Just call me "Stumpy"
 

Background

In 2001, just as I was planning retirement from the Navy, I was diagnosed with a very rare, very vicious, and very persistent SOB of a skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. Its mortality rate is double that of melanoma. I’m lucky to be alive. From 2003-2005 it recurred four more times, all in my right leg. The docs tried surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation (aka slash, poison, and burn).

MCC hasn’t come back since 2005, but the excessive radiation has destroyed my lower leg and also caused another type of cancer called MFH—malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Bottom line—I’m going to have my leg amputated in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully they’ll be able to do a below-the-knee amputation.

The Future

I plan to be back on the field for the 2010 season. If our wounded warriors can run marathons on two prostheses, I sure can learn to umpire on one. Anyone have any experience with any of our brothers in blue who umpire on a prosthesis? I sure would like to learn lessons from them.

By the way, challenges for a$$-kicking contests will only be accepted for one more week.

While I feel compassion for your plight, I am in total admiration of your spirit and determination. I wish you the best with everything you have facing you.

Eh...just make sure that during rehab you express an interest for this type of activity! :D

Yeah, maybe I can get a specially-designed prosthesis! :cool:

Damn, that sucks!

Hoping you and the doctors well during your operation and rehab. I have no doubt that you will be on the field next season.

Make sure the doctors are aware of your intentions, same with PTs. Some have certain programs developed for those with athletic ambitions.

Good luck. I'll be thinking of you. Make sure you let us know how things go and progress.

I did a National tournament with an umpire that was a double amputee. The umpire was from Southern California but has since moved to the Seattle area.

I know this umpire attended the Fast Pitch Advanced Camp a number of years ago and the staff agreed that with no runners on base he could sart behind the second baseman.

Unfortunately, I do not have a contact number of this umpire, but hopefully somebody on this board can provide you with his contact information.

Good luck.

arogodad,

Prayers and Best Wishes man. I know you will be back on
the field.

I'd also like to extend my kudos your way. You've got some serious heart, man.

That person is Mike Hodge, our umpire association's vice president. ASA did a story on him here:

http://www.asasoftball.com/communica...ry.asp?nid=387

Since this article, he has worked the 16A USA/ASA in 2006.

His contact info (email) is on our umpire association website, which is listed as my default website in my profile.

Thanks SRW. I just sent Mike an e-mail. Helluva story! I'm still planning to come out some year and work with you and bkbjones at your Labor Day tournament -- maybe 2010! :cool:

You name the date. Even without a right leg, I'd bet you move better than most of our guys! ;)

Same here, try to give us the date when you know.
Agree, heart and guts. Go to it! :cool:

The Coming Off Party will be Wednesday 11 Feb at 1:00 pm. I am ready.

I could name a bunch of blues around here who won't be as quick as Larry!

My best wishes to you, Larry. You'll do just fine. :)

My thoughts and prayers will be with you also. I have a friend who lost his left leg below the knee in October of 2007 and was on the field calling Fast Pitch in April of 2008. His biggest delay was getting the final prosthesis so he could move quicker , ummm, run. He never was fast. The doctor says there is no reason he can't be as mobile as he ever was.

Good luck to you and your family.

That's exactly what I needed to hear two days before surgery. Thanks TexBlue!

If y'all could say a little prayer for my surgeons about 1:00 pm Central on Wednesday, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I'll be back on-line as soon as I can find internet access.

Consider it done!

I'm back on the Forum
 

Hello fellow umpires!

Amputation on 2/11 was as good as could be expected, The surgeon whacked off the damaged limb below the knee. I understand that it is just about the perfect distance for fitting a prosthesis. No complications other than a fever for a few days. (Although it does feel mighty strange to need to scratch toes that are no longer there.)

Our local umpires and coaches in the Pensacola area have been wonderfully supportive. The FHSAA softball commissioner told me my new goal is to be the first amputee to call a Florida championship game.

I've also got to thank my brethren in blue from the opposite corner of the country. SRW and bkbjones hooked me up with the Seattle Metro VP who calls games as a double AKA (above the knee amputee). Now there is inspiration. He talked to others at their UIC Clinic and I ended up with a personal e-mail from Wild Bill himself.

I can't wait to get back on the field and earn the right to call games -- big and small, rec ball to NCAA.

Thanks for the prayers and the good thoughts. they were (and still are) welcome.

Great News! Glad it went well. See you back on the field soon!

Really great news.

Best of Luck and a speedy return to what you Love Doing.

You The Man.

Just helpin' a brotha blue out. I'd expect no less from anyone else. :)

Im glad to hear that it went well, best of luck

Great, I'll see what I can do about bringing a parrot with me next time I come back to the US.

As to the itchy toe problem, I understand that'll go away, just like my pink elephant problem.

I know two - an umpire and I know a sheriffs captain that has a prosthetic leg. You wouldnt even know unless they told you, or in the umpires case, in the umpires dressing area.

Best of luck bro. You can do it! Of that, I am sure and have seen.

Yours went away????

Glad to hear all went well.

Larry, I'm just seeing this. It's good to see things have gone well for you. I am praying for a quick recovery for you!

Larry,
I'm really glad to hear things went well and that you're progressing from there.