Well not the best of days! I had a really good physio session walking forwards, backwards and sideways. The current focus is on strengthening the left hip muscles which have become quite weak through lack of use. I finished off by walking back to the ward and then down to twin bedded room I share with another gentleman.
So far so good. But then with the physio we took off the temporary leg. Disaster!!! Where it had seeped on the left it it started again. Unfortunately it was also bleeding on the right. The physio rushed to get a nurse who was a bit shocked as somehow blood had got onto the side of my right knee and run down the leg. A second nurse was equally shocked. Anyway it was cleaned up and examined by the doctor. It was then recleaned and dressed taking every possible precaution against infection. So it's no walking for at least three days - just strength and flexability. The consultant to the hospital will examine it on Monday. As I have mentioned previously the staff here are on the ball and are now in contact with Stoke Mandeville. Stump care is notoriously difficult. Fingers crossed I can make the Limb Fitting Service in two weeks.
To say I am p*ss*d *ff would be an understatement. Now to break an exercise band! 😠⚠️
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MichaelJH
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Oh Michael so sorry to read your post, but you know when you have something so dramatic happen you can get set backs! They seem on the ball and keeping the wound clean and infection free is vital, you must be p*ss*d as you say so take it out on the exercise band💪 I am sure you will make the Limb Fitting Service in 2 weeks.
Hope you have a good weekend keep using that band😂
Oh - not good for you Michael. Sorry that you are having such problems with healing. Try and take a rest and don’t push yourself so hard - these things take time. Wishing you better very soon.
Disappointing and frustrating, do they have any idea why the skin is still so thin there? More importantly, besides taking a frustrating break from walking, do they have any tips for toughening up the skin around the incision?
Sorry to hear your latest troubles Michael you were doing so well and keeping positive. I would say you have a right to be p*ss*d *ff. I am sure the rest from the exercise and walking will do no end of good. Have a rest and lets hope that does the trick.
Ouch! Sorry to hear about your temporary setback. As you say stump care is notoriously difficult. Try to chill out for the weekend, Fingers crossed on making the fitting service in 2 weeks.
The temporary leg is what is called a pneumatic EWA. This gets inflated to 40psi to fit your stump and adjusted for height. The thought is when I push I start perspiring so my leg gets damp and the scab softened, the leg slipped within the device and Bob's your uncle. Anyway the input from Stoke Mandeville is awaited.
At the rowing club were I started I used to get lots of blisters from the blade handles, the old boys would just cry out “p*ss all over your hands” to toughen the skin...never could bring myself to try It though. One lad used surgical spirit....
As Joliv61 said try surgical spirit it's supposed to toughen up skin surfaces. An old Policeman friend of mine recommended it for the feet. On a rather more drastic note a guitarist friend used to wave the flame of a cigarette lighter across his finger tips to harden them. 😮🚬
My aunt in N.Ireland Used to keep that in an old Tizer bottle, and when I was a thirsty kid in the late 60s once took an almighty swig of it....straight out to the tap which was outside and had my mouth under that for ages to get rid of the taste...
As I scholar and a gentleman I think maybe a malt but maybe not my Laphroaig 30 y.o. that's been waiting for over three months for me! Controlled pain killers and alcohol are not good bedfellows!
Hi Michael, sorry to hear of your set back, when things like this happen it's not only your leg that needs to heal but your well being also. I am sure this is only a temporary set back and you will soon be showing them what you are made of. Try to relax after you have given that band some stick. Take care, good luck. Thinking of you.
Sounds like today is a good one for getting a selection of newspapers, putting your feet up . having a laugh at the politicians, doing crosswords and making haste slowly. Nice and easy does it.
Sadly in these CovID days no newspapers, no magazines, no treats. At least here I am allowed one nominated visitor for a masked and socially distanced visit...
I didn't realise you couldn't have mags or papers, that's not so good to pass the time, I had everything in with me, laptop, firestick, magazines, kindl, the hospital would lend you an ipad if you didn't have a laptop, loads of munches, the food was rank rotten, and of course my one visitor, wishing you all the very best you are such a strong person, I am sure you will be back up and about soon, take care char
Morning Michael,I had a friend many years ago going through the same problems.He got there in the end and adjusted very well.Now with Stoke Mandeville`s input and the advances in prosthetics I know you`ll get there in record time.No wonder you`re p....d off,all these set backs when you`re raring to go.xx
Obvioulsy none of us can really help in this situation except to offer encouragement. Stay positive is the best advice I can offer, and I’m sure you’ve heard that a million times before. 🙄
You are needed within this community so persevere with everything!
Sorry to hear your about your current situation MJH. As a diabetic, have your sugar levels been well controlled? If they haven’t been, would that have been a contributory factor with the ingrowing toe nail issue? I believe you said that that was the initial problem that had got you to this stage with having to have an amputation - correct me if I’m wrong.
My 44yrs of type 1 hasn’t been great in the control department and even today It’s not where it should be. I am aware and mindful of the consequences, but also remain with a positive attitude with it. I do as much as I can to keep the flow going.
I had a fall, down four stairs, which broke my femur, just under the ball, I had a semi arthroscopy the next day. It is taking me quite a long time to get walking properly. A month after the replacement I had two rather large bleeds into the thigh, after an X-ray which told me it was nothing to do with new hip, but it did slow down the exercises. Now I have started again I go upstairs with my leg first, contrary to the mantra, up with the good and down with the bad. I told the physio what I was doing, she said she wouldn't have recommended the excercise because of my age but agreed that it was good for the weak thigh muscles.
Not for you Michael, your situation is quite different, but I wish you all the best.
Hi Michael. I really sorry to read of your setback 😢and hope that a few days of resting your leg will improve your wound👍. I have made a crystal grid to send you healing.🙏 Hope that helps. 😊 With very best wishes. Clare
Ah well. Just to cheer you up. If you were an American citizen your treatment would cost you in the region of £175,000. Can't they disinfect a kindle for you?
Yesterday the consultant came round. He examined my wound and personally cleaned the area on the left to get a closer look. I also got a thorough check over and he took the time to explain why Clopidogrel had been added to my medications - they want to minimise the risk of a clot in my lower right leg where the PAD (peripheral arterial disease) is classified as severe.
I now have a sterile dressing covered by a layer of medical foam and an outer dressing. If someone doesn't know what is going on it probably looks serious!
I should restart the "walking" physio today. After the flexability and strength session the physio asked if I wanted to try a one legged stand. I am game for anything so gave it a go. It went so well she suggested we maybe try a second. In fact I did 5! 💪 Now for the exercise band!
What Good news, how strong are you getting amazing, my husband was put on to Clodipregal after his stroke to minimise the risk of another clot, as been on it nearly 4 years thankfully hasn’t had another clot!
Hope the walking goes fabulously, and give that exercise band some punishment 💪
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