#amputee breakdowns

[alldonedancing]

[alldonedancing]

Tried to get a few photos of the bruises on the side of my right leg. This actually captured the bruising that is showing up and also that the scar tissue is healing up. Glad I decided against working out tonight…but also bummed. 

[alldonedancing]

What's Wrong With Your Leg?

I went to the gym last night after weighing in for my weight loss/exercise application and being less than satisfied with the number I saw. The night before I had trouble staying asleep because of the constant pain I was feeling in my left leg. It was swollen and sore and hurt while walking the entire day. I pushed through because I knew my legs will feel better when I lose a bit of weight. Since all my weight is focused on my knees it only makes sense to weigh less and feel physically better (on many levels). I don't need to lose that much but still it needs to be done. 

I decided I'd walk slow for about a mile like I have been doing. However I didn't increase the speed or incline last night. Not over doing it, I got through my daily work out. It took a bit more effort to get off the treadmill last night and it was slightly noticeable I was in pain while I was leaving. A seemingly nice gentleman in his 50's held the door for me and I thanked him. As I held open the second set of doors he pointed at my left leg and said, you must be in some pain since you're walking like that. I smiled and then turned around and said, "I'm an amputee" and just walked to my car. He quickly smiled and looked extremely uncomfortable. Not only was I in pain last night but I still did my work out. Maybe it's because I'm easy to approach but everyone is concerned with my body (read: legs). I'm sure he was just making conversation and I didn't respond in a rude tone like I would have even a few months ago but I still wonder what makes people ask such things. What he said was harmless but it still gave me that nervous tinge in my stomach I had grown used to my entire life. Always nervous someone would find out I was an amputee. I'm extremely proud of myself for only giving that as an answer instead of delving into my story. My story wasn't needed in that moment in time and it's mine to share when I feel comfortable. 

It's nice to reinforce the idea that I have the ability to control my reactions to strangers. Even if they are generally curious, sometimes I don't have the energy to respond in the most positive of ways. I seem to lack the energy when one or both of my legs are sore. This is ability in all aspects of the word. 

[alldonedancing]

I'll Probably Always Be On The Market For Health Remedies

If it's not one thing it's another. That turn of phrase has always kind of bothered me but it's how my life seems to go. One thing heals and something else breaks down, so to speak. Life as a bilateral amputee isn't easy but it's what helps to define who I am. Having to always problem solve on a daily basis to make my prostheses work for me is always wonderfully challenging. The other night I found through an amputee facebook page that peppermint oil has be known to ease some pain associated with wearing prostheses. It has so many other uses as well but that was the main reason I got right up to purchase this miracle essential oil. With a bit of research I found out it aids in digestion, eases an upset stomach associated with travel, boosts energy, curb appetite when inhaled, helps with congestion, headaches, stress and helps with sore muscles. Winner, winner, non-chicken dinner. 

Homeopathic remedies have become of more interest to me, mainly because I currently don't have health insurance. I have never been one to enjoy taking medication. I never seem to remember to take pills and always end up taking antibiotics for days longer than I should. So if I can avoid that, I will. I've only been to Whole Foods a handful of times and get super excited when I realize I can go there for a product. Yes, it's expensive but so is healthcare. As I was looking around I came across Arnica pills but decided taking those three times a day (five pills at a time) wasn't going to work out. See above. A few aisles down I found Arnica Gel and it was $8.50. Bargain. It said it provides fast pain relief of sore muscles, swelling, stiffness and bruising. All things I have been known to suffer from at one time or another. I've only used it twice now and not sure if it has improved my bruising/swelling but it did make the scar tissue on my legs incredibly soft. Even if that is the only success I have with that, I'd say it works. I should mention that as an a amputee with substantial scarring, soft skin is important. Dry skin is prone to cracking and that is how sores/ulcers begin. Skin care is very important for everyone but is especially crucial to those of who are amputees. 

Does anyone out there have a miracle cure you swear by? Right now I love pure vitamin e oil and Burt's Bee's Baby Bee Ointment. I also take vitamins and supplements every day and it's a long list of great things but most importantly they help my body to run properly. Six years ago I listened to a friend tell me I needed to take them, he also told me it doesn't make sense to take a multivitamin but to take vitamins that are suited to my needs. Anything for improved immune system, muscles, bones, nerves and even metabolism are stocked in my medicine cabinet. I'm hoping Arnica gel and peppermint oil become just as important to my overall well-being. Let's improve our health! 

[alldonedancing]

My leg is finally seeing progress in the healing of a sore I've had for half a year. About a month ago I had my prosthetist cut out more of my socket so my right knee was no longer rubbing against it. Thus keeping my sore from healing. 

Photo 1 - Leg right after I had removed my prosthesis

Photo 2 - Also right after removing my prostheses

Photo 3 - I applied Burt's Bee Baby Bee Ointment to promote healing and used a flash. My sore is no longer just an open wound. My skin is starting to come together and there is no separation between skin (i.e. scar tissue) and muscle. For the entire summer this sore was just open and never scabbed over. Now I can form a scab and I have blood vessels & viscous fluid that is healing, healing, HEALING!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to give some sort of idea how big the sore was now and it has shrunk by 2/3 of what it was just a month ago. I've even tried to stay off it more while I am reading for class. 

This is ability. 

[alldonedancing]

Healing

Hoping this clears up any confusion:

My legs have had sores in various spots now from the new prostheses and the breakdowns I currently have are from medical tape adhesive. I have small red bumps, i.e. an allergic reaction on the right leg. I'll be posting about it tomorrow. The sores I had for literally the last 3 or 4 years in the old prostheses are all healed up because of the gel liners. I have always taken a long time to heal since I walk around in prostheses every day and don't have enough personal time at work to just stay home with them off for a week. As far as a blood test I get those sort of things done at yearly checkups and have no issues. This isn't my first time with breakdowns that are constant so I'm really not alarmed. The sores prior to this were because the padding inserts were not wide enough and rubbed constantly and that's been fixed. The sore that is 89% healed on my right leg (posted about it a while back) is from the tension the suspension sleeve causes and nothing else rubs on it so I just have to adjust. Now I am almost walking normal but it's still annoying that there is a constant itch feeling. Since I'm dealing with an allergic reaction from the medical tape I haven't been applying the lotion when putting on the gel liners. Hoping the benadryl helps me!

[alldonedancing]

Response to my last post on leg breakdowns

Uniquebility posted a comment on my last post and I guess I should clear something up. Where I am having the breakdown is not inside the literal socket (which is only a few inches deep) but just above that area where the suspension sleeve and it's causing tension. Today, walking was the best it's been in ages or like five weeks. I'm going to try out some jojoba oil and more eucalyptus to sooth my skin irritations. Probably should do a post about that next as it seems to be helping. Well, I'm not sure about the jojoba oil but the eucalyptus is a godsend. I'm going to see what my prosthetist says about it again but last time she said it was just my body adjusting to the gel liners and suspension sleeve - which does make sense! 

I'll keep my blog updated on this as it's a pretty major part of my life right now. And please keep the questions and suggestions coming - they are beyond helpful to me and others. 

Pain is weakness leaving the body. Mantra as of late.