eweet
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by eweet on Jan 17, 2013 10:49:47 GMT -7
Gotta love Introductions! My name is Craig, I'm 33 years old and just recently Married. Last year, a week after I proposed to my wife, I had been rushed to hospital with severe a severe bone infection. After many trips to the hospital claiming something was wrong, I was only sent home on oral anti biotics, no x rays, for a good 6 weeks prior to losing my right leg below knee. After much hard work after receiving my first prosthetic leg at the end of June, was able to have my first dance with my wife at our wedding in October. Physically, I've come leaps and bounds, however emotionally, I am still stuck and find myself overly frustrated at simple, everyday tasks that I could do at ease with out hesitation, finding out I took them for granted and the immense difficulty it has come to be, attempting to do such things. I joined to meet other amputees, to create friendships, hear stories, to be encouraged and hear advice, as well as possibly encouraging others along the way. Hope to get involved and getting to know some of you as I read through the posts and some of your difficulties, and triumphs over them. Thanks, Craig
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Post by stonecutter on Jan 17, 2013 14:45:39 GMT -7
Hi Craig.
Thanks for joining. Sorry you had to.
That's a pretty crappy thing you had to go through.
It's a hard thing to wrap your mind around - coming to grips with an amputation. There are a lot of us on this forum who can attest to how you're feeling.
What I can tell you is that the first couple of years were the hardest for me. It took a lot of confidence to try to do the things I used to do again. And frankly, there are some I never have tried to do again - like skiing or swimming. Skiing, because although I really liked it as a bi-ped, I don't think I'd like it as a mono-ped and I have zero inclination to try.
Swimming is just one of those things where unless I was alone, I'd be too afraid to make a scene to try it out. I know it's ridiculous, but I can't wrap my mind around going out there in front of everyone to swim.
You've come to the right place. We're a helpful and supportive group.
Trevor.
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eweet
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by eweet on Jan 17, 2013 15:50:15 GMT -7
Trevor,
It's actually funny you had mentioned the swimming thing.
Before I lost my leg, I had always worn long pants. I hate shorts, I never liked shorts, I wouldn't go near them.
When I was able to walk and venture out of the house, say if my wife and I went shopping, I loved to wear shorts out! People stared, people glanced, even had a few comments from arrogant people telling me I shouldn't do that because it scared their kids.
But I just loved wearing shorts.
It's kind of interesting how you said yourself, some things you couldn't even conceive the idea of doing again, as there are many things I wouldn't consider either, but something as simple as wearing shorts, was something that I could not only tolerate, but looked forwards to.
Definitely shows how every person is different, but there are similar aspects to people that are just as emotionally challenged in the same proportions of difficulties in other areas of life.
Craig.
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Post by allenuk on Jan 18, 2013 4:40:10 GMT -7
Hello Craig.
I'm 65 now, and had a bka in 2005. I still ride a pedal-cycle, walk to some extent, and generally live a fairly 'normal' life - cooking, houseworking, making things (not a craftsman, but I can handle a drill) that sort of thing.
Nowadays I see the missing limb and its associated problems as just another of life's little obstacles - nothing very special. For example, I have also lost the sight in one eye, and had my driving licence taken away because of my (alleged!) deteriorating eyesight. Now THAT I see as a problem, far more than the one plastic leg.
It will be a big deal to you for a while, no doubt, but as the years tick by it'll slip down the list of important things in life.
Get out there and ENJOY the next 50+ years - now that IS the important thing.
(Oh, the only specific advice I'd give is - watch your weight. It is far too easy to put on a few pounds, then a few more, then more, and so on - and increasingly difficult to lose them. Quite a few amputees end up as fat amputees (see picture).
Good luck.
Allen.
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