Last post Fri, May 23 2008 11:37 PM by brknbnes. 33 replies.
Hi, everyone! I'm new to being an amputee (right leg BTK on February 20 of this year), and wanted to check in and say hello. I go by the nickname "ducky" pretty much everywhere on the net (rarely give my RL name here, sorry). It's actuallyt with a small "d," as I am just an average ducky in the duck pond of life, aside from having 1/2 less a leg than the rest. I'm looking forward to reading the posts here and learning things I'll need to know from the folks who have been there.
I am 48 years old, and tend to have a wicked sharp sense of humor, even about my newly-lost leg. I lost it to foot and leg infections caused by diabetes, so I did sort of see it coming, just not quite as soon as it did. Fortunately, since I am diabetic, I try to keep as well-informed as I can about possible complications of the disease, and had already lost a toe on the same leg, so I tried to keep myself up-to date on things to be mentally prepared for the worst case scenario. Still, for it to happen so suddenly was a bit of a shock. I have a deep faith in the Lord, and I think that has kept me able to be strong and determined to continue living my life as fully as I am able.
I am learning to manage along pretty well thus far, but it's always good to know that there is a place I can come to with questions as I am learning.
ducky
Hey ducky! Welcome to disaboom! Reading the posts is usually very interesting, you never know what topic will come up. Hope you enjoy!
Gena
Ducky! I just wrote a post about your sense of humor on another post, the one about the strangest/dumbest question! This is weird, because I'm also 48 and a right BKA. Lost mine three years ago to cancer. I'm from Michigan, Upper Peninsula to be exact. Best part of the whole state! Welcome to Disaboom!
Have you driven yet? I ended up with MRSA, probably because of the chemo??? Anyway, I didn't get my leg for almost a year. I finally worked up the courage one day to drive, mainly because I was really mad at my husband and needed to get out of the house. I got in and was surprised how easy it really was, with no modifications! I just drive with my right leg kind of bent at the knee and jammed up in the middle there, and drive with my left foot. It's kind of a pain when you have to stop and start and stop again, but I got used to it pretty quickly. I was going to get the modification done, but we had two vehicles at the time, three now, and my sons were just beginning to drive. I didn't want to add an extra peddle, in case they had problems with it being there. We have a Jeep, a Ford-250 and a Ford Explorer. and I drive all three. The truck has the most "leg" room though, lol!! I mean for my right prosthesis.
Drop me a line, if you want. You will like this site.
Becky
Thank you for the welcome, Gena and Becky. I've already seen a few interesting questions here, things that I've been wondering about. It definitely feels good to know I'm not alone. I think I shall probably have lots of questions, myself.
Becky, I haven't actually driven a car in about 14 years. Long story short, I let my license expire way back when, and since I always took the bus, just never bothered to get it renewed. I still take the bus around town here (I see you're in MI - I'm just a state over in Ohio), but I will admit, it's a lot more of an experience than it used to be. Pretty much all the buses here are equipped with WC lifts, which is handy, but they only run weekdays from 6 AM till about 5:30 PM, so I don't exactly get out for a lot of weekend and night life unless I ride with friends. Looks like I may eventually have to learn to drive again once I figure out how to do it left-footed without bumping into the other nice cars out there.
It seems I contracted my case of MRSA from the hospital while I was still in the rehab unit. Not that I can get anyone at the hospital to admit it, but I came directly from rehab to a brand new apartment that was handicapped accessible (my old one wasn't), so I doubt the place was running rampant with MRSA. It looks like I've finally gotten over it, but I was not happy about having IV antibiotics at home for three weeks after leaving the hospital. It felt like it was setting my therapy back - couldn't do my full arm exercises and such while I had the PICC line, and had to wait to do the right leg exercises until the new incision had healed enough. I'm still having difficulty straightening my right knee because of all the time I wasn't able to keep it stretched on a daily basis after the second surgery. There's a question in itself -- I've been doing all the abductions, aductions, leg lifts, leg pushes and other eight million seeming exercises I've learned, but are there other exercises I could be doing to increase the bendability of the knee? And, how long does it take to get that kind of flexibility back after something like this? (You can tell, I'm NOT very patient when it comes to recovery - I just want to jump up and do something)
hugs from ducky
WELCOME DUCKY ! I AM RAINEY AND I HAVE POLIO , BEEN DISABLED MOST OF MY LIFE ........NEVER STOPPED ME ! I LOVE LIFE , MY FAMILY AND MY HUMOR ! NEVER COULD HAVE TO MANY FRIENDS , DROP ME A NOTE IF YOU CARE TO CHAT , AFTER ALL WE DO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER ! RAINEY
Hi Ducky I am Bruce from NJ. I have drop foot on the right side and I drove with my left foot for 2 years after 4 strokes. When I had my 5th stroke I decided to stop driving,and sold my van. I live in a rural area where buses don't run,so I have to depend on friends and family to get around. I am sure you will make a lot of new friends on here.
Hello ducky and welcome to our pond. Glad to see you jump right in.
hey ducky, glad you're here!
Wow, many thanks for such a warm welcome! I've already been cruising around the posts for a few hours here. I think I have found a new home, LOL! I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone, too, along with learning from the folks who have been where I am. There are some very interesting topics here, it will probably take me a while to catch up on all of them.
Welcome
I'm a right bk too since 96 from a bike accident.
Keep paddling.
And get in a row
Hi ducky,
I'm from OH also & have driven with hand controls all my life. They really are nice & easy to use. It is just a lever up by the steering wheel that you move for either gas or brake. The lever is connected to rods that are connected to the brake & gas peddle & yes any ablebodied person can also drive it...I'm new to Disaboom myself & am loving it!!!....Kim
Welcome ducky!
