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Post by PecosBill on Jan 15, 2013 15:37:55 GMT -7
I am a 62 year old man. My name is Mike. I will have my left lower leg taken off soon. I live in Idaho, USA and the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Boise will do the work. I was wounded over seas in Viet Nam 45 years ago. My leg (tib/fib and ankle) has deteriorated over the years and is in sad condition and I have extensive nerve damage from Agent Orange exposure. I would like to know from some of you who have gone through this change of status experience. I have many questions and concerns. I have a Dr appointment Feb 7th and will speak with the Dr who will do the job. I don't know if e-mail address exchange is allowed here but I would want to hear the pro and con of such a change in operational status. Thanks in advance to all.
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Post by stonecutter on Jan 15, 2013 15:47:20 GMT -7
Welcome to these forums, Mike. Glad you came in and joined but sorry you had to!
We have several BK amputees here as members, myself included. All I can say is... Ask away! E-mailing members is allowed provided the member is agreeable to it (meaning it's not against the rules in any way)... but the best thing you can do it pose your questions in a post. You can do that here in this thread or in a new one in the General Board.
Trevor
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Post by PecosBill on Jan 15, 2013 16:08:43 GMT -7
Thanks for the quick reply, Trev. I'm unaware if any differences between the U.S. and Canada regarding procedures and bolt on limbs, but I have to think that our Military Drs have been doing this sort of thing for a long time. Some of my concerns are activities such as swimming, riding my Harley, taking showers, sleep with unit on/off, rehab, pre op prep etc. I feel that this will change the way I do lots of things, but I don't want to have to quit doing the things I want to do. Out door activities such as camping and fishing, swimming etc. I realize there will be certain restrictions, especially the first year or so, but there's stuff I need to do. I am determined to do these things and am in pretty good shape for an old fart. I've led a very active life and have no intention of slowing down too much. (My friends call me "Sarge") I'm glad I found this site and will continue to pop up from time to time with input and questions.
Mike
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Post by allenuk on Jan 16, 2013 9:03:21 GMT -7
Mike: talk to the doctor about anaesthetics. There is a school of thought, certainly here in the UK, that you have to FOOL your brain into thinking that your affected leg is totally pain-free, BEFORE you go into the operation. If your brain retains the memory of a painful limb, it can (not always, but it's worth the effort) lead to phantom pains afterwards, and you do not want phantom pains!
The technique is to go into hospital at least 12 hours before the op, and get dosed up on morphine drips, etc., so you float into the operating theatre. And, if you can stand the noise and boredom, opt for a LOCAL anaesthetic (sometimes called 'regional') rather than a General Anaesthetic. The medics aren't 100% sure why this helps, but it's on the lines that your brain is conscious and pain-free all the way through, whereas if you are unconscious, painful memories can mosey up to the surface.
I went down that route 7 years ago for a bka, and have been lucky (blessed) with no phantom pains since.
Allen, bka, London.
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