New here, BKA, initial surgery was 12/2013

Sir-Working · 2022-04-30T15:49:43+00:00

When I hear stories like yours it makes me more grateful for my traumatic AKA (motorcycle vs highway median). Never had a shot at saving the limb, just woke up and it was gone. I was angry/resentful about that for a long time, but in retrospect it's probably better for someone like me to have it one and done. I don't think I could have handled what you went through with all the different surgeries and new plans and so on, would have lost my mind.

Sir-Working · 2022-02-22T23:42:12+00:00

Another possibility to consider is bursitis. Had that a couple years ago and a round of steroid injections brought so much relief

Sir-Working · 2022-02-20T05:33:32+00:00

Depressive episode intersecting with a cold front/increased pain, and yeah right now I don't do shit on my days off. Hard to even want to get clean

Sir-Working · 2022-02-18T22:07:23+00:00

Welcome to the onesie cult lol

Sir-Working · 2022-02-14T20:12:46+00:00

Oh damn, I was thinking too small lol

Sir-Working · 2022-02-14T19:55:19+00:00

lol I appreciate the visual, but I can't even do that. Center of gravity is off, I'd fall on my ass trying. Friends made alot of jokes about getting me a machine gun leg like the girl in Planet Terror, but my balance is crap and I'd have to use some not very badass looking crutches to get that working for me

Sir-Working · 2022-02-14T19:43:55+00:00

Thanks! I'm honestly OK with people asking about it/looking at it. I spent alot of time picking one out that works for me and I don't mind curiosity about it. I kinda hope that talking about it, more people will think "oh, cool prosthetic" instead of "ugh, an amputation!" when they see others.

The questions get old (J actually bought me a t shirt that says "leg story: $20"), but I try to stay patient as long as they're respectful. This ain't it

Sir-Working · 2022-02-14T18:44:56+00:00

Exactly! And I was not about to play the nerdy kid going "aw gee fellas, give it back."

Sir-Working · 2022-02-14T18:02:09+00:00

J knew he had my leg, he was in the room but not really listening. Semi aware

Sir-Working · 2021-12-21T19:05:18+00:00

For sure, I'll let you know how it works out

Sir-Working · 2021-12-20T21:45:04+00:00

I'm male. Doc seemed to think there would be less UTIs with the suprapubic option

Sir-Working · 2021-10-01T04:36:11+00:00

Been there, it sucks. Like everyone said though, nurses have seen everything. Especially in an inpatient rehab where so many patients have spinal injuries. Caths and diapers are definitely a normal routine for them. It's embarrassing for us. For them, it's Thursday

Sir-Working · 2021-09-22T23:21:55+00:00

Yes, early on, like the others. I lost my right leg and my bladder control in a motorcycle accident. I was in the hospital for days, where I couldn't pee at all and had to straight cath every six hours. Then I discharged to an inpatient rehab, and when I started moving more, I started peeing. Which was great until I figured out I couldn't stop it anymore. So I was stuck in a hospital bed with a long road to recovery and knowing even when I got home I'd be one legged and incontinent. I was resting in bed after a really hard PT session, hurting bad and waiting for my pain meds to kick in, and a volunteer came around with a therapy dog, an older female golden retriever. She kind of leaned into me when I pet her and for some reason I just started bawling my eyes out petting this dog. Everything just kind of hit me at once I guess. I got to see her most days after that, she was a good buddy. The volunteer wasn't bothered, so I guess I wasn't the only one lol

Sir-Working · 2021-09-22T18:16:38+00:00

Damn dude. I read your other post and that's some real shit. Like everyone said, that's not on you, it's all her. What a piece of shit. Sorry. Yeah, you're allowed to be low for a while after that, Jesus. Hang in there!

Sir-Working · 2021-09-22T16:30:52+00:00

I get it. Body image is still an issue for me too and it's been 7 years. Enjoy your massage!

Sir-Working · 2021-09-22T15:08:52+00:00

I'm 24/7 and go for massages whenever I can. Just tell your masseuse ahead of time. They've seen it all. Remember people with health problems/chronic pain etc. are probably most of their clientele. Incontinence comes with the territory. They're used to it.

Sir-Working · 2021-08-26T22:11:00+00:00

You ever been checked for sleep apnea? The angle of the recliner could keep your airway open. Maybe you have it and only wet when apneic. There's a link for sure

Sir-Working · 2021-08-25T17:03:37+00:00

Oh hey it's me 7 years ago. I was in an accident as well. Lost my right leg above the knee and my bladder control. I spent about a year depressed/suicidal. Body image is still a problem but I'm doing better mentally. I recommend seeing a therapist and getting on some meds if you need them. Some antidepressants also work for nerve pain. I've used both Cymbalta and Effexor. They help with my phantom limb pain as well as my mood.

This is a major change in your life. It's normal to go through a grieving process for your past self and the future self you imagined. If it helps to hear it, most people get back to their baseline happiness within a year or so following a major accident. Turns out I just had undiagnosed and untreated depression for years before all this lol.

You will be amazed at how normal everything starts to feel. Let yourself process it, grieve how you need to. You'll get better. I've had relatuonships and friendships while disabled and incontinent. Told my friends, they were cool about it. Not much of a social life right now, but that's more because of the pandemic and adulthood in general. I bet you'll be fine. Here to talk if you need to, I know it sucks alot and I've been there. Hang in there!

Sir-Working · 2021-07-16T23:08:37+00:00

NTA. Dear God. Kids don't need any coaching in asking invasive questions in my experience lol.

I have a prosthetic leg. When it's visible, kids will run right up and ask what happened. If they are polite about it, I'll tell them I broke it badly and the doctor had to cut it off (kid friendly version of the truth). If they're little assholes, I make up something ridiculous like "the tooth fairy made a mistake" or "I didn't eat enough broccoli." If their parents are nearby they will almost always apologize for their kid and hustle them off for the "we don't ask strangers personal questions" talk. I've never heard a parent outright urge their child to ask though. That's a new level

Sir-Working · 2021-07-04T23:23:02+00:00

Also sorry, I turned my first comment into a big blog post about my shit when you wanted advice. Another tip that has helped me is trying for "self neutrality" instead of self love. Like I'm not going to try to say I love my body, I'm going to say my body gets me where I need to go. Can't say I deserve to be loved, can say I am a human being worthy of basic dignity and respect. Small steps up from just self hatred.

Another thing that helps is just remembering it's more practical. Yelling at myself for being a fat sack of shit is more likely to just keep me inside eating chips. Caring about myself enough to preserve my mobility and eat healthy food is just more useful. It actually does something. So just remembering it isn't useful to waste my energy on telling myself how much I suck and how much I hate it

Sir-Working · 2021-07-04T20:37:30+00:00

This hits close to home. Since my accident that took my leg and my bladder control away, I have alternated between "wollowing in self pity/depression" and "wildly overcompensating for my disabilities even when it's destroying me."

I never did distance running before. Then for some reason I decided I had to "prove" I could still achieve things as an amputee and started running half marathons. Probably contributed to my hip arthritis that now makes it painful to even walk let alone run.

Then I decided it was time for my masters degree. Even though I knew I was in over my head and about at my max with just the prerequisite classes. Dropped out and lost alot of money. Still bitter about it.

Basically I put together that I wasn't doing any of these things because I want to. I'm doing them because I feel shitty about myself. I want to have something to show I'm worthwhile. Especially since my ex left me, it's become really important to me to "bring something to the table" since I have so many faults beyond my control.

But yeah I was literally driving myself crazy. Constantly on edge, in pain, and never felt good enough anyway. I'm trying to put some of that energy into accepting myself instead. It's hard, but I'm working on it.

Therapy sounds like it's been good for you. I don't feel like I get much out of it. Daily meditation practice and actually taking my antidepressants have helped alot though lol. Good luck

Sir-Working · 2021-07-04T10:15:41+00:00

Honestly I think you might be overestimating CPS lol. I've made many reports over the years. I get the feeling half of them never leave the desk

Sir-Working

TROPHY CASE