Today is the 21st of November 2008
1 week since I was discharged from hospital I have been a bit fed up so I have decided to make a daily diary of my thoughts and feelings well since 6 days post operation I have had tingling and pins and needles and sometimes legs jumping and pain as well it is driving me potty I did not sleep for four days so called the doctor out who put me on amatripaline 5-10 mils at night but I am not keen on taking any meds but I decided to give it a go still did not sleep at the night but did in the day for a short while the next night I did not take anything
I went to the halton to the physio to see the limb fitting doctor on Wednesday who could not doing anything till my stumps had healed the left stump has have quite a lot of trauma blisters the right one was not bad it had two small ones and looks the better of the two. i have to go back in 1 months time
Thursday I went to see the surgeon at patients were they took the stitches out he said my stumps looked fine they put dressing back on my stumps told me if they looked fine on Saturday to leave the dressings off so the nurse is coming out on Saturday to have a look and fingers crossed all is ok.
On Wednesday after seeing the limb fitting doctor I was told that taking one dose of meds would not help he recommended to take one dose at 12.00pm and the other at bout 7.00pm which I have took since Wednesday and I have been sleeping at night they do make you feel sleepy during the day but they are only short term for two to three weeks I have still have a lot of tingling and pins and needles and twitches still driving me potty
I have rung the doctor up to day to see if I take a the pain killer ibuprofen and would it help the pain when taken with the amitriptyline, she is going to ring me back later on. she rung me back said it would help and if needed ring her back on monday.
I have had a mixed week I have rung independent live center this week to see when social services are coming to look at the house to see what I need so that I can be more independent in our house they had to get a form from Warrington hospital which was faxed to the social services they then phoned me to tell me that the form had to go the supervisor who would then appoint someone to look at our house. I rung social services today the 21st to see where they was up the lady said the one I needed to speak to was on the phone, I was told they would ring me back but 6.10pm no phone call. MMMMMMMMM
Today is the 22nd of November 2008
I woke up at 9.30am I took an ibuprofen at about ten o'clock I had a lot of tingling , pins and needles and pain mainly in my right stump I suffered quite a lot through out the day I have continued to take my amatripaline at midday and at night it seems to be helping
A friend of ours came round with some leg warmers which will be nice hopefully they will keep my stumps warm
The nurse came out she took the dressing of both stumps and had a look how they were she has left the dressing of on the left stump, but the right one was still a bit red so she put a dressing back on the right stump and told me to change it on Monday and Thursday and if I was worried to give her a ring lets hope it all goes well on Thursday I can also leave the dressing of the right stump.
We watch x factor which was good went to bed about, 11.00pm my stumps were driving me potty I was up and down for a while I think I settled at about 4.00am
Today is 23rd of November 2008
woke up this morning about 10.00am had a bad night could not settle the usual tingling pins and needles driving me potty Jackie was up with the kids already Jackie has been an angel putting up with my moods, I get fed up because I can not get out of the house and because of the tingling and pins and needles are getting me down.
still been taking my amatripaline and ibuprofen before I go to bed.
To day I have had quite a good day not to much pins and needle and tingling that have been over the past week so fingers crossed things might be looking up
8.00pm my left stump where the dressing has been taken of was a bit sore under the stump where it has been resting.
I asked Jackie to look at it she said there was a large red patch and it looked sore my heart sank the reason I think this has happened is because I have had my legs in a blanket all weekend and my legs have been sweating quite a lot and there has been a bit of friction which has caused a rash or chapped skin or like when a baby gets a sore bum.
I rung a guy I met through the internet who is an amputee, he came and met me at the physio who is a really nice and is worth his wait in gold. I told him what has happened he told me to wash my stump and to pat it dry and to make sure its dry. I could also use a hair dryer lightly to make sure its dry then apply some sudercream which I did
tried to go to bed at 11.30pm but could not settle at first then did I think about 1.00am our Rosie was up about 3.15am which woke me up and from then on I could not settle because of the pins and needles and the tingling got to sleep about 7.00am and was up at 9.15am
Today is the 24th of November 2008
Had quite a good day the tingling and pins and needles have not been as bad the nurse came out and took the dressing of my right stump to look how it was she left the dressing off so both my stumps are now letting air get to them
Took my amatripaline about 2.30pm today and took my night time dose at 10.30pm went bed at 11.30pm had quite a good night. The best night I have had since I have been home I did not take any pain relief last night I woke up at 8.30am
Still no signs of the ramp so I can get in and out of the house. Starting to get fed up being stuck in all the time will chase it up tomorrow. still no one have been out from social service to look at the house all seems a bit to slow I think if the shoe was on the other foot ….lol
I think things might be different
Today is the 25th of November 2008
took no pain relief again last night woke up at 9.00am took my amatripaline at about 10.30pm went bed about 12.00am had quite a goodnight sleep the tingling and pins and needles have lessoned but I think if I was to go to bed not being tried I would not sleep .
I have a small patch of like a yellow on my right stump just above the stitches just left center I think it might be infected I rung my doctor up to ask if they would come out the nurse phone me up asked what the problem was I told her I think I might have an infection she said that I could not have an infection because I have been on antibiotics for 15 days. Seems to me to be a daft comment but they will come out tomorrow
I have rung social services up today to see if they have appointed someone to me they said they have not and if I am not happy with anything in the house I was to get in touch with Warrington hospital which to me is really annoying .Social service would not come and assess our house till I had had the operation and they still wont come out, now I have had the operation. looks like I might be in Warrington's care for 6 weeks so that's six weeks before they come and look at what needs doing.
As far as the council they have said to me that they will do the jobs round the house as soon as social service tell them what needs doing.
It's a good job I have got Jackie I was not on my own I also feel sorry for anybody who is going to have a similar operation because it a nightmare well, social service are.
I phone my surgeons secretary up and told her of the situation and ask her to see if she could find any phone numbers so I could chase people up she told her I was worried that I might have an infection she said that they might get me into the surgeons clinic on Thursday she told me that she would ring me back tomorrow
anyway apart from that had a comfortable day as far as the tingling and pins and needles which was not to bad cant wait till the nurse comes out tomorrow to put my mind at rest and to see how far we get with the social services .MMMMMMMMM
Today is the 26th of November 2008
had a goodnight sleep took no pain relief again the nurse came out and said my right stump was not infected it was quite normal but not to sure my self but will have to trust her
my surgeons secretary phone up today as she said she would my surgeon has wrote a few letter to my doctor and social services and to and amputee group
I think our Rebecca teacher has got in touch with a few people one is a councilor who will be in touch in the next day or two.
A lady from the physio rung today and asked how I was getting on I told her that no one has been out not got my ramp yet so stuck in the house I can not make my self drinks food etc or have a bath or shower she said she would chase things up and ring me on Monday so fingers cross might get some ware next week.
To day my right stump has been painful when I lift my leg up at the top end of my stump I thought I might get cramp in it but it has not happen yet and hope it does not but it is quite painful I have been rubbing and massaging my stump which seems to help a bit.
The pins and needles and tingling have not been to bad again today which has got to be a good sign. I my self have been getting my self worked up a bit because I still think I might have an infection which is my worst fear but with my fingers and toes …lol mean finger crossed things will be fine
Went to bed about 11.30pm
Today is the 27th of November 2008
had a bad night last might with pins and needles and tingling and being worried about my stump being infected. I was up and down all night and I drove Jackie potty.
My surgeon secretary phoned up today to tell me my surgeon had written to a few people and has sent me a letter to explaining to me where they are up to. So will wait and see where I am up when the letter arrives. Hopefully and that is a big hopefully I might get my ramp next week
The phyiso rung today to arrange an appointment on Tuesday which will be nice to see what they think of my stumps and to get out of our house for a bit which will be nice
My right stump is still a bit sore don't know why Jackie caught it twice in the night the other night that could be why its sore but not to sure
forgot to take my amatripaline this afternoon which I wanted to take but i have not been to bad still been getting slight tingling and pins and needles in my stump if I keep my self busy don't seem to notice it
The councilor rung today to make an appointment for Friday to see if she could help with social services and other things so that will be nice to have a chat to her.
We have had a phone call from a childrens charity I am not to sure what they are called but will find out. They came out last week and are coming back tomorrow with some information about groups and help for me Jackie and the children which will be nice
My mate and his wife have been today with there little lad it was nice to see them had we all had a nice day they stop for tea and they went home later on watched a bit of TV and played about with website designing etc. Washed my stumps with the help of Jackie.
I went on yahoo answers and asked about my slight yellow discharged above my scabs had a few answers which sort of put my mind at ease. I also looked at upgrading me computer or may get a netbook but will have to wait till after Christmas went to bed at 2.30am
Today is the 3rd of December 2008
I have had a bad weekend fed up and been a bit low in mood been a bit tearful at times not being able to get out of the house doing things for my self nothing seems to be getting done about the ramp I have really been fed up
The counselor came out and said she would case things up.
We got a phone call on Tuesday from the social work team who has sent someone out to see me and Jackie today she was very helpful we should be getting some help from careers which should help Jackie a bit also they asked if we was interested in life line which is a service where if I am in trouble I can push a button and get help they are coming out a Friday to give us a demonstration I think it's a good idea gives Jackie time to go out and I have something in place if I need help piece of mind for my self and Jackie
She asked if we have thought about moving which I would if we could get a three bedroom bungalow which would be better for me and the children as everything is on one level which is safer I think for the children but Jackie is not too keen on moving but we shall see
Went to physio on Tuesday advised to how to clean my stumps and gave me some exercises to do which will help me when I get my new legs
The OT from warrington rung up today to let me know that the letter she had sent to the council has been returned to her giving them permission to do the ramp she then told me it had to got to the STORES THEN IN FRONT OF A PANNEL WHO WOULD DECICED WEATHER THEY HAD THE FUNDING AND IF IT SHOULD BE DONE, SHE SAID IT MIGHT TAKE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND WITH THE GUY WHO IS BUILDING THE RAMP SAYING IT WOULD TAKE 1 WEEK TO TEN DAY I AM LOOKING ABOUT FOUR WEEKS PROB SO LETS HOPE ITS BEFORE CHRISTMAS .it really put a downer on today but a least the social work seemed to want to help us a lot which would be nice for me Jackie and the kids
The social worker has phone back today a left a message to let us know where she is up to with things so I will ring her tomorrow and find out where we are up to
I am also off to see the OT at Halton Hospital which I can vent my frustrations and she might be able to help which would be nice
Not really slept for the passed four days tingling and pins and needles seem to have got sort of a bit worse don't know why lets hope it is short term not been near the computer for four days mainly because I have been low in mood.
The saying things can only get better is a good saying so keep my toes crossed lets hope I have a better week next week and all goes well for the rest of this week
Today is the 7th of December 2008
Went to see the OT at Halton Hospital had a long chat to see what am doing at home and what difficulties I am having told her about the ramp she also said she would chase it up. The OT said that she might come out next week with my physio to see how I am getting on in our home the main reason for this is because Jackie stands behind the wheel chair when I transfer from the settee to wheel chair, from wheel chair to bed , from bed to commode, then commode to bed , then bed to wheel chair, then wheel chair to settee she said that I should be independent doing my transfers. I was told at Warrington hospital to keep things simple and not to use the banana board to do my transfers till I was shown how to use one. they can be quite tricky balancing etc and I think the main reason for keeping things simple is so I don't have a fall which could be bad news anyway the OT at Halton hospital was friendly and helpful.
Just wondering when I will get my ramp if not before Christmas it will probably be after New Year. The other thing I was told that at the moment not having a ramp was a fire hazard because I can not get out of the house with out being slung out of the front door in my wheel chair by Jackie.
The social worker rung back and came out on Thursday asked all sorts of questions was really helpful she is going to get carers in to help Jackie out sending someone to look at our benefits and chase the ramp up which is interesting. The OT at Warrington told me one to two weeks, but told the social worker two to three weeks which is interesting
The social worker asked if we would be interested in life line which is a service run by Halton council where you have a key fob which has a button on it so if you are in trouble at home you push the button on the fob and you get to talk to some on a box which is attached to the phone and put on the wall it have a microphone built in and a loud speaker as well line they will ask if you are ok. If they do not get an answer they will send someone out. there is a smoke alarm to that they install which if it goes off it triggers the box a they will ask are you ok if the don't get a response they will call the fire men out they came out on Friday and fitted it in there a small charge of £5.00 a week which is a small price to pay for piece of mind Jackie can now go out for a short time
Still having problems at night sleeping and I am still worried about my stumps getting infected the left stump has now got a small red area a round where two stitches have been. The right stump I am still not happy with will phone my doctors out on Monday to ask a nurse to come out and have a look lets hope all is fine with my stumps
Been playing with some websites designs this week end. I was up all last night went to bed at 10.00am this morning till 12.30pm its now 19.42pm I have a headache just wondering how much sleep I will get tonight because I am having a nightmare with my stumps tingling and pins and needles lets hope I have a better week next week and things have moved on a bit more with things in the house.
Today is the 9th of December 2008
Social worker phone today she has managed to get some carers to come in and help Jackie out 30 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night to start with to see how things get on
We had a couple out guys round from the children's charity to discuss to me and Jackie about Jackie roll as a carer and hat help she can get i.e. time out to rest she can get pampered we can also go to carers groups which will be nice to get out and see other people in the same situation and see how they cope.
Jackie went to the baby group on Friday with Rosie and Rebecca and they will be going every Friday our Rosie and Rebecca loved the group our Rosie did not want to leave and started crying we also talked to the charity about the ramp for out side the house which still has not been done they where concerned that I was pinned in t the house they said they would also case it up.
Still having bad tingling and pins and needles they are bad at night time day times not to bad because I try and keep my self busy.
Not had much sleep since I have been home I asked my doctor to write me up for so lyrcia which has had positive results on the web for nerve tingling and pins and needles and for phantom limb pain.
I was told that he would not write me up for Lyrica yet because I have been low in mood and it would not help my mood he told me to increase my amatripaline to 15mils on Friday when he came out. he said that if I am still having problems in a week he would come out and see me
I took the 15mil of amatripaline for two days but I was not happy so I have started to reduce the amatripaline which I will do over the next 6 week till I stop it .
I think that when the ramps sorted out and I can get out that might sort out a lot of my sort term problems.
My main concern at the moment it not being able to get to sleep
I see my surgeon next week and I go to the limb fitting centre next week as well .two days out fantastic it take two ambulance people two get me out and in the house I will be going buy ambulance
Jackie's been finding it hard because I am fed up. I sometimes can be short tempered which cause friction
My legs I am still concerned about getting infections but a leased they will be looked at next week.
Been moving my computers and relocating my other stuff which has kept me busy for two days any way going to watch TV its now 12.22am not looking forward to trying to get to sleep later but will have to try
Today is the 11th of December 2008
social worker rung today she has got us some carers coming out on Monday at 10.30 for 30mins and 15mins at night to start with which should take a bit of strain of Jackie
The children's charity rung today to let us know that we might get the ramp in 10 days or there about which would be nice if that was so
Got my forms from DVLA which I have filled in to let them know I have had my legs amputated below the knees and I would be driving a car that would need hand controls I hate filling forms in to make matters worse half the form was wet this morning when a cup of tea was spilt over the desk I will send the form back on Wednesday by registered letter
I might give the nurse a call tomorrow because my stumps are itching mainly the left one I think it might be the washing powered and because the stumps sweat a lot I have been putting E45 on them and washing them with salt water and cleaning them with baby wipes
I have started to reduce my meds of the doctor been feeling a bit better pass day or so been keeping busy moving my computers and setting them up so I can use three computers on one monitor and keyboard and mouse using a kvm switcher which is coming tomorrow also I have set up one computer to record of virgin media
I had my wheel chair altered yesterday had the wheels moved back so it is more stable and lesS likely to tip and had bigger leg rests fitted as well I might invest it a light weight wheel chair and one with sloping wheels and that is independent so only I can push myself.
I might start doing some light weight execirises with dumb bells to give me some stamina in my upper body next week
I am going to halton on Wednesday to see the limb doctor which will be interesting and nice to see what he says
Today is the 13th of December 2008
On Thursday night I went to bed I had quite a goodnight did not have too much pins and needles I slept from 1.45am till 8.30am it was the best night sleep since I have been home let's hope it's a turning point
I have still been reducing my meds I am taking 4 mils now will take that until Thursday then will drop down to 3mils.
Had a fairly good night sleep last night as well.
Had a good day today not had too much pins and needles watched a film and watched the united match.
I am at Halton on Wednesday to the amputee clinic and I see the surgeon on Monday the 22nd at Warrington our Rebecca knocked my right stump it was a bit uncomfortable for a bit but settled down shortly afterwards might get my ramp soon
The children went to the nursery again with the children's charity they had a good time and made some Christmas cards which were really nice.
Had to cancel the OT appointment they was coming our house but it clashed with my amputee clinic appointment.
I am still getting a tight feeling in my right stump when I straighten my right leg and lift it up but it's as bad as it once was. I am feeling a lot better than I was.
Christmas is not far away now and we will have a nice time with the children I have not had a drink for 18 years or so this will be the first Christmas I will be legless in a long time lol it's a bad joke but I think it's a good one any way let's hope I get a good night sleep again tonight
Today is the 19th of December 2008
It's been a while since I have updated my site there's good news and some bad news my ramp has been fitted today which I brill.
My mate and his son put a temporally ramp in yesterday which was kind of them so I could get out the house sods law that they would come next day to do my ramp he did joke I bet they come tomorrow and they did .
The carers started coming on Monday they have been brill really friendly and helpful and have help Jackie a lot
I went to see the amputee doctor on Tuesday he looked at my legs he said my left one was healing quite well HERES THE BAD NEWS the right one has got an infection he advised me to see my GP to get some antibiotics and gave me an appointment to see him again in one month time
I also seen the physio on the same day who also said I had an infection in my right leg and also said I should ring my GP for some antibiotics so when I got home I phoned my GP,s surgery up who had a word with the doctor to write me up for antibiotics which he did
Wednesday night I felt quite bad felt a bit dizzy and not to good took my temp which was high it ranged with the hour from 38.7 to 39.2 I phone my on call GP out I was told to tae some ibuprofen which I did and she would phone back in an hour which she did my temp was still high 38.9 so she said a doctor would call out when he came out he asked how I was. I told him I felt like crap and had been going dizzy he had a look at my legs he said my right leg was infected he took my temp and I think it was 37.6 so it had come down a bit he gave up some calpol and said to keep taking the antibiotics and to take some calpol every four hours he said it would take about three day before I probably seen an improvement in my leg and to give him a ring right back if I was still not well he was really nice and put me a ease
My temp was still high until Thursday after noon when it started to settle down which made me feel better
Thursday night my right leg stared to weep stuff out of it which was not nice when to bed about 3am so when I got up this morning I rang my GP for some advice whether I should put a dressing on my right leg because it was leaking the receptionist said she would ask the nurse to come out and see me to see how my leg was.
The nurse came out had a look at my leg she said she thinks it would be best if they did not put a dressing on my leg because putting a dressing on it would make it moist so no dressing it was I asked her how would the wound go from bad to worst she said it could if the antibiotics I was taking was not or the strain of infection I asked would it be best to do a swab test she said it would be a waist of time because it would be left at the surgery till Monday with it being 4.30pm I told her that I was going to see my surgeon on Monday 22nd of December she said she would come back on Tuesday to see how my leg was
Carers came out about 8pm or so watch TV and played about on my computer till 3.30am went to bed
Today is the 23rd of December 2008
Not far now to Christmas went to see my surgeon on Monday he asked how things was told him I have an infection in my right leg he said lets have a look it had been leaking from Thursday last week from were thee was a big scab he started to gently squeeze around the scab stuff started to leak from it so he kept squeezing it then he said I think it will be best if I remove the scab which he took most of it.
There was a stitch or two under the scab which he removed he said I should soak my legs for ten minutes a day which I will start tonight there was a small hole left in the end of my leg which should heal nicely I hope.
They packed the hole and put a small dressing over it I have got to go back in two weeks time. He told me to stop taking the antibiotics and if the red area started to travel then get some more antibiotics of the GP.
I had been a bit stressed over my right leg and I must say after I left my surgeon I felt really good, he had took the scab of and removed the gunk from behind the scab and found a stitch or two which was removed.
I went to see my GP later that day he is my GP at the surgery I have been there four years and never seen him told him I was reducing my amertriptaline and I was done to 2ml and would be stopping it next week as told him I have sent of a form to tell DVLC that I now need to use a car with hand controls he said their will be no problems
He was concerned that I have got no means for a bath or shower and put a note on his recorder for someone to chase thing up because it is not acceptable going back on Wednesday to get my dressing changed.
A nurse came out today 23rd to look at my leg we had a chat about soaking my legs and dressing it my self after I have soaked them.
She said that they will do a swab on Wednesday
The social worker phoned today she is trying to arrange a bath at a care centre which hopefully should be sorted very soon I my self are feeling a lot better my tingling and pins and needles are a lot better and I am sleeping a lot better I will be over the moon when my legs have healed properly
Went to bingo last night with my sister her husband and Jackie in her car I used my banana board which was quite easy I just maid sure the banana board was under me and on the car seat and I slid across and I won 50 quid brill night out 18.26pm going to have a cupper tea off Jackie
Today is the 1st of January 2009
Happy new year to you all and good luck this year
I have spent three days in hospital due to my infection went in on the 27th and came out on the 30th of December I had intervenes antibiotics from Saturday till Monday and a vacuum dressing was put on my stump which I think will be on for just over a week it has to be changed twice a week I am also on antibiotics by mouth till sunday
I must say that I was made up to go into hospital as I have been really worried about my right stump because it was getting no better and had started leaking puss out it three places, and finally get it looked at by people who I think no what they are doing
Me and my family have some concerns about the after treatment I have had from my community nurses who had been looking after me legs since I was discharged on the 15th of December 2008 which I will address over the next few months
I my self am not to bad worried about my infection in my right leg but hopefully it should sort its self out
I have I tissue vitality nurse coming out on Friday i think well i hope to change the dressing on my leg will be nice to see how my stump is
We had a nice Christmas with Rebecca and Rosie we stayed in for the new year
when I was in hospital I had a shower for the first time since my operation because at home all I can do is use a bowel and flannel which cannot be helping the problem with my infections in my legs
Me and Jackie are having a few problems at the moment falling out I think the way I am behaving is causing some problems in its self but we have been having problems for a year or so but the operation and the infections in my legs and me being pined in the house well sort of pined in because the ramp is now in place has certainly made things worst
I am at the hospital to see my surgeon on Monday 05/01/2009 so he will probability look at my right stump it will be nice to see what he thinks i would of had the vacuum dressing on for seven days
What would I give for a magic wand to wave to my legs so they would healed
The pins and needles and tingling are a lot better and I am now of the amiltriptaline since Wednesday the 24th of December which has to be a good thing
I am a bit more mobile in the house with transfers still having problems sleeping at night which I have had for nine years or more anyway happy new year speak to you all soon
Today is the 2nd of January 2009
The viability nurse came out today He came with a district nurse who changed the dressing he said he would remove the vacuum dressing on Tuesday when it was dressed they put a white bit of foam on the part of the stump which had the hole and it looked a better and had closed a lot the other two small hole that was their on the left hand side of the stump had closed up more all less they did not put any white foam on over where the holes had been the skin was a bit swollen
I thought that they would have put some foam there but they just covered it with the air tight see through plastic dressing
Where the holes were are now leaking a bit it of junk out which you can see through the plastic dressing
They said they would come back on Tuesday to see how things was well I don't think he is coming I think the district nurse is coming on Tuesday
To say that I was fed up with it all is an understatement.
They asked why me why I went into hospital I told they that the on call GP sent me and that the surgeon who done the operation had said to bring me in and put me on some intravenous antibiotics they said that I could of been given intravenous antibiotics at home and not gone into hospital
I am back to see my surgeon on Monday 05/01/2009 which I can not wait to see him I am not happy with the way it was redressed but I am not the expert
May be I am getting my self worked up for nothing I will be taking some pictures of this vacuum dressing tomorrow and put them up on the site
Today is the 7th of January 2009
I had my dressing redone on Saturday the 3rd of January it had started to leak on you could see it through the clear air tight dressing I was getting worried so I rung the on call doctor who sent me to see the nurse in the walk in centre who change the vacuum dressing which made me feel a lot better
I went to see the surgeon on Monday 5th of January there was not much to look at because they said they would leave the vacuum dressing on till it was took off on Tuesday they asked how I was they said my left leg was healing nicely and they made me an appointment to go and see the on Monday the 12th so they can have a proper look because it will have a standard dressing on
The community nurse took the vacuum dressing of on Tuesday the would looked fairly ok they put a dressing on the wound they are coming back out on Friday fingers crossed thing will start to get a lot better
I went to physio today 7th of January I did so light exercises leg raises side leg raises there not much to do till I get my new legs that will be when all pain and fun starts
I went to Nissan today order a car on motability filled out the forms they said it would be about 8 weeks or so motability had put a block on my account because I have had 3 cars on the scheme which have gone back midterm because of leg problems and the last one went back because I was having the amputations
So this car should have no issues the car is an Nissan note all I need now is a wheel chair which is light and the wheels are quick release and the base fold down so when I am on my own I can take it apart and put it all on the passenger seat once I am in the car using my banana board
We had got two carers coming out every day in the morning for half an hour who help with my washing they are really nice and to a good job I think they are brill
I am still worried about my right leg I have had a few problems sleeping my right leg has been tingling I think it must be a pain issue due to the infection but hopefully should sort its self out
Today is the 18th of January 2009
My right leg is still infected I now go to Warrington hospital for dressings have been going for about a week my right leg was looking messy has been getting worse for a while well to me it has
So my surgeon said it would be best if I had the dressings done at Warrington hospital when he is about so he can have a look at the right leg
It looked better on Thursday the best I have seen it for a while I am going back on Monday 19 of January for a dressing change so will no more then
I have put in for a car on motability it is a Nissan note it will be having hand controls fitted i am also getting a new wheel chair I have asked to be put on the voucher scheme which takes a short while I need a active wheel chair one which has quick release wheels and is light so I can take it apart once I am in the car and put it on the passenger seat
Still not heard from OT social services so still washing from a bowl which is causing problems in its self I have a fungal infection down below because I am sweating allot which is being treated
My left leg looks fine and is coming along nicely
Not been to phyiso for two weeks because of the infection and there’s not a lot to do till it’s all cleared up
I have had problems passed two nights with the right leg its feels like tight when I straighten it out its been tingling and I have had a bit of pain in the leg as well
Today is the 27th of January 2009
When I went to Warrington hospital to get the dressing done on the 19th of January
I was told that the swab that was done on the right stump contained Staphorious the nurse informed the consultant to see if they wanted to give me antibiotics they said no for the time being the nurse said that they would treat the infection as it looked and it was looking better than it has looked for a while
They have been packing the wound with a dressing called aqua cell there are three holes two small holes and a hole which out the size of a ten pence piece the wound is healing quite nice up to now but things can change quite quickly so the sooner all is well the better
I have not been to physiotherapist for about three weeks because of the infection and also to save my dad from to much running a round I am going to physiotherapist tomorrow the 28th of January
No one has yet been round from the social service OT department to sort out what I need but I had an interesting phone call from them I was told more or less that the reason they have not been round yet is because they are busy but and this is a big but that they want to see what the long term out come would be with my new legs when I get them to me this got my back up how could they say that no one could believe what I was told they spoke to my physiotherapist who told her that if I was to do well with my walking with my new legs there will be times when I could not use my new legs i.e. break down of my skin on my stumps my stumps get sore I could get fed up with them and did not want to use them and also they could break
The social OT said they wanted it down in writing from the physiotherapist since then my surgeon has wrote to then my GP has wrote to them my social worker has wrote to them the head of news from halton community radio station has wrote to them about what has been said and possibly the length of time I will have to wait every thing in the house is upstairs bath toilet and the children at night and
I my self have been in touch with a solicitor who is now involved and who is writing to then and they will staying involved till all the adaptations have been done in the house
I am now having a shower at Warrington hospital thanks to my surgeon who has arranged this from last week
I have also been told that I can have my car from motability which I should get in April
I have also got two people from the independent living center coming out on the 4th of Febury to see what wheel chair I will need on the voucher scheme the voucher I will put towards my new wheel chair my mate has been round last week a decorated the front room which looks nice
Today is the 4th of February 2009
My right leg is still got an infection it slightly looked a bit bad than it did on Thursday the 29th of January
So they took a swab and put some iodine on part of the wound and then redressed it was told that if I had any problems with the leg I could go back to the dressing clinic I am back there tomorrow Thursday for a dressing change and a shower which I am looking forward to
And after a long wait and letter from my socail worker surgeon, phyio, GP, head of news from Halton community radio station etc and getting a solicitor to send them a letter I had another phone call on the 3rd of February and the independent living team are coming out to assess our house on Friday the 6th of February about time to.
I have got two people coming out today to asses me for what wheel chair I can have on the wheel chair voucher scheme which will be interesting to see what they come up with
I myself have been a bit fed up my leg looking bad on Monday it made my heart sink a bit
And to say me and Jackie are not really getting on is an understatement of the year we are just falling out all the time and we can not keep on going the way we are its not fair on us all don't no what we are going to do mmmmmmmmmm
The children have been ill this week our rosie has been ill on and off the about three weeks she keeps getting an high temp shes been the doctors who say it a virul infection Rosie was sent the hospilal for checks but they did not do anything as in the way of check ups they said Rosie had a virul infection and was sent home a couple of hours later our Rosie at the moment is finding it hard to stay a sleep at night and wakes up most nights screeming so we have now put her down stairs with her cot with us to see if that help but it does not seemed to of helped
Today is the 1st of march 2009
been having a lot to deal with children have not been well but are ok now
My right stump was healing quite nicely but took a turn for the worst from Monday the 24th of February it looked ok when the dressing was redone on the Monday then when Thursday came round it was in a bit of a mess it had been pain full from Tuesday on wards
And no wonder why they think the wound might have been leaking and the fluid had been sitting on the top of the wound and had irritated it was inflamed red and was leaking gunk on the Thursday, it was redressed
Saturday I had to go to the walk in centre to get the dressing redone because the wound was leaking through the dressing and was sore when the old dressing was took of it looked worst than on Thursday it had been leaking stuff from the wound and it was smelling a bit the wound was cleaned then redressed and I go back to Warrington hospital on Monday to get it redressed so we shall see how it is then
I my self have been up and down in my mood and at times been quite fed up the wound is taking it time to heal and is a worry
I have also got to halton hospital on Friday the 6th of march because I have found a lump on one of my testicals which has to be investigated so that is also playing on my mind
Jackie is quite upset with the way things are progressing and my mood being up and down must be getting on her nerves as well
I have been told that they might cast me a prosthetic for my left leg so that I can get use to wearing it so that will be nice I should find out on the 11th of march
I also get my car this Thursday the 5th of march which I can not wait because I will be more mobile it is a month early which is a bonus
I have applied for a wheelchair voucher from the independent living centre they came out and came me an assessment so I am waiting to see how much I am aloud to have towards the purchase of a wheelchair hopefully I should hear this week
I will be putting pictures and a video of how I get in and out of my car which might be helpful / useful .
The independent living team finally sent an OT assessor out the guy that came out was friendly looked at the way I got round the house in my wheel chair measured the height of the bed door widths looked at the rooms up stairs how I got in and out of the house looked in the kitchen
His proposals
1. Ground floor Extension
2. Lower level access shower
3. Toilet and hand wash basin
4. Widening of Doors in the downstairs reception rooms
5.Permanent Ramp out side
We decided not to touch anything in the kitchen because Jackie does all the cooking and makes all my drinks if needed in the future they could look at doing the kitchen but at the moment any work done in kitchen would make things hard for Jackie
My solicitor will be overlooking things till everything in the house is done it is nice to have them on side
Today is the 1st of may 2009
Things have moved on quite nicely over the passed month the infection in my right leg has healed more or less there was a small hole on the leg that was proving to be hard work to heal I have had no dressing on the wound for about three weeks it was still weeping stuff out of the small hole up until last week it has now sealed its self and hopefully fingers crossed it is sorted at last the only problem that could arise is if it has not healed underneath were it has sealed its self we shall see
I got my first left leg on my birthday which was the 7th of April it looks quite smart I went for a casting for the new leg two weeks before the 7th
The day I went for fitting on the 7th I was nervous Jackie my wife came with me to clattabridge limb center we used a sat nav for directions which I misunderstood then it started to update then we got lost then the sat nav shut down it was a night mare we pulled of reset the sat nav so we got there in the end with a few fall outs in the car
When we got there we waited for a short while before I got called in Jackie could not come in which she was a bit upset with when I first saw the leg I was please it look really smart now for the fun I had to put it on first I had to be shown how to put my sock on then to slide the inner cast on then slide the leg over the inner cast then fasten the strap over the top of my leg above the knee the leg was on
The leg was quite heavy I was told that the leg weighed slightly less then the leg I had lost the reason why it felt heavy was because I had not had a leg and not walk since November the 5th 2008 and had lost a lot of my mussels in leg / legs I was sat between some parallel bars and asked to stand to say I was nervous would have been an understate meant I some how with the help of the physio got my self up on the one leg I put all my weight thru my arms on the bars it felt strange and it was hard standing there the leg was quite tall over 5/10 I think I was told to sit back down in my wheel chair which was the hardest thing to do I would not leave go of the bars and some how jump backward in my wheel chair I thought flipping heck putting it nicely
I was took on to were they could take what high I was with the leg on so they could take a bit of the leg of to get me to 5/8 was stood up next to a height measuring tool it took four or five people to get me up on to get me down again I was nervous a bit scared and it was hard work they took the leg away to cut it down I was put back between the parallel bars the came back with the leg I again put on my sock then the inner liner then put the leg on I again stood up it was hard again all my weight was took through my arms I as holding on to the bars with a grip of iron they looked at the leg made a small adjustment to the ankle / foot then I was told to sit back down which again was a nightmare I did not want to leave go of the bars but again sort of went back and sort of jumped back into my wheelchair my stump was a bit sore where the leg had been they checked the stump to make sure it was ok and I had not broken the skin it was fine
They had to do some small things to the leg and I arrange to meet the physio lady at halton next day were she would take my leg
At the physio
Next day I went I was shown again how to put the leg on I was told to ware the leg for 20 minutes a day then build the time up slowly so my skin could toughen up and also to try not to get a blister or have a break in the skin I was given some exorcises to do which were quite hard I was told to do them at home I was again put between so parallel bars and asked to stand which I did I pulled my self up it felt uncomfortable I again was putting all my weight through my arms I was told to stand tall shoulders back bum in then I was asked to sit down I was holding the bars so tight I said I could not sit down I was reassured that I could I was told to put my right hand from the bar to my wheel chair so I could get down I said that I could not leave go of the bars I again some how got down by sort of jumping back up to my chair it was quite hard work ,scary mainly because of the un known but I must say it felt good a I was pleased and was looking forward to getting my other leg that day I took the leg home what a day that was
I could not wait to show our Rebecca and Rosie
I had been getting use to the leg wearing it each day lifting it up moving it about getting the feel of the new leg and trying to toughen the end of the leg I had for four days I went back to physio a went though the exorcises I was given I again got between the parallel bars I again stood up this time it felt a lot easer then the first two times again stand tall shoulders back bum in still putting a lot of my weight through my arms but not as much well not all the time it was good to get the feel of the new leg I was asked to sit back down this time it was controlled no jumping back into the wheelchair the physio was pleased that it was done in a controlled manner I again stood up shoulders back standup tall bum in and again asked to sit back down again down in a controlled manner I was made up what a difference the four days of wearing the leg around the house had made
I was well pleased with the progress it was then back to the physio bed to check the stump for ware and tear to make sure there was no blisters I have to check the stump every time I ware the leg and take the leg of to make sure there is no damage
I was now going to the physio two times a week the next time I went it was more or less the same the physio said they might try the pam aid I was wondering what it was
On the next visit to the physio I went through the exorcises then the physio got the pam aid out we then went to the parallel bars the pam aid is a really good device the put like a rubber sleeve round my leg then put a metal frame round the leg the set the frame which has a small flat bar at the bottom so you can walk on it to the same length as my left leg then the inflate the rubber sleeve to a set pressure it was getting quite interesting then with the help of three physios around me one was supporting the pam aid I was asked to stand you can not bend your knee with the pam aid so when I stood up I was told to lift the right leg out which I did with some help I was up was able to shift my weight a bit more of my left leg which was nice but was told not to put full weight on the right leg which had the pam aid on
I was ask to stand tall shoulders back bum in I was then asked to shift weight about on each leg move my hips around I was putting more weight through my legs and was not putting as much through my arms I was asked to sit down which I did with help to make sure the leg with the pam aid was lifted up before I sat down I sat down in a controlled manner I had a rest for a short while I again stood up did more or less the same and sat down again with help with the right leg then it was back to the bed to check to stump for damage all was fine it was nice to be up on two legs I was made up and again was pleased with my progress
The next time I went to physio I went through the exorcises again went to the parallel bars and they put on the pam aid I was told to stand up and to make sure the right leg lifts up which I did on my own I was told to stand tall shoulder back bum in I was then asked if I wanted to take a few steps I said yes please then I took a step it felt interesting the end of the left leg felt a bit uncomfortable but it would get used to the leg I had to swing the right leg from the hip because the pam aid does not have any knee movement at the knee I was asked to sit down which I was told to make sure the right leg was lifted out in front before I sat down which I did on my own and in a nice controlled manner a was made up we went through the same again then back on the bed to check my stump for damage all was fine I was pleased with the way things were going and looking forward to the next visit to the physio appointments brill
I went to see the limb specialist to see about my right leg on the 15th of April or there a bouts the leg has more or less was healed apart from a small hole he gave me a juzo to put on the right leg to get it ready for a casting I was then told to go back in two weeks I went back on the 27th of April 2009 he look at my leg and then I got my right leg cast I got for the right leg to be fitted on the 12th of may I cannot wait I went home with a smile I told Rebecca and Rosie I was getting my other leg our Rebecca was made up she was exited
Today is the 12 of May 2009
I got my right leg today so now I have got them both
I went for fitting at 9am at clatter bridge limb center I was called into the fitting room I was put between the parallel bars it was the same as the first leg you have to put a sock over your leg then they try to put the inner case on which was not to how the phyiso liked it as not sitting right so she said she would put slit in the side
So off she when she came back she tried it again it went on and when all the way up to the knee to its right place
We then put the leg on then fastened the strap it felt quite comfy more then the left one did I then put the left leg on she ask me to stand which I did it was nice to be up on to legs the right leg felt really heavy the left leg was the same when it was first fitted
She asked me how did it feel did it feel was it the right length I said I don’t know she looked at my hips she then got some wooden wedges she then put one under the left leg the she looked at my hips again she said that they looked right so she said that they would make adjustments so of she went
She came back we then put the leg back on I was asked to stand between the parallel bars again which I did it felt ok the right leg felt good I was quite confident on the legs well between the bars
She asked me to take a few steps which I did it felt good so I then walked the length of the bars when I got to the end I was going to walk back wards she said I could turn round a bit of panic set in but then I gave it a go a I did turn round in the bars then walked back up the bars I had two more goes going up and down the bars turning round when I got to the ends of the bars
The physio made a slight adjustment to the feet turned them out a bit which would give me more stability when walking so when she was happy they took the legs to the work shop to get then tighten up
Then I was given the legs to take home I was really made up I was in halton for a physio appointment in the afternoon that day I was looking forward to going the legs felt good
Me and Jackie went to physio that afternoon
Jackie had not seen me stand since November the 5 2008 I was took to the bed I put my legs on my physio asked me to stand which I did there was a bench in front of me which is always there for my protection so I can not go far I then put my weight from leg to leg to see how it felt and to get a feel were things are I was going to walk between the bars but they was busy my physio then said she was going to get other physio when she came back she got some elbow crutches I thought mmmmm this will be interesting they set the crutches to the right height I was then asked to stand which I did
I was then give the elbow crutches which I was a bit uneasy and a bit frighten when I got my balance the physio moved the bench about afoot I was very nervous and for a split second I thought I was going to panic but the physio reassured me I stood there then was asked to take a couple of steps towards the bench which I did the I walked two steps back the sat down I had been nervous but was made up
Jackie was over the moon I was told that when I go home I was to break the right leg in and to get my self In a corner in the kitchen with the wheel chairs so if I was unsteady I would be going nowhere and practice standing and sitting and getting my posture right stand up tall shoulders back and bum in
I was given an appointment for Thursday I went home with my two legs chuffed to bits
Our Rebecca was made up with legs she said can you walk now I said to her that I had to learn to walk and it will take a short while she was made up with the legs she helped me to put them on and take them out our Rosie just kept kicking them she also helped me to put them on and take them off I practiced what I was told over the next to days in kitchen Rebecca was really made up seeing me standing up so was Rosie in her little way
NOVEMBER 5TH 2009
1 YEAR SINCE OPERATION
Well its one year since my DBK operation and a while since i updated my logs
i have been up and down since May i have had slight problems with my right stump skin breaking down, blisters under my knee, also old pin site that held my bones together going back to 1988 which started to and still is giving me problems slightly with the skin breaking down round the scar
This passed month the right stump has been quite stable,
The left stump is fine and seems to take anything that comes its way i can now walk as you can see in
the videos without cruches
For the pass three weeks i have been going out for a walks with a carer that come our house who is a fantastic guy and building the distance up i walk, i use my cruches when going anywhere far and the other day i managed to walk 1.5 miles with cruches which was hard work my right knee started to give me problems, so it was a good job mikes house was there took the legs of at mikes to give them a rest for about 1 hour
My dad picked me up in the car
I put my legs back on and i was off again fantastic..i have not walked that far since 1988 my fitness
is bad and it took it out of me but that will improve i was was in no pain when i got back on my legs which to me is brill
Before with my bad legs if i just pottered about the house i was in bad pain and would fined it very hard later to walk because of the pain.
I walked just under a mile the next day with cruches, and just over a mile the day after with cruches, and still pottering about the house without my cruches
I do tend to get very tired towards the end of the day, but that has to be my fitness
I have got so i keep getting told is a basic walking leg and i am hoping to get a bit of an upgrade which i think should make walking probilly better if not easier
The council on which we was waiting to get the work done on a down stairs shower and toilet we was told could take up to 3-4 years we did put in for a grant but it only got to stage one we have now moved to a new house which has got a down stair shower we was told that they would put a lift in the new house the council would pay half and our new landlord would pay half to get it installed so we are just waiting to get it sorted and i am on the couch
The phyios have done a brill job of getting me up and walking which i owe them alot
The operation in its self was the best thing i could have had done it should of been done in 1988 knowing what i now know, but i might of found it hard to live with then loosing my legs
So being in pain all theses years stood me in good stead and having a good surgeon and his good team also helped if it was for him and the way he was i dont think i would of had the operation
THE GOOD THINGS
Today is the 24 of December 2009
I wish you all the best for Christmas and new year
I doing really well with my legs now I have joined a gym in November only been 4 times but I was really please with the legs I used the cross trainer and a sort of stepping machine had a walk on the tread mill used the weights and went on a punch bag because I have issues with my knees and back took things easy I don’t want to be doing to many repartitions with my knees so I was sticking to 8 mins on each cross trainer, the stepper, and the tread mill I will do some videos early in the new year which might interest to some
I swapped my trainers on my legs with some shoes because I had to go a wedding I read on a few website that as long as you get the same heal size you should be ok I have worn them for 6 days and they have been fine but really I should get they checked out at the limb centre
I do really well walking
but I have to get my socks right I all ways carry about seven with me few thin and some thick when I go out and I can put a few on when I am out and about
If the socks are wrong I am struggling and could cause myself to pick up some blisters so you must get your socks right and you will be able to do more
Well all the best from me Jackie and the children have a nice Christmas
Today is the 09/06/2010
Not updated the site for a while been busy ....
well i got some new legs in april because my stumps had shrunk I was putting 10 to 12 socks on each leg so they recast the legs and I got so new legs they are different to the old legs as they don't have straps to hold them on which is better for me they grip slightly above the knee which holds them in place there is also peace of elastic support that was attached to the leg which was pulled up and on to my leg for support to keep the legs on but I took it of soon as i got home because it was rubbing
The legs are fine with out it ......when I first got the legs I was impressed but that soon wore of about an hour after wearing them as they were rubbing above my knee on both legs they was rubbing when i was a the limb centre they made some adjustments to them but they was still giving me problems ..I wore them for an hour them took them off for a few hours then put them back on for an hour did the for a week or so and built the time I was wearing them up
I wear them from morning to night IE...7.00am .to ..11.30pm sometimes longer I must admit that they are really good legs now they have been worn in
They are basic legs but they do what i need to do i can walk quite far and have managed to walk more or less 3 miles which I was made up with....
I think for the rest of this year my plans are to get fitter lose some weight... and start to raise some money for some charities sponsered IE .. walks etc just need to find out the best way to do it
Another thing I was feeling very tired by the end of the day i put it down to my age and my legs ..IE walking etc was told that its harder to walk when you are an amputee
But went to see doctor who done some blood tests i it came back that my iron count was low ..it was 7 ...so I was put on iron tablets ....my diet is not very good so this might why my iron count was low and i go back for a blood test on monday to see what my levels are which is two months after i found out my iron count was low
back to the legs I have problems with my knees but my right leg does cause me some problems
If the leg is sat slightly high in the leg socket and I am not sure why
But all in all things are going quite well ...lets hope they continue to...
THANKS FOR EVERY BODY THAT HELPS US OUT
AND THAT HAS HELPED US OVER THE PASSED YEARS
THANKS PAUL AND JACKIE AND KIDS
TODAY IS 3rd OF SEPTEMBER 2010
Well I went for casting on the 10 of august for a new set of legs which i shall post a video of later on these new legs They are full contact bearing
I went to try the casts on on the 2nd of september things went well they felt quite comfortable which was a surprise to me
So they are going a head with the final product which I pick up on the 7th of october
Things had been going quite well till last Thursday 26th of August I started to get very bad shooting pains every minute or so in my left stump and I had no sleep for two days left my legs off things settled down ....
Put my legs back on then again bad shooting pains for three days so again i left my legs off
I wore my legs on Thursday 2nd of september at clatterbridge to try the casts and again later on that day bad shooting pains
So left my legs of .....I had been looking at my stump but found nothing wrong with it till last night 2nd of september I was feeling the left stump and I found a small lump at the end of my stump which is sore to touch ..
Went to the doctors who looked at my stump he said he was not sure what it is thinks it could be an abscess or a cyst which as become infected but not sure he has put me on some antibiotics for a week to see if it improves and also gave me some Anti-inflammatory tablets for the pain
I am not to keen asked him could i be referred to the hospital to have an ultra sound scan on it or x-ray so i know for definite what it is ...but he said we should go down this route first if it got no better in a week then he will refer me to the hospital ...as urgent.....
So lets hope the antibiotics work otherwise its a wasted week..
I have had very bad shooting pains in the left stump about 6 times since my opp in november 2008 ....so now with this lump ..makes me think abit has it been there a while..
Well I will let you know how I get on ......So I am back in my wheelchair for at least a week ...
TODAY IS THE 25th OF SEPTEMBER 2010
I took the antibiotics for the week but it had no effect on the lump on the end of my left stump
So I went back to my doctor...He had another look at my lump and he has now referred me for a MRI scan on the left stump the appointment came yesterday Friday and it is for the 29th of September 2010
I have and still wear the legs most of the time but the left stump can get quite trouble sum and sometimes can keep me up for a day or two with the pain ..If I keep the legs of for a day when I start to get a bit of pain in the left leg …..It normally settles down and I am pain free ….
The only other issue is my back been having quite a bit of bother with it for the past four months sometimes I cannot get up out of chairs because of the pain it might take me two or three times to get up …it is also affecting my transfers from wheel chair to couch etc ….because I am in pain ……on that note I think I am 5.9 in height..I get my new legs on the 7th of October and I will go down to 5.7 I think that being shorter might be better with my back
I have a few concerns with my new legs with them being full contact legs because of the lump on my left stump I think that the legs will probably aggravate it but time will tell
I have voice my concerns at clatterbridge and I am back there on the 7th of October for my legs
I will let you know how I get on with the MIR scan and how I get on with the new legs
Today is the Friday 29th of October 2010
I got my results of the MRI scan on Monday the 25th it was good news the results are
CLINICAL HISTORY :BILATERAL BELOW KNEE AMPUTTATION WALKS WITH PROSTHESIS HAS HARD SWELLING, PAINFUL LEFT STUMP
MRI lower leg Lt :
Status below knee amputation
No stump neuroma.
Disuse fatty atrophy of the distal leg muscles
Marrow signal of the proximal tibia and fibula are normal
IMPRESSION -No focal causes identified for his symptoms
Which makes me wonder why I can get realy bad pain in the stump the lump is still there I will be talking to the doctor at the limb centre on 1st of December
TODAY IS 26th OF FEBRUARY 2011
First time in a while that i have had the time to do a bit to the site ..as far as the legs go life has not been to bad i had picked up a few blisters on the right stump and like a fool decided to keep on using the legs the blisters then get a bit messy I ended up getting some saline solution and some dressings from the doctors and was in the wheel chairs for a weeks or so ...till the stump got better
Been spending more time in the wheel chair more so to give my stumps a rest was told that I was doing to much ...and I needed to take things a bit easy as the stumps are not made to do what I was doing ....
I have and are having problems with my back which can be a frightening and causes me all sorts of problems transferring to and from things because of the pain ..also i have been getting pressure in the base of my back which is also painful and I can not walk more than a few steps so i tend to just sit on the couch and don't move at all unless i need to
My new legs that I got are really good they feel really comfortable when they are on I have problems with the support irritating my skin with it been made of silicon ish material Ihave also seen a reduction in the thigh muscles because of lack of use and probably the way in which the mussels are now being used when walking
On friday last week I had a bit of a fall
Well i tripped and as I tried to stop my self from falling I then slipped I hurt my back and my neck I have had really bad pain in the base of my neck
which is really uncomfortable I have been back on my patches which I got of the doctor they are very good for the pain I have had it on for 5 days you put one on a week
I have often felt like not using my legs and just using the wheelchair the main reason for this is because wairing the legs can sometimes cause me to have sharpe shooting pains in my stumps that lasts for days and every now and again I can have a break down of my skin on the stumps which worries me because of the infection risk ..and because using the wheelchair would be so much easier than wairing the legs
TODAY IS 5th OF AUGUST 2012
It’s been a while since I wrote in my diary
Things have been not to bad this past year or so I have still been getting stump pain as I have been having a hard time for about a year with my prosthetic legs and the stump pain and at one point i put them in the cupboard last year and said that was it I was not going to wear them again
Then i came across the Marie Curie Cancer Care challenge to climb mount Snowdon.
From that day the challenges that I have done has gave me the reason to keep wearing my prosthetic legs I climb Snowdon in October 2011 for marie curie
This year in July 2012 I did the Yorkshire three peaks for marie curie
I have always had had problems with my back but for the past four or five months I have been getting numbness in my legs and pain in my back
as well as weakness in my legs, which can be intermittent which has had me worrying.
I was sent for a MRI scan of my back which has showed what the problems are with my back
I play wheelchair rugby and the knocks I get in the wheelchair causes quite a lot of numbness, weakness and pain in my legs which can last for days
Training at the gym causes numbness and can give me stump pain, but I can sometime do a lot of hard work in the gym.
I have been referred back to my orthopaedic surgeon due to ongoing issues with my back...which should be interesting when I see my orthopaedic surgeon
MARCH 2015
Not wrote in my diary for a very long time I have had and are having some difficult times which I may go into at a later date. Update on my legs well things were going very well I had trekked up Mount Snow... done the Yorkshire Three Peaks also walk 25 miles and trekked up Ben Nevis all for charity and things were going well
I got some new legs I think in November 2014 and of I went down town the new legs were not that comfortable and the right stump was having problems in the socket which caused me pain which meant I had to take the leg of and massage the stump reseat the leg and of I would go again which was not ideal
After having the legs for about 3 days I went off for a walk which I have done on many occasions and wanted to try out my new legs while out walking I got a really bad pain in my left knee and was really struggling to walk and since that day I have found it hard to walk due to the pain and discomfort in my left knee which has left me feeling fed up and really not wanting to wear my legs
I have spent more time in my wheelchair these last few months than I have for years. Due to having mental health problems thats a big statement for me in itself. The problems with my knee really gets me down not being able to go for a walk to clear my head makes life difficult
I started to go out for a push in my wheelchair and started playing wheelchair rugby again in December after a 2 year break but it seems that the knocks I get in the wheelchair causes problems with my back and then causes major pain in my stumps with the pain being of the scale which can last for days I get very distressed I had been getting sever stump pain 1-2 times a week since Christmas
I have had a break from training for about two weeks and not been to bad with pain in my back and stumps just getting a lot of numbness and tingling I am back training tomorrow Thursday so will see I get pain in my back and stumps time will tell
Due to the problems with my knee and the amount of stress it causes me I think it’s time to stop wearing the legs and just use them when training also due to the problems with my spine the legs have a big effect on my back ...... due to the nature of how the legs work when using them.
I had an x-ray done on my left knee which shows why I am getting problems with my left knee click me to go the X-ray.
So really in one day I went from walking quite well to struggling to walk and stand due to pain and discomfort in my knee which for me is quite sad