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I'm right handed and busted up 3 out of 4 finger  middle joints and ended up with one fusion. Middle finger, at an angle to provide a grasp. It never has been right in 11 years. I tweak it all the time and it's painful. It gets hung up on things sometimes, I just got fingerprinted and they had trouble with the new computer image with my finger angle, finally having to do them seperately. It's always something, it's just how we deal with it. I learned to use my left hand rather quickly, becoming stronger and more coordinated by the day, but my desire was strong and my will was good. I'm a strong believer that if you believe it, it will be. Pain is only weakness leaving the body, and I'm one of the strongest people in the world.

I'm also a right b/k and don't have cosmetics on my leg and wear shorts in the summer, I try not to embarass anyone I'm with, but other than that, I feel blessed to be a walker at all. and I don't really care what other people think about it. Vanity is not one of my strong points.

 

hey i kinda know what your going through but i am in the same way but i had mine in april of this year i live in the toronto area i am not sure how to be supportive although just think good on the inside and not dwell on the bad i also have had a nerve test done on my right hand and it has made it worse i can however use the hand but not very well my issue is with the grip and it hates the cold i also have gone to many doctors in the same place to get the help but i got nowhere my family is having a very hard time trying to get me help and there has been no contact at all either by e-mail or by phone so it has been very hard for me to get the help got any ideas?

 I'm a left below elbow amputee.  I'm off a little above mid forearm.  

What I've found, and the best advice I can offer is the following.  You have to get on with your life.  Do people stare?  Yup, they sure do.  They don't stare for long.  If you are comfortable with yourself, everyone else is as well.  

I feel I need to make another point here on the staring.  It is completely natural  When I see another amputee, I take a look just like everyone else.  People are curious critters and there is nothing wrong with that.  Anyone that is different from the most generic platonic ideal gets examined.  If you're pretty, or ugly, in shape, fat, missing a limb, or use a wheelchair you are going to get noticed. 

hi and welcome to all of the new people here! it's nice to meet you all.

Hello Yule! Sorry, somehow I missed this post earlier. I am a right BKA, so I kind of know what you are feeling. Just take it one day at a time. I found that to help me. I know it's hard to do, but you can't rush things. Hang in there. Let us know how you're doing.

 

Becky

I have gone for more meds and refills with the drug called lyrica i am now taking 100mg's and this is the very first day of trying a higher dose so i guess that is a safe dose for me for now i have also figured out it hates the cold i was going to go to rehab but never got the time to go i was away from the city for 1 day and it now has a new problem i now have a cut in the middle of my thumb area from the splint and do not know how to trTreat it i have put a cotton pad on it with polysporin and a band aid but it wont heal got any ideas how to ddeal with this?

Hey Yule! I'm glad the Lyrica is working for you. You should go to rehab. Or is it too late? You may have to call your doctor for a new prescription.

 

As far as the cut goes, forget the cotton pad. Just use the Neosporin and the bandaid. Keeping it covered with the antibiotic will help it heal. Remember to give it some air though for a while each day. How long have you had the cut? Does it look infected? Redness around the cut indicates infection. One thing you can do to monitor redness is to outline it with ink, to see if it progresses or spreads at all. Call your doctor or go to the walk-in clinic if it's not healing at all, the redness spreads or if you have a red streak going up your arm. Good luck.

 

Becky

Hi my fiance just lost his pinky finger and severely damaged his middle and ring finger on Thursday.  Carpenter+Table Saw= Amputated Finger.

The depression has just begun set in and even though I was expecting it, I am having a hard  time dealing.  I know it will only get worse- We go for his follow-up and initial reveal on this coming Friday. 

The biggest issue is that I am there for him and taking care of everything (Scheduling appointments, workers comp, bills, children, ego boosting and more) and have noone to really look out for me.  Im exhausted, depressed and scared.  I am sad that I cant make it better for him and I am scared that he may not be able to ever use his hand again.  Not knowing what his future holds and I cant even begin to talk about finances.  He has a deadbeat boss that doesnt want to approve workers comp, so a court battle we will see.

 Any pointers on how to deal?  Any feedback on estimated time of emotional recovery for both of us?