another update on my leg

[Ohio Buckeye]

Yesterday I had an appointment with a prosthesist and it went really well.
He gave me 2 stump shrinkers so my leg beomes more cone shaped.  I have worn the first one
since the appt. and my stump has already decreased in size.  He gave me another smaller one
to use when this one becomes lose.  I'm amazed at the difference berween yesterday and today.
Then we discussed my new leg.  I told him I wantd to drive again, walk, do stairs,
and play on ueven ground wih my grandson.  He said that would be possible.  He said if all goes well
I could have my new leg by middle of Feb.  He was so helpful and answered many questions I had.
I go back to see him next week.  He said if I can get therapy at a center instead of home it would
be much better.  He said I'd need it about 3 times a week.  My ins. changed and therapy now costs
me $30 a session so that would be hard, also finding transportation for that many appts.
So we will see.  The leg will be paid 100% by ins.  Thank God.
He gave me some magazines and brochures that were helpful that I could have used before this.
I left feeling pretty optimistic and excited and looking forward to getting the leg.  He said I will not
walk on it for long time at first.  He said 10 min. sessions at the beginning and you add time gradually.
I hope I can learn quickly and do well.  I feel like I am doing well.  I can do more things without needing
help and don't need someone to be wth me all the time now.  I am pretty much pain free for the first time
in 16 months and that feels good.  It is hard to lose a leg but I am glad I can move on.
I have changed a lot thru this time..  My heart has become a grateful one.  I died and was revived and
I am just so grateful to still be hereand that every need I had during this time was met.  It has been
a hard time but good experience have come out of it also. awesome!!!
In a magazine the dr. gave me I found out there is a limb loss organization that will send out info. packets
etc. to amputees and they even have amputees who will come and vissit with you and answer questions etc. 
I wish I'd known about that in the beginning of this.  If anyone wants their number let me know.
I'd like to become one of the people who visit.
I'm rambling on and probably boring you but I just wanted to share it all with you.
Thanks again for your concern and prayers.

[okarol]

You sound great OB. I am so happy to hear you are not in pain anymore, I don't know how you got through all those months!
Wishing you the best, and good luck with the walking!
 

[MyssAnne]

O.B.!!

That is wonderful news about the prosthesis!!! I am so glad you let us know what's going on in your life!!  

It's amazing isn't it, how horrible a situation may seem at first, then it turns out to be one of the best things to happen to you.
As horrible as this was, you managed to get through it, what an accomplishment!!

As for boring us, never!! We want to know how you are, and how you're doing.  

Annie

[paris]

OB, you are so incredible and have such strength. You post was inspiring and I know you will be a marvelous support to others in the future.  I am proud to know you.  I am glad your pain is so much better and hope everything continues to improve a little each day.    One day I will be in Columbus and we will meet for Donato's!

[Mimi]

What a wonderful report OB.  Some hurts of life take us where we've never been and will never completely return.
We can stop or go on with life.  I am so glad you decided to go on with your life.  God is in this somewhere and
He stregthens us through struggles.  Nothing on earth is the final chapter.  My prayers are with you.

Love, Mimi

[goofynina]

Hey OB,  Honey, let me tell you what an inspiration you are, all that you have been through and you came out shining like a star   I am so happy that you are pain free and i am happy that you will walk again soon   Just a little more time and a lot more patience    Thank you so much for keeping us posted and dont ever, ever EVER, consider yourself or your posts boring my friend, we need to hear from you and we need to know how you are doing, we care and we love you 

[Joe Paul]

I admire your will to carry on. Im glad things are looking up, and you are finally pain free 

[rose1999]

Hi OB, I'm so glad that you are now pain free.  Thanks for keeping us updated, this is a subject close to my heart as my Dad is looking likely to lose a leg in the future through PAD.  I'd be interested in the title of the magazines, or any contact details, but we are in the UK so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get them here.  Any addresses/titles/web sites you have would be a great help.

I wish you every success, you seem to have such a positive attitude to this that I'm sure you will soon be walking, driving etc.

Love and best wishes
Rose

[Sluff]

WOW what a difference from a year ago. Keep om keepin on OB. I'm so glad you are feeling so much better. we will see you at the next IHD get together. 

[kitkatz]

What a difference you will feel in a year.  It takes time to heal from this kind of thing.  Be careful with yourself and try to avoid falling.  In therapy the first thing they will teach you is how to fall. And then how to get back up. Victor has fallen only three times.  On the amputee board I was on earlier last year, they had some pretty wild stories about their antics with and without their legs. Ask about a shower leg for when you need to shower and want to go into a pool or water.  Hubby is going to get one. It will make it easier for him to shower and get into a pool or hot tub. Like I told you if you need and advice or just to talk the email is open over here.   

[Ohio Buckeye]

Thank you for all your kind comments.
Kit,I have fallen twice and could not get up. 
The first time Sue called her son who is a policeman and he got me up,
second time we had to call fire dept.  It was embarassing. 
I don't think there is a way to get up for me.
Thanks for the e-mail address.  I opened it just recently.
When I got on computer I had 807 e-mails.  A lot to catch up on.
I'm still trying to catch up here also.
I did see the Vegas pics. and enjoyed them so much.
Rose1999, I will look up those addresses, phone numbers and sites and post them for you.
Thanks again to all for your encouraging and kind comments.
I want this to go well.

[Ohio Buckeye]

Rose1999, here is some info. I hope is helpful.
The National Limb Loss Information
Center, 1-888-267-5669,
website - www.amputee-coalition.org/forms/nilicask/index.html
Their info. can lead you to other links or you can put limb loss information in
the search engine and find more.

[Ohio Buckeye]

Mimi, that was a beautiful rose.

[goofynina]

Thank you for all your kind comments.
Kit,I have fallen twice and could not get up. 
The first time Sue called her son who is a policeman and he got me up,
second time we had to call fire dept.  It was embarassing. 
I don't think there is a way to get up for me.
Thanks for the e-mail address.  I opened it just recently.
When I got on computer I had 807 e-mails.  A lot to catch up on.
I'm still trying to catch up here also.
I did see the Vegas pics. and enjoyed them so much.
Rose1999, I will look up those addresses, phone numbers and sites and post them for you.
Thanks again to all for your encouraging and kind comments.
I want this to go well.

Aww OB, dont feel bad, i fell on Wednesday and couldnt get up for the life of me, i hurt my knee and i had to literally drag myself to the bed to try and get up.  I was the only one at home (Thank God cuz i was only in my undies when it happened)      My mom is ordering me that thing that you wear around your neck so next time i could call for help (but i dont want it)    The last thing i need is for someone to come in and see me naked sprawled out on the floor, they'll probably develop a studdering problem from the shock of what they see and then turn around and sue me   

[rose1999]

Rose1999, here is some info. I hope is helpful.
The National Limb Loss Information
Center, 1-888-267-5669,
website - www.amputee-coalition.org/forms/nilicask/index.html
Their info. can lead you to other links or you can put limb loss information in
the search engine and find more.

Thanks very much, I'll check it out.   
Tose

[Ohio Buckeye]

Oh, Goofynina, you are just too funny.
When I have fallen or been down on the floor to clean or somethinng, I had to pull myself up by the bed
or sofa or chair.  That was with 2 legs and I just don't think there is a way that I can get up with 1 leg.
I had my jammies on when I had to call for help.  Better than being in underwear. 

[Ohio Buckeye]

Today did not go as well.
I still have scabs on my stump from the surgery and he had someone else comein
to look at my leg and they said the scabs should be gone before they do the fitting and I get the leg.
The doc had told me not to wory about them, they will come off as theyget ready to and in
the meantime are protection.  So Ihave to wait for the scaabs to loosen and come of and thaat
looks like it will take some time.  I can't pick at them or I will have anopen sore and I don't
want that. 
Then I went to get my defibulator checked and they said I have to go for a test where I have
to swallow a camera to see if the blood clot is dissolved and if it is they increase my heart rate
to make the defibulator go off to see if it works.  I don't really like the thought of that.
It is hospital outpatient.   grrrrrrrrrr

[rose1999]

Sorry to hear about the scabs - no DON'T pickthem off, you;re quite right not to!  My husband had an endoscopy (camera) and said it wasn't pleasant but not as bad as he had expected. Try to keep calm and very still was his advice at the time.
Good luck, we'll all be thinking of you 

[goofynina]

Here is a Goofynina hug for you OB    Hopefully with a little time and a whole lot of patience the next appt. will be a better one    In the meantime you just keep on keepin on my friend, love ya 

[Sluff]

Just give it time as needed OB.   

[MyssAnne]

How frustrating for you, OB!

I can't give you any words of advice, but I can give you support and encouragement!