Last post Wed, Jul 09 2008 12:00 PM by ecrowley. 10 replies.
Hello, I'm new at this sort of thing. I'm the guy that doesnt like to share his feelings and all that, but what the heck?
Had a bad hiking accident over two years ago (compound fracture to left tibia, shattered ankle and fibia). Went through a few sugeries withen a month; healed for another couple months and got the 'okay' to go back to work (restaurant manager, I quit personal training at that point) wearing one of those boots. I still had extensive skin damage where the bone popped out above my ankle, but I needed the money bad, not only for the regualer bills and such, but beautiful young woman are a bit expensive. Her name is Betsy and she's the love of my life, which she saved that day in the mountains by finding help. Anyways, after about a month after I started working again I can home one night after a 14 hour shift and took off my boot, stretched out on the bed thinking about how nice the bath would be with my fiancee. When I heard slimy 'pop' noise.
I didn't have any feeling of my left ankle (save the incredable pain) but got worried. I qiuckly took the bandages off and my ankle was so swollen that my wound had split open, I could see my tibia and part of my ankle joint.
Betsy was preparing our bath and Love Line was on the radio, on the bed table nest me was a glass of merlot and the pile of bandages soked with sweat, blood, and other body fluids. I sat there for a minute thinking of how not to freak out my girl. I covered my wound with clean bandages and called my surgeons office and paged him. While I was waiting told Betsy I was going to have go back to the hospital and probably stay there a bit. It was a hard time for us.
I had an infection, and my fractures in my ankle where breaking down. I had three pins in my ankle and one was working its way through my skin as well. I had another surgery to take out some hardware and a debreadment. i dont remember to well that month and a half, but I had another surgery to try and restore the bloodflow to my ankle to promote healing by taking a muscle out of my thigh and graphing it to my ankle. It didnt work: to much adema. Not only that but the surgery was 13 hours my anesthesiologists didnt move my arms so i had bad microtrauma to my biceps.
Well, after all that another infection I belive and I was out of money. I got a notice of eviction and I moved to Overton NE, into my future in-laws home. I had lost my job so that meant no insurance. At the time i had a wound vac that kinda stole becasue the move was quick and I needed it to heal my skin. Also, I didnt know this at the time but i had bone infection (osteomylitis, sp?).
I applyed for medicade and was ''medicade pending'', that was the only way I got treated at the local woundcare clinic. I saw a couple surgeons and they both said I needed an amputation or a fusion, but had to wait until my skin healed for a fusion. I opted at the time for a fusion but I got denied medicade. I didn't know they denied my dispite my constant contact with my social worker and was waiting to see a surgeon about my skin and I needed a refill on my pain meds. The lady at the desk said the finacial office needed to speak with me. the rude woman in the office said i was denied medicade and that they we not going to treat me. I'm only human so i said a couple not-nice things to her and left.
Three months later I was approved for disability and medicade. During those three months I had no pain meds, and I had a boil on the side of shin (that was the bone infection). I met with a new surgeon and told me I really needed an amputation, and he would try a fusion if I desired but the bone infection would still there and he didnt think my ankle would hold. I went home and thought about it for a day. I talked with Betsy and told her I decided to get the amputation. She cried, and told me to get a fusion. But I was sick of the pain, not being able to sleep, and I knew deep down a fusion wouldn't work. My ankle was deformed at that point, bent down like I was pointing my foot, and my toes were all curled like the legs of a dead spider.
But hey, at least the skin healed!
I had my amputation last August. 2 weeks later the stitches came out and the next morning it split open. I was changing my bandages and looking in the mirror I could look up my leg and see my bone. Soooo back to the hospital. Thankfully Betsy was at work and didnt have to see my surgeon scrub out my leg and sew it up. Weeks of rehab later I got my prostetic, but it was horribly painful. I needed another surgery to cusion the distle end of my stump. So I had a stump revision surgery. The cut out some more bone and stretched some muscle over it, and closed me up again.
Back to healing.
After many, many, trips to my prosthetist I finally have been able to walk with little to no pain for about 5 weeks now. I've since got back into the gym lost the 10 pounds of fat i had and gained 7 pounds of muscle back. Some of my goals are to get back into martial arts here soon, enroll in college, and be a physical therapist. All with Betsy by my side.
Without Betsy this whole experience would have been hell for me. All my goals I have her in mind, and always will.
Feels good to get my story off my chest. I don't really talk about it to anyone but my girl. I still have a way to go and yeah i get a bit down about not having 2 legs and what not, but i know I can and will get through this.
Sorry for the book, and thanks for letting me share my story.
Brandon Birulkin
Hi, and welcome. Horrible story, but nice to hear things are working out well after all. One important thing also, is that you had Betsy there at your side and helping you to get through it all, absolutely terrific. Me, I had a massive heart attack at 43, a quadruple bypass that afternoon, and a stroke 48 hours later, and then viral pnemonia, (sp), almost finishing me off again, and much recovery learning to walk again, and use my left hand, and alone. Perhaps that is the toughest in all this, I have to face this and every day alone, it kinda sucks! :) visit the chat room, bunch of good people in there, all as nutty as I am, HA! good to meet you
What a terrible story, but filled with courage and hope, as Norma said. My husband, Kirpalson, has helped me in the way your Betsy has--just being there can be a gift! I hope you heal well, get some new pain relief, and have a smoother path in the future days and weeks. My love to you, and also to the future in-laws who provided you with shelter. What a gift. Warmest regards, and good luck. You have come to the right place to find folks to talk to and understand your experience. Regards from my heart, bonnie
Thanks for having the courage to share your story, and welcome to Disaboom. You've lost so much, but you have a wonderful girlfriend, and not very many people can say that.
Hi Brandon and welcome to Disaboom. That is quite the experience. Thank God the worst is over. I think you are fortunate to have your girl, Betsy. About your future plans and goals....you think you can, so you will! Enjoy the site, it's an awesome place.
Sherry
HEY BRANDON,WELCOME!WHAT A STORY. MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T BELIEVE YA ,BUT ON HERE WE DO. WE'LL LAUGH W/ YA ,CRY W/ YA & ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YA!HOPE THE BEST IS YET TO COME FOR YA & WHAT A LADY YA GOT!HUGS & GOD BLESS,TOOTSIE
Hello Brandon,
Welcome to Disaboom-What a painful story however, it sounds like things are getting better. You are both fortunate to have each other.
Stay Strong
Vinny
hi brandon, hopefully things are turning for the better for you and your girl. it is nice to meet you and welcome!
Hey Brandon! Welcome to Disaboom. Wow, you had quite a time of it! Sounds like things are on the right track now though. I am a right below-the-knee amputee of three years. I had a hard time after my amputation and developed an infection too. You have a great attitude. Any questions you have, please feel free to send me a private message. I'm assuming you have your temporary prosthesis now? I hated mine, but I like my permanent prosthesis better. Hang in there and good luck!
Becky
Hi Brandon, welcome to Disaboom! Wow, that's some story. I'm glad to hear you had Betsy as a support system throughout the whole situation...hope you're enjoying the site so far!
