next V Log up and running
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSeiKlsSOUY
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
PREPERATION
So how do you prepare for something like getting your legs chopped off? I have no idea!
Depression hit me really bad over the last few weeks, things basically just getting on top of me and all the little things seemed to be a lot worse then they actually where. None of it stemmed directly from going in for the amputation, but I suppose it influenced them in directly. Its hard to plan ahead for after something like this and I was trying to put things in place for after it had all happened which you really cant do because you can not predict how things are going to go or turn out.
I wanted to have something to look forward too but until I return to work , which obviously I don't know when that will be, I cant book anything for holidays as we don't know how finances are going to work out or even if the dates we book are going to be realistic for my rehab.
So after lots of talking things through with David, who is being very supported, I have managed to put things into perspective. The major issue is money & work. That is the base of the matter.So trying to tackle those two things head on . Kind of got them sorted. Have put holidays into work 2 weeks before I go into hospital so I can have some time with the family. Starting to tie things up at work ready for going in, but this is creating a lot of pressure because as well as tieing things up I still need to do the job am being paid for. I now know that my employer will pay SSP while am on the sick but that isn't a lot to live on, so its a case of tightening the belts until I can work again. Hope fully this will be within a month working from home to start with until I feel confident enough to go into the office in my chair through using access to work. Eventually going in full time under my own steam when am up and about properly but who knows when that will be ?
Also starting getting things in for my hospital bag, putting things away ready to pack. What kind of PJs do you get for an amputation? long legs are not going to work. Nightie? shorts? opted for one nightie and some PJ shorts. Hoping to take the laptop in with me and put some credit on a Dongle as well so I have access to the internet, don't want to pay for the service in the hospital.
Taking lots of books, puzzle books and DVDs in with me as well . Not forgetting the music! Also going to use this as an time to take back up my Spanish and Psychology studies.
So as you can see lots of things to sort out and do before hand as well as making time for the family, work and easter!
Still cracking on with the exercise but the not able to do the pilates as often as i would like. Still struggling with the weight,uurrggh!!
David is taking some more pics of my legs and stumps before I go in so looking forward to that. Hey at least I dont have to worry about having to get a pair of slippers ! I think the after care in the hospital is worrying me more then the operation itself which I know is strange but its from what I experienced before. Best advice i can give to any one who is going through something like this is plan as much before you go in as you can and talk to some one , especially if you feel that things are getting on top of you . Talking and planning these things will also help you to prepare mentally for the operation. Also dont worry getting down is going to happen, it wouldnt be normal if it didnt. Plan ahead for after the operation as well but unlike me try to be realistic about this, things will change as you recover and you cant predict what is going to happen or how quick !
Depression hit me really bad over the last few weeks, things basically just getting on top of me and all the little things seemed to be a lot worse then they actually where. None of it stemmed directly from going in for the amputation, but I suppose it influenced them in directly. Its hard to plan ahead for after something like this and I was trying to put things in place for after it had all happened which you really cant do because you can not predict how things are going to go or turn out.
I wanted to have something to look forward too but until I return to work , which obviously I don't know when that will be, I cant book anything for holidays as we don't know how finances are going to work out or even if the dates we book are going to be realistic for my rehab.
So after lots of talking things through with David, who is being very supported, I have managed to put things into perspective. The major issue is money & work. That is the base of the matter.So trying to tackle those two things head on . Kind of got them sorted. Have put holidays into work 2 weeks before I go into hospital so I can have some time with the family. Starting to tie things up at work ready for going in, but this is creating a lot of pressure because as well as tieing things up I still need to do the job am being paid for. I now know that my employer will pay SSP while am on the sick but that isn't a lot to live on, so its a case of tightening the belts until I can work again. Hope fully this will be within a month working from home to start with until I feel confident enough to go into the office in my chair through using access to work. Eventually going in full time under my own steam when am up and about properly but who knows when that will be ?
Also starting getting things in for my hospital bag, putting things away ready to pack. What kind of PJs do you get for an amputation? long legs are not going to work. Nightie? shorts? opted for one nightie and some PJ shorts. Hoping to take the laptop in with me and put some credit on a Dongle as well so I have access to the internet, don't want to pay for the service in the hospital.
Taking lots of books, puzzle books and DVDs in with me as well . Not forgetting the music! Also going to use this as an time to take back up my Spanish and Psychology studies.
So as you can see lots of things to sort out and do before hand as well as making time for the family, work and easter!
Still cracking on with the exercise but the not able to do the pilates as often as i would like. Still struggling with the weight,uurrggh!!
David is taking some more pics of my legs and stumps before I go in so looking forward to that. Hey at least I dont have to worry about having to get a pair of slippers ! I think the after care in the hospital is worrying me more then the operation itself which I know is strange but its from what I experienced before. Best advice i can give to any one who is going through something like this is plan as much before you go in as you can and talk to some one , especially if you feel that things are getting on top of you . Talking and planning these things will also help you to prepare mentally for the operation. Also dont worry getting down is going to happen, it wouldnt be normal if it didnt. Plan ahead for after the operation as well but unlike me try to be realistic about this, things will change as you recover and you cant predict what is going to happen or how quick !
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Incompetent?
Well went to the doctors regarding the arthritis issue. My biggest concern is whether or not it will impact me having a BKA. He didnt have a clue. In fact the whole appointment was a waste of both his and my time.
All he wanted to concentrate on was me having the amputation and if I was doing the right thing. According to him am walking fine ( this judged from the short walk from the waiting room to his office,whilst he sat in is office, with the door closed therefore COULDN'T SEE !!!!) According to him my mobility,based on what he saw?!? I seem to have no issue with my mobility. so I tried to explain to him that the mobility issue was only part of the problem , that it takes more then a 30sec walk to his office after sitting down for 20 mins resting to be able to see if my mobility is ok,and that other issues where involved such as pain,nerve damage,swelling and not being able to weight bear.
So I mentioned to him about the fall and what we discovered and he just sat there and looked at me. Ignored what I said about osteo arthritis and starting going on about how he doesnt think he needs to test me for Rheumatoid arthritis. His way of knowing this was to get me to hold out my hands and turn them over. I tried to explain to him about the pains in my elbows after excersise or lifting anything,carrying anything or at the end of the day. This is the same with my hands. Not to mention the fact that at I sometimes drop things because I lose my grip or I cant grip. Never mind the fact that at bed time the pain in my muscles when they cramp or jump or the sound of the bones "crunching" in my fingers or wrists.
I wanted to talk to him about my concerns about the amputation, the effect the arthritis in the hips, knees and spine would have, could I find out how bad it is? Would this stop me from having the amputation? are certain things am doing causing issues or impounding this problem possibly making them deteriorate? Or are there things that am not doing that is making it worse?The ERTL (have i got that the right way round?) procedure and how the surgeon am under doesnt use it and of course the depression that seems to be spiralling out of control.
No instead I got a brief 5 minute appointment, told he didnt see why I was having the amputation and he didnt think I should go ahead with it, and I didnt have rheumatiod arthritis and didnt think i needed testing.
God bless this wonderful nation and its Victorian NHS system. where the GPs dont have the training they need, cant speak expectable English,dont have the time to spend with their patients or the money to refer patients if necessary and its in patients best interest.
So unfortunately in this great nation of ours its a postcode lottery the type of GP service you are provided with, and I am in the wrong postcode.
All he wanted to concentrate on was me having the amputation and if I was doing the right thing. According to him am walking fine ( this judged from the short walk from the waiting room to his office,whilst he sat in is office, with the door closed therefore COULDN'T SEE !!!!) According to him my mobility,based on what he saw?!? I seem to have no issue with my mobility. so I tried to explain to him that the mobility issue was only part of the problem , that it takes more then a 30sec walk to his office after sitting down for 20 mins resting to be able to see if my mobility is ok,and that other issues where involved such as pain,nerve damage,swelling and not being able to weight bear.
So I mentioned to him about the fall and what we discovered and he just sat there and looked at me. Ignored what I said about osteo arthritis and starting going on about how he doesnt think he needs to test me for Rheumatoid arthritis. His way of knowing this was to get me to hold out my hands and turn them over. I tried to explain to him about the pains in my elbows after excersise or lifting anything,carrying anything or at the end of the day. This is the same with my hands. Not to mention the fact that at I sometimes drop things because I lose my grip or I cant grip. Never mind the fact that at bed time the pain in my muscles when they cramp or jump or the sound of the bones "crunching" in my fingers or wrists.
I wanted to talk to him about my concerns about the amputation, the effect the arthritis in the hips, knees and spine would have, could I find out how bad it is? Would this stop me from having the amputation? are certain things am doing causing issues or impounding this problem possibly making them deteriorate? Or are there things that am not doing that is making it worse?The ERTL (have i got that the right way round?) procedure and how the surgeon am under doesnt use it and of course the depression that seems to be spiralling out of control.
No instead I got a brief 5 minute appointment, told he didnt see why I was having the amputation and he didnt think I should go ahead with it, and I didnt have rheumatiod arthritis and didnt think i needed testing.
God bless this wonderful nation and its Victorian NHS system. where the GPs dont have the training they need, cant speak expectable English,dont have the time to spend with their patients or the money to refer patients if necessary and its in patients best interest.
So unfortunately in this great nation of ours its a postcode lottery the type of GP service you are provided with, and I am in the wrong postcode.
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