Caregiver for BKA amputee

[scout]

Hi.. So glad to find this group.
My husband recently had a below the knee amp.  I am his caregiver.
He is 61 and I am 65.
He has a myriad of health issues including: diabetes, afib, kidney cancer resulting in ESRD/dialysis, LV stenosis (eventually will need a heart valve replacement), PAD, sleep apnea, etc.
The problems started 2 years ago with gangrene toes so some were removed.. then May 2023 he had a right foot TMA and after 3 months it would not heal so BKA had to be done.
He is one week into the recovery and although Drs say his surgery went well and he is on track healing-wise, his mental state is not good... Due to all his health issues it is going to take him much longer to rehab than most people I think.
Any words of encouragement anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.  
We are so overwhelmed and need to hear how others have coped.
Thank you so much
Scout

[snowyh]

Welcome to the forum, Scout. It's very thoughtful of you as a caregiver to consider your husband's emotional/mental recovery as well as his physical one. It's hard to just say "hang in there, it'll get better" because everyone's recovery is unique. For the vast majority of new amputees, or the newly disabled (as in your husband's case), it really does get better over time... and although many adjust on their own, others need help to get comfortable with their new situation. Given his age, two things come to mind: 1) IMO younger people adjust to big life changes more readily than those of us who are older, and 2) if the amputation has caused the end of your husband's career, he may also be dealing with unexpectedly having a lot of idle time and no longer feeling like he's contributing to society. As your husband is dealing a myriad of health issues along with the amputation, you may want to consider getting him some professional counseling.

Helen