HOW I found LIFE AGAIN as an AMPUTEE - SIX Core Issues
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- Опубликовано: 25 июн 2024
- As an Amputee for 18 Years I share my SIX best INSIGHTS - WELCOME to SEASON 2 of The AMPED LIFE
Timestamps for this video:
0:00 Intro
0:40 Live Streaming Announcement
2:00 Context Story - Cliff Jumping with Video
4:36 Intro to 6 Core Insights
6:00 1st
7:20 2nd
8:24 3rd
9:29 4th
10:33 5th
12:59 6th
13:50 Summary of all 6 Core Insights
14:34 Conclusion and Thank You!
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My Best Leg: Ossur Rheo XC
My Best Foot: Ossur Proprio
My 2nd Best Foot: Ossur ProFlex LP Torsion
My Best Liner: Ossur Iceross Seal In Liner
My Prosthetist: Eugene Rossouw (Cape Town SA)
www.prostheticrehabclinic.co.za
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Hi guys!!
I have been an AMPUTEE since 2004.
In 2000 I had a paragliding accident, after which I struggled with complications of my left leg. Constant infections and acute, chronic pain pushed me to the point where I considered amputation. Ultimately it was the right decision, which opened up a completely different life to me.
Today I am a happy amputee. In this channel I aim to share what it is that got me to this space. I hope that you find your own happiness, despite, and even because of, the struggles of becoming an amputee :-)
VIDEO TIMESTAMPS IN THE DESCRIPTION.
The SIX points start at 4:06 but everything before that leads up to these issues and provides context for what follows. Thanks for watching!
You know I understand the throught process behind each of these principles. But I would still answer that I would love to get my leg back (even at the cost of these learnings). But great video, I feel a lot of videos don't talk about these mental aspects/struggles that come with the amputations and disability.
Hi Rohan, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I completely see your perspective, we are all affected in different ways and our needs differ, which is why I appreciate your feedback, as I thinks others needed to hear this too. You have also encouraged me to talk more about the mental and emotional aspects of whet we live with, thank you for this.
All the best, I hope we meet on the live streams soon!
You had a little reminder that loss and grief are not ever gone. They will rise back on occasion and can feel as intensely as the original experience. I’m glad you were able to sort through what had affected you in your cliff jumping.
Similar to the quote: people often say life is short, but in so many ways, life is long and hard. Finding our way through the struggle without being swallowed whole is a triumph in of itself.
Thank you so much for a kind and very well considered message and observation. Your quote is truly helpful and uplifting. I used it this morning in a therapy session with one of my clients who found it to be comforting, and left feeling more grounded - thank you for this. It is why I enjoy interacting with the community so much - I learn something with every video posted.
I hope to see you in the live streams, and to share more for your thoughts with those who participate in the chats.
Much appreciated.
Chris, how poignant your comments were! I lost my leg only 10 months ago and I realize I have a long way to go before I can achieve the peace of mind you present. Thank you!
Hi Ruy, thanks so much for your comment and kind words. I've learnt that we all move at a different pace, and also that sharing experiences and support helps a lot to achieve that peace of mind. I wish you all the best, please keep in touch and let us know how you progress. Take care, in my experience things get better with dedication and through connection.
@@theampedlife Thanks for your reply. You are right about your statement that good things happen after an amputation, I've met some of the most awesome people that would have otherwise not even crossed my path (you included)
Great to have you back Chris. I value your comments greatly.
Hi Taras, thank you for your motivating words, it inspires me to create more content for the viewers. Please join us in the upcoming live streams, I hope and think it's going to be an engaging experience where we can share our thoughts real time.
Back in early 2019 when i was in a dark hole after losing my leg due to accident the December of the previous year, while researching about my new life I came across your channel, I must say that it helped so much, because you were speaking through your own experiences and that gave me hope that I will get to accept my new life,,which I have since done, I’m using the rheo knee xc, and I use your videos as my tutorial on how to get the best out of this leg, I thank you Chris
Hi Vincent, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. This is why we do this, to help and support, and find solutions from each other. I'm really stoked that you're using the Ossur Rheo, it was such a game changer for me and good to hear someone is experiencing the freedom and safety it brings.
Your message will motivate others, thanks again for sharing your experience and thoughts.
All the best for the future - see you on the live streams I hope!
I want to thank you for your videos. I'm a recent BKA, my amputation was April 15, 2022. Unlike you, there was not really a choice for me. I had a blister on my toe get infected, because of diabetes and another medication that I was on for another condition my blood sugar was over 200. My body could not fight the infection with my blood sugar that high. The infection spread to the bones in my foot. I went to the ER and 3 days later my leg was amputated below the knee. No more pain. I realized that I needed to get my diabetes under control and lose weight. I've gone from 300lbs to 240lbs. My BG is averaging 120, now. The physical therapists always commented on my natural strength and balance, so the rehab was fairly easy for me. I received my starter prosthetic about 7 weeks ago. I enjoyed your video on Kickass Gait. Great tips! I returned to work 3 weeks ago. I'm a Tool and Die Maker in a factory. I've been working 58hrs/week since I returned. No issues. Each day, it seems that I learn something different to make it more comfortable. Btw, my prosthetist is South African. I live in the US. Small world. Again, thank you.
Hi Shannon, thanks for your message! It seems like you've been determined to overcome your changes through determination and information, as well as finding a good prosthetist - awesome stuff!
I'll be posting video on limb care soon, I think you'll find it helpful, keep an eye out. All my best tips after 18 years of trying different methods and practices. It's such a crucial part of maintaining good mobility.
Please keep in touch and share your experiences, it's going to help and motivate others in the community. Thanks for contributing with your story!!
Thanks for sharing..so true I am struggling with my identity now as a amputee..At 50 you are finally comfortable in your skin..but with my now amputee state that has changed how I view myself..thanks for your insight..
Hi Carol, thank you for the comment, and for sharing your struggle with a changed identity. It was a battle for me, but I really believe we can all find our way by answering a few crucial questions and exploring what they mean in our daily living and experience of life. I am 56 now, and as I mentioned quite content with how things are.
I truly wish the same for you.
All the best with your journey, I hope we hear good things as you figure it all out.
Thank you so much. I’m the mother of a new amputee (AK, consequence of an accident)… we have so many questions, which you are helping to answer! I’ve just watched 4 of your videos this evening… so many (good) choices! 😊
Dear Gabrielle, I'm so sorry to hear about the accident and the loss. Please feel free to ask any questions, if we can help make things easier we'd love to do so or help in any way. Ill be doing live streams soon, please join us and ask real time for a discussion on you specific concerns or questions. All the best, please keep in touch!
Welcome back. New amputee. Thank you
Hi Jerry, thank you for the kind message! All the best with your new experience as an amputee, I really hope we hear from you again. Please join us in the live streaming chats, I thinks it will be an engaging platform to share thoughts and suggestions, and to connect real time with each other.
Take care mate!
Hey Chris glad to see that you are back posting videos, I find you're videos very interesting, I am not an amputee yet lucky for me I am able to do research before taking that big step, by watching what you have gone through I am able to find out some important information to make the right decision. I am looking at above knee amputation because of a bad knee replacement I am still having extreme pain even after 6 years and now my other knee is giving me trouble so to help relieve my good knee I am looking at above knee amputation. It is a hard decision to make but by learning from people like you I will be able to do it. Thanks.
Hi Wayne, thanks for the message! Yeah its good to connect again, and to hear back from you guys. I think I have a sense of what you are experiencing, it's an exceptionally hard decision to make. In the end I decided that the choice with the best long-term outcome was certainty for the future, which is what amputation gave me in the end. No more pain, and I knew what I was dealing with once I got going again with a prosthetic leg.
There was a lot of peace in knowing what I could and could not do, and in removing the constant pain and uncertainty. The benefit to my body after amputation was also immediate, no more infection, medication, and compensation for a bad posture.
We are all different and I hope you find your answer and peace. All the best, take care.
Been an amputee since I was 8 years old. Now 65 years later, I can identify with so much of what you say!
Hi Rebecca, thank you for sharing this comment. You must have had so many insights over the years as an amputee, especially considering that sadly you are so young when this happened. I really hope you've found your peace, and that you live a content life :-)
@@theampedlife Thx. I have and praise God continue to!!!
Thank you Chris. I am scheduled to have a BKA performed next week. Despite the fact that this is going to be an elective procedure I am very anxious and depressed about the aspect of losing my leg. I have watched many of your videos over the past week and they have given me courage and a more positive outlook going forward into this scary next stage of my life as well as great information about prosthetic limbs. I just wanted you to know that your efforts in producing these videos really has a great positive impact on people's lives.
Hi Scott, thank you for your message and kind words, I really appreciate this, and it motivates me to keep on posting video's.
I'm truly sorry to hear that your'e having to experience this process. Your anxiety and depressed mood is completely understandable given what a life changing experience this can be.
I remember being in your situation all those years ago, also experiencing some depression, fear, and a lot of anxiety over what this is going to mean in my life. I also felt some relief at the prospect that living with a bad leg was coming to an end.
For me the journey after the actual day of amputation only got better. Not always easy, but as long as I was experiencing a sense of progression the depression lifted and life became so much better.
I realised that my life was bigger than this loss, and became determined to engage my new identity with a sense of curiosity and openness to change. Once I was able to let go of the hope that life could have been different, I was free to live well with acceptance of my limitation.
Most importantly - I realised that I had underestimated my capacity to adapt to my changed realities. Without having too high expectations of myself, by being kind to myself, by allowing myself to be down occasionally without judging it, and by just trying to be a little better than I was the day before - things started to gradually improve.
I started thinking of the things I could do, new hobbies and activities, learning new things, and what I would possibly discover as an amputee. In the end a whole new world opened up with some wonderful experiences and people.
I realised it's OK to struggle, important to find help, and not to try to go it alone.
In the end we are all different, with our unique ways of going about dealing with struggles - what matters is to trust our ability to learn to cope.
We're just having a human experience, given the circumstances. I find it is important to allow ourselves the time to adjust to this experience.
All the best, please keep in touch. I wish you a strong recovery and journey to quality of life.
@@theampedlife Hi Chris, I'm now 5 weeks post-op and doing well. I am pain free (except for some fleeting, mostly tolerable phantom sensations) for the first time in 5 years and haven't taken anything for pain since post-op day 3. I spent 2 weeks in in-patient rehab which went very well. My residual limb is well healed and (after getting insurance authorization a few days ago) I am scheduled for casting for the first socket in a few days. This is the most positive I've felt in years. Thanks again for your inspirational videos which have helped so much in getting through the past few weeks.
I read something the other day which I feel applies very much to my BKA surgery and thought you might appreciate:
" Not all storms come to harm you. Some storms come to clear your path."
Welcome back. Missed you. Glad you are back!
Hi David, thank you so much for the warm message. Its so good to connect with you all again. I hope to see you on the live streaming chats!
@@theampedlife You will do well Chris. I am positive.
Hello!! I'm going on my first solo trip (it's not much, just back to my previous city) after amputation. I'm excited cause it will surely boost my confidence (well, assuming all goes good).
Your videos have helped me gain confidence and let's just say has influenced my decision to go on my first solo trip. Thank you Thank you :)
I hope the trip goes well, I respect that you're taking a risk to do something new with the challenges we often face. My experience is that we are more capable than we often believe, making changes has never let me down and I wish the same for you.
Enjoy your trip, please let us know how it went, it will surely encourage someone else who reads your comment.
My Best to you Rohan.
@@DonaMccarthy It went well! And I've gone on a couple more. For now, it's just familiar places - cities and places I've been to. But as I get fitter, hopefully, I'll start venturing to unknown places more - which is what I love about travelling. You're an inspiration - TY
Thanks for this. I wouldn't have my leg back as I had 8 years of pain & wore it like a cloak. I wish it wasn't so expensive to get a leg to swim with & your regular prosthesis. Miss swimming in the sea but go to tidal pools. Keep up with the journey & get a good orthotist everyone. 😃
Hi Julia, thank you so much for your message and for sharing your thoughts. I find that the ocean brings total freedom, I feel so much more capable and in control, even without a "wet" leg (which I do not have either). I'm curious as to why you don't swim in the sea?
Please join us in the upcoming live streaming chats, and thank you for the valuable advice to find a good orthotist - it is soooo crucial.
All the best with your journey too!
Thanks Chris for this video. I’m a new above the knee Amputee and have had a plethora of emotions and thoughts about this situation. I’m currently trying to embrace this life changing crisis and your core beliefs are something I plan on examining in my life. Thanks again for your perspective.
Don in Kentucky
Hi Don, thank you for your message. Our crisis can improve our lives, and I hope that you find meaning in yours. All the best with this journey - and what it might mean to your life going forward.
Also, I hope your mobility improves and that you experience some freedom with a good prosthetic setup. Many new rewarding experiences may happen!
Chris - finally! You are back! Great! Watching your channel after my accident helped me a lot! You are doing great job and I hope to see much more videos during second season :).
Hi Arthur, yes it's really good to be connecting with everyone again! Thanks for the support and I hope we see you in the live streams soon.
@@theampedlife You can count on me :).
I do enjoy everyday. Life is given once. There are bad days, good as well. I am amputee for 14 years.
Love your positive message! You're so right, we have one shot at this, lets make the most of it despite our difficulties.
Chris great to see you again ! Your videos are always inspirational interesting and straight to the point I’m already looking forward to your next one - I’m enjoying zoom meetings with fellow amps and the benefits- ideas -tips being shared are invaluable. After years of struggling with pulling jeans on over my foot.
someone said a plastic bag on the foot makes the job so much easier and you know what -they are right! Keep on with your mission mate
Hi Fred, thanks for the message! It's really good to be chatting to you guys again, sharing ideas and connecting on amp issues. I hope to see you on the live streams, we are going to be chatting, q&a's and sharing our experiences.
Exciting and looking forward to connecting real time!
Great,
Hello Chris,
I'm 24 & I've unfortunately had 14 surgeries in my life so far. I suffer from an autoimmune disorder where my body attacks itself in a similar manner to arthritis, however it began at age 10 and progressively got worse until we were able to gain control roughly at age 16.
My right leg currently is essentially a massive hinge, two titanium rods intersecting with a pin. I have a "high" tolerance for pain but it's gradually becoming more of an issue.
I've been contemplating above knee amputation, but I'm nervous about sharing this with my orthopedic doctor who had rebuilt my leg at age 18, and is likely to be the surgeon for this hypothetical procedure too.
I'm trying to do my research before sharing anything.
Hi Nicholas, thanks for your message and for sharing your situation.
I recall my orthopaedic dr being very resistant to amputation at the time I went through what you are contemplating. Understandably he wanted to save the leg, it is what he trained for and I respect this.
However, I realised this was my leg, my injury, my pain, my lack of mobility, my future, and my choice. I realised I do not need any persons permission or approval to care for myself and my future.
As much as I understood his perspective, I chose to improve my quality of life - this is what it came down to - my health, my future, my mobility and my need to feel comfortable with what I have.
It was the right choice, I felt empowered to make it, and it freed me up to live my life on my terms.
My family also benefitted from this and supported me throughout.
I hope this helps, I agree that we should research this issue - we are all different with our individual solutions.
I wish you all the best, please keep in touch!
@@theampedlife Absolutely!
I'm happy to share that I just got one of two custom orthopaedic shoes. Since my right leg needs a 77mm lift. It's definitely helping with at least my hip and back pain / scoliosis. Now I have to focus on muscle training in my back to help correct it
wow beautiful that you wouldn't trade it back...
A tough call, but I meant it. Thanks for the kind comment.
Looking forward to it ....but
Hi Chris , I am a 68 year old male lost my right leg two months ago , and am waiting to get into three weeks of in house therapy . Since the accident and leaving hospital the stump has swelled 3 cm which has slowed my recovery,(can’t get the leg on ) the socket is being adjusted and I am hoping this will help. Any advice on stopping swelling apart from ice and compression? I am anxious to be back walking sincerely ! Jeff also what was your decision to use a Ossur leg swayed by , I am trying both a c leg and an Ossur
Hi Jeff, thank you for the message, and for watching the video. Usually swelling is caused by one of the following: Infection, poor circulation, bruising. It is not unusual for initial swelling to occur, but after enough rest and wound healing it should subside. If there are none of the mentioned conditions the swelling should lessen in good time, it's different for most. I found that swimming reduced my swelling very effectively due to the circulation, buoyancy, and horizontal positioning for 40-60 min.
I chose the Ossur for safety, sheer mobility, durability (by far the most durable knee) as well as the design of it, which I really like (not the deciding factor though). ALSO very importantly Ossur care very much about their users, their service is outstanding, and support is accessible world wide. This was crucial for me after two bad experiences with other manufacturers. I cannot stress this enough.
Ossur also offers what they call the "Total Solution" which integrates the knee, liner, and foot, which all come together as a whole, effective application. I am very active, no other products have met my needs so adequately as Ossur does.
I hope this helps, all the best and keep in touch. I hope to see you in the live streaming video's!
Good to see you again Chris. You make some great points. I have a question for you or any other of our prosthetic having associates: I am a TK (knee disarticulation) amputee and so my entire right leg, or whats left of it 😄, is covered with a liner that fits via suction into my prosthetic. I'm having serious issues of infected hair follicles aka pimples/boils whatever you want to call them, developing under my liner. It has happened since the beginning and it continues to happen even after my prosthetist ordered me a new liner. Does anyone have a solution to this problem? When it happens I have to stop wearing my prosthetic in order for them to heal and its hindering my progress. And it happens all the time. I can't be the only person with this issue. My prosthetist doesn't seem to have an answer. Any advice or suggestions from anybody will be greatly appreciated.
Good to be back thanks!
I am also TKA, hopefully my suggestions will help.
I use an Ossur Seal In Liner, which is a patented material which is very skin friendly. Anything else gave me endless skin issues, including infectious.
Every evening I wash the residual limb with slightly salty warm water and an organic soap first, dry and apply a neutral cream.
Occasionally I will apply a little Bactroban to the rounded end to prevent infection, but not daily.
Finally, in the evening I use one alcohol swab to gently wipe the end of the limb and remove bacteria. This is a practice I follow religiously and it stopped all infections.
When possible I try to get some sunlight on the limb, this really helps to keep the skin healthy.
I hope this helps, I have no more issues since starting this practice. I want to stress that the liner was a game changer for me.
Please join the live streams soon!
@@theampedlife i must be losing my mind...I thought I already replied to this post...#elderly 🤣. Regardless, I can't thank you enough Chris. Your response gave me hope, hope that I can finally put these skin issues behind me and will no longer be restricted by them. I will follow this regiment religiously and if all goes well hopefully I too can look back on these skin issues as a problem of the past. Maybe even the day might come when I can share what you've just told me to another amputee in need. 🤷🏾♂️ Again....Thank you Chris, I'll see you on the livestream brother!
@@jalowery1246 I really hope this works out as well for your as it does for me, I look forward to hearing more - all the best mate!
Hi chris which one do you prefer?
Keep in the standard alignment of prosthetic leg and socket? Or
Choose the alignment wer u comfortable to walk?
The alignment im comfortable with is the substandard alignment that im the one who adjust. But im comfortable with it.
Hi mate, definitely the walking settings. Having said that, there is no reason why both can't be achieved. It's 100% doable. Maybe get someone else to take a look? Hope you get it sorted out soon!
New amputee here, lost my leg last year April. Struggling with practicing walking and can't find motivation to start exercising. Any logical advice? Never was very active, but I realize I need to start doing it for my health but also my prosthetic journey.
Hi Marili, thank you for the message, and Im sorry about the loss and to hear you are struggling to get it all together again. I have so much I can share with you which I think will be helpful, maybe you can join one of our live streams and ask your question, I will answer them directly and share some suggestions, if you feel up to it.
My 1st thought is to think about what you want to be able to say about your situation 6 months from now, identify the steps you need to take to facilitate this outcome, and find the support you need to help you see it through. It is so important to feel a sense of progression in this process, and to have someone to share the experience with.
Health is one of the best places to start. It is something we can immediately work on and see results daily quickly, which motivates us to go further and take on new tasks. One day at a time, it will all come together. You need someone to help you to believe in yourself, to really believe the desired outcome is going to happen.
I truly hope you find what you need, and if I can help somehow let me know :-)
Take care
Hi Chris, I am an amputee with above knee. Seems I have gained weight.
Is it possible to shrink or compress the size of stump which is sagging?
It doesn't fit into my prosthetic socket.
I don't think we can often change my socket size.
Could you please suggest me on this?
Hi Swetha, weight management is so crucial for us, I had a similar issue a few years ago and needed to lose 12kg to fix it. The stump should not have expanded that much, is there possibly also water retention?
A stump shrinker could help, ask at your prosthetist or even at a pharmacy is they have something like this. Best is to get proper advice from your health care professional. All the best, hope you find a solution soon 🙏
@The Amped Life with Chris Thank you so much Chris!!
@@swethadr1997 You're welcome, hope all goes well.
BTW, on Sat at 4pm I'll be going live on the channel with Q&A and other subscribers will be joining and asking / answering questions. Please join us, maybe someone can answer your quoin for you and offer some good advice 🙂
Hope we see you there!
@@theampedlife Sure Chris. Will join
@@swethadr1997 Wonderful, see you there! Be sure to say hi in the comments, and feel free to ask your question for me to repeat live to the viewers.
Hi Chris m a new amputee above knee plz help me m crying n angry most of the time😢😢
Hi Meren, thank you for your message, and I am really sorry for your loss and how you are struggling with what happened.
I would love to help, and have so many questions which will help me to help you. When did it happen, was it an accident, what exactly you feel angry about, and many other thoughts about your experience.
I can remember when I felt all these things. I remember the deep sadness, anger, uncertainty, but mostly I remember how scared I was for what was to come, and how disappointed I was for the things I would never be able to do. I stayed like this for a long time, but I never told anyone, I just pretended that everything was OK.
You've done something really important with this message - which was to be honest about how you feel with someone who understands what you are going through. This is the first step, and if you continue to ask for help and support you will find the right people to give you what you need.
It was important for me to take it one stage at a time. First get healthy again, the get stronger, become mobile, find the best prosthetist for me and my needs, and get the best possible prosthetics.
Then, most important, I needed a goal, a purpose, something that was important for me to achieve and to feel of value again. Not something big to everyone else, but something I loved and wanted. I wanted to find meaning in my loss, and to figure out what it can give me, and others - not focus only on what I had lost.
We are all different, and we find out own solutions, so cannot tell you what is best for you, but I can tell you its worth it to find out what you want, that will motivate you and help you to feel good about who you are.
I really wish the best for you, please keep in touch, and take it one goal at a time. Be caring to yourself and keep on asking for support.
I'm an amputee how long will it take to walk normal without crutches
Hi Octavia, I need to know how long have you been an amputee for, and where is your leg amputated? I'll answer the best I can if you let me know.
Zero issues after a traumatic lower leg and ankle blow out. Told the doctor after 9 weeks to cut it off. I would much rather have a prosthetic at my age. I'm in the trades and don't want the problems of keeping it. I'm all good and it will be amputated this coming week. I'm looking forward to it honestly.
Hi Pat, I love your attitude and positivity, and can really relate to the relief of getting on with life.
All the best mate!
I have missed you! Happy you are back.
Hi Marion, thank you for the welcome back message! It's good to be back online again after some time off, happy to be sharing some experiences with the Amped Community. New video on residual limb health coming soon, hope to see you there. Hope you are well and healthy 🙂