From: esther@verdix.com (Esther Lumsdon)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: New Amputee - Intro letr
Date: 16 Nov 92 22:08:11 GMT
Reply-To: esther@verdix.com (Esther Lumsdon)
Organization: Verdix Corp
X-Fidonet: Amputee Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25619

Bill.Scrivner@f202.n285.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Scrivner) writes:

>Index Number: 25611

>Hello to ANY and EVERY one!
>     This is sort of an introductory note and I hope it generates at
>least some response - I feel pretty trapped at the moment and this
>is my way out.
     [deleted text]
>     I was involved in a motorcycle accident on October 18, 1992 and
>as a result had to have a below knee (about six inches) amputation of my
>right leg and a rod inserted in the femur. The accident happened on my
    [ deleted text ]
>Rehabilitation Hospital here in town. Went to see him yesterday and he
>had people show me how to wrap the stump so it will get into the shape
>they want for fitting a prosthesis (sp??). It sounds like they may be
>planning to have me up on a new foot pretty soon - like maybe a week or
>two if the swelling can be kept under control. The Doctors in Des Moines

   I can't comment on this;  some things about amputation treatment
   have changed since 1970.

>(that's one that not everybody I know will be getting!). I was rather
>shocked when the lady who was teaching me how to wrap mentioned that I
>would probably want to buy a wheelchair. Is that really necessary? I

   It depends.  Can you bear weight on the left leg?  Are there any
   problems with it?  I do not have a rod in femur, but have an
   amputation (other side) at similar location.  I used a wheelchair
   (not all the time) while waiting for my temporary prosthesis.
   I used a wheelchair for a couple of months when I had the
   amputation revised in 1973 (children often need an amputation
   revised after growing taller).  I never used wheelchair-only.
   I do own crutches, and they stay fairly dusty.
   Who is "the lady who was teaching you to wrap"?  Is she
   an LPN, a physical therapist, a physician's assistant, or
   a prosthetist?  How much experience does she have in judging how
   active a patient will be, or how transparent an adjustment they will
   mak?e Possibly you have another health condition which is more
   serious than a simple amputation, and she was concerned about
   that.  Possibly she has no experience or education with which
   to dispense her advice, and she only thinks she is being helpful.
   You may get more useful advice from prosthetists and physical
   therapists.  Walking on crutches is tiring, and it will take
   time to build your stamina.  However, some of the places where
   you might have trouble covering ground on crutches (shopping malls,
   grocery stores) rent or loan wheelchairs.

   [ deleted text ]
>        My work as a "Computer Specialist" with USDA-NASS is at least
>not hurting at this point - well not TOO bad. Just before the

   One big benefit of being a federal employee is that you have
access to health insurance which does not exclude coverage for
pre-existing conditions.  I was quite happy with Blue Cross when
I was a federal employee.

--
-- Esther Lumsdon, not speaking for Verdix.   esther%verdix.com@uunet.uu.net
Q: How many user support people does it take to change a light bulb?
A: We have an exact copy of the light bulb here and it seems to be
   working fine.  Can you tell me what kind of system you have?