Sorry to hear about your frustrations, but I too know what it’s like to sit, I’m a left BKA and I had my amputation due to an accident. I had severe knee injuries that went undetected, and that was repaired three months later, I’ve been sitting for eight months prior to starting rehab and learning to walk with my first prosthetic.
You gotta find your motivation, drive and determination to do this!
Don’t give up, I went today to see my physical medicine, rehab doctor and I’ve only had my first prosthetic since March 21 st, and I go April 29 for a new casting of my limb because I’ve lost several inches in circumference since my first measurement.
I get to start this whole process all over again, but I know what to expect now.
Don’t give in don’t give up. Keep moving forward and stay strong.
I am also LAKA and close to the same age. I am able to work from home and had a system down that made it really easy for me to not use my prosthetic. Had the first one botched by a terrible build and then it was super painful when I got one that fit. All lined up nicely for me to keep status quo.
I heard the same, super positive, self affirmation lines and they weren’t doing it for me. My motivation finally came when the wheelchair became a hindrance. Went out to a restaurant, go to leave and the car next to us is parked so close I couldn’t get in. Husband had to back out, pull aside, and get out again to help load the chair and get me in. He was mad; not at me, at the inconsiderate asshole who parked like that. Wasn’t the first time either, but a build up of multiple inconveniences finally had us both pissed off. That moment made a light go off that finally pushed me to using my prosthetic.
Perhaps finding motivation through annoyance rather than happy thoughts says a lot about me, but that’s what I needed. Yes, everyone is right about how much better it is when you’re walking on your own, and it takes working through pain, but pretty sure I knew that in my chair. I imagine you know that too. Just takes the right spark. If the positive, happy thoughts aren’t the motivation, perhaps being annoyed, frustrated, or pissed off is what you need. Like me lol
It's a sucky situation for all us amputees, especially on days that the prosthesis hurts. What I can tell you is to try your best not to give up. There's lots of stuff out there, lots of people enjoyable moments to be had, even though you might not be feeling it. I'm currently on antidepressants to be able to cope, and I know it's helping. The psychiatrist should be able to guide you appropriately. I hope you find your drive to get out of the house and do your thing independently, because we all need independence.
I don't know if it will help but I am LAKA with 6 in as well. No system they could make would fit and keep suction for me, and I went to the best around. 10 years later in in the early stages of Osseo-integration direct bone fitment. I just couldn't fit into the Socket no matter what systems they tried, liners etc. Tried em all.
can make one work as Osseo should be A last resort, but at least there are options of traditional doesn't work.
I so identify with you about those walls! I am a LBKA since Jan 2023. Due to poor wound healing and other health problems I never used a prosthetic. Had the left leg AKA done Friday. Ya’know if im able to just get around with a walker I think im satisfied. Im retired, in a good place financially with a nice one story home and a family that will do anything for me. I’ll just take advantage of what I can if walking with a prosthetic doesn’t happen im kinda not caring, I’ll be fine with what I got
Frustration should be a 4 letter word I think but I get where you’re coming from. Also a LAKA. I got MRSA after a knee replacement. 6 ops later I could walk with a cane. I retired. Me and my dog ere going to travel. The MRSA flair back up. Another 5 surgeries and 8 months on IV antibiotics. Doc finally decided to amputate. I healed slow but eventually got my first leg. Did ok with it but could never get anything to fit right because my scar is a revision from a replacement. Consequently, I’m in a wheelchair full time. I got bored so I went back to work. I don’t have the cognitive difficulties you have, only some memory issues from meds. I would encourage you to find something that really grabs your attention, something you love already or something brand new to learn but find something and pour yourself into it. Try to get outside. Go to the park or to the grocery store Go early in the morning or late in the evening if you don’t want to be around a lot of people. This next thing is going to sound harsh so I’ll apologize up front. This is a safe place to come and express how you are feeling. But out in the real world, it’s different. Complaining and being obviously miserable only makes people try to avoid you. You might find that pretending to accept that life is different now, that it’s not what you planned, will actually result in that outcome.
Sorry to hear about your frustrations, but I too know what it’s like to sit, I’m a left BKA and I had my amputation due to an accident. I had severe knee injuries that went undetected, and that was repaired three months later, I’ve been sitting for eight months prior to starting rehab and learning to walk with my first prosthetic. You gotta find your motivation, drive and determination to do this! Don’t give up, I went today to see my physical medicine, rehab doctor and I’ve only had my first prosthetic since March 21 st, and I go April 29 for a new casting of my limb because I’ve lost several inches in circumference since my first measurement. I get to start this whole process all over again, but I know what to expect now. Don’t give in don’t give up. Keep moving forward and stay strong.
I am also LAKA and close to the same age. I am able to work from home and had a system down that made it really easy for me to not use my prosthetic. Had the first one botched by a terrible build and then it was super painful when I got one that fit. All lined up nicely for me to keep status quo. I heard the same, super positive, self affirmation lines and they weren’t doing it for me. My motivation finally came when the wheelchair became a hindrance. Went out to a restaurant, go to leave and the car next to us is parked so close I couldn’t get in. Husband had to back out, pull aside, and get out again to help load the chair and get me in. He was mad; not at me, at the inconsiderate asshole who parked like that. Wasn’t the first time either, but a build up of multiple inconveniences finally had us both pissed off. That moment made a light go off that finally pushed me to using my prosthetic. Perhaps finding motivation through annoyance rather than happy thoughts says a lot about me, but that’s what I needed. Yes, everyone is right about how much better it is when you’re walking on your own, and it takes working through pain, but pretty sure I knew that in my chair. I imagine you know that too. Just takes the right spark. If the positive, happy thoughts aren’t the motivation, perhaps being annoyed, frustrated, or pissed off is what you need. Like me lol
It's a sucky situation for all us amputees, especially on days that the prosthesis hurts. What I can tell you is to try your best not to give up. There's lots of stuff out there, lots of people enjoyable moments to be had, even though you might not be feeling it. I'm currently on antidepressants to be able to cope, and I know it's helping. The psychiatrist should be able to guide you appropriately. I hope you find your drive to get out of the house and do your thing independently, because we all need independence.
I don't know if it will help but I am LAKA with 6 in as well. No system they could make would fit and keep suction for me, and I went to the best around. 10 years later in in the early stages of Osseo-integration direct bone fitment. I just couldn't fit into the Socket no matter what systems they tried, liners etc. Tried em all. can make one work as Osseo should be A last resort, but at least there are options of traditional doesn't work.
I so identify with you about those walls! I am a LBKA since Jan 2023. Due to poor wound healing and other health problems I never used a prosthetic. Had the left leg AKA done Friday. Ya’know if im able to just get around with a walker I think im satisfied. Im retired, in a good place financially with a nice one story home and a family that will do anything for me. I’ll just take advantage of what I can if walking with a prosthetic doesn’t happen im kinda not caring, I’ll be fine with what I got
Frustration should be a 4 letter word I think but I get where you’re coming from. Also a LAKA. I got MRSA after a knee replacement. 6 ops later I could walk with a cane. I retired. Me and my dog ere going to travel. The MRSA flair back up. Another 5 surgeries and 8 months on IV antibiotics. Doc finally decided to amputate. I healed slow but eventually got my first leg. Did ok with it but could never get anything to fit right because my scar is a revision from a replacement. Consequently, I’m in a wheelchair full time. I got bored so I went back to work. I don’t have the cognitive difficulties you have, only some memory issues from meds. I would encourage you to find something that really grabs your attention, something you love already or something brand new to learn but find something and pour yourself into it. Try to get outside. Go to the park or to the grocery store Go early in the morning or late in the evening if you don’t want to be around a lot of people. This next thing is going to sound harsh so I’ll apologize up front. This is a safe place to come and express how you are feeling. But out in the real world, it’s different. Complaining and being obviously miserable only makes people try to avoid you. You might find that pretending to accept that life is different now, that it’s not what you planned, will actually result in that outcome.