cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on May 25, 2013 3:12:05 GMT -7
So if you casted today why the long and unkind wait ? Staff shortages and a back log of work! Hard to accept, however the extra time to do a good job rather than a rushed job is easier to accept and a delay for this reason is better than if my leg wasn't healed enough...if that makes sense.
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jun 4, 2013 4:25:32 GMT -7
I have a date for getting my limb, July 22nd, another 7 weeks away! That makes a total of 15 weeks from surgery to back on my feet again. I'm frustrated with it all now, however, I don't suppose I have anything to complain about as my social life has continued, just enjoyed a girls weekend away however on the flip side tomorrow is my last sick pay and I only have guaranteed work from Sept-Oct so desperate to get a new job and away from being self employed, keep your fingers crossed please.
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Post by allenuk on Jun 5, 2013 3:58:48 GMT -7
15 weeks is a long time, Cate, but I suppose your other health problems slowed it down, plus of course the general NHS cuts. (I'm at Stanmore, supposedly a 'flagship' operation, and over the past year or so the staff there have been increasingly unable to cope - purely because the new policy is not to replace prosthetists when they leave! Daft or what.)
I hope you don't find it too hard, getting back on '2' feet - I remember in my case it was really (physically) difficult to put one leg in front of the other, and I didn't have any other problems.
I've just been recast, as it happens - test socket yesterday (which for the first time ever actually felt comfortable) so I'm holding out great hopes myself for the new leg!
Best of luck,
Allen.
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jun 20, 2013 6:15:31 GMT -7
15 weeks is a long time, nothing medically has caused the delay everything to do with surgery went to plan and has all healed very well it's delays caused by staff shortages at the limb centre. Anyway, my most recent news is I have an interview tomorrow. I've decided to give up the self employment and go back to work in a total change of direction. I need a job that is less stressful, physically and emotionally. Please all keep your fingers crossed for me
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Post by ann- on Jun 20, 2013 13:13:21 GMT -7
Good luck with your interview tomorrow Cate. Keeping all fingers x'd.
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Post by stonecutter on Jun 21, 2013 16:56:38 GMT -7
Hope it went well! Keep us posted.
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jun 22, 2013 1:38:00 GMT -7
Thanks Ann and Trevor. I feel the interview went well. I was told I'm confident and a good communicator. I was asked if I was offered the job would I be prepared to start before getting my limb, so I felt that was a positive question. I will find out next week if they want me. It would be a total change of career for me so it would all be very exciting
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Post by grigoryevich on Jun 24, 2013 4:43:25 GMT -7
Very best of luck cate6
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jun 24, 2013 7:41:47 GMT -7
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Post by ann- on Jun 26, 2013 11:38:35 GMT -7
Fingers crossed for you Cate.
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jun 30, 2013 1:02:38 GMT -7
I haven't heard anything about the interview I had last week but I have another interview tomorrow and as of last Friday I'm officially bank/supply staff at a local children's nursery, all the paperwork and checks have been sorted, I just need to inform them when I'm fully mobile again...it's all go now and only 3 weeks until I get my limb.
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jul 4, 2013 11:26:56 GMT -7
From the interview I had on Monday I got a temp contract starting next Monday. It's office based. I've been out today for a whole new wardrobe of 'smart office clothes' excited and nervous!
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Post by ann- on Jul 4, 2013 13:30:31 GMT -7
well done Cate, good luck next monday, hope it goes well.
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Post by stonecutter on Jul 4, 2013 17:11:01 GMT -7
Hooray! Congratulations!
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ann58
Female Member
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Jul 8, 2013 6:44:55 GMT -7
From the interview I had on Monday I got a temp contract starting next Monday. It's office based. I've been out today for a whole new wardrobe of 'smart office clothes' excited and nervous! cate6, I have all the faith in the world you will be great!!!! Show them how its done
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jul 10, 2013 23:41:51 GMT -7
Just about to start day 4 of training. It's quite intense. Turns out this 2 weeks training period is usually done over 6 weeks! So far so good. I was really tired the first day but there was a lot of moving around between the two office buildings for a full tour. I have a fitting for my limb on Monday it's all go at the moment! Hope you are all well
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jul 16, 2013 10:21:48 GMT -7
Had a fitting of the limb yesterday, turns out I've remembered how to walk! Problem is during this long delay I have lost weight so the socket is ridiculously big, they are going to shrink it (never come across that before) and I'm still on schedule to get it on Monday
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Post by ann- on Jul 16, 2013 23:59:27 GMT -7
... for me losing weight would be quite ideal Cate, though perhaps not regards the residual limbs, do you think perhaps your leg was still swollen when they casted?
I have never heard of shrinking sockets either, though perhaps certain materials they use now make this possible. The only thing would concern was whether the new shrinking of the socket matches the shrinkage that has occurred on the leg in the same places etc. I have sometimes had a bit of a mis-match when I have had a socket that was too big and they have made me a new one, by copying the socket and then reducing (as they call it) but that could be because I am below knee and legs quite boney .... as I am typing am wondering if 'shrinking the socket' is another term for reducing.
Anyhow good luck for Monday Cate and hope all goes well. I am back at my centre Friday for new check sockets, fingers x'd this time.
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Post by allenuk on Jul 17, 2013 2:07:56 GMT -7
They might be talking about lining the socket with soft leather(-ette) material, which has the effect of 'shrinking' the size of the socket. Okay, it does work, but of course if the volume of your stump increases for whatever reason, then the socket becomes too tight... Which is why more or less stump socks are the preferred answer, but maybe in your case you just can't do it with socks.
Good luck whatever.
A
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Post by stonecutter on Jul 17, 2013 6:38:21 GMT -7
Never heard of shrinking a socket either... At any rate - wishing you a comfortable first socket back! Welcome back to the 'Some Assembly Required' club!
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jul 17, 2013 12:49:37 GMT -7
... for me losing weight would be quite ideal Cate, though perhaps not regards the residual limbs, do you think perhaps your leg was still swollen when they casted? .... as I am typing am wondering if 'shrinking the socket' is another term for reducing. Anyhow good luck for Monday Cate and hope all goes well. I am back at my centre Friday for new check sockets, fingers x'd this time. Hi Ann, No this is pure weight loss, my leg was only every a little swollen after surgery. I have been much more mobile this last month or so and I have managed to lose the extra weight I had gained, I said I had lost approx. half a stone but Karen (prosthetist) said it looks like I've lost more than that. I've even managed to get the full day off work on Monday so I can spend the rest of the day getting used to the limb. I think 'shrinking' and 'reducing' could mean the same thing. Fingers crossed for you, let us know how you get on
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jul 17, 2013 12:53:50 GMT -7
They might be talking about lining the socket with soft leather(-ette) material, which has the effect of 'shrinking' the size of the socket. Okay, it does work, but of course if the volume of your stump increases for whatever reason, then the socket becomes too tight... Which is why more or less stump socks are the preferred answer, but maybe in your case you just can't do it with socks. Good luck whatever. A No Allen, lining it wasn't an option as I was having to wear 3 thick and 1 thin sock during the fitting on Monday so it would take far too much of the leather lining. In the past when I lost weight they used the socket as a mould for making a smaller one, but I've never heard of the term shrinkage used before. I will ask on Monday and let you all know what it actually means.
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Jul 17, 2013 12:58:31 GMT -7
Never heard of shrinking a socket either... At any rate - wishing you a comfortable first socket back! Welcome back to the 'Some Assembly Required' club! Thank you! I feel like my life is just starting over again..., new job, new leg At work today (last day of training) I was taken to one side and told they will be doing a work placement assessment on me over the next day or so and I may get a permanent desk (nearest the fire exit) usually it's first come chooses the best desk/positions, they say I need to let them know if I need any extra equipment, better chairs etc. To be honest I don't think there is anything I need but nice to know I can ask.
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cate6
Female Member
Posts: 75
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Post by cate6 on Aug 6, 2013 8:21:05 GMT -7
Hi Guys, This last month has been pretty hectic! I got my limb two weeks ago and as I'd lost a little more weight the socket size was causing real problems. I was having to wear 5 thick socks plus another folded for padding but a 4 hour appointment last week was spend having a lining put in, padding and a lift but it's only meant I could lose one sock but having the padding in has made a real difference and I'm back to normal now with the walking, I've lost the crutches totally and used a walking stick for one day, which has surprised many! I realised working 40+ hours a week (but only getting paid min wage for 37.5 hrs) wasn't right for me, the job was stressful and was causing me to lose sleep and appetite (I really didn't need to lose any more weight) so I resigned and I start a part time job tomorrow, also waiting to hear from another p/t job interview I had on Saturday, if I'm offered this job I could (physically) do both and total hours would be less than I was doing a month ago. Also I'm getting cast for a new socket in 2 weeks time so it's all go and it's all onwards and upwards. Hope you guys are all well
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Post by cherylm on Aug 6, 2013 23:41:29 GMT -7
Wow...busy life! But isn't it kind of nice to be able to HAVE a busy life after going through the whole "recovering from amputation" business? Good luck with the job(s) and the socket!
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