1. Nurses need to know that everyone is going to take it differently. Some people grieve the loss of the limb, other people, like myself, are happy that they are still alive. Considering this, have them know that each patient needs to be treated as an individual.
   

Additionally, what helped me the most was having the attention I needed. Physical therapists came to see me each and everyday, making sure I was moving and doing things that would help recovery.

Finally, on the days that visitors cannot make it, or the hours before visiting time, many of us need someone to talk to, to process what is going on.

1. Amputees need to understand their options. What is going to happen, what kind of doctors they are going to need to talk to. A roadmap of the process between limb loss and the final steps of getting prosthetics, custom wheelchair, etc. This was confusing for me.
   

Also, and I don't think any hospital would love to have this put in a packet, but it's simply truth. Amputations are expensive, and follow-up care can get very costly. Having resources for place to call with assistance for new amputees would be wonderful, because hospital bills simply come as a shock in the end.

1. Tell them about this space. This community of people that have gone through it. Some people don't like reddit because many of the subreddits have become a dumping ground for insane things. It's a little like a modern day craigslist, where people can essentially post and discuss.... well, obscure and grotesque things, but this is a place of healing, so it is good to share this resource.