They focus their energy on survival and recovery. Often, they put off thinking about the amputation and what it means. This stage is called denial. The term sounds negative but it is a heathy stage of regrouping. As the awareness of their situation sinks in, patients are often overwhelmed by feelings of grief and anger.
Some patients withdraw into their sadness.
Others express their pain through angry remarks at the people around them. Patients struggle to accept what has happened and make decisions to move on with their lives. However, for the first year or two the feelings of grief can be triggered by anything that reminds the patients of the amputation. It could be the careless remark of a friend or simply noticing how their clothes fit differently now. After the shock, the denial and the grief, most patients enter into a new stage filled with great anxiety.