Therapist suggested I join

[ernie]

Hi everyone -

I’m checking out this message board after a recommendation from my therapist. Not this board specifically but to reach out to people who have shared my experience.

I was diagnosed with osteo sarcoma at 9 years old in 1996. I had my right leg amputated above the knee when I was 10. Back in that time there weren’t a lot of resources for young people to cope with such a large life changing event. Over the years I have learned quite a few tips and tricks for AK prosthetics and have been on one hell of a journey.

Anyways - just saying hello and if anyone would like to connect.

[snowyh]

Hello, Ernie! I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 1971 at the age of 15, and had a right forequarter amputation. Not too many of us cancer survivors on this forum, but it's the best place I've found so far for amputees to connect & share information. Happy to make your acquaintance!

Helen

[rg8]

Hi, Ernie! I'm a new BKA from an accident 2 years ago and comparing my experience to others, it is clear that not much has changed regarding amputations. Sure, there are really cool prosthesis and some centers are performing state of the art procedures, but in most cases, surgeons performing amputations are doing the same procedure as was taught more than 100 years ago. Of course, anesthesia and antisepsis have improved but when it comes to technique, well, what can I possibly say. I arrived at the hospital at the worst time during the Pandemic, rushed to the operating room, where the surgeon did a not-very-good procedure, had to spend 48 hours in a recovery room bay because there were not enough nurses to staff the floor, when I finally got a room, it was not even in a surgical floor, the personnel was not trained for fresh trauma patients and it was a nightmare. To make this horrible, long story short, the original amputation had to be redone. This time I chose my surgeon and hospital, I'm doing much better and waiting for a new prosthesis since the old one does not fit as the residual limb had to be totally re-sculpted. I'm glad you are doing better.