One of the most difficult milestones to overcome is the overall acceptance of limb loss. A gentleman with multiple amputations once said that for him to return to work, sports and life, he had to let go of the notion that he would still be able to do things the way he once did. Only after he stopped trying to do things as a “two-legged” person and learned how to do them with the body he now had was he able to move on and embrace
life. The key for many people with limb loss is to stop focusing on the part of their body that they have lost and to focus on the whole of the person that they are. In short, be comfortable with who you are
and continue to live life to the fullest.
Remember, there are no time frames or reaching each milestone because
everyone is different. Set short-term goals that you can reach within a reasonable time while keeping your eye on your longterm goals. Don’t become impatient and so focused on the milestones along the
road of recovery that you miss all of the other things that life has to offer. Think of each step as an event in itself. Then, after some time, look back and see which ones you’ve completed. You might find that you are farther along than you thought.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Receiving your first prosthesis by: Robert Gailey, PhD, PT
There is something unique about receiving your first prosthesis. Many folks will tell you that there is a sense of turning the corner. There is a quiet excitement because you feel that once you receive the prosthetic limb, your life will be whole again. You’ll be able to go on walks with your spouse, dance or use both arms. Sometime during the fitting process, however, it will strike you just how difficult it is to use a prosthesis
in the beginning. Though it’s easy to let yourself become disappointed, you have to understand that with time and practice, you will become increasingly skilled at using your new prosthesis.
in the beginning. Though it’s easy to let yourself become disappointed, you have to understand that with time and practice, you will become increasingly skilled at using your new prosthesis.
AS WE ALL SAY T.G.I.F.
Very restful night last night. Danny should be on his way home from work right about now. I asked him on his way to bring dunkin donuts home and a LARGE coffee and I am being a bit impatient right about now because I am jonesing for a Cigarette and he has them also. So Today I will talk about Dealing with people as an amputee ! I will be back because here comes my Coffee! I am back Coffee in hand and cigarette in my mouth. Don't be concerned over the cigarette i made a vow that when I go into inpatient rehab that I will leave a non smoker. Smoking doesn't help my disease of PAD and I know I MUST quit. Over the past six months or so I eventually have had the opportunity to interact with the public by going to various stores. Just to get out of the bed and house is such a welcome treat and I Love just getting into the car. Going out into the public is an interesting fair. You begin to notice others reaction to your amputation as you encounter them. Most of my outing include the local Walmart so my experiences may have to do with the type of people I encounter while at the store. Your first encounter with young children, at first, you find annoying. As the old phrase, "Out of the mouth of babes...". Every youngster you encounter will react to your amputation. To a Child it looks so strange so I will even get more verbalization's from them. Even the reaction from my own grandchildren was strange at first. My 3 year old Grandson, when I first came home, was very reluctant to even come near me but that has changed. He now pokes me in my stub and laughs. He is very cautious when going near my right leg amputation because it took a while for it to heal and he witnessed the home care nurse taking care of it so He knows. The children you encounter outside the home varies in reaction. You get the little girl or boy who,when they see you, run,to their parents side as if they just saw a monster. It is understandable, I try to put myself in their position. I do look strange in my wheelchair with missing legs. I am NOT the "Normal" sight for a child to see and it must be scary. Most of the verbal reactions from children has been, " What happened to his legs?" and their question usually is directed to the parent who is with them. At first you want to go up to that child and say, a big bad monster ripped them off while I was asleep just to scare them. But you quickly understand their curiosity. I wish they child would come up to me and ask me what happened and I would give a short explanation. Parents usually react with this type of question by telling their child to "SHUT UP" . Children need to understand and I want to go up to that parent and say, " It is Ok let me explain" yet I don't. The next time I encounter this I will make a point to tell the parent, No, let me explain, so your child will understand. I would tell the child, I have this problem with the veins that carried blood to my legs. The veins closed down and my legs died from here down and the doctor had to take them off so I could live. I think if given the opportunity to talk to a child their future encounters with a person in an wheelchair wouldn't be do traumatic. I have not encountered a child who was rude or had said something inappropriate. You find that inappropriate action from the parents reaction to the child. You understand the child is curious to your condition, and the parent just wants you to go away. Shame on them. When I first started going into public places you see a multitude of disabled people. I find their reaction to my condition as Funny. Once I was in line in the Walmart in my chair and this older amputee gentleman in a wheel chair came up next to me and Said, : " well, How did your lose yours?" All I replied was, "PAD". He proceed to tap on his prosthesis and say "Vietnam". All I could reply was WOW , I am sorry. I guess he was the guy who really had his leg ripped off by a monster ! ! ! Then I get to thinking how fortunate I was to have lost my legs while under anesthesia and he could have been awake when he lost his limb. Damn. I think what bothers me the most is the occasional ignorance from the adults. With adults, it is never verbal, It is usually the stare with this strange look of anger in their eyes. And the reaction to their children's verbalization. To these people you want to say STOP IT. Then you come to the conclusion that there is ignorance all over. Just be happy there not verbal. Nope, that is not even the biggest annoyance you encounter outside. It is the ignorance of those who almost run you over with their cart, or the person who speeds up to get into line before you. Then you get the adult who HUFFS behind you because they want to get around you because your going too slow for them. It is these people you want to SMACK ! ! !, But again you understand, You ARE a pain in the ass to a person trying to get somewhere quickly. I remember, when I was walking probably doing the same thing if I were in a hurry. I am a Pain in the ass to be behind so I try to be conscious of those around me and be courteous. I don't require special treatment by the public, it takes a mutual understanding. So when you are in a public place, take a moment to think of the reaction of others and try to see it on there level. A little bit of courtesy on both sides would benefit everyone. Well At this point I will take a breather and be back a bit later.
Well It is Thursday
One more day and Friday will be here. The weekends are so important to me since my husband works 11pm till 7 am and he sleeps much of the day when I am awake. It get real boring watching TV and more so watching him sleep. I spent a lot of time today on the Phone with my Medical insurance company in attempt to secure a Scooter. I feel that I need a bit more easy mobility and at time having to use the wheel chair doesn't cut it at all. After all the information I got from them, I learn they only provide a max of $449.00 toward the purchase of a scooter and that give me the VERY basic version. If I want a better scooter, I would have to put out of pocket money, which I don't have at this point. When you become disabled it becomes very difficult financially to survive. I once made close to $4,000.00 a month and now am down to $1400.00 a month. Needless to day It is now tight. But I am not starving. Social services are really no help since they see the $1400 I get from Social Security as WEALTHY ! ! ! I assure them it isn't. It is not in today's financial status ! I can barely afford the co payments on my prescriptions let alone other frivolous expenses. Yet, I will take each day and face the financial problems as they arise ! ! I got my second shower today. That right my second shower in two years. You gotta here the process in order for me to get a shower. Danny has to take the four kitchen chairs and line them up in a row from the bath tub to the bathroom door. ( My wheelchair doesn't fit in the bathroom doorway) Then I back my chair up in the hall way and using the transfer board I go from wheel chair to chair , down the line of chairs till I arrive at my Shower chair. SOUNDS like a TOTAL pain in the butt doesn't it? But it is worth it. Took me a long time to figure out how I could accomplish this. I sit here and think of how to make my life easier all the time. It could be easier if my insurance company would allow me to have a Transfer chair. they are slimmer in design and would fit in the door. But once again They refuse to pay for this type of chair. I found a transfer chair in BJ wholesale for $99.00 and am thinking hard about purchasing it, but again there are more important things to purchase like food at this point so I will continue to use my kitchen chair method ! ! ! But DAMN, the shower feels so good. I told Danny I will make showering a twice a week ritual just for my own Psyche. It is just ashame that Danny has all this work to do. Well I started this post on Thursday and It is now midnight so FRIDAY is here ! ! ! Yeah. My The way Earlier this week ( Wed) I tried on my below the knee amputation prothesis and stood for the first time in almost a year. Felt good. I look foward to the completed verson of my limb which should be here on Wed. Then Off to In Patient Rehab. Danny will finnally get a few weeks rest ! ! I bet it will be like a vacation for him ! ! !
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 3, 2011
I have decided to start this Blog to assist those who have had a leg or two amputated as I have. In 2010, because of PAD. I entered into the hospital because of a failing Fem Pop graph and woke up missing my Left leg. The Doctor said it was necessary because during the surgery process the major artery had clotted blocking all blood flow and they had to remove it to save my life. In the same year October turned out to be another set back as my right foot was failing and hearing the worst news from the doctors that I would need to have my right leg amputated as well. Well this was the beginning of my year long nightmare. An emotional roller coaster of a year. There are days I fell hope and More days when I feel like my life is such a struggle I would have hoped to have died. But, Here I am today, Alive and working on regaining my Independence. Feel free to write me with any suggestions or questions. Especially if your are facing an amputation ! ! !
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