My New Leg - A Step Forward

[MichaelJH]

First off - thank you again to all the well wishers after I posted about my enforced absence from the forum. The sheer number came as a total surprise to me.

Anyway things are moving forward. My first go with a temporary leg was nothing short of a disaster. When I got up to 6 foot for the first time I suffered severe hypotension (nearly passing out) and reopening part of the wound. So it was a week's timeout while the doctors adjusted my medication, and I focused on strength and flexability. The muscle loss in five weeks is incredible particularly around the left hip (the side of the amputation.

Anyway walking physio started in ernest last Tuesday. Yesterday after a week (we had a bank holiday weekend with no walking physio) I had hit all targets for moving on to the next stage. This included forward walking, backward walking and sideways walking (apparently quite a few amputees find this quite difficult). The hardest test is to stand on the spot for ten minutes.

I now have an appointment with the Limb Fitting Service in just over two weeks. Being me I am disinterested in cosmetics but highly interested in functionality. In the meantime it's just a question of focusing on improving flexability, strength and stamina. Oh, and gaining weight - the official total weight loss (leg adjusted) is 12 kg! If I was not diabetic they would have prescribed Ensure but the sugar in it would play havoc with my diabetic control.

P. S. I am determined to snap the exercise band! 😁

[Lovetheoutdoors]

What an inspiration you are. Good luck. Don't be too hard on yourself though just enough to get improvement and progression. I look forward to reading more about you. Write a book! X

[Rose54]

Give it all you have .

Snap that band

Best Wishes and stay strong

[Ceo1]

Good for you Michael! Sounds like you should go for a blade rather than a leg- maybe you could then run a marathon! Good luck.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Ceo1]

Would make it hard to cruise around in my old Jaguar!

[stillaboveground]

Wow what will power you have got, don't do too much too soon. A hell of a way to lose weight, have your leg off I think I will stick to the diet. Good luck and take care. Ruth

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to stillaboveground]

The 12kg was in addition to the leg! The physios say they have to push the others but restrain Michael!

[Smileyian]

Wonderful. Tks for the promising update.

[lettingoffsteam]

Sounds like your recovery is going well Michael and you'll soon be up and about.Keep up with the exercise and I hope they manage to sort your bp out too.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to lettingoffsteam]

BP sorted. The doctors here get on with it!

[lettingoffsteam in reply to MichaelJH]

Great...full steam ahead then!👍

[Mirador19]

Good to hear you being positive Michael and I look forward to your next update.

[Hidden]

Nice one MichaelJH, keep up the good work 👍🏻

[080311]

What a positive read this wet Wednesday morning, you really are an inspiration keep going and keep letting us know how things are progressing.

Best wishes

Pauline

[080311]

Sorry lost a day it’s Thursday 😂

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Thank you Michael.

Your positivity has cheered me up too on this cold, wet and rainy day.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thanks for the update Michael, it sounds like you're making really good progress.

[Sunnie2day]

Dunno why you're surprised, Michael, there are so many of us here on the forum who've been greatly helped by your calm and wise manner.

Re the blade, spring for both blade and shoe if you can. Use the blade for walking-jogging and the shoe for driving that splendid Jag (year, colour?)!

[marypw]

You're an inspiration Michael.

[Smileyian]

Great improvement. Good on yah. I had some positive news o my CA spasms too. Hopefully explore the Kimberly and the outback when Covid ends.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Smileyian]

Years ago drove part way to Docker River. Turned my white hire Shogun red! 😁

[Ianc2]

Good to hear you are up and not quite running. Are you looking at an electric bike in the reasonably near future?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Did that in a way. One brake release failed on the wheelchair and I could only go in circles! ♿

[Thanksnhs]

What an inspiration you are, I am sure you will be up and running in the near future

[cowparsley]

Never doubted you Michael!We all knew you`d give it your best shot.Keep us updated please.Bit envious bout the Jag xx

[marigoldb]

Fantastic news that things are progressing well. I’m sure the physios are amazed with your positivity and willingness to work at it. Hearing it’s your L leg to be ‘fitted’, is your jag automatic, if not could you have it adapted ?

I had to change my car to an automatic of necessity, and find it great.

Yes you are an inspiration to all of us, and I’m sure to others in rehab as well.

Are you type 1 diabetes Michael? If so hope you are on the pump?

I was a diabetes specialist nurse many years back, when the pumps were just coming in. It’s an individual choice of course according to how it suits, but when it does it’s great!

[shopman]

Thinking of legs brings back memories as a youngster. My granddad had lost his legs due to some reason or other - never did find out why and he had a pair of leather legs parked in his bedroom. If any of us grandchildren misbehaved then the punishment was to be sent to granddads room to sit in front of the legs to await what was coming. For a 7 year old it was frightening experience and even now 60 years later one I have never forgotten.