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Post by allenuk on Dec 15, 2011 2:19:04 GMT -7
Stonecutter: the most important part (to me) of your last posting was "but I got the rehab doc, when we were alone to tell me that if it were her, she wouldn't hesitate".
And as long as you can trust her, there's your answer; you've got to go ahead.
A
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Post by stinker373 on Dec 26, 2011 20:43:02 GMT -7
Did anyone think of getting a plastic surgeon to sit on for a few questions?
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Post by ann- on Dec 27, 2011 3:14:23 GMT -7
[/quote]Hi Stonecutter Its good that you are seeing more than one person to get opinions, that was the what I did before my surgery and found the one I chose to do it went on pure instinct really, in that he seemed confident which made me feel confident also, so am glad you are feeling confident about the one you have chosen as I am sure that feelings of wellbeing have a beneficial effect on the healing.
Am not sure what they did with mine in terms of 'plumbing' but I know that since the surgery my stump is warmer than it was prior to the op.
In terms of healing and getting back to walking everyone is probably different and in different parts of the world things are always different, mine was probably a bit diff as my reconstruction was fixed to existing skin graft, but I was about three weeks before the final bandages came off and I could bend the knee, I then had a bit of a wait before I got some rehab but was back walking within the three months, though took about 6 -9 months before I was walking normally, though am bilateral and wasn't used to walking on a PTB so had to rebuild quads etc., but for me the new normal was better than the previous normal.
Hope all goes well for you, I'd say don't rush the healing,I remember feeling quite frustrated at one point thinking that I was not doing anything etc., but think it did me quite a few favours when it came to walking, when I was in rehab saw a few people who seemed to me to be quite early in the processes and a few of them had probs with the scar etc., whereas mine was fine.
Ann
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Post by stonecutter on Jan 18, 2012 22:35:58 GMT -7
Hey folks - just as an update. I have my surgery scheduled for 6 February... Now I'm getting really nervous.
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Post by cherylm on Jan 19, 2012 1:20:12 GMT -7
Well, at least you don't have long to wait! And keep telling yourself that you've done a good amount of research, you've made a rational decision, and you know enough about what "rehab" entails that it won't be a mystery to you.
Good luck with the revision...I hope it'll give you a much more functional stump!
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Post by barclay on Jan 19, 2012 22:30:22 GMT -7
This is a terrible time isn't it - when you know it's coming ? Cheryl's right - you are making a good, solid decision - hold that thought! What do you do to pass the time in the hospital ? I found that watching movies/TV and reading only pass the time so-so and that learning something (e.g. a computer program) and doing things with my hands - Origami and needlepoint for example - worked well for me. Sending you lots of positive energy!!
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Post by stonecutter on Jan 20, 2012 8:10:14 GMT -7
Hopefully I'm not in the hospital for very long and I can go recover at home. Although it would be kind of hard not being able to help out as much with our 2 year old daughter, I'd MUCH rather be there than in the hospital.
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Jan 21, 2012 9:24:15 GMT -7
U know the ropes Stonecutter, BUT that doesn't ease the nervous tummy, does it. We all have complete confidence in the way U know the in's & out's of amputation & will be back up and running in no time. ;o}
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Post by ann- on Jan 22, 2012 12:07:00 GMT -7
U know the ropes Stonecutter, BUT that doesn't ease the nervous tummy, does it. We all have complete confidence in the way U know the in's & out's of amputation & will be back up and running in no time. ;o} I found the waiting was the worst bit ... and the actual surgery was no where near as bad as I had imagined .... I am sure it will all go well just concentrate at the moment on keeping yourself well and not getting too stressed.
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Post by stonecutter on Jan 22, 2012 17:27:10 GMT -7
Trying to knock as much as I can off the 'honey-do' list before the big day. Today it was cleaning the garage - which has turned into a multi-day project. Man it's disgusting in there.
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Post by barclay on Jan 22, 2012 21:14:07 GMT -7
LOL - my neighbor and I were talking about garages recently (I'm hoping to get one) and she said they are necessary, because you need a place to put things for a year or so until you are ready to get rid of them.
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Post by ann- on Jan 24, 2012 1:23:10 GMT -7
LOL - my neighbor and I were talking about garages recently (I'm hoping to get one) and she said they are necessary, because you need a place to put things for a year or so until you are ready to get rid of them. Lol .... have noticed that since we converted our garage to become part of the house and lost that storage space, we make a lot of trips to the rubbish tip!!
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Post by barclay on Feb 3, 2012 0:39:27 GMT -7
Hey Stonecutter - just to let you know I'm thinking about you. Cynthia
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Post by stonecutter on Feb 3, 2012 7:02:58 GMT -7
Thanks - just about to start my last day of work before the big event.
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Feb 3, 2012 7:57:29 GMT -7
And don't forget that little 2yr. old will help with your @ home healing....SHE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU this time. ;o}
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Post by ann- on Feb 3, 2012 12:30:06 GMT -7
Thanks - just about to start my last day of work before the big event. Yes, thinking of you here too, imagine the nerves are kicking in, but I found I was fine once I actually got there and into the surgery, it wasn't anywhere bad as I imagined and quite enjoyed my hospital stay. Just go with the flow and do everything you can to help with the healing and think about how much better its going to be for you in the future. If your's goes anything like mine I was actually overjoyed with the outcome of the surgery and three years later still am. Good luck for Monday.
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Post by stonecutter on Feb 3, 2012 17:52:53 GMT -7
Thanks Ann - I'm really hoping for a similar experience. The last experience was a long time ago, this go around things are so different. I've never been asked if I was diabetic more in my life than I have in the past week.
Another question that I've never been asked before: "Do you have a personal directive?" What the... Wow! They look at you funny when you answer with, "Why, what exactly are YOU planning here???"
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Post by cherylm on Feb 3, 2012 20:19:53 GMT -7
Gee...hadn't realized it was so soon! The best of luck to you, Stonecutter...you'll be in my thoughts!
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Post by ann- on Feb 5, 2012 11:48:40 GMT -7
Thanks Ann - I'm really hoping for a similar experience. The last experience was a long time ago, this go around things are so different. I've never been asked if I was diabetic more in my life than I have in the past week. Another question that I've never been asked before: "Do you have a personal directive?" What the... Wow! They look at you funny when you answer with, "Why, what exactly are YOU planning here???" If your experience is anything like mine you will find things very different, but for the better, it was about forty years for me and it things had really moved on, but I found it quite an emotional experience, so be prepared for that too. Yes, I got asked quite a lot of odd questions too, when I started rehab they asked what I expected to achieve etc., my answer was always just to get back walking, which I did and no doubt you will too. Good luck.
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Feb 7, 2012 21:13:12 GMT -7
Hope everything went well @ surgery.... GET WELL QUICKLY!!
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Post by ann- on Feb 8, 2012 0:38:15 GMT -7
Hope everything went well @ surgery.... GET WELL QUICKLY!! Echo what Ann58 says. Hope all went well. Look after yourself though and don't rush the healing give yourself 'time' to heal ... it will pan out better for the long-term.
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Post by stonecutter on Feb 8, 2012 19:45:21 GMT -7
Just got home from the hospital this afternoon. I'm doing well. Sore but good. I'll give you guys a better update in the morning though. Thanks to everyone for the support.
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Post by barclay on Feb 8, 2012 22:36:20 GMT -7
Glad to know you are again! Hope you can sleep a lot and well till the wound has settled.
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Post by stonecutter on Feb 10, 2012 10:36:53 GMT -7
Hey folks,
As a quick update, the skin graft is gone, and I'm now been reduced to a single scar! I never thought that would be entirely possible, but it looks really good.
It's sore like the dickens, but I am weighing the long term possibilities and telling myself that it'll be worth it. The surgeon took off less than 1/2" off the tibial end, so it still has the look of having length, at least for now... you also have to consider the swelling on the end, so looks can be deceiving.
Thanks for all the moral support.
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Post by barclay on Feb 10, 2012 23:48:34 GMT -7
Well, that's positive :-) glad to hear it! The pain is tedious (!) - but what can you do (besides taking pain killers...).
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