Chapter 4

[see June 20th morning post if you missed it...]

Miles has a plan, and he's sticking to it.  Post-op day one was not like waking from a dream--he's having a full in-body experience.  In control, negotiating the turns, adapting. 

Biding his time through cycles one and two of chemotherapy, Miles rarely complained.  He feels the difficulty, and when it escalates he will let you in to understand it if you listen.  Miles is learning control and presence.  He is teaching the same.  We are thankful.
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Miles had a rotationplasty. 
Why?  Because it eliminates the primary tumor, stands up well to athletic activity, allows neuromuscular control over the joint, and has a relatively low rate of complications and revisions.
What is it?  If you want a visual and realize the images can be shocking at first, click on the "rotationplasty" link above.  Otherwise, understand it is 'a limb-sparing medical procedure performed when a patient's leg is amputated at the knee. The ankle joint is then rotated 180 degrees and is attached to the femur, becoming a new knee joint. This allows patients to have two fully functional feet, as opposed to losing one leg completely to amputation' [Wikipedia].

So, Miles' right foot & ankle have moved North.  But it's his to keep.  He feels it; he moves it.  And it's got a new job to do: be a knee.  Confused?  Miles doesn't seem to be.  We dare say this aligns with Miles' uniqueness.  In fact, keeping pace with his positivity, we are comfortable identifying the "silver linings" in this new storm cloud.  Above all is the emergence of Miles' pragmatism and strength.  Along side are the fantastic conversations and bonds he is forging, both directly and among his family, friends, peers, and medical staff.  What an opportunity as a parent to get to know Miles.  A challenge like this squeezes out deep humors...serious, philosophical, heart-warming, thought provoking, funny, charming, articulate, and confident.  This is an opportunity to learn and bond.  We're seizing it.
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Now a salute to you.  And you know who you are!  You are mentors, family, friends, teammates, classmates, and colleagues.  You are cooks who deliver us meals, parents who assist and transport our children, pals who pick up those items we overlooked, confidants who let us vent, dear ones who lift us with your words, professionals who promote awareness and raise funds, baseballers who shave heads, coworkers who paint toes, friends who send entertainment, and even a nine-year-old who unabashedly sells countless customized candies whatever it takes because supporting his bud Miles is elementary (#KeaneSweisz)!
Sincere thanks.