ctextucker, on 17 January 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:
I have seen this site before when researching other topics and while doing same today felt like actually joining and making comment. I have been doing allot of thinking about this lately, after 34 years in wheelchair have been considering it after recent issues with sores on bottom of feet. Dr suggested I give it some thought especially after a fall 5 years ago broke L knee and it does not completely straighten. I have all most all of the feelings stated above...
Especially dealing with others "perceptions" already, fighting my way in a typical corporate world, I already deal with issues and think it is one more perception issue to fight. I am definitely not "newbie" to chair - I have always had attitude I am the same just have to sometimes get from A to B a different way. Extremely tough decision to make the "step" toward being dramatically different in eyes of my kids, wife, friends and coworkers.
This discussion certainly helps me feel not alone in that decision.
I would like to applaud everyone straight forward comments!
*****UPDATE 10/05/2011*****
I did it! Great Decision
It took a while, working with my doctor, seeing other doctors who specialized in spinal cord rehabilitation, it was important to me finding a doctors that understood paraplegics and amputee situations together. The doctors opinions essentially boiled down to making sure not to do any harm with a greater possibility of improvement of health and mobility.
Mentioning previously the leg that was broken and caused considerable mobility issues over time. I had finally reached a point where my health and mental well being was being affected. All areas of my life were deteriorating and something had to be done.
August of 2010 reaching overall weight of 289lbs. I developed a sore caused by clothing friction binding upper/inner/backside of thigh. Surgery to amputate legs thru knee completed September, best option for me as I have rod/plates with femurs and not looking at prosthetic for walking. In addition had debridement of sore on thigh without closure, unable to do muscle flap at that time, the muscle flap surgery was just completed surgery September of 2011.
Now a year later I weigh 162lbs., much better physical and mental health.All healed and mobility dramatically improved.
I took a few months to get use to new way of getting around, especially transfers. Simple things that were a chore before, moving to a couch or recliner. Legs previously creating hassles spasms or simply not going right direction, it is a breeze. Oh yes, spasms almost totally eliminated, AD sometimes sparked by legs/feet getting into position they did not like - gone.
Casualty during all this process was my marriage, still looking forward to the future.
My 10 year old daughter... I had asked the family at dinner one night how felt about the idea and if would have any problems or issues with having double amputation. She asked if still could sit on my lap? Yes ... then okay with me.
I purposely stayed out of posting during the process. I had plenty of low spots, as you might imagine, but felt needed to work thru. This turned out to be best option for me at this point in my life. I have thought many times during the last year if I would have done this 30 years ago after first being injured. Yes, if could "know" what I know now. That is that oh so difficult one, redo high school if I could know what I know now.
Not sure if sharing my experience will help anyone, if it does great, if have questions, let me know. Thanks again to the guys I talked with, it certainly helped.
Thanks,
Cody
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