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Devon’s New Departure, York, PA (2026)

09/09/2026

🌟 Week 9 Update 🌟

This week has been hard…physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I’m dealing with increased pain in my legs, the never ending battle with insurance, and the reality of navigating everyday life as a double amputee. Some days, it all just feels like a lot.

I haven’t made much progress with insurance. Honestly, talking to an actual human being these days feels nearly impossible. Not only am I fighting with them to cover my prosthetic legs, but now I’m also fighting with them over a wheelchair.

I have a really nice power chair, but it’s HUGE. It weighs around 400 pounds, and the only way to transport it is on the back of my husband’s truck. I also have a cheap manual chair that I use when I’m out with my mom or anyone other than Chris. What I’m trying to get is something in between, a chair that’s smaller and easier to transport, but still gives me the power and independence I need.

Of course, insurance only covers one wheelchair every five years.

I received my current power chair last year, and insurance refused to cover it, leaving me with a $55,000 bill. Fifty-five thousand dollars. That’s more than a damn car! And now I’m fighting them all over again to get a chair that actually fits my needs.

I just don’t understand why something that gives me independence and mobility has to be such a fight. These aren’t luxuries. They are the things that allow me to live my life.

And then there’s my legs.

The skin on my legs is unfortunately adhering to different sections of the rods in each leg. Because of that, I’m headed back to Philadelphia next week to have a procedure to lengthen my rods. At this point, I honestly have no idea what to expect, but I’ve been told it’s a short and relatively easy procedure that won’t require any skin incisions. So I’m trying to focus on that and trust the process.

I’m trying so hard to be patient with all of this healing. But if I’m being honest, patience is so much easier said than done.

I’m ready to move forward. I’m ready for my body to heal. I’m ready for insurance to stop fighting me. And I’m ready to start getting back to living instead of constantly having to fight for the things I need just to do it.

So if you’ve been praying for me, please keep praying. Pray that my legs continue to heal, that this next procedure goes smoothly, and that somehow, some way, the insurance battles get a little easier.

09/03/2026

Have I ever told you how much I hate insurance?

I fought with insurance for weeks to get approval for my osseointegration surgery, the surgery that would put titanium rods into my legs so that, eventually, I could walk.

I had to jump through hoops, file appeal after appeal, get news outlets involved, and even reach out to my Senator just to get the surgery approved.

Well… apparently, we’re doing this all over again.

I honestly don’t even have the words to describe how frustrating and heartbreaking this is. I thought once the surgery was approved, maybe I could finally breathe. But no.

Now I get a letter in the mail telling me that insurance has denied the actual prosthetic legs. I’m sorry… WHAT?

You approved the surgery that put titanium rods into my body specifically so I could use bone anchored prosthetic legs, but now you’re telling me you won’t approve the legs I need to actually walk? How does that make any sense?

And this is the part that makes me so angry: these aren’t just “prosthetic legs” to me.

They are my ability to stand. They are my ability to take steps. They are my independence. They are my chance to do things I haven’t been able to do in a year and a half. They are a part of the life I am fighting so hard to get back.

This isn’t some luxury item I’m asking for. I’m not asking for something just because I want it. I’m asking for the equipment I need to make the surgery I fought so hard for actually work. And I’m exhausted.

I’m exhausted from constantly having to prove that I deserve a chance to walk. I’m exhausted from fighting with people who make decisions about my body and my future from behind a desk. I’m exhausted from having to appeal and appeal and appeal just to get access to something that could completely change my life.

At some point, you have to wonder… what exactly am I paying insurance for?

Thankfully, I have people in my corner who are willing to help me fight this battle again. I am incredibly grateful for that, and I know I’m not going to stop fighting.

But I keep thinking about the people who don't have that support. The people who don't know who to call. The people who don't have the time or energy to fight every denial. The people who don't have someone willing to advocate for them. What happens to them? Are they just supposed to give up?

I refuse to believe that someone should have to be their own full-time advocate just to get the medical equipment they need to live their life.

I fought so hard to get to this point. I fought for my life. I fought for my surgery. I fought for my future. And I will fight for my legs, too. But I shouldn't have to. No one should.

09/03/2026

It’s crazy to think that a physical place can hold trauma.

Today was our youngest’s first soccer practice of the season. Not his first practice ever… that happened last April. And somehow, that makes today feel so much bigger than just the first practice of a new season.

Jack’s soccer practice last year was the last thing I did before I got sick. Other than our home, this was the last place I walked. The last place I had two legs. The last place the four of us made a normal family memory together before our entire world changed.

We were at Jack’s practice, where, of course, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with soccer. For 45 minutes, we chased him back onto the field and dealt with meltdown after meltdown. After practice, we picked up dinner and went home.

Halfway through eating, I told Chris I wasn’t feeling well and went to lay down. Little did I know that what I thought were flu like symptoms were actually sepsis setting in. Less than 48 hours after that soccer practice, I was fighting for my life.

So being back there today brought up a lot of emotions. It was impossible not to think about how much has changed since the last time I was there.

But more than anything, I’m grateful.
I’m grateful I got to be there today. Grateful I got to watch my boy run onto that field. Grateful that even though life looks completely different now, I’m still here. I’m still their mom. And I still get to show up for my boys.

Last year, I left that field with no idea that my life was about to change forever.

Today, I let it reminded of just how far I’ve come. 💕

09/02/2026

🌟 Week 8 Update 🌟

I’m at the point in my recovery where I’m really trying to be patient… but easier said than done. I’m being told that I’m still nowhere near ready for my first set of legs, and honestly, that’s been really hard for me to hear. I’m so ready to move forward and get to the next stage of this new life.

I know this is a marathon, not a sprint. But when you can’t even run, or walk, it’s a lot harder to sit still and wait.

I’m still dealing with swelling and drainage, and I’m doing my best not to let it get me down. On top of that, I’ve developed a constant pain in my right leg, right around where my rod is. My surgical team isn’t concerned, but that doesn’t make the pain any easier to deal with.

I’m incredibly grateful to have amazing friends and family in the medical field who have been helping me navigate this and look for solutions to manage the pain.

I know my body is healing, even when it doesn’t feel like I’m making progress. So for now, I’m reminding myself that waiting is still part of the journey. As hard as it is, I have to trust the process and trust that I’ll get there when I’m ready. 💕

08/26/2026

🌟Week 7 Update🌟

I met with my team today and was told that my legs are still healing, which means I still have quite a bit of drainage and swelling. I was a little concerned about the color of the drainage, but thankfully, I was reassured that everything looks good and that the tissue and skin are healthy.

If you didn’t know, I also had my thighs reconstructed, so I have stitches that run basically from my groin, all the way around my residual limbs, and up toward the tops of my hips. A few of my sutures did dissolve prematurely, so I have some additional wounds that I need to keep a close eye on and continue cleaning.

I also met with prosthetics today! It was more of an informational appointment than anything, but he did take measurements of my right leg and showed me what the “foot” on my very first set of legs will look like. It’s basically a rubber pad that rotates, and honestly, it was so cool to see! It makes everything feel a little more real.

It was a very long day of traveling and appointments, so I’m especially thankful for my Momma for being there to take me.

And if you didn’t see my post yesterday, I was asked to be part of a sepsis survivor panel for an educational nurses conference. I am SO excited for this opportunity and incredibly grateful that I’ll get the chance to share my story. I’ve also had a few other people reach out since yesterday about different opportunities, and I’m so thankful that my experience may be able to help or educate someone else. If anyone knows of other opportunities where I could share my story, please send them my way!

Outside of today, life has still been moving right along. Our oldest son started school again this week and had his first soccer game of the season. I worked another shift and even got to spend some time restoring an old piece that I’m planning to add to my list of wedding and event rentals.

This week was so eventful, but somehow, in a strange way, it also felt calm. Maybe that’s what I’m learning to appreciate most… life doesn’t have to stop just because things look different now.

Here’s to another week of healing, getting these legs stronger, and continuing to live our everyday lives the best we can. One day at a time. 💕

08/24/2026

I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand why I had to go through so much pain and darkness. But I’ve come to realize that sometimes God allows us to go through difficult seasons so that, when He sends us into someone else’s darkness, we know how to help them find their way out.

I’ve learned that my journey isn’t just about what happened to me. It’s about what I can do with what I’ve been through. I want to be there for someone who is scared, hurting, or wondering how they’re ever going to get through the next day. Their journey may look completely different from mine. It may be easier, or it may be harder. But if I can help even one person feel less alone, then my pain can have a purpose.

Today, I was asked if I wanted to be part of a sepsis survivor panel at an educational nursing conference hosted by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. I can honestly say I’ve never said yes to something so quickly in my life.

I want to share my story. I want to help people who have been through what I’ve been through. But more than anything, I want my story to be a teaching moment.

I want to remind nurses not to give up on their patients. I want to gently remind them that we can hear you when we’re in a coma or heavily sedated. We may not be able to respond, but your words, your compassion, and the way you treat us still matter.

Because even when you think your patient can’t hear you, they may be listening. Even when you think they don’t know what’s happening, they may remember the way you made them feel.

I know I wouldn’t be here today without the nurses who cared for me. They fought for me, cared for me, and helped carry me through the darkest moments of my life. If there is any way I can give back to them and help educate the next generation of nurses, I will.

I’m incredibly honored to have this opportunity, and I’m ready to turn what I went through into something that can hopefully help someone else.

And if anyone knows of other opportunities for me to get involved, (speaking to nursing students or new graduate nurses, participating in panels, conferences, or anything else) please, please let me know.

I want to make a difference. 💕

08/21/2026

Sometimes I struggle to feel proud of myself.

I know that I nearly escaped death. I have been told by many healthcare professionals, that they have never seen someone as sick as I was, survive. They didn’t think I would pull through, and that I should be dead.

And now I’ve had to learn how to navigate a life I never imagined for myself, relearn things that used to be second nature, and find strength on days when I didn’t feel like I had any left.

And yet, somehow, I still have a hard time looking at those things and saying, “I’m proud of you.”

Because in my mind, I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.

I’m supposed to get out of bed. I’m supposed to keep going. I’m supposed to work through the pain, go to therapy, learn new ways of doing things, take care of my family, laugh, show up, and keep moving forward.

So when someone tells me I’m strong, an inspiration, or that they’re proud of me, part of me wonders why. I’m not doing anything extraordinary. I’m just doing what I have to do.

But maybe that’s where I’m wrong.

Maybe surviving something that should have killed me is something to be proud of. Maybe waking up every day and choosing to keep going after losing both of my legs and my fingers is something to be proud of. Maybe learning to build an entirely new life, even when I never asked for this one, is something to be proud of.

I don’t have to accomplish something extraordinary every day for my survival to matter.

I don’t have to earn the right to be proud of myself.

I survived.

I’m still here.

And even if I don’t always feel proud of myself yet, I’m learning to recognize that there is something pretty incredible about the fact that I’m still here. And I guess that matters. 💜

08/19/2026

🌟Week 6 Update 🌟

It’s been one busy week over here at the Eckenrode house. ❤️

I’ve gotten out of the house quite a bit this week—soccer practice, back-to-school shopping, dinner with my family, a parents’ night out with my siblings, and… back to work.

Yes… back to work. 🥹

For those who don’t know, I’m a Customer Service Specialist at Dick’s Sporting Goods. I’ve been with the company for 10 years now. I originally worked there while I was in college and really thrived in that environment. 6 years ago, I left to focus on our growing family.

Then, the Christmas before I got sick, I went back for some extra money. After the holidays, they asked me to stay, and I did.

When I got sick, they were incredible. They reminded me that I had a family there and that my job would be waiting for me whenever I was ready to come back.

They have been so accommodating, understanding, and flexible throughout everything. I truly couldn’t have asked for anything more.

When I told them about this procedure, they were once again nothing but supportive. They told me to take my time and let them know when I felt ready.

Well… today, I decided to see if I was ready.

I worked for just four hours, and it was so good. It was wonderful to see my friends, have some adult interaction, help customers, and just feel a little bit normal again.

But I think my favorite part was simply being Devon.

I wasn’t a wife. I wasn’t a mom. I wasn’t a patient.

I was just me.

I think sometimes we get so caught up in all of the titles we carry that we can lose sight of the person underneath them. Today reminded me how important it is to find little pieces of ourselves again.

And I’m genuinely so happy to say… I’m back to work.

Of course, I know I still need to take it easy. Unfortunately, I’m dealing with some drainage from my legs that is less than pleasant, so I’m back on antibiotics. I’m continuing with my weekly OT/PT, as well as nursing visits where they check my vitals and run labs.

But every week, I feel a little more like me.
Every week, I accomplish something new or get to do something again for the first time.

And while those moments may seem small to some, they mean everything to me.

I wouldn’t be here, celebrating these little victories, without the incredible love and support of my family, friends, and community. You have carried me through some of the hardest days of my life, and I will never be able to fully put into words how grateful I am.

Here’s to another week of becoming a little more me.

08/12/2026

🌟Week 5 Update🌟

Things are starting to feel a little more “normal.” I’m getting around better on my own, and thankfully, the pain has been getting better too.

I went back to Philly this weekend, but luckily this time it was for something fun! We went to a Phillies game for my sister-in-law’s birthday, and it was also our youngest’s first game. We had such a great time, and I’m especially thankful we got to see a win! ⚾️

But oh my… it was a LONG day. It was the first time since surgery that I had been up in my chair for TWELVE hours. Needless to say, by the time we got home, I was completely exhausted.

Honestly, one of the best parts about coming home from the game was getting to sleep in my own bed. Since coming home from surgery, I’ve been using a hospital bed downstairs in Chris’s man cave. This week, I finally learned how to transfer in and out of our bed without help, and I’ve actually been able to sleep through the night. That’s a huge win for me because before this, I felt like I was tossing and turning all night long.

Now, falling asleep is a whole different story. Most nights I have trouble actually getting to sleep, and some nights I’m still awake until 2–3 a.m. So if anyone has any tips for getting my sleep schedule back to something resembling “normal,” please send them my way!

Overall, it was a really good week, and I’m proud of how much progress I’ve made. At the same time, I know I still have a lot of healing ahead of me before I get my first set of legs.

The hardest part of this weekend wasn’t the long day or even being exhausted. It was being somewhere new, surrounded by people who don’t know me or my story.

The pointing. The staring. The questions. The assumptions.

Sometimes, they still really get to me.

I know I look different. I know people are curious. But underneath everything you see, I’m still just a person trying to live my life and enjoy the things I loved before all of this happened.

So if you take anything away from this update, let it be this:

Be kind.

You never truly know what someone is going through, what they’ve been through, or how hard they’re working just to do something as simple as enjoy a day out with their family.

I’m healing. I’m learning. I’m adjusting. And I’m going to keep moving forward. ❤️

08/04/2026

🌟Week 4 Update🌟

Can you believe that I’ve left the house FOUR days in a row. I’m very much enjoying getting back into my routine. Yes, I still have swelling and pain, but every day it’s getting better!

This week I was able to enjoy a nice date night out with my husband, my besties baby’s first birthday, a trip to Philly to see my surgical team, and Chases first soccer practice of the season.

I also made some transfers this week that were new since my surgery. I finally got the green light to take a real shower (thank God), I transferred to and from my manual wheelchair and then too and from a car. I also transferred to the X-ray table unassisted.

I’m also getting back into the swing of thing as far as the household chores. Making meals, cleaning the kitchen, hanging and folding laundry, etc. It has been a very busy, but rewarding week!

My appointment went well. He did have to debrid my right leg which hurt like hell, and was awful to watch. And unfortunately because I still have a lot of swelling, I wasn’t able to get my connectors. I go back in 3 weeks, and praying we’ll have the swelling under control and I’ll be good for the connectors. I will also be meeting with prosthetists in 3 weeks and hopefully will be able to see my first set of legs!

Thank you to everyone who has said a prayer, sent a text, commented or shared, and who have physically checked in. I couldn’t haven’t gotten this far without the amazing support that I have!

I’m really hoping that my posts help someone learn something new. I’m learning through this entire process, if you have questions please ask! I promise it won’t offend me. Enjoy my most recent X-rays.

Devon’s New Departure

09/09/2026

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09/02/2026

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

08/21/2026

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

08/04/2026

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