I need some advice from people who have had to have an amputation. On my last surgery they were not able to get clear margins and my doctor is really concerned that my SS will spread somewhere else since I have had 3 local recurrences in like 2 years. I am coping more and more to the thought of an amputation and have met with a prosthesis group. I am currently a quarter of the way through a semester working towards my Bachelors degree in Social Work and have a daughter who will be 1 next month. I have been saying I want to wait a little while but not sure if that's the best idea. What does everyone think?
Better not wait, you're just giving more chance to SS to make more mess... I am an above-the-knee amputee with a very good quality of life. My son was 6 months old when I got my amputation. I had to learn to walk at the same time as him and he quickly learned to walk faster than me so I had to purchase a leash :-( Also, at first I couldn't carry him unless I was sitting. It was very frustrating. He quickly recognized my husband as a better caregiver and favored his care. It would sadden me. As he grew, things improved greatly. An arm amputation is probably a different challenge. But you need to be alive to take care of your daughter, with or without an arm, don't you?
Hi - If you don't mind sharing - how long did it take for you to recover with your above the knee amputation and also learning to walk again? Thank you
Elodie Espesset said:
Better not wait, you're just giving more chance to SS to make more mess... I am an above-the-knee amputee with a very good quality of life. My son was 6 months old when I got my amputation. I had to learn to walk at the same time as him and he quickly learned to walk faster than me so I had to purchase a leash :-( Also, at first I couldn't carry him unless I was sitting. It was very frustrating. He quickly recognized my husband as a better caregiver and favored his care. It would sadden me. As he grew, things improved greatly. An arm amputation is probably a different challenge. But you need to be alive to take care of your daughter, with or without an arm, don't you?
I know that I do Elodie and I have decided to move forward with the amputation. Just worried about how it will affect me emotionally. My daughter is so attached to me so I know it's going to be hard when I'm not able to be her main caregiver, even in the meantime. My mom will take good care of her though, and of me, so I know she will have someone very familiar.
Hi - My mother had the amputation on Tuesday (9/18) of this week, they had her up and moving to a chair about a foot away from her hospital bed within 24 hours. She was a little nervous, but made it to the chair fine. Later in the afternoon she got out of bed with out the PT at her side - we were VERY nervous and she made it with no issues. They will put some type of temporary cast on her today and should be out of the hospital on Saturday or Sunday. My mother had her right foot amputated at mid-calf. Seems to be doing better than expected at 73 years old, the PT was very impressed with her energy and strength. My mother was second guessing herself, but is glad she went forward with the amputation. Hopeful that SS is gone from her body!
MN_Sarcoma, thank you for sharing that with me. I am glad to hear that your mother is doing well with her amputation. I am very nervous about having mine done on the 1st of October but I hope by doing it that this evil SS will be gone for good. :)