The last operation...i really mean it!

16.01.15

Hi all


Happy new year, well I had my mum and dad and my sister and her fella around for Christmas dinner. I managed to cook it and get them all merry. I'm still in my pram as the leg was just the wrong size and I could not walk without pain. So I went back to Seacroft and got measured up for a new socket.

All the stitches have healed now and there's no pain. I'm getting fitted for a pin lock fitting so I will keep you up dated on how that went.

Also I've had another operation. my left Carpel tunnel. I know I said in previous posts it hurt to much that I would not have the other done. but once I was back in the chair my left wrist got bad to the point where I could not hold up my phone for too long before my whole had went numb.

So I bit the bullet and got booked in, and yes those three injections into the bottom of your hand really, really hurt and this is coming from me, so you can believe me. it wasn't the fact of the needle going in but when they pushed down on the plunger to pump the anaesthetic in boy that makes you grit your teeth. He had to stop twice with the bloody needle in my palm asking me to relax!!

But after that within 10 minutes it was all over, and I was bandaged up and told to keep it elevated in a sling for 5 days, then try exercises. But this time my had was the usual completely numb until the next day, and then it felt fine. Just the pain of a cut on my palm. Where as last time my had was numb then for the next 4-5 days I could not touch my thumb and finger together without pain, it took a while for my had to support weight as well. where as this operation I can move my fingers fine, make a fist and grip. There's still the pain of the cut and its tender but at this rate I should be fine really quickly. I can only think last time he cut some nerve or tendon in my right hand, or he hasn't cut deep enough on my left. God I hope it's not that.

But we shall see, my right by the way is completely healed and no longer has problems.

So I'm down to one arm and one leg again, but that's my last operation. I know I have said this before and something crops up, but I mean it now. I just want a break, from recovering or waiting for fittings or problems. I just want my leg and to go on holiday somewhere. let's hope it's this year this will happen.

Shortening the stumpy

4/12/14


Hi all

Well 6 weeks ago I had my op to cut of the bone overgrowth at the end of my stumpy, and flatten down the loose skin on the hip side. so rather than looking like an ice cream shape leg I now have a short cone. There wasn't any pain just soreness from the stitches. They said there was some more bits of road debris which they got out as well as filing down the bone.
So it's been six weeks in the pram (wheelchair), and I've already scuffed all door frames. Bashed my knuckles and generally getting frustrated at the world.

My stitches have now all dissolved and I just have plasters on over the sore bits. which is mainly under my thigh at the top, as that's what gets sat on and pulled around, so is taking longer to knit together.

A few days ago I started putting my grey liner on just to get my leg used to the tightness again. The first time it always feels like you pulling on a rubber corset, until the rubber softens and then you just wearing a wellington all day.

Now today I've got my leg back on, I can't take a proper step with out it hurting really bad. the socket doesn't fit right now because my stump has changed shape. So rather than putting my weight through the hard seat on the rim, my weight is being taken by my thigh itself. Pulling the skin up and down when I move. And as theres new muscle and nerves in new areas its like I'm getting a Chinese burn with the occasional stab of pain when I try to walk. I'm sure this will settle down in time and i will keep trying a few steps to toughen up the nerves/ muscle to pressure.
I've booked an appointment in the new year for a new socket fitting so by then I hopefully will be able to walk.

This is also my first Christmas in my new bungalow, my family helped my decorate my tree and I've ordered most of my presents off the Internet.
I could go on the bus in my chair into town but that always seems to fall on days when I'm really self conscious about people staring at me, and worrying whether the driver will get out of his cab and pull down the ramp for me. Then I can only fill up my rucksack and have to come home.
Another method is riding my mobility scooter into town, riding into those shops big enough.
This way I can put large items on my scooter.
The only down side is for the smaller shops i cant go in as i have to use both crutches to hop around and cant hold a basket at the same time, and shops with steps are a definite no go.
I know what you are going to say why don't you go with a friend or family. I have but i like my independence, so the sooner i get back my leg the happier i will be.

So hope you all have a pain free, stress free Christmas and a happy new year. xxxx

lypo done!

4th November 2014


Hi all

1 of 3 operations down, just 2 more to go. Had the lypo suction 2 weeks ago, they sucked the fat out of my hips lower and upper tummy. I originally went in for just my hips, but the surgeon started grabbing hold of handfuls of stuff asking if I wanted to keep it!
So I was knocked out and 1 hour later I was in a knee length pink corset. which I had to sleep in.
I wasn't in any pain until day 2 when the bruising started to come out.

sorry is so blurry its hard to take a selfie of your front whilst balancing on one leg :)
As you can see all my front was bruised and my hips and around my lower back were the same colour. The little stickers are where the metal rod went in and they just had two stitches in.
Of course I wasn't able to wear my leg as the belt pressed on my bruised sides, so I was back in the pram. Also you cant wear any knickers, because as the swelling goes down your knicker line will leave a permanent dent (that's what the doc says anyway).

So after one week of constricted painful days I went back and had my stitches out.
I'm now on week two and can put my leg back on, the bruising has nearly all gone but has been replaced by areas of hard lumps. This I'm told is scar tissue and I need to still wear my corset for 6 weeks! and some thing else they didn't tell me. You have to massage yourself for 5 minutes to help break down the scar tissue.
I'm told that I wont see the final results for 6 months, that's when all the swelling, scar tissues and other bits would have settled down. At the moment its just like when I first had my skin grafts on my leg I need to keep doing stretches. because if I don't and I have been sat for a while its like those lumps cramp up and it feels like I'm tearing them when I stretch.
(I'm also not wearing my corset anymore sshhhh!) Because on line some say no garment is needed other up to 2 months.
Its to help with the shape, but if I keep up with my stretches and massage I should be ok.
I have another review in 6 weeks so will let you know if there are any problems.

operation number 2 for my stumpy is on Saturday, god I hope I don't have to go back on the ward!

take care xxx

Plodding on

12.10.14

Hi all yes i know, its been a while, but I've finally moved out and had to unpack and sort out my computer.
i have been walking on my old leg now for 5 months. I am able to walk with just one stick, as i have solved the problem of the leg slipping off or turning round when you sit down.
Don't tell your prosthatist this as they wont be happy with you messing with the equipment. But they don't have to wear the leg you do.
So first the grey liner that you have it should be rubber on the inside and an elastic type cloth on the outside. Take a metal brush or scouring pad and when you have the liner on rub the top of your thigh, until the grey cloth becomes slightly fluffy.
Then buy some Velcro strips. You can get these from any sowing shop. glue 4 strips diagonally on the top inside of your plastic socket.
Then put your leg on you should find that the fluffy cloth now sticks to the Velcro and you should be able to shake your leg and it wont come off. You shouldn't have to wear all those silly white socks to pad it now. You can easily pull your leg off to adjust if needed. So that's why i can now walk with one stick. I've also taken the foam off again as the leg doesn't swing out as well.

I am also waiting for 3 operations, the bone on the end of my stump, my left wrist carpel tunnel, and I've decided to do something drastic about my weight and having lypo sculpture.
so by Christmas i will be back in my chair, all bandaged up. But I'm determined that that will be it for operations no more!!

I will post pictures after each op and let you know how i get on.

x

Another op & getting out and about

24.06.14

Hi all

Sorry I missed a months post I've been busy getting my new Bungalow sorted.
I've got to get out of my parents house it's driving me crazy. So looking forward to independence again.

So I have to have another operation, the bone on the left side of the tip of my stumpy
has continued to grow and is now making the skin pull tight.
If I graze this its so tight that it could split, and have problems in the future knitting
back together. Plus its causing a problem when it comes to putting on my socket.
There is only so much padding I can put on to stop it knocking at the side when I walk.
So im either going to have to have that over growth filed down or an inch taken off the
end.

Also I am walking again (yay) but where I had my last operation to have to two stones removed at the back and side. Its all healed but is still tender to touch, I think either the
scar tissue is pressing on a nerve or there is still something in there, and my socket
pushes on these areas when I walk.
So I have got two foam pads and taped them to my leg. Its provided a good cushion and doesn't hurt when I walk. So that's a temp solution until I go for my next review.

Also its been at least two years since I last socialised, and ive forced myself to go out to meet an old group of friends tonight.
I have kept putting off meet ups after my accident for different reasons. Some have been obvious, I was recovering from an operation, and shouldn't move.
But other times I guess ive just felt like I have been knocked out of the loop, and hated the idea of just standing there not knowing what everyone is talking about. Thinking they are looking at my leg or whispering 'ho that's suzy yeh she lost her leg'.  But I know im being silly, and I also know I need to get out of the house and try and get my life back. I
t wont be the boozy suzy I used to be, it will give me something else to think about rather than my next operation. So wish me luck im crapping myself!

xxx

2 Years on

30.04.14


I can't believe it's been two years, in a way it's gone fast and slow.
Fast because it only seems like last year I had my accident, and slow because I'm impatient
and still sorting out my original prosthetic leg.

I've spent today at Seacroft getting my leg tweaked and sorted out, it took 2 hrs then another
2hrs waiting for transport to take me home. I'm so tired now. But on the good side I've been
 kept occupied and not had to think on things.

I think the fit is more comfortable now, it's still tender around where my recent operation scars
are but that will fade.

I also got weighed today as well, I'm 10 Stone! well 58kg but still, hopefully I should loose the weight now I've got my leg back and can start to be more mobile again, and independent!!!
No more being pushed in my pram!

My goal is that in 5 years time I will be walking confidently with a good prosthetic leg.
That's the general time I've got from meeting other people. I know I have had operations
which has knocked me back but if all goes well and there are no more stones in my stumpy
I should be back to new normal in 2017!.

Return of the leg

23.04 14


Hi all

Well after nearly 4 months of recovering I finally got my leg back today.
I had to go for the usual socket refit, then wait 2 weeks then go back and sit for 4hrs whilst they tweak it.
Putting the rubber liner back on after so long was very constricting to start off with. It felt like my thigh was being stuffed into a small bag.
As for putting the leg back on. I'm still at the wobbly, it hurts on the end stage, and it still doesn't feel right, like I'm not totally in it and its going to fall off.
But I've been told to take it home and try for 4 weeks, and if there are any more tweaks that need doing to book an appointment. Soooo let's see how I go.
Also I got fed up with the long wait times to see the NHS Prosthatist so I've booked an appointment to see PACE. a private Prosthetic firm in May. Lets see what they come up with.

As for everything else I'm still not missing working :)
The builders are still finishing off the renovations on my bungalow. Hopefully looking to move out in August.
I haven't socialised (apart from face book) since my Ben Nevis trip last June. I'm going to wait until I'm totally confident on my leg, then might start going out again. I guess I've just got so used to my own company. (apart from living with my parents) That I'm really nervous about meeting friends again. So we will see, if theres one thing I've learned its to be very very patient.
Also I've put together an exercise routine I can do with out my leg on. So i'm giving that ago, as these last 4 months I've been cultivating my ass :)

Talk later. x