Posted: 5/25/2008 10:18:17 AM EDT
| Anyone have an ak (above the knee amputation)? |
|
There was a guy in my unit that had both above the knees by an efp. They gave him a pair of these pretty high speed legs. He seemed to adjust to them pretty well. He could walk around pretty normally on them and was good enough to catch himself after someone inadvertently stuck their legs out and tripped him. He got good enough on them where he completed the army 10 miler run. This was around a year to a year and a half after it happened. Good luck with it and I hope you have a speedy recovery. |
|
That is a road I have not been down. Others have and have worked it out with success. Years ago I worked with an SF type from Bragg. He told me a tale about his unit running out Longstreet, I think it was Longstreet. Every day they would pass an older fellow that did not have a fast pace. There were comments directed at the old guy that were not compliments. One day they were in the showers when the older fellow came in. As the story went, the older fellow sat on a bench and took off one of his legs. That changed some attitudes. If there is a good thing in your situation with your leg, it is the technologies available today to keep you moving. Should you give yourself the same dedication you have given your country and brother warriors, you will be just fine. |
Not me, but I know a Marine deployed here in Iraq with an above the knee amputation. GySgt "Spanky" Gibson. (they did profile on him on Fox News). link PM me your contact info and I will pass it on to him and have him get in touch with you. |
Man I'm sorry to hear that. 26 surgeries? You sure as hell ain't no quitter! I support the Wounded Warrior Project. Have they been in touch with you? A lot of amputee's have enjoyed very athletic and fulfilling lives thanks to their program. Thank you so much for your service and your sacrifice & God bless you as you recover. - Shark 
|
|
2400, I have come to realive that all the high speed things I did in the military are starting to catch up to me. My right knee has been giving me alot of problems for about the last three years or so. My retired police chief had the same problem. He was in SF back in his day. He advised me that he had a few surgries. After the first one he advised that the surgery made his knee even worst. Now I'm a police officer. I can't really afford to take time off for healing. Let me know what you think. |
| On 06-Aug-07, I was on my Electra Glide and was "left turned" by a guy who didn't see me. I lost my left leg above the knee at the scene. It landed on the hood of an other guys pickup. He took a belt from someone else and tk'd what was left of my left leg. By the Grace of God, my Good Samaritain, and some outstanding care givers, I am here today. 2400, prayers up for you and yours. I have had 5 or trips, about 22 units of blood, and months in the hospital. You will make it, and make it well, my friend. Recovery will take time, just one step at a time. Do not get down on yourself for something you couldn't do today, for tomorrow is a new day. Nose over Toes is a new phrase that you will learn. Good luck and get to hopping soon. |
|
I'm not poking fun at all. If you google or youtube it, you should be able to find a lower leg amputee policeman who catches a suspect in a foot pursuit and then laughs at the suspect, taunting him that he got caught by the cop with one leg. Bottom line, attitude is everything. I wish you the best of luck bro. |
|
Thanks again for the good wishes and prayers . Tomorrow I'm going to the Mayo clinic to see their infectious disease Doc and have them try to get my bone/implant/allograph infection cured. After that the Ortho Doc will take my leg off. Good news is the VA "fitted" me for my new wheelchair last week and approved my "new" leg. 
|
While I'll be in NE Phx, I won't be anywhere near the Phx VA. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, the VA gave me authorization to be seen AND treated for the infection that's eating the inside of my upper and lower leg along with infecting all the implanted parts. They won't do any surgery until the infectious disease Doc decides how to treat the infection. My wife will be there tomorrow with me. I was told to "pack a bag in case they keep me", but don't know anymore than that. The surgery to remove all the metal and cadaver parts will be later, as will the amputation. I hope they know what they're doing, they sure can't do any worse than the VA. The VA has failed to control the infection in the last 4 years and 11 surgeries. Thanks for the offer to come up, but hold off until they decide what they're going to do. |
|
I hope all goes as well as it can. I could not imagine looking at my leg knowing in advance it will not be there tomorrow. Though in truth you are probably ready to see it go considering the amount of surgeries you have been through. I have seen more than a few resume all former activities. |
|
This is an update for anyone interested. They cut my leg off on the 15th, put antibiotic beads inside the bone along with 4 IV catheters in the leg running IV antibiotics along with the IV in my arm. On the 20th they went back in and took the beads and catheters out and closed it up leaving me on the pic line with the antibiotics hooked up. I was transfered to the Prescott VA on the 20th and am still there on IV antibiotics. I go back to Mayo tomorrow 9/8 to get the stitches out and find out what's next. I want to thank you guys for the support and good thoughts, it really means a lot to my wife and I. |
|
Not that it is the first thing on your mind but how much info have you been given as to the type of legs you can be fitted for? Do you have any input as to walking leg, sports and fitness leg, basic styles, more advanced styles... etc etc... Was any portion of the surgery designed to shape the leg for the prosthetic leg you chose? Did you pick the leg before the surgery? |
|
I just saw this thread. I knew a guy (he was my customer) for about a year and there was nothing out of the ordinary about him. One day he wore shorts and one of his legs was a metal pole. I was amazed that for a year this guy had walked by me, bent over, picked things up, helped me lift heavy loads, and he had a fake leg. I had no idea, it really amazed me. Thank you for your service. I pray that someday you will be like my customer and you will function just as before. 
|
+1 I've never known anyone to go through the stuff you're going through with such a positive outlook, I honestly have tons of respect for you brother. If you ever need anything, let me know, and if I'm ever around Flagstaff, you're gettin hammered on me. |
The type of leg I was getting was one of the first things on my mind, I'm getting a C-leg and a hydraulic leg. The surgeon did both operations with a good easy to fit stump in mind. I knew what legs I would be getting before I had the surgery. |
Good to here from you and hope all goes well. |
I'm an AK. Since I don't have a leg yet when I get home I'll post a pic of my new chair. It looks pretty cool. Have you looked at or tried a C-leg yet? |
|
2400, I am an AK, and yes, the phantom pains are all a part of the program. Some of my early ones were really bad. Not as bad now, more of an annoyance and aggravation. I feel them mainly in the missing foot area, with a feeling that I need to spread my toes apart. I still get short painful ones that feel that I've stepped on a large nail. Best of luck to you and yours. Remember it gets better every day. take care. I have been an AK since my mva on 080607. |
