Amputees Support Group
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. Many have undergone amputation or have been living with a missing limb since birth. In either case, life as an amputee can be challenging. This is the place to find others going through the same experiences as an amputee. Share your thoughts, troubles, and solutions with the community.
On March 14, 2007, I went to a dr. appt. for trigger point injections for Fibromyalgia. By 7:00 that evening I was in pain. I went to bed. I woke the next morning with pain so bad I could hardly move. I had my daughter take me to the ER. They gave me Hydrocodone and sent me home. That afternoon, we made another trip to the ER. By this time, I was in so much pain, I was dilusional and don't even remember going. They gave me Percocet and sent me home. At 3:45 a.m on the 16th, I was so out of it (from the pain, not the drugs--the drugs made me sick and I couldn't even take them) that my son and daughter drug me to the car and, again took me back to the ER. They did a CT scan and found Necrotizing Faciaitis, AKA Flesh-Eating Bacteria. They did emergency surgery on the left side of my back, where the bacteria was hard at work. They removed 60% of the muscle and tissue.
Then I went into complete organ failure. They told my family I would not survive this. They put me on 11 pressors to try to draw the blood supply from my extremities to my organs to revive them. They put me on a ventilator. For 10 days, they told my family that I was going to die. My family were making arrangements.
My hands and feet lost all blood supply due to the pressors. They died, but I didn't. Slowly, my organs started functioning again. Slowly, they started weaning me off of the pressors. All of the doctors and nurses were amazed! My family were mystified!! (Of course, I was not concious. I learned all of this later.)
I ended up having a total of 13 surgeries. Including amputations of both my feet (except for my heel), all 5 digits on my left hand, and my right thumb! I have 2 large skin grafts on the left side of my back, and many scars where the bacteria actually "ate" holes through me.
Those doctors said I was going to die. In my medical records, it states, "...patient has less than 2% chance of survival..."
You know what happened? Jesus cradled me in His arms for those 10 days, and He knew that my heart was not right with Him. He knew that my eternity was not secured in Him. And He saw His plan for me and He knew that if He laid me down, I'd come to Him and that I would carry out every bit of that plan!! AND, I WILL!! I am HIS hands and feet!
Then I went into complete organ failure. They told my family I would not survive this. They put me on 11 pressors to try to draw the blood supply from my extremities to my organs to revive them. They put me on a ventilator. For 10 days, they told my family that I was going to die. My family were making arrangements.
My hands and feet lost all blood supply due to the pressors. They died, but I didn't. Slowly, my organs started functioning again. Slowly, they started weaning me off of the pressors. All of the doctors and nurses were amazed! My family were mystified!! (Of course, I was not concious. I learned all of this later.)
I ended up having a total of 13 surgeries. Including amputations of both my feet (except for my heel), all 5 digits on my left hand, and my right thumb! I have 2 large skin grafts on the left side of my back, and many scars where the bacteria actually "ate" holes through me.
Those doctors said I was going to die. In my medical records, it states, "...patient has less than 2% chance of survival..."
You know what happened? Jesus cradled me in His arms for those 10 days, and He knew that my heart was not right with Him. He knew that my eternity was not secured in Him. And He saw His plan for me and He knew that if He laid me down, I'd come to Him and that I would carry out every bit of that plan!! AND, I WILL!! I am HIS hands and feet!
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I gave my 2 week notice last Friday 13th. Now to join you fine people in a life of leisure and nothing else to do but to look out for myself....is it just me or does that sound pretty boring? My goal was to live to retire and I guess having to take early retirement because of health reasons wasn't exactly the way I had planned things. I just can't stay in that building that is reeking mildew...
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
i have fibromyalgia, and let me say, that you have one good case against the hospital. sad to say, sueing someone is not always indicated. but....in your case I would say it might. Ok I get what you said. I have fibro too, and wound up with a staph infection thanks to my sis, but I remember how it felt. I am grateful that I did not have the scenario you wrote of, but came real close. after being shuttled back and forth between hospital and a pt hospital and a nursing home, I ge frightened just thinking about it. My best friends were the phyciatrists and the people who brought communion. I only had my right leg amputated below the knee, but I felt like I could not pray. Tears were my constant companion, and still are. the effexor is for that. It works. I still get the injections for the fibro, still take the pain pills daily, and JESUS is my companion. my best friend who just passed away, got calls several times a day. I have the Billy Grahm prayer line in my cell. All of a sudden it was as if God said enough Linda. Just listen to ME. and I finally did. I could not change what happened, nor have been able to figure out why, but I am doing my best to stay on the straight and narrow. sorry to type at length. But I understand all of what you wrote. and like I started in the beginning....God Bless you and keep you and may his light be ever upon you. Linda
That was quite the ordeal you and your family went though...
I wish you a speedy recovery.
When I went though the ordeal of the car accident that ended up with me losing my leg. I actualy was moved away from God. I did not want any one to think, that the only reason I was a Christian was because I almost died. I know its stupid now, but at the time it seemed important to me, not to let people think that the only reason I was a Christian was because I amost died.
Now I dont realy care why I am a Christan, I just know that I am...When I pushed God away, he would not stand for it, and he came and found me. It was a very odd time in my life. Seemed every where I went people I did not even know, would say to me...that they were praying for me...kind of freaked me out...God would not let go!
So God Bless to you and your family.
I am not one to talk about my beliefs , or to talk about God , but your post moved me to share my own experience. .
Stay Frosty
Frosty