my first appointment in the journey towards losing 1/4 of my body (joy!)....it was interesting to say the least...basically they told that i would be able to wear a prosthetic....2 out of 3 people choose not to wear it and usually kept it in there closets....i'm thinking i am not about to spend thousands of dollars on something and not wear it....(however, i did have a brace made a few years ago that cost about twelve-hundred dollars and it hurt like heck, so i put it in the closet...oops)...there were 4 people who were in on this consultation (plus, germ who went with me to be my note taker and provide support, props to germ.) 2 doctors and the 2 people who would actually build the prosthetic...one of the doctors was well informed and friendly, was able to answer my questions and be honest about what to expect...the other doctor...was totally clueless...he says to me...there are steps involved with this, the first step should be the pain clinic (as he uses his hands to demonstrate step 1) before making such a big decision...(um, do you think i would be here if all i had to do was go to the pain clinic?) step frickin one was done two years ago....NEXT!...then the other doctor interrupted his spiel and clued him in on what was up...(aren't they supposed to read the chart before they come to the room?)...then he went on to describe what the prosthetic would look like...(ew!)...using the prosthetic he says will take 3 times the energy it would normally take to walk....(it's already hard for me to walk as it is, can't imagine adding something else to cause more difficulties, aren't prosthetics supposed to make it easier?)...about 6-8 weeks after surgery i would come to them - pm&r (physical medicine and rehabilitation) and they would fit me and mold me for the prosthetic...until then i would be in a wheelchair...and after i was off of pain medications i could use crutches...but he felt that the wheelchair was the safest bet, because if i feel and broke something using the crutches i would be in a lot of trouble (with who?)...then there would be therapy occupational and rehabilitative....and that was it...a lot to think about.
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5 comments:
*listening and reading*
really glad aimee was there with you. always good to have a second set of ears to catch shit.
it really is a lot to think about. i imagine it will take a while to absorb and figure it all out.
i think "gymnast" was the word the doc used. you'd think there would be a better-designed prosthesis...
I'm so glad you have a bunch of local folks who love and care about you to help you. I'm thinking of you. everyday, all the time.
It's a lot to think about. I'm so glad there's no sign of malignancy and I'm heart broken at the same time that you even have to make this decision and think about this stuff.
I heart you. So much.
this is so much to process and think about and make a decision on.
thank you for sharing with us.
no kidding. that's a lot to digest.
dang.
i hate that you have to make this intense decision.
i love and am grateful that you continue to share what's going on in your head and in your world.
and yeah, mad props to germ.
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