Amputation Left Above-Knee Amputation, 22 April 2025

[Layla]

Hi there,
I've been thinking about you and just wanted to check in. How are you doing, both physically and emotionally since surgery? Wishing you a peaceful day of comfort.
@WFD

 

[WFD]

Hi @Layla ,

Thanks for checking in. I’m at the hospital for a follow up appointment and maybe get the stitches and staples out.

I’m doing OK mentally and counting down the days until I can get a prosthetic leg (August?).

The phantom pain is the hard part - it can be excruciating and there is little I can do about it - oxycodone and gabapentin hardly touch it. I’m going to talk to the doctor today to see what can be done between now and 5/23 when I get the PMR procedure done.

So all in all, I’m doing OK.

 

[Jamie]

Thank you so much for the update, @WFD. I’m so sorry about that phantom pain. I can only imagine how hard that must be to deal with. Hopefully the doctor will have something that can knock it down for you. Although the surgery is only a couple of weeks away, I’m sure that seems like an eternity when those pain storms hit.

 

[EalingGran]

Thanks for the update. So sorry you are suffering such pain and that nothing currently helps. Hope the PMR helps.

 

[Layla]

Hi WFD,
Thanks for taking the time to update us. I am sorry for the pain you're struggling with. I can't imagine how exhausting it must be to deal with pain that feels so real, yet has no place to land.
Thankfully you're doing ok mentally. Know that we're always here for you no matter what kind of day you're having. Whether you're fighting through, or just getting by, we'll be here.
I hope your appointment goes well today and you're able to enjoy some peaceful relaxation for the rest of the day.
@WFD

 

[sistersinhim]

I pray the doctor can give you something to relieve that awful phantom pain. Please let us know what he says.

 

[WFD]

Mods, can someone change my thread title to 'Left Above Knee Amputation 22 April 2025' ? Thanks!

 

[benne68]

I've changed your title as requested. I hope the doctor was able to give you something for the pain,.

Please keep posting on your journey.

 

[WFD]

Thanks, @benne68 .

 

[WFD]

So I had my TMR surgery a few days ago on Friday 5/23. Right now I’m in the “it gets worse before it gets better” stage. I have a long incision down the back of my thigh, running up to my butt almost, so sitting and lying down are difficult. Sleeping on my side is the only real comfortable position but I can’t do that all the time.

The phantom limb pain has significantly decreased but is still there. As things heal I am hopeful that this will improve too.

This was my last planned surgery and I hope that I am off the surgery merry-go-round for good.

I hope everyone in the US is having a great holiday weekend. The weather is beautiful today here in New England.

 

[Layla]

Thanks for the update on this holiday weekend, WFD.
I am sorry you're in the "worse before it gets better stage". Hopefully the "better" starts happening soon.
Thankfully surgery is behind you and the phantom limb pain has eased some, That's a good sign of progress.

I pray you're off the surgery merry-go-round also. You've endured more than your share and you deserve to feel good.

Happy Memorial Day in beautiful New England! Sunny here too in the Upper MidWest this morning, and I'm hoping for a day of just "grillin and chillen" and tending to flowers.
Wishing you lots of comfort today.
@WFD

 

[sistersinhim]

That's great that you have that last, (hopefully), surgery. Having improvement in the phantom pain has got to feel much better. I pray that it will completely go away as you heal.

 

[Legseleven]

Hello @WFD . Thinking about you and hope every day brings a little more relief and recovery.

 

[EalingGran]

Sending all my best healing wishes from a cloudy, rather chilly London. So sorry you have the surgery pain but it's encouraging that the phantom pain is subsidising.

 

[Jamie]

There is no sun today in Kansas, so I’m jealous of your good weather!

It’s great to hear that your surgery is over with - hopefully forever. I have to believe that even those phantom pains will lessen as things heal.

I hope you know how much we appreciate you telling your story to help others who may face something similar. Amputation for most people is such a scary topic that it’s difficult to talk about or even think of as a “good” option. Your story is helping to open that door for conversation and I will be forever thankful for you staying with us through your entire journey.

But even more importantly….I also hope you know how much we all care about you and are waiting for the days when your reports have those good words in them that we’re all waiting to hear.

When I read your post I immediately thought of this song from years back. I hope it’s at least a little how you are beginning to feel.

I Can See Clearly Now

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day

Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for

It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day

Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for

It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day

 

[Layla]

Thinking of you and hoping you're having a good week!
Keep in touch, we'll be here.
@WFD

 

[WFD]

Thanks all.

I had follow-up today with the surgeon that performed my TMR and all looks good. I still have to wait two weeks to get the stitches out.

The PICC line needs to be removed but I’m having problems getting any of my doctors to fax in an order to have it removed. I should be able to get it done in a week or so.

Once the stitches are out I can start exercising again, which I’m really looking forward to.

 

[Pumpkin]

WFD,
Glad to hear things are moving along with your recovery. Hope you can have the PICC line out soon.

 

[Layla]

Things are moving in the right direction.
Thanks for the update! I hope the PICC line is removed soon and you're able to get back to exercising.
A great rest of the week to you, WFD!
@WFD

 

[EalingGran]

had follow-up today with the surgeon that performed my TMR and all looks good

That's good news. Hope the pain is settling well? Thinking of you and all best wishes.