Two steps forward three steps back

12.03.13


After having another operation on the back of my stump to remove a burst cyst, i was bed ridden for 7 days. Unable to move my thigh even slightly because it would split my stitches. I found this out the hard way, by doing too much 2 days after my operation and the back of my leg was running with blood.
So after a weeks forced rest, with my mum running around for me, i finally got the confidence to start hopping around on my crutches. Bad mistake.
On Saturday my mum had mopped the bathroom floor and i went straight in unaware, to use the loo. Suddenly my crutches slid away from me and i fell to my left, and instinctively put out my leg to stop my fall. Unfortunately, its my left leg i had lost, and slammed right down on to the end of my stump, onto the hard floor.
I cried out in pain, and all i could do was hold my stump curled up in a ball on the floor rocking for at least ten minutes. Straight away my mum ran to my aid and was hugging me,as through gritted teeth i waited foe the pain to go.
For those of you who haven't had the misfortune of banging your stump, it feels like some one has hit your funny bone with a hammer, then when you think the pain has subsided enough to move it, someone hits you again.
It is now Tuesday and i have black bruising on the tip of my bone/skin, and it still throbs, my stitches remained in tacked but i think i have an infection, so i have an appointment with the hospital tomorrow to get checked out. I hope i haven't chipped anything, and i just need a few antibiotics.
The other frustrating thing is my new leg has had to go back to get tweaked, and because of the tender stump and still weeping wound, i cant wear my old leg, so i am back in my chair. Feels like I've gone back to square one. Ho, and to top off a crappy week i now have hives, thank you god!!

Another Operation

27.2.13

 
 

I have been having a problem since last November with a small leaking sore at the back of my leg. I knew it was another piece of debris working its way to the surface but it was starting to interfere with my prosthetic. I couldn't wear it for long periods because it felt like it was pushing on something. So I went on the list for an operation and had it today.

 

It was under local anaesthetic, at my requested as I didn’t want another adventure in wonderland. He injected me 5 times, and each really hurt.

 

He had to dig deep, saying he was following a hole, and then told me he had found a burst cyst. The debris was tiny and had made the hole, but it was the cyst that was causing the pain and leakage. After an hour of cutting, poking and stitching I was all wrapped up and sent off home.

 

Apparently I was lucky that little bit of grit was there because the burst cyst would have continued to leak inside my stump causing massive infection, and god knows what else.

So hopefully within the next 4 weeks I will be able to get back on my prosthetic again.

 

Also my surgeon passed me photographs of my leg before it was amputated, these were in a brown envelope and were for my Solicitors case. I didn't have to look at them, just post them on. But curiosity got the better of me, and it looked like a prop from a horror movie.

 

I won’t post the pictures here that would be too much for you. Let's just say even though I remember everything in detail, looking at those photos was very strange. It was like I was looking at someone else’s leg, I was more fascinated by the damage, and it made me understand better why it had to be cut back.