ATK tomorrow
After 2 postponements, tomorrow I will have my above the knee amputation. Not looking forward to it, but at same time I am. This is a result of an accident 6 years ago that left me with a fused hip, 8...
Forum Discussion
richardwise wrote:
Day 9 after amputation, and I realize I had an extremely optimistic view of recovery. Still feeling effects of a major surgery and am getting bored taking it easy and sitting around. Am learning to use crutches, but body getting used to them is hard. I thought I felt bad after the first day of wrestling practice in high school! I never knew I had so many unused muscles in my arms and shoulders, plus I have to be careful of the pic line for my IV antibiotics. Six weeks of them, then I hope the pic line comes out. Doctor says he may release my to head south, but prosthesis guy says not to wait, he wants to try getting me on one right now. Not sure if he is right about not waiting or is afraid I'll go to someone else. Right now, not sure if I can even use one. Still too soon to start trying one anyway. Just taking it one day at a time.
They generally try to start you getting into a prosthesis pretty soon after surgery. The prosthesis helps shape the stump properly. If you wait a few months, the stump will find it's own shape and may be harder to fit the prosthesis over later.
Good luck with your crutches. I had arthroscopic knee surgery last winter and was no-weight-bearing for over 2 weeks. My wrists, shoulders and neck seized up from the strain of hauling myself everywhere with my arms.
