Today marks 1 month exactly since I elected to have my left leg amputated below the knee. I won’t deny that it has drastically changed my life – for ever. But I wanted to acknowledge the positives that have come out of this.
- I am no longer in any pain – none whatsoever. Prior to this, I had constant chronic pain for 18 months or more.
- I’m on less drugs that I have been in a very very long time. I hope to actually be on no pain meds at all within just a few weeks.
- My attitude and overall mood has improved. People have gone as far as to say I look completely different in myself – due to the absence of pain.
- I have been able to return to work a few hours a week, the first time in almost 6 months.
- I feel more positive and optimistic about life than I have done in a very long time.
In the grand scheme of amputation, it’s still incredibly early days for me at the moment. I have not even been for my first appointment at the limb centre yet. With that alone will come a whole new chapter of freedoms and opportunities. But 7 hospital stays and 7 major surgeries (in less than 3 months) certainly takes its toll on you both physically and mentally/ emotionally. The toll of this alone has been absolutely massive and is not to be underestimated. I am still working through those issues.
However, with limb loss comes acceptance, relief, and a form of freedom. Freedom to now get on with my life, the opportunity to work at getting back all the lifestyle things that I have lost in the past 12-18 months due to the pain and disability.
Future goals
- Get back to walking on two feet, unaided. It’s a year or more since I was last able to do this.
- Ride my bike again. I haven’t been able to ride since 2019.
- Walk the hump ridge track again. The only other time I did it I was injured (needed a knee replacement).
- Complete a triathlon. My last one was in 2012 . I retired due to knee injury that ultimately led to the knee replacement.
I have a LOT of work ahead of me. But the worst is over. It’s all upwards from here. ❤️
