Great video Chris, I agree fully with everything you said. I struggled with bone infections, severe pain and lack of mobility for 3 years (and 28 operations) after a motorbike accident before electing to have my right leg amputated below the knee. I now have my life back and face each day knowing what I have and what I can expect. I don't regret the pain and suffering I endured prior to the amputation as it taught me so much about myself that I would otherwise not have discovered...it also separated my real friends from my 'acquaintances'! I'm going to share this video on the Amputee Support Group FB page which I manage, as well as to the Amputee Help & Support Line FB page which operates out of the USA.
Hi Brian, thanks for your supportive words, shared experiences and willingness to post the video. I mentioned in a previous comment that I would be happy to create content on any topic you feel would be useful to your support groups. I truly appreciate your interaction on this channel, all input will be extremely valuable in helping me to deliver a message or assistance where it is needed. By the way, I still ride my motorcycle. I'm thinking of doing a video on bike modifications, or even just to share the freedom which biking gives me. Do you still ride?
@@theampedlife No I don't ride anymore Chris, simply because I promised my wife I wouldn't, not because I can't! I miss the freedom of biking and can't help looking whenever I hear or see a bike passing! It's a real pleasure sharing the video as your message is so positive and I'm all about encouraging amputees (and their families). A positive attitude makes all the difference whether you're able to accept what has happened to you or not. As for a specific topic, phantom pain is the most frequent question I get so that would be great. Please continue with your positive messages.
Will do a video on phantom pain. I lost my leg paragliding, and promised my wife and the kids I will never fly again, so I'm with you on that one.@@bmpaddey
No word of a lie I nodded along with every point you’ve said Chris 👌🏻 it just proves that we didn’t take this decision lightly and we looked at the whole picture both good and bad. This post is so perfectly timed especially with Footless Jo’s video yesterday. 🤗 PS your walking gait is brilliant 🚶🏼♂️👌🏻
Hi Bluedeva :-) Once again thanks for your always positive comments. I'll catch up with Jo's latest video later today to see what you're referring to. I appreciate your observations on my gait - it took many years and tears!
Awesome stuff David! Thanks for letting us know, this will inspire someone else. Day by day we get stronger ... time and perseverance were my friends. All the best!
I know exactly where your coming from, I had a serious accident 6 years ago crushed tibia got compartment syndrome then had both side of leg sliced to release pressure from swelling. Having had compartment syndrome affected my nerves with the leg and foot 24/7 pain, Had X fix frame fitted, then another frame for 8 months 2 new knee replacement. Now end of the road having above knee amputation and I can’t wait. At moment constant pain can’t walk properly or safely leg doesn’t bend more than 50% it’s horrendous.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, there are so many similarities. I see you posted this message about a month ago, sorry about the late response. I can't help wondering if you've had the amputation dome yet, and how it's going? For me, without a doubt, it was the best decision I made - it freed me up and totally changed how I can engage life again. I wish the same for you mate, please keep in touch and let us know how things worked out. Best wishes and I hope 2023 is a good year for you, with many new possibilities!
I was just directed to your channel from Footless Jo and I am so glad. I was also a limb salvage who eventually chose to amputate. Im a little over a month post op, but I already am happier than Ive been in the last two years. Everything you said was very very relatable and I have told many people the same things you mentioned in the video. Keep making videos. I really enjoy the things you say!
Another great sincere video Chris, thank you for sharing. I wonder if you suffered from phantom pain and if you did can you share with us how you dealt with it. I continue to have this on a daily basis. I personally don't think lots of medication helps, in fact, I needed more and more to help with the pain and had some awful side effects. I've gradually stopped taking all medication and the withdrawals have been horrendous BUT I've done it. Feel so much better without them, still have the pain but had the pain with all the medication anyway!! x
Through my work with the Amputee Support Group, I know that phantom pain treats everyone differently. Medication (e.g. Lyrica) helps some but not others. Glad you've weaned yourself off the medication! I experience phantom pain less frequently now.
Hi Wynn, great to hear from you again! I will do a video on phantom pain - I suffered from it for years but thankfully it has almost disappeared completely. I believe there are a few factors which led to this relief, which I will share with you guys. I was on hectic opioids for years, and became addicted to it, which caused much more pain that it ever took away, on many levels. I have so much respect for you for leaving the medication behind. I went through those withdrawals myself, which I will describe in the video. It was terrible... Thanks for your comments and involvement in this channel, it really inspires me to keep on uploading content.
Thanks for your thought Brian. So right - we all have similar but also very different experiences with phantom pain. I've been on your support group FB page, thanks for the valuable platform you support and manage. I will be doing a video on phantom pain - I hope that it can help some of the members of your group. Please let me know if you would like me to address any specific topics, I will do my best to share some helpful ideas or content.
i lost my leg below the knee 16 yrs ago i was walking fine but developed Drop foot in my other leg have balence ishues and use electric power weel chair i fall on the hard ground to many times to risk and my rigid leg makes it inposable to get up takes two strog paramedics to pick me of the floor Looking at getting a dynamic brace as my old suport brace is not as good so any way life is day by day for me some good some not so good
Hi mate, sorry I missed your message when you sent it. I hope you got that brace and that things are working out better for you, with improved mobility. You're right, sometimes we have bad days, and then it's best to just take it day by day. But I do hope your better days are getting more, and the difficult ones less. All the best mate!
Ho Sharon, Im so sorry to hear you feel so defeated. If it's of any help - I once felt that way, I cannot believe that I did considering how things got better thereafter. It's so hard to see the light and look over the edge of the hole when you're in it, and so liberating when you're slowly getting out of it. I really hope this happens for you - all the best with this and keep on trying please - my motto became: every day gets a little closer.
Great video Chris, I agree fully with everything you said.
I struggled with bone infections, severe pain and lack of mobility for 3 years (and 28 operations) after a motorbike accident before electing to have my right leg amputated below the knee. I now have my life back and face each day knowing what I have and what I can expect. I don't regret the pain and suffering I endured prior to the amputation as it taught me so much about myself that I would otherwise not have discovered...it also separated my real friends from my 'acquaintances'!
I'm going to share this video on the Amputee Support Group FB page which I manage, as well as to the Amputee Help & Support Line FB page which operates out of the USA.
Hi Brian, thanks for your supportive words, shared experiences and willingness to post the video. I mentioned in a previous comment that I would be happy to create content on any topic you feel would be useful to your support groups.
I truly appreciate your interaction on this channel, all input will be extremely valuable in helping me to deliver a message or assistance where it is needed.
By the way, I still ride my motorcycle. I'm thinking of doing a video on bike modifications, or even just to share the freedom which biking gives me. Do you still ride?
@@theampedlife No I don't ride anymore Chris, simply because I promised my wife I wouldn't, not because I can't! I miss the freedom of biking and can't help looking whenever I hear or see a bike passing!
It's a real pleasure sharing the video as your message is so positive and I'm all about encouraging amputees (and their families). A positive attitude makes all the difference whether you're able to accept what has happened to you or not.
As for a specific topic, phantom pain is the most frequent question I get so that would be great. Please continue with your positive messages.
Will do a video on phantom pain.
I lost my leg paragliding, and promised my wife and the kids I will never fly again, so I'm with you on that one.@@bmpaddey
@@theampedlife BTW, a video your bike mods is a great idea!
No word of a lie I nodded along with every point you’ve said Chris 👌🏻 it just proves that we didn’t take this decision lightly and we looked at the whole picture both good and bad. This post is so perfectly timed especially with Footless Jo’s video yesterday. 🤗 PS your walking gait is brilliant 🚶🏼♂️👌🏻
Hi Bluedeva :-) Once again thanks for your always positive comments. I'll catch up with Jo's latest video later today to see what you're referring to. I appreciate your observations on my gait - it took many years and tears!
Just managed my first lap of the house, sans crutches... WooHoo! 😛
Awesome stuff David! Thanks for letting us know, this will inspire someone else. Day by day we get stronger ... time and perseverance were my friends.
All the best!
*nice, I'm also a leg*
Thank you great video from Tony in Australia
Thanks Tony, you’re welcome mate!
Wow Chris, what a tremendous statement there at the end man, could really see you considering the matter earnestly. Very Inspirational, thanks Danie
I know exactly where your coming from, I had a serious accident 6 years ago crushed tibia got compartment syndrome then had both side of leg sliced to release pressure from swelling. Having had compartment syndrome affected my nerves with the leg and foot 24/7 pain, Had X fix frame fitted, then another frame for 8 months 2 new knee replacement. Now end of the road having above knee amputation and I can’t wait.
At moment constant pain can’t walk properly or safely leg doesn’t bend more than 50% it’s horrendous.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, there are so many similarities.
I see you posted this message about a month ago, sorry about the late response. I can't help wondering if you've had the amputation dome yet, and how it's going?
For me, without a doubt, it was the best decision I made - it freed me up and totally changed how I can engage life again.
I wish the same for you mate, please keep in touch and let us know how things worked out.
Best wishes and I hope 2023 is a good year for you, with many new possibilities!
I was just directed to your channel from Footless Jo and I am so glad. I was also a limb salvage who eventually chose to amputate. Im a little over a month post op, but I already am happier than Ive been in the last two years. Everything you said was very very relatable and I have told many people the same things you mentioned in the video.
Keep making videos. I really enjoy the things you say!
Feel like I was listening to my own thoughts from someone else whilst watching this! Hoping to get the chop next week!
Another great sincere video Chris, thank you for sharing. I wonder if you suffered from phantom pain and if you did can you share with us how you dealt with it. I continue to have this on a daily basis. I personally don't think lots of medication helps, in fact, I needed more and more to help with the pain and had some awful side effects. I've gradually stopped taking all medication and the withdrawals have been horrendous BUT I've done it. Feel so much better without them, still have the pain but had the pain with all the medication anyway!! x
Through my work with the Amputee Support Group, I know that phantom pain treats everyone differently. Medication (e.g. Lyrica) helps some but not others. Glad you've weaned yourself off the medication! I experience phantom pain less frequently now.
Hi Wynn, great to hear from you again! I will do a video on phantom pain - I suffered from it for years but thankfully it has almost disappeared completely. I believe there are a few factors which led to this relief, which I will share with you guys. I was on hectic opioids for years, and became addicted to it, which caused much more pain that it ever took away, on many levels.
I have so much respect for you for leaving the medication behind. I went through those withdrawals myself, which I will describe in the video. It was terrible...
Thanks for your comments and involvement in this channel, it really inspires me to keep on uploading content.
Thanks for your thought Brian. So right - we all have similar but also very different experiences with phantom pain. I've been on your support group FB page, thanks for the valuable platform you support and manage. I will be doing a video on phantom pain - I hope that it can help some of the members of your group. Please let me know if you would like me to address any specific topics, I will do my best to share some helpful ideas or content.
Great work sir... Love from Pakistan
Hi Ali, thanks for watching and for your comment. Great to hear from someone in Pakistan! Love from South Africa
Well said. Very well said. Thanks for alll the good info.
Thank you very much for your comments!
I applied for a leg but just hard to raise at this time..lol I always joked by putting a broom stick....
I’m on so many meds 😭 I did amputate, but life isn’t much better yet
my name is Shannon I just want a leg to walk around the house a bit
I understand Shannon - if ever I can help I will.
I feel like this right now because I don’t have my prothetic yet
i lost my leg below the knee 16 yrs ago i was walking fine but developed Drop foot in my other leg have balence ishues and use electric power weel chair i fall on the hard ground to many times to risk and my rigid leg makes it inposable to get up takes two strog paramedics to pick me of the floor Looking at getting a dynamic brace as my old suport brace is not as good so any way life is day by day for me some good some not so good
Hi mate, sorry I missed your message when you sent it. I hope you got that brace and that things are working out better for you, with improved mobility.
You're right, sometimes we have bad days, and then it's best to just take it day by day. But I do hope your better days are getting more, and the difficult ones less.
All the best mate!
Won't get better for me. I'm done.
Ho Sharon, Im so sorry to hear you feel so defeated. If it's of any help - I once felt that way, I cannot believe that I did considering how things got better thereafter. It's so hard to see the light and look over the edge of the hole when you're in it, and so liberating when you're slowly getting out of it. I really hope this happens for you - all the best with this and keep on trying please - my motto became: every day gets a little closer.