Dr. Lee attempted to do a Muscle Transfer from my right leg to my right shoulder/arm. After several attempts he was unable to get the blood to flow. This was my last chance of regaining movement in my arm. I will be having my left arm amputated just above the elbow. I'm not a good candidate for a prosthesis.
I would like to hear from anyone that has had their arm amputated. Do you sill have violent spasms and pain? Did it subside? What did you do to learn to cut vegetables, cook and basically anything that normally requires two arms/hands?
I have learned to do a lot with one arm but, I still don't cook. I can't figure out how to use the canister vaccum.The cord is always in the way. The canister get caught, etc.
I'm open to any and all suggestions.
Thanks for the help.
Janelle
Amputation
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swhite1
- Posts: 295
- Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:15 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Bad fall in June of 2006
LTBPI - Location: right here in Texas
Re: Amputation
Janelle I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say. Of course I hope you find relief one way or the other, and sooner rather than later. Winter is coming on and I'll bet the leaves have all turned by now and beginning to gather on the ground. I promise you though when I come up to visit with my mother I will still call on you. I hope that happens soon as well. My Mom is in Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Exeter. She'll be 80 next Tuesday.
Janelle I think of you quite often and I'm sure your family is in full support of whatever you decide. Lord knows this is a major decision. All I want for you is for the pain to let up. We can deal with everything else.
My best thoughts for you in this horrible time.
Scott
Janelle I think of you quite often and I'm sure your family is in full support of whatever you decide. Lord knows this is a major decision. All I want for you is for the pain to let up. We can deal with everything else.
My best thoughts for you in this horrible time.
Scott
Re: Amputation
hi Janelle,
I'm sorry to hear about the amputation. I had the same in 1983 and csn't use a prosthesis.
However, life as a one handed person is perfectly doable, although it may be hard to imagine. I have a full time career, feed three hungry teenage boys, swim, bike, etc. It takes some time to adjust and sometimes a bit of help, but most things are possible. I suggest you go through the archive on this site. There have been numerous discussions over the years on the matter and on how to do stuff, even references to a few books.
Good luck and take good care,
Henry
I'm sorry to hear about the amputation. I had the same in 1983 and csn't use a prosthesis.
However, life as a one handed person is perfectly doable, although it may be hard to imagine. I have a full time career, feed three hungry teenage boys, swim, bike, etc. It takes some time to adjust and sometimes a bit of help, but most things are possible. I suggest you go through the archive on this site. There have been numerous discussions over the years on the matter and on how to do stuff, even references to a few books.
Good luck and take good care,
Henry
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Amputation
Janelle,
I'm sorry to hear that it has come to this. Yes you may get phantom limb pain/sensations. No way to tell ahead of time though how you will be affected.
As for doing things one handed, it is possible. You might want to contact an OT they can help you learn how to cook one handed, get dressed.. all of the ADLs you need.
Also, the UBPN Amazon store has a number of really good things for one handed people.
Books as well.
http://astore.amazon.com/unitbracplexn- ... TF8&node=2
"One Handed in a Two Handed World" is one.
and they have a section of one-handed necessities too.
http://astore.amazon.com/unitbracplexn- ... TF8&node=1
Good luck, keep us posted.
Marieke 32, LOBPI
RN
I'm sorry to hear that it has come to this. Yes you may get phantom limb pain/sensations. No way to tell ahead of time though how you will be affected.
As for doing things one handed, it is possible. You might want to contact an OT they can help you learn how to cook one handed, get dressed.. all of the ADLs you need.
Also, the UBPN Amazon store has a number of really good things for one handed people.
Books as well.
http://astore.amazon.com/unitbracplexn- ... TF8&node=2
"One Handed in a Two Handed World" is one.
and they have a section of one-handed necessities too.
http://astore.amazon.com/unitbracplexn- ... TF8&node=1
Good luck, keep us posted.
Marieke 32, LOBPI
RN
Re: Amputation
SCOTT, HENRY, MARIEKE, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL THOUGHTS.
Marieke, I will check out the web sites that were suggested. Every additional tool that makes things easier to do is appreciated.
Scott, I look forward to the opportunity of meeting up with you. I live so close to where your mom is.
Mike and I have talked about getting our first tattoos. He suggested I have on done on my stump. I think that is a great idea. Sometime after the first of the year when my stump has healed. Any suggestions for designs?
Thank you,
Janelle
Marieke, I will check out the web sites that were suggested. Every additional tool that makes things easier to do is appreciated.
Scott, I look forward to the opportunity of meeting up with you. I live so close to where your mom is.
Mike and I have talked about getting our first tattoos. He suggested I have on done on my stump. I think that is a great idea. Sometime after the first of the year when my stump has healed. Any suggestions for designs?
Thank you,
Janelle
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Amputation
After I was paralyzed (NOT related to LOBPI).. I wanted a tattoo.. well this past January I got one. I wanted something that represented strength, determination, overcoming adversity (you get the idea). I was looking for chinese or japanese characters when I came upon this:
(Take a look at my blog, I have pics..)
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com/2008/ ... oo-ii.html
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com/
It fit what I wanted perfectly!
Marieke 32, LOBPI and Transverse Myeltis (2004)
RN
(Take a look at my blog, I have pics..)
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com/2008/ ... oo-ii.html
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com/
It fit what I wanted perfectly!
Marieke 32, LOBPI and Transverse Myeltis (2004)
RN
Re: Amputation
Marieke,
I love your tattoo. I was trying to read your profile. I must be doing something wrong. I didn't see any website listed to the right.
Janelle
About Me
Registered Nurse (2008)! So no longer RN2B I guess! I have Transverse Myelitis @ T1 and LOBPI, for more info look at my first post and at the websites listed on the right!
I love your tattoo. I was trying to read your profile. I must be doing something wrong. I didn't see any website listed to the right.
Janelle
About Me
Registered Nurse (2008)! So no longer RN2B I guess! I have Transverse Myelitis @ T1 and LOBPI, for more info look at my first post and at the websites listed on the right!
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Amputation
Thanks, I love my tattoo too! Have never regreted it either.. I actually want another one, LOL. Butterflies, little ones, different colors (maybe 3). Not sure where I would put them though.
The website are various blogs/internet sites explaining TM and also this web site (UBPN).
The TM site I moderate on in www.myelitis.org
But I only have this blog (RN2B). If you go to the firsts posts, from 2006, I explain TM and LOBPI... (the LOBPI which you know about).
Marieke 32, LOBPI
RN
The website are various blogs/internet sites explaining TM and also this web site (UBPN).
The TM site I moderate on in www.myelitis.org
But I only have this blog (RN2B). If you go to the firsts posts, from 2006, I explain TM and LOBPI... (the LOBPI which you know about).
Marieke 32, LOBPI
RN