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Dennis Loftin has a good reason to warn others of the dangers of driving while intoxicated. On May 25, 1998, a drunk driver hit him head on while he was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
“He took my life away from me,” Dennis said. “If you’re going to drink, please don’t drive. You can make a drastic change in someone else’s life.”
Immediately after the collision, the drunk driver fled the scene on foot, leaving Dennis trapped, unconscious, under the vehicle. The first person to stop and offer assistance was a registered nurse, who ripped off part of her skirt, using it to keep Dennis from choking on his own blood and the part of his tongue that he had bitten off upon impact.
On a life flight to Memorial Hermann Hospital, Dennis officially died. Paramedics resuscitated him, as did doctors on two separate occasions during his first and third surgeries. His first memory after the accident was 52 days later, when he was being transported from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility.
Dennis learned that he had sustained 13 fractures, as well as a closed head wound. While in a coma for 32 days, doctors had given up hope for his recovery many times. He ultimately endured 30 separate surgeries, many to install metal plates, rods and screws. In November 2004, over five years after the accident, Dennis’ doctor delivered some unwelcome news. Although his medical team had tried valiantly to save his left leg, complications had once again arisen. The harsh truth was that if Dennis did not undergo below-the-knee amputation, he might later have to have the leg amputated above the knee, a surgery that would seriously hinder his mobility.
“Above the knee amputation is a whole different animal,” Dennis said.
Fortunately, Dennis had discovered an ally in Russ Hauser, co-owner of Hauser Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.. Several years before, Dennis had visited the Huntsville office of Hauser Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. Multiple surgeries had left Dennis’ left leg shorter than his right, so Russ made him a lift for his left shoe.
When he decided that the best option was below-the-knee amputation, Dennis again visited with Russ, who was able to prepare him for life after surgery.
“He was a big encouragement to me,” Dennis said.
After the amputation, Dennis went through a period of depression, but then remembered Russ’ prediction that he would be able to walk again. Six weeks later, Dennis got his new leg and began the custom-fitting process.
Russ was patient, persisting until the prosthesis was a perfect fit. He made many small adjustments, Dennis said, “tweaking” the leg until Dennis felt like it was part of his body.
“He would sit on the floor and watch my gait,” Dennis said. Once Dennis was comfortable with the fit of his new prosthesis, he walked without crutches for the first time in six years.
“As a wife, you cannot understand what that is like unless that has happened to you,” said Dennis’s wife, Nickie, a registered nurse and professor at Kingwood College. “For him to be able to have some independence, just from this simple device, was truly amazing.”
In January 06, Dennis had to undergo a final surgery, which shortened the remaining part of his left leg by a quarter inch. Dennis returned to Hauser Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. to be refitted.
In the intervening years since he was fitted with his first prosthesis, there had been advances in the field. Russ was, therefore, able to construct Dennis’ new leg with a polyurethane panel that mimics the movement of an ankle. As before, Russ worked extensively with Dennis until he was comfortable with his prosthesis. Nickie credits Russ’ patience and meticulous nature for helping Dennis adjust.
“I can’t imagine many people on this earth have that kind of temperament,” Nickie said. “There’s no way you could pick another prosthetician and make me happier. We love Russ.”
Many patients have told Russ that larger companies inevitably have turnover that interrupts their continuity of care. At Hauser Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc., however, Russ and Melanie Hauser are dedicated to providing quality, ongoing care for their patients, whether it entails fitting them with orthotic devices, prostheses, diabetic shoes, compression hosiery or mastectomy products. Russ and Melanie are careful to instruct their patients in the proper care of their devices so that they can avoid complications.
“He’s always been there when I needed him,” Dennis agreed, “helping me out whenever I needed help.”
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Many breast cancer patients have found that Melanie Hauser can help them adjust to life after a mastectomy. Melanie, a registered nurse and certified fitter, spends time with all of her clients, whether they needs prostheses, mastectomy bras or both. Hauser Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. has a remarkable selection of products made by Amoena, Camp and Airway, in sizes ranging from 28AA to 48 DD.
“They like the individual attention. They like being able to try things on and see how they look in a mirror,” Melanie said. “Most of the time, they can walk out with a bra and a breast form.”
Although some women expect mastectomy bras to look austere, Hauser Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. carries many styles that look feminine, including lacy ones. Mastectomy bras are available in white, skin tone and black; pink and blue styles should be available soon. Melanie can also show women how to construct pockets on the bras they already have so that they will accommodate prostheses.
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