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AMA

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Original poster

I'm an amputee AMA

45 replies

Dhalandchips · 11/07/2018 20:56

That's about it really

OP posts:

DrMadelineMaxwell · 12/07/2018 23:05

DH is an amputee. Same limb. Also due to a RTA, hugely broken leg, gangrene and then amputation when 17yo.

He loves to wind his colleagues up about it, by slipping his prosthetic leg off slightly and turning his foot through 360 degrees, or stapling into it (before he stopped having the padding and 'skin' layer added - now he's just got the metal bar instead).

smellmybacon · 12/07/2018 23:49

i can remember my little brother seeing an amputee when he was about 3 and shouting "did a shark bite off that mans leg!?"

🙈

have you ever had any comments from kids and does it bother you?

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 12/07/2018 23:53

Did a shark bite that man's leg off.

How cute Is that. Children are so innocent aren't they.
Bet you were mortified at the time though.

ThunderInMyHeart · 12/07/2018 23:53

Do you feel as physically attractive as you did before?

NotMyCircusMonkeys · 12/07/2018 23:56

What were the circumstances of the accident? Did you suffer other significant physical injuries?

Knitjob · 13/07/2018 00:00

You were awake during your surgery? Were there not lots of horrible noises? Or were you sort of sedated? That sounds really brave.

Original poster

Dhalandchips · 13/07/2018 00:02

I have been asked by kids if it will grow back !
I have a prosthetic without the 'cosmesis' because I think the foam just looks horrible!
I don't think of myself as attractive or unattractive, and never have done, so can't really answer that, sorry.
I fell off a motorbike, no other vehicles involved. I broke my left ring finger...! The consequences of the initial surgery were fairly unpleasant; skin graft, muscle graft, bone graft. I reckon they shouldn't have bothered!

OP posts:

ThunderInMyHeart · 13/07/2018 00:10

Have you since been on a motorbike?

ItscalledaVulva · 13/07/2018 00:26

How did your family (DH/parents/children) react to you having part of your leg amputated?

Do you tend to cover up your prosthetic leg or are you happy to wear shorts? Do you wear it all the time apart from in bed?

Pepper123123 · 13/07/2018 00:40

Just wanted to say hello as a fellow amputee. (BTK)

I got a bit over excited to come across another person here with a physical disability

Original poster

Dhalandchips · 13/07/2018 07:07

I have been on a bike as a pillion. I have kids so there's not much point in owning a bike ATM, can't afford to run one anyway! I probably would if I could. There are adaptations available, handlebar gear change, that sort of thing.

I wear whatever I like, don't feel a need to cover it up.

My eldest (23), was freaked out by it but the others were all fine. DS, 5 at the time, was excited about me getting a mental egg...(metal leg!)

Now exh was supportive in theory but practically useless.

OP posts:

Original poster

Dhalandchips · 13/07/2018 07:08

Hi pepper, which bit are you missing?

OP posts:

DrMadelineMaxwell · 13/07/2018 07:10

DH used to have great fun winding up the dc. When dd1 was v little she watched him take his leg off at bedtime and then tried to take her own leg off too. She was pulling at it for ages.
And if they hurt their toe, dh would gravely say, " That's what happened yo me, shall we chop it off for you?'

Potato2242 · 13/07/2018 07:22

Were you wearing leathers etc during your accident? Do you think losing your leg could have been avoided looking back?

Pepper123123 · 13/07/2018 10:50

@Dhalandchips my right lower leg BTK.
I've been disabled since birth (Spina Bifida) and lost it...believe it or not because of some dry skin that peeled off and left a tiny open wound.

Three months later I had e-coli in the wound and the infection turned to sepsis.

Original poster

Dhalandchips · 13/07/2018 21:31

I was wearing a leather jacket which pretty much saved my arm and back from too much damage, my helmet was a right mess so VERY grateful for that. My gloves saved my hands too, although they did give way in a couple of places where I have some scars. However, I wasn't wearing proper boots. They were ankle Timberland type things. If I'd have been wearing proper knee length bike boots, I'd have probably for away with a compound fracture...plonker!

OP posts:

Original poster

Dhalandchips · 13/07/2018 21:33

Ooh pepper, that's not good...I got pseudomonas in my muscle graft, bloody stank out the hospital ward (bleurgh!)

OP posts:

Original poster

Dhalandchips · 13/07/2018 21:35

Knit, sorry, just spotted your question. Yes I was sedated but awake enough to apparently chat away to the anaesthetist all the way through the procedure! I remember the last couple of stitches going in but that's about it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Dhalandchips · 13/07/2018 21:36

I love the innocence of children, and their general lack of filter! It's their parents that get uptight!

OP posts:

DrMadelineMaxwell · 13/07/2018 23:15

DH says the same Dhal, that if he had been wearing proper leather biker's boots, that he'd still have his leg. He invested in a leather jacket and obv a proper helmet, but couldn't afford boots straight away. He still has the helmet, completed with it's war wounds but had to get rid of the bike.

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