the wrestling you see is just play; no cats were harmed, and in "Maple Leaf Rag," they’re simply having a blast with a stuffed mouse! 

 

An Eye for Detail!

Yesterday, my 11-year-old niece, Abby, came over for a visit. While I can’t draw to save my life, Abby is the complete opposite. She wanted something to sketch, so I grabbed the little stuffed tiger I received from the Versailles nursing home a few years ago. Since the tiger is their mascot, they give one to every patient as a parting gift.

 

In just five minutes, Abby produced this sketch. We’ve included a photo of the original so you can see her incredible eye for detail!

2010 Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Fitness Challenge

The Winner Is...

Between January and March, the Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center held a 12-week fitness challenge. My surgeon, Dr. William “Will, not Bill” DeCarbo—the man behind my successful foot surgeries—took home the top prize! I initially assumed his trophy was proudly displayed in his living room, but he humbly admitted it’s tucked away in a back office.

 

 Final OFAC 2010 fitness challenge post....WINNER!!!!!!!!

Week 12 challenge, part I complete!

Week 7 Challenge...a glimpse into the winning

 contestants lunch: 1/2 cup cottage cheese,

banana, protein shake, water.
345 calories, 43g proteins, 37.9g carbs, 3g fat!!!

 

Week 9 challenge complete!!!!!
Criss cross, double jumps...BRING IT!!!

 

A Competitive Spirit

Dr. DeCarbo was already in great shape, but this challenge proved he loves a physical test (and perhaps enjoys a bit of friendly ribbing with his colleagues).

 

Congratulations!

It was a tremendous "feat" to accomplish in just 12 weeks. While the trophy is nice, I’m sure he’d agree that staying healthy and strong is the ultimate reward.

Making Progress

Walking Again

On June 15th—seventy days after my April 6th surgery—I stood up for the first time. Using elbow crutches, I managed a five-minute walk that left me exhausted. Today, I’ve built up to 45 minutes of indoor walking daily (three 15-minute sessions). For the past week, I’ve moved my practice outside, gradually increasing my stamina from 15 to 30 minutes a day.

 

Slow but Steady

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not breaking any speed records. In the time it takes me to finish my daily walk, a professional runner could cover over seven miles! But for me, every step is a victory, and I am incredibly grateful for the progress.

The "Boot Scootin’ Boogie"

Before I was cleared to walk outside, I used my wheelchair to "scoot" down the sidewalks, keeping my right foot elevated and pushing with my left. I enjoyed the fresh air for about 90 minutes a day until a run-in with some itchy chiggers convinced me it was time to move back to walking in the house!

 

Healing Progress

The nurses from Comprehensive Health Network have successfully cleared the dead skin and debris from the bottom of my foot, revealing healthy new skin underneath. During my July 12th appointment, Dr. DeCarbo also removed a patch of necrotic skin from the inside of my foot. Because the Achilles tendon had been lengthened to reach that 90° angle, the area was numb, and the procedure was completely painless.

Back to Westerville for Another Appointment

On Monday, July 12th when I went back to see Dr. DeCarbo, he removed the black necrosis skin, which was on the inside of my right foot. The area was about ¾ by ½ inch and fortunately it was numb and didn’t hurt at all when it was cut away, because the Achilles tendon had already been cut allowing the halo to return the ankle to a 90° angle.

Before and After

Below are some pictures showing how my foot looked on Wednesday, June 9th and how it looked on Friday, July 16th – five weeks and two days later. It’s quite a big improvement and proof that the body does heel when given time and the best possible care, which I definitely received from Dr. DeCarbo and the nurses from Comprehensive Health Network.

Looking Ahead

My next goal is to walk without crutches indoors and use only one crutch outside by late October. Before that happens, my heel needs to fully heal and my toes still need to be straightened—which likely means another six weeks off my feet. But I know that by Christmas, I’ll receive the best gift ever: a completely healed foot and a brand-new lease on mobility!

 

Nature Shots

Swan Lake and Over the Rainbow

Glenna, a nurse from Comprehensive Health Network, shared these beautiful photos with me. The swans have taken up residence in a wetland near her home, where she also captured this stunning rainbow on Thursday, June 15th.

A Heart for Healing

In addition to being an excellent nurse and nature lover, Glenna is a dedicated foster for the Animal Protection League of Mercer County. Since 2007, she has fostered 31 dogs—usually one or two at a time—on top of caring for her own three pups. That is certainly a lot of dog food!

Getting Back on My Feet

Setting Goals: Getting Back to 90°

Since 1973, I’ve walked on my toes. My goal with these surgeries was to get my feet flat to the floor again. One is down, and one is well on its way.

 

The Left Foot

The journey began in August 2008 with Dr. Thomas Lee. He performed four procedures—flattening the metatarsals, removing a bunion, straightening my toes, and fusing the big toe. In October, his associate, Dr. William DeCarbo (a "wizard" with external fixators), added a "halo" to the foot. After 73 days, it was removed. I can finally say, "I love my left foot!" After decades of walking like a ballerina, being flat-footed is a dream.

 

The Right Foot

On April 6, 2010, Dr. DeCarbo tackled the right foot at Grant Medical Center. Like the left, he flattened the metatarsals and applied a halo with eight wires securing my forefoot, heel, and ankle.

This photo was taken on May 5th, about a

month after my surgery. Looking at the steep

slant of the bottom U-ring now, I believe the

heel wires had already torn through the bone

— though I had no clue at the time.

 

Turning halo struts to straighten ankle

From April to May, my brother Rick turned the halo struts daily to gradually straighten the ankle. However, on May 24, X-rays revealed a setback: the heel wires had cut through the bone. Decades of "toe-walking" had made my heel bone porous (osteoporosis). Because the skin was also breaking down, the halo had to be removed a month early.

 

Slow recovery…

Recovery has been a challenge. I’ve dealt with necrotic skin and open wounds on my heel, requiring daily dressing changes from the wonderful nurses at Comprehensive Health Network. I recently managed a 90-foot walk to the kitchen—it took five minutes and left me exhausted—but I’m determined to improve before my next appointment on July 12.

This wide shot from June 9th shows the 

ankle at the desired 90° angle, though the

skin around the heel was torn during the

straightening process. Because we could

only use saline rather than soap for

cleaning, surgical debris is still visible.

The black areas are necrosis (dead tissue),

which Dr. DeCarbo will eventually need to

debride to allow new skin to grow.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A view of the outside and sole of my right

foot, also taken on June 9th. The white residue

is debris left behind from the previous half-cast.

 

These wide and close-up views were taken

on June 17th, eight days after my previous

photos. While the improvement isn't visually

dramatic yet, Dr. DeCarbo is "very happy"

with the progress. I will continue daily dressing

changes through July 11th, just before my next

appointment at Orthopedic Foot and Ankle on

July 12th.

 

Dr. Do-Wacka-Do

I have a nickname for my surgeon. Dr. DeCarbo is a top-notch professional, but his "off-beat" sense of humor with his staff initially caught me off guard. After I gave him a "10" on a hospital survey, but mentioned his teasing of the staff, he joked to my transport team that I was the first person to get him "in trouble" since kindergarten!

 

I’ve since realized the office staff gives it right back to him. It turns out he's just as competitive as he is funny; I found his Facebook and Twitter pages and learned he’s been obsessed with an office "Fitness Challenge." I’ll have to find out if he won when I see him in July.

 

As the old Roger Miller song says, "Do-Wacka-Do"—he does things his own way, but I’m glad he’s the one getting me back on my feet!