The Adventure Continues

My Name is Florian, I’m 24 Years Old, and This Is My Story

I’ve always had a thirst for adventure—whether it was racing down mountains on my mountain bike in the past or more recently, traveling the world in my 30-year-old off-road vehicle, discovering the most remote places. I am infinitely grateful for all these experiences and for the fact that, in the end, my story has found its happy ending.

Misdiagnosis
It all began at the end of 2022 with a cough that kept getting worse. In December 2022, I decided to see a pulmonologist, who unfortunately made a devastating misdiagnosis: asthma. As a result, I was treated for asthma for the following months. Fortunately, in February 2023, I was still able to complete my training as a plant mechanic.

Two weeks after receiving my journeyman’s certificate, I was admitted to the hospital with severe pneumonia. Then came the shock: I didn’t have asthma—I had a mitral valve rupture.

Intensive Care Unit
I was immediately rushed into open-heart surgery, but unfortunately, serious errors occurred during the procedure. While implanting the new mechanical mitral valve, I suffered cardiac arrest and had to be placed on a heart-lung machine. Tragically, the use of this machine led to an undersupply of blood to my left lower leg, causing compartment syndrome, which later resulted in amputation.

I spent four weeks in a medically induced coma and three months in the ICU, enduring extreme complications. Due to additional lung-related complications, I had to undergo 25 more surgeries and received a total of 200 blood transfusions.

This could certainly be called an adventure—but not the kind I used to dream of. Lying there, losing all sense of time, unable to sleep due to the beeping machines and constant pain, left a lot of room for thoughts no one wants to have. The only things that kept me alive were the positivity of the doctors and nurses, the support of my family, and the belief that one day, I would travel the world again and reclaim my sense of freedom.

First Steps
After 100 days in the ICU, I was transferred to early rehabilitation, where things slowly started to improve. I took my first steps with my prosthesis. At first, it felt strange, and my stump was still very sensitive to pressure—but that was completely normal. From the very beginning, I accepted my prosthesis and even found it kind of “cool,” a feeling that has stayed with me to this day. Of course, there were bad days, but I think that’s something everyone experiences in a situation like this.

I made continuous progress during rehab. Day by day, I became more confident, and the pain in my stump gradually faded. After two months in early rehab, I finally returned home after five months in the hospital. However, this transition was tough—I had only ever known my home with two healthy legs. I continued physical therapy twice a week, and as I became more stable on my prosthesis, my mental state also improved.

In November 2023, I returned to rehab for gait training, which gave me the final refinements I needed.

Back to Life
Spring 2024. I am nearing the end of my interim phase and will soon receive my permanent prosthetic setup: the Genium X3 and the Evanto foot. I’m also waiting for my camper van to be converted to an automatic transmission so I can embark on my next journey after such a long time.

I spend most of my free time in the gym, where I’ve gained almost 40 kg and finally look like myself again.

My First Trip with a Prosthesis
In June, just three days after my car was modified, I set off on my first trip with a prosthesis—together with my brother. For three weeks, we traveled completely without a plan, covering over 4,000 km through the UK—around the island, through the green hills of Wales and Scotland.

Driving my modified car went smoothly from the start. Even though my socket wasn’t fully broken in yet, everything worked surprisingly well. Even small hikes were no problem. It felt like jumping into cold water—but every moment was worth it.

The entire journey felt surreal, like a dream finally coming true. I could hardly believe that I was actually doing what I had always dreamed of. The gratitude I felt in every moment was simply overwhelming.

The Adventure Continues
These days, I spend a lot of time in nature, camping at beautiful, remote spots. Having a prosthesis hasn’t been a hindrance at all. On the contrary—I go fishing, take short hikes, and fully enjoy the outdoors.

The most special moments of my travels are those quiet nights at remote campsites, reminding me how grateful I am to still be able to travel at all. Things could have turned out so differently. After everything I went through in the ICU, I appreciate these experiences even more.

Of course, not everything goes smoothly. While traveling deep into the Norwegian wilderness near Tromsø, my prosthetic foot suddenly broke. At first, it seemed like my journey was over. The same thing happened later on my way to Stockholm. But thanks to the amazing support from Ottobock, who shipped me a replacement foot within three days on both occasions, I was able to continue my travels.

For the most part, my trips haven’t changed much. I do have to be more mindful of my medications and remember to charge my prosthesis regularly. Other than that, I don’t feel restricted. With increased movement, my hip problems have also improved over time. There are far fewer obstacles than one might think.

However, my packing list has changed slightly. I now carry a GPS tracker to call for help if needed, even without cell reception. I also have a 230-volt inverter in my car to charge my prosthesis anytime. My anti-friction cream has saved me countless times, and I always carry an antibiotic ointment for folliculitis on my stump. A spray bottle for prosthetic cleaning and a second liner would also be helpful. But in the end, everyone has to figure out what works best for their individual needs.

The best advice? Just go for it! By the second trip, you’ll already know what to improve.

I’m looking forward to my travel plans for this year: a trip to Denmark and another to Bosnia. I can’t wait to discover new campsites, immerse myself in nature, and once again experience the freedom and joy that travel brings—even with a prosthesis.

Find me on Instagram!