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.
I am new to the group and I had a left leg below the knee amputation on thw 12th of April,2018 I havent come to turns with it yet, I live in Gympie, Queensland, Australia with my Husband and our daughter
My name is Allen and I'm in the United States, in New Jersey, just outside Philadelphia. I am a right below the knee amputee, I had my amputation a year ago almost to the day.
I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time coming to grips with your amputation. Without knowing you back story obviously I can't address details as to why you havent come to terms with it Did you have lingering medical condition that led to it..or an accident that made it sudden, but regardless...it is natural to be angry...see it as "unfair", that life as you knew it is over, etc.
Well I will tell you that it will get better. Not tomorrow...not next week...but it will.
For me after about 3 months I was back on my feet...back to work and I do everything post amputation that I did before it. I coach soccer and softball, i do a lot of photography and my job is a pretty physical one.
If you want to talk more, go into a bit more detail I'll be happy to listen and give what advice I can. I check in here typically everyday so I'm around.
Allen
I am also a left below knee amputee - Feb 09 2018 - after I was hit by a car (txting driver). I am also struggling to come to terms with my amputation - this is not helped by the fact I have many contributing injuries that make the fitting of my prosthesis really difficult. People keep saying its going to get better but I cant stop thinking about my past life and how difficult everything is now.
Im really struggling with clothing as before I wore mostly short shorts or active wear but now it doesnt really work - any advice on wear to buy or brands that work well for lower limb amputees?
Im located in New Zealand
Well I'm sorry to hear about the accident. And I imagine that makes it tougher to accept the amputation when it is sudden. Let me say....and I say this not knowing what your other difficulties are...so take it with a bit of salt...but...things will get better....not over night but bit by bit. Again not knowing your other difficulties and what activities you were involved in, you should be able to get back pretty close to the life you had. Yea some things will be a bit more of a challenge or change how you do it but, yea you will get there.
For a frame of reference...I am 51...I am a year from my amputation (so 10 months in prosthetics) and I am doing everything I was doing pre foot problems. That includes working in a fairly physically demanding job, coaching, hiking and doing photography. Just try and take a deep breath and be patient. Lol...actually two things that annoy me the most? Taking showers...I use a shower chair...and going the bathroom in the middle of the night.
As for the clothes...lol..well I may not be the best one to ask but I'll try. First, I'm guess being about 3 months or so post amputation, you probably have a "large" suction socket and that is probably going to make it tough to wear anything too snug. As time goes on your sockets/residual limb will get smaller...quite a bit smaller... so to wear some of the stuff you may have to wait. For the shorts... did you try putting them on first then your prosthesis? That's what I do, for jeans, I can slide/work mine over the foot, but my jeans are fairly loose. For something tighter you may have to feed your foot through the pant leg first then put it on. And like I said some may just have to wait til you are in a smaller socket. I don't know any clothing manufactures that make amputee specific clothing, but I've never looke either so you may have to google around. Also search youtube for some ideas on how you might be able to wear certain clothes.
Well I've rambled on...hope some of it helps ...if you have more questions feel free to ask.
Allen
That actually helps a lot! Patience is the worst haha - I know things will get better but some days I just wanna be where I was and get so frustrated that I cant. Reading posts in this discussion group helps though as its helpful to see that other people are going through the same/similar things to me.
Thanks again!
Nay Nay
I'm new to this support group (although not an amputee just to be upfront). I am in school earning a Masters as a Rehabilitation Counselor (someone who works specifically with individuals that have disabilities). Having befriended a young woman in her thirties who is a quadruple amputee, I have become deeply interested in learning more about amputees and the adjustment process that is part of post-amputation and recovery. That being said, I'm sure you take comfort in supportive words such as "Allen" offers through this forum. From everything that I've researched, he is absolutely correct. Time and patience will help tremendously--typically (from what I've been told) about a year, although sometimes more and sometimes less. Allen seems to be getting back to all of his work and hobbies just after 10 months.
How are things going today? How are your husband and daughter handling the changes that you're experiencing? I would be very interested in hearing back from you if you'd like to share.
Best,
Eleanor