u/Sablon39

Today, July 1st, is the second anniversary of my right above the knee amputation. I celebrated with a key lime pie. It’s hard to believe it’s been two years. I have to say I’ve learned a lot. I learned I have to work out regularly, not just my leg and walking practice. I learned I have to go at my own pace. I still can’t walk outdoors without my cane or forearm crutch, but on the other hand, I went to Spain twice on my own, one time for two months. I learned to accept help if I fall, and I’m gonna fall. I learned not to compare myself to others. That was the hardest lesson at first.

I had to have my right leg amputated above the knee in July 2024, so I’m coming up on two years. I don’t have much pain now. Occasionally I get spasms or nerve pain, but it’s manageable. I got my prosthesis about three months after the amputation. I had gait training for five months. I made a lot of progress from the time of the amputation until I finished the gait training.

At the time gait training ended, I was walking with a forearm crutch most of the time. I could also walk with a cane and short distances unaided. Now over a year later, I’m pretty much at the same stage as then. I work out three times a week, working on strength. I practice walking with the cane and unaided, but I still have trouble unless I have my forearm crutch. BTW I went to Spain for two months last year on my own, so I am getting out and trying. And I have become stronger and more able to walk unaided, but I feel like the progress is very slow. I don’t compare myself to other people. I know that is a mistake. And before the amputation I lived with a badly disabled right leg for sixty years. I had to wear a brace for years. (I’m 71 now.)

I am beginning to wonder if I’m ever going to get beyond this point. I asked the prosthetist if he thought I could run someday. He asked me if I could run before the amputation. I said no, and he said I probably wouldn’t be able to in the future. What are your ideas?