A change is as good as a rest

My appointment at the limb centre yesterday was positive. I say that because I was meeting my new prosthetist for the first time following the relatively sudden departure of Caroline, only months after she replaced Steve who I had known for more than 10 years. I have said this so many times before but the relationship is so unique, even closer than patient-GP.

If this first appointment is anything to go by then it’s onwards and upwards! She was lovely, she listened and had so obviously read my history (which is lengthy).

I also saw the specialist limb doctor – he wanted to be brought up to date on my knee replacement op and on-going recovery. We also spoke at length about my appointment early last year with an eminent plastic surgeon who thought I could be a good candidate for treatment on my stump. However I had a very negative experience in that I never actually got to see him, instead I was ‘fobbed off’ by a junior surgeon, clearly not that interested (or knowledgeable) in my particular problem. My limb doctor took this up with the surgeon I should have seen and I have been offered another consultation. I have declined. I can’t face another operation so soon and I’m scared it might be a long recovery. I know this might seem short-sighted but it’s how I feel and I’m listening to myself on this one! So it’s on hold – I may regret it because my stump skin is so fragile, but it’s my regret and I’ll deal with it.

Still confined to base!

Now into day 3 of ‘house arrest’ so lots of thinking time. Admittedly my knee feels better and I can only assume that’s because I’ve been resting a lot more. My stump however is still sore and quite fragile. I’ve been asking myself the question who am I trying to impress? Dashing around ( not literally) saying yes to everything and even volunteering when I should say a polite no. However it’s hard to change the habit of a lifetime but I need to be stronger and firmer with myself if I am to heal properly and feel the benefits of a full knee replacement long-term.

Reading other peoples blogs is very helpful, particularly in the early post-op days because everyone’s initial recovery period follows a fairly similar pattern. It gets difficult when as individuals we start to pick up the pace of our pre-op life as this varies so much depending on age, level of fitness and whether or not you have any other physical needs or complications – this is where I fail miserably! I have tried my whole life, since losing my leg in an accident 40 years ago to lead as full a life as I can. I never considered myself as disabled even though it was quite obvious I was. Now I am older I am not able to do that because my needs are more. However I seem to forget that sometimes and end up right where I am now – confined to base!