Making the *HARDEST DECISION* to AMPUTATE My FOOT...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- Almost two years ago, I made the nearly impossible decision to move forward with a below-knee amputation. Making that decision was the hardest - and most bizarre - choice I've ever had to make in my life.
To those asking what they should do or how I made this decision, here are a few of my thoughts. 💜
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MY STORY //
Fourteen years of pain and failed ankle surgeries brought me to 2018, when I made the difficult decision to become a twenty-seven-year-old below-the-knee elective amputee. This channel is to document my journey of amputation surgery, recovery, and reclaiming my life.
MY PROSTHETIC LEG:
I use the Ossur ProFlex XC Torsion foot/ankle with a direct socket with passive vaccum suction.
MY AMPUTATION STORY - IN VIDEO:
Why Did I Lose My Leg? • HOW I BECAME AN AMPUTE...
How I Said Goodbye To My Leg: • COME WITH ME ON A GOOD...
Seeing My Amputated Leg for the First Time: • Seeing my amputated le...
Day in the Life of an Amputee: • A Day in the Life of a...
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Thank you so much for listening - you make a real difference in my life, you enable me to be able to do what I love, and I am beyond grateful!
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![Walking into a hospital & leaving as an amputee: my amputation story [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/x9EEbrs4oWc/mqdefault.jpg)
Your hair looks absolutely gorgeous ❤️
💛💜
You look mahvelous
I agree! 💛
Exactly what I thought!
I am so fucking grateful for you! I also destroyed my ankle- it was 9 years ago and a rock climbing fall-and I just made the decision yesterday, with the support of my surgeon (isn't it weird to have a "MY surgeon"? most people don't have that!), to amputate. It'll happen sometime in 2021 after I jump through whatever hoops they require, but your videos have really helped solidify my decision. It *is* the right one for me! Thank you!!
I'm already living disabled and in constant agony, so it feels like those post-amputation difficulties will be manageable. It's such a complicated choice but now that I've actually made it, I feel wonderful!
Seeing this two years later, I hope it went well and you're happy with your decision! ❤️
Heyyy I also destroyed my ankle in a rock climbing accident! I fell while bouldering and fractured all over my foot and ankle and tore off tendons and ligaments. I also considered amputation but my second major reconstruction used technology that wasn't available the first time around. I can walk small distances slowly most of the time now but the last surgery resulted in CRPS so amputation is no longer an option. I still have to use a lot of mobility equipment. I see this comment is 3 years old, how are you doing now?
With having problems since birth with my feet I never thought of amputation. But the worst decision I made was having a fusion done. It led to Osteonecrosis after I shattered my Talus while fused. Then came the replacement...it failed. I bawled getting the news that my ankle was beyond repair and once again dying. So I did my research. I joined the amputee coalition. I watched videos. And I found you. My mind was already made up and the ball was rolling but you gave me such strength and support that I knew I was going to be ok regardless.
A couple of set backs and I am almost 11 months post op. I currently cannot wear my leg due to a slip that had my leg " tap " the floor. A sack of fluid is now at the end of my Tibia. 2 more weeks to go off it. It does not hurt. Once its ok I will be getting my 3rd prosthesis. Its a suction system but I cannot come close to bending it like you can when its on.
And oh yes my family freaked out about my decision, esp my oldest son who I live with. But he sees I can take care of myself for the most part and is proud of me for it. I can relate to the whole video, pretty much the same experiences as far as decision making and input from others.
SEND RAIN TO PHOENIX! 3 MONTHS WITH NONE IS LONG ENOUGH....lol! 💜💜💜#amputeebuddies4life
Raven Rose, I have been a BKA since October 2017 and doing well and I found an amputee support group as well that gets together for activities and BBQ's that is fun and helpful. Hope you get going soon again and will try to look for you and your progress on here but would enjoy to hear about your progress.
@@randylinker4364 thank you. I am actually working on becoming a peer visitor through the Amputee Coalition. I am gonna wait to see how this Virus goes before seeking out a group here in Phoenix.
@@ravenrose6672 The one I hang out with is called LIM359 and you might take a look at their site for idea's as it's nice to be with people that have the same issues and get ideas and ask questions. I'm in the Denver CO. area. Take care !
Raven Rose, Out path to amputation was for different reasons as mine was due to a motorcycle verses auto accident we both tried the fusion then joint replacement then amputation to walk on a prosthetic leg. Our stories are very similar in the out come ! I would like to keep in touch on how you come through this and get walking again if that is okay with you ? Can we go to texting ? My number is 720-285-5887 if you would like to chat more. Take care.
I’m a new amputee and ur videos were the first I found when I was desperately seeking comfort and information. All I can say is THANK YOU
I so much relate to this! I opted for a total hysterectomy last year at the age of 30 before I had had children because I had stage 4 endometriosis and I had also been in pain every single day for 20 years. It was the hardest decision of my life because I dearly love children and I am heartbroken that I can't any biological children but I can adopt and be a better parent because I am not in excruciating pain all the time.
I’m sorry for your loss and your pain. I’m an adoptive mom and I also have endometriosis (I have my uterus but it hasn’t cooperated on the baby making front). Our sweet son is the joy of our lives and I can’t imagine loving a child more , once you find your child it doesn’t feel any different. Actually a lot of biological parents complain about their children and don’t seem to be as present as my husband and I because we really value getting to be parents because it didn’t come easy, and because we were entrusted by his biological parents and that has so much more weight than just having fun one night and waking up pregnant 😆. All I wanted to say is don’t feel like you’re alone there are so many of us and I’m praying that you find your baby💕
I can't imagine making that huge decision, especially being as young as you are. You have your entire life ahead of you. Having watched every step of your journey it seems like you definitely made the right decision.🥰❤
"Marie Kondo-ing" your leg made me laugh more than I as a two-footed person probably should have.
Feels strange that i've been watching your videos for a little over a year now and tomorrow I go in hospital for below the knee amputation on my right leg. Your videos have been so informative and helpful. Thank you.
Thank You for:
Creating these videos.
Releasing in a way that meets most folks needs.
Posting on Facebook...
I always look forward to your intro greeting. I never get people in real life saying hello, beautiful friend! Yours is the only intro on TH-cam that I don’t skip through. Love your videos!
Aw but you are a beautiful internet friend! 😊
Right. Love her greeting!
Hi Jo! I was wondering, how's life with your prosthetic leg now? Can you wear it the whole day now? Is it still painful? Maybe you could make a video about how living with a prosthetic leg has changed since you first took it home :)
Btw your hair and makeup look AMAZING!
You've presented an excellent 'guide' for anyone facing this kind of decision. I believe this applies to other major medical decisions as well. I faced a similar process when faced with a debilitating condition. I wish I'd had the opportunity to talk to other people who had got through it but there just weren't many around at that time. Anyway, thank you for another great video!
And thank YOU for another incredibly encouraging and lovely comment, John! 😊
OH MY GOOOODDDDD YOU LOOK LIKE A PRINCESS OR SOMETHING!!!! 😍
Haha awww oh my gosh! Thank you!!
I can relate to this video so deeply! I have epilepsy and less then two years ago now I made the hardest decision to go ahead with surgery and remove part of my brain. I was so nervous and my family weren’t completely on board at the start either, like you people kept telling me to wait before making such a permanent decision, but I knew it was the right decision for my body. I was twenty four years old and completely miserable; I was in so much pain and having up to twenty seizures a day. Going into surgery was nerve racking; I didn’t know what to expect: it could either work or leave me blind or even damage my memory, but anything was better then what I was living through. You are completely right; it really is about your quality of life that’s most important.
come on eileen it went really well! I haven’t had a seizure since and I’m completely of all my meds
I have to say thank you Jo. I didn't even come to this video thinking it would help with my decision, I was just like "hey Jo has a new video". But lots of the things you said really resonated with me, which I wasn't expecting, especially since my decision wasn't about amputation. I really needed to hear what you had to say today and I didn't even know it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I had a rough night, that carried over into today, over which path to take regarding my surgery and you helped me realize how solid I already was in what I wanted, and needed, to do.
I love that she calls a non-prosthetic foot a meat foot 🤣
I forget where I heard that but I love it 😆
Footless Jo Me too 😂🥰
Once again, I am blown away by your strength. Taking the right decision for one’s self and one’s sake is rarely easy, and you have nailed it. Also, you look particularly lovey today. 🧡 from London, UK.
Not an amputation decision but still i made a tough one. I was born with a birth “defect “ called Spina Bifida. 10+ brain surgeries, 30+ in all, When i was 18 my final scheduled surgery came around. Since i was legal the final decision was up to me . The hardest part of agreeing to have the surgery was going against my parents..... and then wanting to go to school after🤦🏻♀️😀. It was my Chiari surgery, Turns out it kind of saved my life because they discovered “ a bubble “ full of fluid which made the surgery shorter but can’t complain because it’s all over surgery wise and not a quadriplegic.
I think its fate that you uploaded this the day before I got some really shit news about my foot that makes amputation a closer and more realistic option that it was before. The bit where you said that you relaised you "couldnt carry on like this" really strikes a chord with me. The very rational thinking of positives vs. Negatives before adding in emotions to me seems like the only way to approach this topic as it might be rationally the best plan but emotionally youre not ready, or vice versa where emotionally you feel that amputation is the solution but rationally its not. I really appreciate that you make these videos and are so open about your own experiences. You have given me so much hope since I found your channel a year+ ago and I feel like you're a friend giving me advice, showing me funny tiktoks and pictures of animals. Thank you for being awesome ❤ I can't join patreon yet, but one day I will have the spare funds to actively support you. Until then I'm supporting from the comments :)
That storm sounded so cool!
Thank you for bringing us along on this journey of yours. It has greatly helped me in my medical/ pain journey. God bless you.
Jo your videos have brought a little sanity and humor to this process for me. So thank you!
Oh I'm so grateful, Ken. Thank you so much - I'm so glad to help in any way. All the best to you! 💜
You are a true inspiration. The little things you once thought mattered don’t mean anything until your challenged with something like this. I admire your positivity and strength xxx
10:18-10:46
OMG, Jo!!! As a fellow sexual assault survivor and medically complicated individual (and I also dealt with decisions made about my body without my consent, even when I consistently verbalized explicit opposition--and I still stand by my wishes years later that were violated because of my mental health post-trauma when receiving mental healthcare in the few months post-sexual-assault which was re-traumatizing, and just not the way to treat specifically a human being that had mental illness caused by the exact type of treatment they were exhibiting by forcing decisions on my body when those decisions they made for me that were against my wishes were truly not a life and death decisions (except the ones where I made requests for continuity/timeliness of my meds that were of critical physical medical necessity and their reasons for denial of my requests were not because of any impact they believed these meds had on mental health symtoms). Anywho, this section of your video just absolutely made physical teardrops flow out of the corner of my left eye for, no exaggeration, the last hour! I am so happy for you. I hope to someday also have an opportunity to make such a massive decision about my own body to be able to feel that power (not asking for an amputation per se, but something that is a healthy and very seriously meaningful decision for me to be able to make where I can feel this type of breakthrough). I love and support you endlessly!
I have followed your channel since near the beginning and have watched 90% of your videos but rarely comment as a non amputee I rarely feel there's mum I can comment on. However, last week I broke my leg again...and faced the question "what if it didn't get better"? No particular reason, it's an uncomplicated fracture on a background of osteoarthritis. But it just made me think. I can't even imagine how difficult it was to actually make that decision. You're strong Jo!
I love that you took your own body into your own hands, at the end of the day it will be a personal choice no doubt. You are a very strong person, thank you for sharing your journey with the world. Btw love your eye shadow 😊
You look extra fancy in this video! I think it's maybe the curly hair with the cool eye shadow? Whatever it is I love it!
Aw thanks so much!! I curled my hair for my brother's wedding and decided I liked it so I kept it an extra day lol 😊
Footless Jo Congratulations to your Brother!!!
I like your hair curled! I had knee replacement at a relatively young age because of a sports injury in high school. My ortho guy was great, he made it clear to me that even though it was painful, knee replacement needed to be postponed as long as possible because they don't last forever. Through minor surgeries and other treatments I was able to put it off for several years and when the time came, the decision was in front of me--I just couldn't walk hardly and I was in relentless pain. It seems like your amputation was the same sort of thing, that you just knew when it was time?
I am lucky to have never had to make difficult medical decisions before. Still you never fail to inspire me, With your strength and your ability to make yourself vulnerable, share compassion with the world.
Also your hair and specially the golden orangey eye makeup look particularly excellent!!
Thank you for telling your specific story. While your experience should not be taken as a mandatory guide, by sharing you provide an important perspective on an unconventional experience.
Hearing all of this really makes me realize how hard it must have been to go through that rocky recovery post amputation and surgical revision......uuuggghhh. Look how GREAT you are doing. Both physically and psychologically. Eliminating meds! Working! Cleaning your own house! Rockin it. Even with the hard times you don’t show.
Last year I faced an extremely difficult decision and you helped me immensely with making it. I had a tumour removed from my tear gland and, much to everyone’s surprise, it turned out to be malignant. I had 2 choices. The first was to have radiotherapy, which would have left me with an incredible amount of damage to my eye, causing a cataract within a couple of years, loss of a lot of vision and a painfully dry eye. One surgeon I spoke to said I’d be begging to have my eye removed within a few years. My doctors also couldn’t say what the radiation would do to my brain. My other option was to wait and see if the cancer returned, but if it did I’d have to have my entire eye and the surrounding tissue removed. It was an incredibly hard decision, but you helped me realise that I wanted to avoid a life of pain if possible, even if it meant undergoing a massive physical change. I am now 18 months without any sign of the cancer recurring, but even if it does I still think I made the right decision.
I LOVE the DBT concept that Emotion Mind + Reason Mind = Wise Mind. You seem to use that concept very well; I'm still working on it.
You are a very brave young lady. A true inspiration to so many. Keep smiling that gorgeous smile of yours!
Oh thank you so much Lou, I appreciate the encouragement!
Hey jo! Great video as always! I am loving your hair and make up in this video 💜
I think for most of us the thought of chopping off a body part is sooo scary but watching your videos I can say I really do understand how you came to the decision you made. When you have something where you really have no hope but being given hope even when you know it's going to be super hard it makes sense!
We love her hair it's so pretty
Fully relate to everything you said. It is so physically and mentally exhausting being in lots of pain every day. Plus the bad leg meaning everything needs three times the energy.
Been asking for amputation since summer 2016 for my damaged lower left leg to be amputated. I was also in so much pain I contemplated doing it myself and bought a combat tourniquet.
Was finally heading towards a RBKA when MRI found lumps growing on my spine last November. It's causing loads of pain in my other ('good') hip. Two hospitals argued over which hospital was going to treat me. Finally had appointment back in May. Then Covid-19 lockdown arrived... Still waiting.
I made that decision myself beginning of the year.. fast forward through a pandemic and June 10th I had a LBKA. Sucks but the future is bright.
Hi, I'm 20+ months post failed landing from 4" into concrete. Resulted in me having 5 heel bones instead of 1! & No cartilage at the bottom of my Fibula! That was diagnosed 50 weeks post fall!
I have been thinking about having my right foot & bottom of the leg amputated.
I have got CRPS with complications. Speech & memory problems along with not being able to weight bear at all on the foot 5 out of 7 days. Up & down stairs on all fours, wheelchair when out as another injury to right hand, arm & shoulder makes using crutches difficult.
So to myself, having the procedure is totally about my independence. If a reduction in the pain leading to less medication that's a plus. I've lost my driving license car & lorry, my job as a lorry driver gone. I haven't worked since I fell. I now rely on my wife, children, friends & family to take me to appointments. Get my medication. Carry everything that I used to, food & shopping. I'm an experienced photographer, I can't carry a camera & lens let alone move around.
I'll take a chance on the phantom pain. I'll take the chance that my CRPS may get worse.
A consultant told me that if I needed to go to the toilet at 3 in the morning, I could get there as I am now, pain dependent. But if I have it removed then I'll not be able to. My reply was, "When the pain is that bad even air moving over my foot hurts, I go to the toilet on all fours & back again. What's the difference?" No reply!!
Is it worth talking to people who have had similar experiences, going into this with preconceived ideas of how it'll be after looping it off! I don't know. What I do know is, there's no two paths in life. What's done is done, how we move forward, that's the thing we need to get right.
I'll be having that little chat with my consultant before long. Open mind, I'm trying to. Alan
I wish you the best of luck! CRPS is no joke. ❤️
I have all 4 of my limbs, but in the last year I have been in a cycle of big, major surgeries getting rid of many organs and it has been hard. Going in for another one next Monday. Your videos have helped me so much through all this, especially dealing with the psychological aspect of all of it
this has come at a great time for me, as I am thinking about the same procedure being done for my foot, Ive been in major pain for 3 years now and i've had a major surgery that caused another problem 2 years ago. Ive been researching and i've talked to my family and my therapist. in September ill be looking at my next surgery since its not crucial right now with the world its being waited till then. once I talk to my surgeon about that surgery I want to talk to him about amputation because this next surgery has a big change of it not working and as a planner I don't want to keep going though surgeries that don't work. plus being a college student it also puts my life on hold having to concisely deal with pain and then having to recover from surgery that may not work.
in short, i was born with an extra bone in my foot but it took 17 years to become noticeable and cause major pain up my foot though my hip and sometimes into my shoulder. so i had the bone removed but sense for 17 years i was walking on the outside of my foot i now in the past two years have overcompsiated and now have no strength on the outside of my foot since i've bee walking on the inside of my arch for so long now.
I am currently in a new type of brace which doesn't seem to help (I now own over 10 different types of braces/boots) and doing PT to see if that helps at all before the next surgery.
I go for surgery in 6 weeks, it’s gunna be below knee and watching your videos has been helping me learn and prepare, so thankyou!
Your hair in this video is really pretty, Jo! Your makeup too!!
Aww thank you so much!!
I'm so proud of you and how far you have come
Easiest and best decision I ever made. 20 years of pain and problems. 9 surgeries that didn’t fix it. I would have done it years ago if the drs were on board. My mom and a few family members including my wife were not supportive of the amputation option. Later it became clear that it would be the best solution to my problem. I didn’t want to get an amputation as an older man. I wanted to enjoy life as much as possible. I also talked to many other amputees and prayed and spoke to my spiritual guides. No regrets. I knew immediately that it was going to be ok because I woke up after surgery and the pain was gone. Post op pain is temporary. I was free. And I have a great prosthetist that is a blessing.
Im not an amputee but this is really interesting as like you said it can be used for big decisions in life. Always love your videos.
Also your hair and makeup look nice. You normally look lovely and i know when im having a good day i will do my hair nice so hoping its a good day for you x
What a gorgeous lady are you 😚
Helping others with their handicap 👌
I'm not an amputee, but I love your videos, you are so helpful for everyone who is in this situation. ;-)
I can relate to this. I’m currently a limb salvage patient and I’ve had 20 surgeries so far in a little over 2 yrs. I’ve reached the point that I’m done being cut on and my leg still be in the same condition it was prior to all the surgeries. I was 18 when my wreck happened and I’m now 21. I had a hard time accepting amputation. I thought it would be the worst thing ever but now that I’m friends with some amputees it’s not as scary to me anymore. I’ve completely exhausted all limb salvage options and my leg isn’t responding to treatment. I’ve talked with different amputees, my therapists, and drs. I talked to my ortho dr about amputation. He told me exactly where he would amputate and what he would do which was kinda shocking to me because I was expecting to have to convince him since so many people have said that they’ve had to fight for their drs to agree to amputate and my dr was just waiting for me to tell him that I was ready. I see him in August to discuss the right below knee amputation in further detail. I’ve had some of my family and one dr not agree with my decision to move forward with amputation but I’m willing to take the risk even if I never get to wear a prosthetic and my CRPS is in my residual limb. I’m tired of dragging a dead and useless foot/ankle/leg around
Your eyeshadow is amazing!
This is amazing. Thankyou so much. My story is very similar to yours. Ankle fusion surgeries lots now facing amputation. X
I want to take a moment to appreciate how the automatic transcript constrained itself - and properly transcribed "below knee amputee" and not "baloney amputee". My brain thinks differently about that call each time.
Making my decision. This is truly HUGE. You have made a huge positive impact in my life and journey. This is so hard just got my right and left knee braces. Left knee shot now after taking all the pressure weight and damage as the right knee was turned to mush by an incompetent surgeon. The knee replacement was a total failure and I have been told a revision is highly unlikely to have a positive outcome. Surgeon just wants me to go on methadone ( as I am allergic to opioids) I was like ummmm no I want a life not to sleep through life. What an option crippled or on methadone!!! I mean wth?
I’m 56 with multiple health challenges . Ugh. I want to be empowered by making my own decision I just wish I could sit down and have a coffee with you ( and Brian and the creatures ) and hash it out. I have no one in my life that can conceptually deal with this so .... ya.
I shall continue to investigate.
Thank you... for everything.
Paula Marie ( preferred two names ) from A little town in Alberta 🇨🇦 Canada
My customs wheelchair is here for times when I really need and I have a walker but come on ... 56????
What a good kitty cakes is to hang around during this tough discussion 💜
Isn't she the best little kitty!?
It’s understandable to keep searching for something to bring you out of chronic pain, and doubtful ANYONE can understand what pain you are or were going thru. But as we get older we learn that some things are NOT fixable and it’s something you have to live with. Of course- you are very young and it’s HORRIBLE this has happened to you and shouldn’t happen to a person so young.
I had last year a accident and my foot broke now it’s healed but I have still problems to completely strech ect to do with my foot 🦶🏻🤔 but yeah I have soon a doctor appointment so I can know finally
I got my foot amputated. An I appreciate your videos. Thank you for your videos
Jo, I am close to tears watching this video. I didn't have a choice to have my lbka, I had a bad infection in my left foot that got in the bone. Therefore I had to have the leg amputated. I am 54 and worried that with my age and prosthetic leg there willing to hire me.
9 surgery's in 2years and in alot of pain all the time so trust me I understand your situation finally surgery #10 was my amputation.. 2 years. July 19 amputee
💜💜💜
Hey I'm calling to make an appointment to make less of me.
You are brave. Its not an easy one to make, but sometimes its necessary. I do not regret my amputation for a second. I am a left below the knee as of Sept 6 of last year. Hang in there!
Less of you?
You mean less of your body. You are not your body, you just have one.
@@LadyNicoMura a less amount of my body mass.
I’ve stumbled upon the channel, and, though I may not be an amputee, I do have medical problems with my legs, or I used to. I’ve had about 8 surgeries on them, when I was a little kid. My leg muscles are still tight and it can hurt quite a bit at times, but I like learning from this channel from someone with a leg amputation knowing that I’ve also had a medical thing revolving around my legs. I hope this isn’t insulting or something
I enjoy all your video's. I feel that you did the right thing. You seem to do things and get around good with your prosthetic leg.
Aw thank you so much, Virginia!
Can you make a tutorial for your hair please? 🌺🌺🌺
Thanks Joe I made my decision for Jan 15th 2023 to amputate right ankle a chance I'll take after awful fusion👍
As a horse-riding, CU Boulder grad, cripple myself with a partial ankle fusion and looking at a replacement in a couple of years- have you thought about doing a more medically detailed video? I understand those are likely not going to be the most popular, but they would be for people like me, and people that also have Avascular Necrosis (I have in 12 joints and most long bones). Because to be honest, the idea of amputation is considered very archaic to most orthos that even deal with AVN, as many do not even see even 1 case in their career. It may be helpful to see your X-rays or hear more detail about the procedures you did have, how they went, etc. From time to time, there will still be an ortho who suggests it, or a patient who comes to that idea themselves, and it always causes quite the convo on my FB page for AVN. A video like that may help them with their decision if they can understand where you were coming from, more medically and the exact issues you were facing.
Also as a side note, I find it interesting that you went to UC Denver and not the Steadman Clinic. I actually ended up at UC Den ER
for swelling and pain after a surgery and they informed me in the follow up that they did not even have 1 physician on staff that dealt with AVN. I was shocked! I traveled to the E Coast to see my orthos, but saw follow up in Den, but at Swedish. -- I would also be interested to know if there are any residual issues you deal with in other parts of your body because of your ankle and subsequent amputation- like back issues or left knee issues….I have both! After being in a walking boot for over a year, I have terrible back spasms and sciatica.
Good luck to you!
I had to make that decision also after 6 surgeries on my right ankle they tried a ankle replacement joint that failed after 6 months. I was told i would be back to using a crutch to walk again so i made the decision to right below knee amputation . Hardest decision but the best best decision i ever made. I am back to walking my dog , being able to hang out and go places with friends and family and exercise again.
Woah, your hair is GORGEOUS! ❤️
Awww thank you!!!!
Your hair and makeup looks great today 💗
Thank you so much, Jessica!
Your the best.
Much love from Miami Fl..
💜💜💜
I have a friend that has a prosthetic leg all the way up to mid thigh but she is my BEST FRIEND ever❤️
Wow, great suggestions. Thank you for sharing.
💜💜💜
For me, the decision was an easy one. My left foot was completely FUBAR'd from an IED shredding the tissue (shrapnel, not the blast, was what did it in). I actually healed fully and beyond some acceptable levels of pain, for a long time my foot was fine. I simply sucked it up and continued on. Years later I took three bullets through the abdomen that tore my internal organs apart. I lost my spleen, my gall bladder, half my stomach, and six inches of my small intestine. That ended up leading to a battle for my life that lasted 6 years (it's finally coming to an end) in which I died multiple times (3 during the actual shooting, 3 times over the following first 2 years where I was still fighting for my life). Anyway, that situation led to my health going downhill and the IED injury reared its head again, since I had serious scar tissue throughout my left foot, and started developing severe pain down there, along with strange ailments, like reducing liver function and constant nausea.
Turned out the scar tissue in my foot was impeding blood circulation in my foot to a point where the blood was stagnating in my foot long enough that it wasn't circulating well, and when it did it was basically useless and my liver and remaining organs had a hard time filtering it out. So when we figured out the problem, my decision became a binary one- Since it was my goal to get strong and fit enough to give me a chance to return to combat (however slim that chance might be) and I wouldn't be able to do that at all so long as my foot was causing what basically amounted blood poisoning, my choice was simple: Either keep the foot, have my health continue to decline, and be a "useless piece of shit" (my words) til I eventually die early, or cut it off, and hopefully literally cut off the problem at the feet, so that I'd have at least a fraction of a chance of getting my life back and getting back into the fight.
That was 6 months ago. I got my first prosthetic in January, the final foot in late February. Since then, I've made nearly a full recovery. I was a Ranger, so that was my baseline for measuring my progress. I've basically met and exceeded all requirements for becoming a Ranger outside of the run and ruck requirements (53 push-ups, 63 sit-ups, 2 mile run in 14:30 or less, 4 pull-ups, 6-mile ruck march with a 35-pound rucksack and weapon in less than 1:30). I live in the middle of nowhere currently, and the closest gym is 20 miles away from me (which is difficult to get to, because there aren't many taxis or Ubers willing to come this far out, and I don't have a car I can reliably drive -nor do I WANT to drive, because ugh gas prices). I need a treadmill to work on my running stride safely. I'm using a Meta Shock X, which is the best prosthetic I can get for my requirements (able to run, has a lock system not dependent on suction, has very few moving parts, is not vulnerable to elements or extreme conditions, is lightweight), but the difficulty slope of relearning to run without a treadmill has been... painful, to put in simply. I have already nearly busted my face open multiple times falling flat on it because I simply can't figure out my gait. I'm moving in a few months to finish my training, and I've already gotten approved to return to duty, albeit as a contractor, not a Ranger (which is fine... I spent more time as a contractor than I did in the military at this point) and in a logistics position instead of combat. But at least I'm getting my life back in some form, as opposed to an agonizingly slow death (I'm fine with dying, and I'm fine with living... it's the lingering between the two that I find unacceptable. Either get me useful or end me fast... languishing between the two is for other people that ARE NOT ME).
Truthfully? Had the amputation not worked out well, or if I had no chance of getting my life back in some form or another? I was fully prepared and committed to eating a bullet. I still am, TBH. If things go south at any time, I refuse to go back to that misery of living in hospitals and hospices, constant poking and prodding from doctors and nurses and everyone looking at me with pity or hollow words of comfort and prayer. IDGAF about any of that. I don't need or want pity, I can comfort myself just fine if I really need to, and if God was gonna help me, he would've kept that IED and those bullets from doing me in. I'll do it myself now, thank you very much. Come get at me again when it's judgement time, God, we'll settle up then. Because man have I got beef with you to hash out. I'm not mad about any of it, after all this is the life that I chose, for better or worse... I wasn't drafted. But he is definitely going to have a lot of accountability to answer for.
Anyway, that's me. It's whatever. We do what we can with what we have.
I know you were in a difficult situation, but I’m glad for you that you had lots of support in making this decision. Oh I don’t usually make these type of comments, your makeup and hair looks great. Do you think your decision to remove your foot could have been made without the support you have? Thanks for sharing
Hey David! Great to hear from you as always! 😊 I appreciate the encouragement! I think making that decision would have been exponentially harder...it was definitely difficult to have so many people inputting their different opinions, but at the end of the day, the very small handful of people I have close to me made the decision a lot easier.
Side note, your hair is looking fabulous
Aww thank you so much Julia!
You look great jo
The TH-camr Jammie Dogger is a Transman from the UK. I think a collaboration video about life altering surgeries with the two of you could be very interesting.
I love your voice!
I feel off my horse and got very lucky only broke my tail bone and sacrum and I understand the frustration, but obviously it doesn’t compare to your case but still I understand.
Idk if this sounds rude, but a really neat video would be reuniting with the horse you fell off that caused your leg to break, if the horse is still around 🐎 💗
I've actually been working on that! I'll hopefully have a video about it sometime in the (hopefully) hear future!!
You got very beautiful voice
You look absolutely beautiful Jo! 🥰
Hey Joe I had my Byk right amputation was March 10th 2020
Welcome to the amputee club my friend! 😊
You look especially lovely today- the eye make up is amazing. You must have been in indescribable agony and i feel so sad that a person as great as you had to go through this.
My husband is losing his leg Monday. I am trying to learn how I can support him
Hello Jo your hair looks amazing 😍 hope your doing well and I love your cat just washing away no shame so funny 😂
Your beautiful jo love the top you tried all avenues that sadly didn't work you did the only option you had left and it worked out best for you love you jo you always have something interesting to say on your channel
How do I mentally prepare myself for amputation? A part of me is terrified by the idea but another part of me thinks I'll be alright but I don't know. . . All I know is that I'm scared and unsure. I know there's no going back once it's done.
God bless you sweetart mines coming off soon so I can get on with my life.xxx
I have also made the decision on right below the knee amputation so on may 30th I’m headed to bamc in San Antonio for surgery I’d love to sit with u on the phone or anything because I’m not sure how to feel I’m jaded almost unfazed but idk how to exactly explain how I feel I’d love to hear from you and maybe help me understand it
I was born with a disability, spina bifida. Can't walk, up until my 30's I hardly had any problems, other than the not walking thing, but after that it just seemed like one thing after another. one thing was recurring cellulitis and/or something called reflex sympathetic dystrophy, which has cellulitis type symptoms, it affected my lower left leg, one time I ended up in hospital and was like just take the leg off, they wouldnt but I really didn't give a s**t if they did, still don't.
I was hit by a car almost 7 years ago and almost lost my leg. I told the doctor to take It off if necessary. It was saved and I have 95% function, I have do have nerve damage.
Wait I have that button up I am pretty sure. Mine is from H&M and I just bought it a few days ago 😅
Mine is from H&M too haha!!
Can you do a video about what the unhappy person had to say?
When I first heard the word Amputation I cried, did not want to talk about it.
However 7 years later I will become an amputee Oct 2, 2020.
Jo, did you call your insurance to verify your insurance or did
your doctors office handle it.
Idk why but my stupid brain keeps hearing "bolony" amputee instead of below knee amputee!!! And i have no idea why😭😂😂😂
After 7 years of trying to save my leg my dr said it had to go....so it went....
Well then hello my fellow amputee friend! 😊
@@FootlessJo so happy I found your channel!!
I know that it does not matter now, did you get second and third doctor/surgeon opinions before your amputation? Were all of your surgeries the same doctor?
I’m sure not sure how I found your channel but you are so encouraging!
Although it’s not remotely the same.. I have been wrestling with ankle injury for about 5 years now (4 years undiagnosed). I’ve come to the conclusion that I have a torn ligament (which is constantly agitating a tendon ) and my Dr. recommended surgery. I am still torn about it! I’ve tried everything from months of PT, 2 cortisone shots, and many types of orthotic shoe inserts, and am still in contestant pain. Any advice for knowing when to seek a second opinion or what to expect with surgery? Thanks Jo!
I have CRPS in my hands and I wish some days I could just take them away because medication doesn't work. But I wouldn't want to not have hands. But the pain is horrid
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when it came time it hit but everything leading to my amputation helped me make the decision to cut my foot off
Just out of curiosity, didn't your surgeon require you to go through counseling and such before moving forward?
I heard that ur cat passed away on Instagram so sorry to hear that