tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935516318455128564.post8978141613390371151..comments2022-10-10T18:29:12.100+10:00Comments on Active Amputee: My friends, my familyMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12201995177108279270noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935516318455128564.post-568120757190045162009-02-18T18:28:00.000+10:002009-02-18T18:28:00.000+10:00Michael, I have to agree with Meyrick how familiar...Michael, I have to agree with Meyrick how familiar your time in the hospital sounds to my time also at the Skilled Nursing Hospital where I spent 99 days getting physical therapy after my below the knee amputation of my left leg. You’re an excellent writer. Isn’t it amazing how we can find humor during our discomfort and pain, and now laugh about much we went through. Maybe those meds helped. LOL . Of course, I’m glad to be off them now for several months, but I do get some phantom pain at times still, but not bad. This past year has been an incredible time for me. Not only did I learn more about myself, I learned a lot about those around me. It seems I’m really at a new spiritual place in my life. Strange how a life-changing event can turn out so positive. But it all comes down to our attitude. I learned that when my husband died in 1995. I had a choice, go crawl in a cave and wait to die, or find joy in my life again. And again, with this, I had a choice, as you did. And damn, I’d say we made the right ones. <BR/><BR/>I can’t imagine 11 surgeries and all that went with it. I had poor circulation in my legs which I did not realize, got an infection in my foot, and gangrene soon set in. It was terrible, and I could hardly walk for weeks. Finally found a doctor who knew what he was doing...had a full leg bypass with a 20% chance of success, and it did not work. I decided two days before the amputation was scheduled that I did not need that foot anymore and I said goodbye to it. I suppose I came to terms with that immediately, but I still had fear of the unknown, and fear of losing my independence. But like you, and like Meyrick, and others, we decided to make the best of it. I often think about the Serenity Prayer... “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference” ...and have always tried to live my life that way. Also a favorite quote I have on my wall above my computer monitor is: “We must be willing to get rid of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell.<BR/><BR/>I have a great prosthetist who has inspired me from the moment I met him a couple of weeks after my surgery. He gave me hope and helped me get rid of my fear. I can still see his smile the first time I was able to put weight on my new leg and walk holding onto a rail with one hand. That was a year ago next month. My first steps without holding on at all were April 1, 2008. I quit using a walker in July and have been doing well ever since. We’ve done several castings along the way, tried a couple of systems, still having occasional problems with socks, a couple of blisters, but it is easier all the time. <BR/><BR/>I’m 66 now and I have no plans to climb mountains, ski, or race, or even hike, like you do, but I am walking well, just completed a year of physical therapy and gait training, and will continue working on my endurance as my hip muscles are now much stronger. I’ve been told for months now that people do not know I have on a prosthetic. Thanks for sharing all your experiences you’ve had these last few months. Very inspirational. I look forward to reading your progress as time goes on.Linda Pendletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04333787752335329007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935516318455128564.post-29009909211187947372009-01-12T02:49:00.000+10:002009-01-12T02:49:00.000+10:00Your post reminds me a lot of my time in the hospi...Your post reminds me a lot of my time in the hospital... and how even in the most "unlucky" of moments you can feel really lucky. This support network is going to help in a million ways and I'm sure they will expect no payback. <BR/><BR/>Pay them back by blowing them away with your progress and positivity through difficult times - you're obviously off to a grand start!<BR/><BR/>Cheers! <BR/><BR/>MJMJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00534776540520644883noreply@blogger.com