WHEN I WENT IN FOR SURGERY THIS WAS MY BIGGEST FEAR. HOW WAS I GOING TO HANDLE ACTUALLY SEEING MY LEG GONE? THE DR. WAS GOING TO PUT A CAST W/ A FOOT ON IT DURING SURGERY. THE PROSTHETIST SAID IT WAS TO BASICALLY TRICK MY MIND & EASE ME INTO THE LOSS. I TOLD THEM NO, I DIDN'T WANT THAT. THIS IS WHO I WAS GOING TO BE FROM NOW ON & THE SOONER I ACCEPT IT THE BETTER OFF I WAS GOING TO BE. AFTER SURGERY I WAS FEELING GOOD, NO PAIN. OF COURSE I WAS PRETTY DOPED UP. LOL! ANYWAY, WHEN I GOT TO RECOVERY THE FIRST THING I SAID TO THE NURSE IS, "HOW'S IT LOOK"? HE SAID, "IT LOOKS GREAT. HOW ARE YOU DOING?". I TOLD HIM I WANTED TO SEE IT & W/ CONCERN IN HIS EYES, HE SAID, "ARE YOU SURE?" HE HELPED ME RAISE THE COVERS & I STARED REAL HARD AT IT. I WAS TOTALLY AMAZED THAT IT DIDN'T BOTHER ME. IN FACT I WAS RELEIVED THAT ALL THE PAIN & SUFFERING I HAD BEEN THROUGH FOR THE PAST 8+ YRS WAS FINALLY OVER. I DIDN'T MISS IT AT ALL. I HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK. DO I WISH I STILL HAD MY LEG? YES, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO HAVE IT W/O SUFFERING DAILY. I HAVE EXCEPTED WHAT LIFE HAS DEALT ME & I PLAN TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT & LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. I ALSO GO AROUND IN SHORTS W/ OR W/O MY LEG, I DON'T CARE. IF PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM W/ IT THEY BETTER GET INTO THERAPY TO DEAL W/ IT, BECAUSE I'M FINE W/ IT.

Kay7 - loved your reply suggesting that people who have a problem looking at us get into therapy - so true. I wear an elastic sleeve so most people think I have a knee problem. I love it when US Park Rangers suggest I not go on a 5 mile hike as my knee might not hold up - my reply, my knee is fine, I just don't have a right leg and it will be fine too if it does not break. This does not mean the brain will quickly let you adjust to being seen as an amputee - do what feels most comfortable for you - don't rush it - you will know when you are ready to head out in shorts and you will be amazed at how little people care. We have disabled people all around us; some with MS or Lupus; some with back problems or maybe a child with spina bifada - most cannot hide their disability as we can with pants (for BK or AK amputees) - clearly arm and hand amputees don't have many options. The world has warmed up to the fact of disability. What we can do is help the fine young men and women coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan missing a body part adjust to the fact of disability and get back to life like you are doing. Good luck.