My Story: The Short, The Long, and the Now
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- Опубликовано: 4 ноя 2024
- Hello!
My name is Annika Hutsler and I electively amputated my leg on April 02, 2019.
My vlog is a video journal of my day to day life from my first steps to trying and retrying sports for the first time as an amputee. I appreciate any and all feedback. I am here, first and foremost, to update my friends and family on my life, but I also love the idea of inspiring others.
In this video, I go back and explain my story. I give a short version, a long version, and what I am doing now and a bit of reflection on everything I went through.
Thank you for all the support!
Follow me on Instagram: @annikatheamputee
When I was about 30 I ran into a woman who said she had gone to high school with me. Mind you, I went to a huge high school, and I had never actually met this woman, but I kind of stood out, and she had seen me around.
So I was surprised when she told me I had literally saved her life.
When she was 19, so about 10 years before we ran into each other, when was in a bad car accident, woke up in the hospital with her leg gone.
She was really depressed and feeling hopeless when she remembered me. She had been impressed with how well I got around and how it seemed that missing a leg never really stopped me. She told me that was when she realized she would be okay.
What impressed me was the fact I had had this impact on her life without even trying.
You never know what sort of impact you are going to have on others, which is why you have to keep going. It's true what they say: If you're going through Hell, don't stop.
♥️♥️♥️
Hi I found your channel through your video with Jo. Think both of you are awesome! I've degenerative disc disease and live in constant pain. You guys give me hope. Much love from Yorkshire, UK x
In 2014, I developed a foot ulcer that became infected and got into the bones of my right foot. I spent 5 years trying to "heal" it. Multiple surgical procedures, 2 rounds of hyperbaric oxygen treatments, IV antibiotics, you name it. My leg was in either a cast or walking boot for 3 years. I am diabetic, and have poor circulation in my lower extremities, which contributed to why it would not heal. Even if it would have healed, I would have had a painful, semi-functional foot for the rest of my life. Finally, in February of 2019 my doctor at the wound care center asked "have you considered amputation? It was an easy decision. On March 27, 2019 I became a below knee amputee. I was so happy I did it - the pain was gone, and once I got my prosthetic, my quality of life was 100% better. But that's not the end of the story. In March 2020 I had virtually the same thing happen to my left foot. Had surgery to debride the wound, which left me with a gaping hole in my foot with exposed tendon and bone. I got another infection in the wound on father's day and went to the ER. I left a week later minus my left foot. From the experience with my right foot, I wasn't going to dink around for years trying to save something that can't be fixed. Now I am a bilateral below knee amputee. I am able to walk without a crutch or cane, but I get tired easily and it takes a lot of energy to just maintain balance, so I can only walk shorter distances without a cane or crutch. But that situation is constantly improving. Some things are difficult, such as getting in/out of the shower with no feet, but my quality of life is so much better now.
I am a former Marine also, and I am nearly 61 years old. You are far more active than I am, and I know I won't ever run again or do many other things, but having a pain free life and still being able to get around on my own is good enough. Best wishes to you in your future progress!
Your story of what you've been through is very interesting. I'm in a wheelchair outside the house, in bed most days and in pain everyday. If I could choose paralysis permenantly to take away my pain I would. I'm so very very pleased you're not in pain anymore and live a good life. Thank you for sharing
Your story is amazing. I am so sorry you had to go thru all that you did. I hate you were in such pain for a long period of time, but I am SO GLAD you finally have your life back with no pain. You’re a superhero! Seriously. Im 31 & have tons of health problems and there’s days I just want to give up, but reading your story & hearing Annika tell hers give me hope that someday I’ll be back to myself and will be happy with life again. Kudos to you! I hope you’re life continues to get better and that you continue to be blessed every day.
as a longtime type 1 diabetic, im happy for you that youve made it through all of that! It also makes me feel less scared about what might happen, its less of a scary mystery (so far the only complications I have are retinopathy, so i still have basically all of my vision)
Footless Jo brought me ere and im so glad she did as great its a channel
My navy doctor was awful to me as well. I started having ankle pain that progressed up to my knees over about 2 weeks after I had finished boot camp. I finally ended up at the VA across the street, barely able to even stand, excruciating pain...
My doctor diagnosed me with Patella Femoral Syndrome (basically my knee cap was not in the groove properly... on both legs... which didn't at all explain the ANKLE pain that had started everything?!).
I went to physical therapy like I was supposed to, I kept going to my appointments, I kept going to school. I didn't get better. I was on crutches, and they kept me in a four-story walk up and we were supposed to muster down in the courtyard like FOUR TIMES A DAY.
My ankles eventually felt better with compression braces being worn every single day for weeks on end, and my knees KIND of got a LITTLE better, but plateaued out and were still causing extreme bursts of pain that would nearly send me to the floor if I stepped wrong.
Then I got put onto medical hold. Which I DID NOT WANT. I wanted to keep going to school. I wanted to finish my training. I was not consulted about or informed I was going on hold, they just did it.
Then my doctor, when I asked for another MRI to see why I was still in SO much pain, asked me, and I will never forget these words, "How much more of the taxpayers money do you want to waste on your issues?"
And that was the moment I realized she thought I was FAKING IT. This DOCTOR, this woman who was supposed to be HELPING ME, thought I was faking it. Thought I was faking the fact that my knees felt like firecrackers were EXPLODING inside of them. Thought I was FAKING this agony. I was on crutches the entire time. I was taking 15 minutes just to go up or down the stairs in my barracks, I was doing NOTHING but going to my appointments and trying to get better, and she thought I was fucking FAKING IT. I was in the worst pain of my entire life. I had never felt pain like this and she thought I was making it up.
So I finally stopped fighting the discharge paperwork and just went through with it.
I left the Navy ten months after I joined it... February 15th to November 10th, 2010. (broke my nose in bootcamp, that was fun...)
Eight DAYS, EIGHT DAYS after I hit the ground as a civilian, on November 18th, I got that MRI done by a civilian doctor.
BI-LATERAL TORN MENISCUS.
BOTH KNEES. Completely shredded.
It took two years to be able to stand for more than 30 minutes at a time (less at the start), three before I could get a job. And the first year was also filled with filing paperwork to get the Navy to admit they fcked up my legs... they finally admitted to the right knee, but not the left (Despite the fact I presented with both at the same time, and the left one was WORSE...).
And despite the fact that I graduated boot camp with FANASTIC scores on all tests and inspections, despite the fact that I had my job outlined and was in school and finished up the first section of E-School (before they forced me onto medical hold), despite the fact that I was IN THE FUCKING NAVY FOR ALMOST A YEAR... I was apparently not "Active Duty" for long enough to qualify for my GI Bill or for Veteran status.
Fucking shoot me. My life is completely turned upside down because of this knee injury. I was nearly bedridden for two years and developed a nervous system disorder that's recently kicked into high gear, that affects my energy levels and my heart.
And they won't even do me the decency of allowing me to go to school to maybe salvage some tiny fucking fraction of a life out of the hellscape that was 2010. I sacrificed my health to them that year and they gave me absolute shit in return. It was clear they didnt want me and didn't care. I hate the Navy. And I hate that fucking bitch Dr. Galan.
Omg, first of all, I just want to commend you for standing up for yourself and being your own advocate when the doctor who was supposed to be helping you was accusing you of faking your injuries…. I have had some terrible doctors throughout my life, myself, and it really sucks…
It feels so frustrating when people who are supposed to be helping you are doing the complete opposite. There are too many judgmental doctors that choose to judge and accuse and assume instead of actually doing their job and helping people. They say they get into that field because they care about people and want to help and make life better for people struggling with health issues, yet there are these kinds of doctors whose actions show Ethan is absolutely not the case.
I’m really sorry you had to go through all that! That should have never happened! They really did you wrong! And then to admit to one side, but not the other!? Just wow…. And then of course they probably pushed you into being medically discharged so that they could say you didn’t qualify for benefits that you should have qualified for and would have if they hadn’t gaslighted you and pushed so hard to get you out. So, again, I’m very sorry you had to endure such atrocious treatment. What a terrible experience to have to go through…
@@brandalinejune5190 I wish I could have stood up to her. I was so dumbstruck when she said that that I just stared at her. It's like she broke me. I still have issues in doctors offices if someone implies I'm being "over dramatic" or that something I'm dealing with isn't serious/worth the effort to look into. Full blown panic attacks in some cases. Just thinking about it makes me want to burst into tears.
I only managed to fight like I did because at the time I HAD to, and I had my mom to help me. I wasn't able to work, and REALLY needed the money. I spent all day on the couch in the living room. Even slept there the first couple weeks home bc I couldn't get upstairs to my bedroom.
I'm doing a lot better now, but still can't wear heels, and have back and hip problems that cause my knees to ache if I start favoring one side or walking differently than normal...
It has given me a super power though! I can walk REALLY quietly! 😂 I've been called a ninja by multiple people. I unconsciously step very gently with a careful roll of my foot so that I don't send any jolts up my legs, and it results in me being utterly silent when I'm just putting around the house. I have to make noise on purpose so I don't startle my roommate. 🤣
@@Palitato glad you're doing better
From 2011-2015, I had about 10-15 surgeries and two bone infections. I had a similar experience with them not believing me. One doc mistook a bone infection for healing tissue. Anyway, it recently flared up again, and I’ll be getting it amputated in November. I’m soooo looking forward to getting my life back. I won’t be doing extreme sports or anything, but I am excited to get back into acting, though. Anyway, just wanted to say your channel looks great. Looking forward to seeing more.
november’s recently passed so i hope you’re doing well! if not, then okay 💕
The army did the same to me i turn it completely twisted my ankle around so my foot was backwards they said nothing wrong with it. I went to a ton of medical doctors that said nothing was wrong except a bone spur and continue to complain about it was sent to see a another doctor that told me i was faking it to get out of running and my job i told him off and became a private. He sent me back to the states i was stationed in Germany . I got stationed state side in Arizona and they found out that it was broken ankle, healed wrong and i tore all ligaments on the right side of my ankle. I had my surgery and it still was not right so i got out medically. I went to the Va a couple months later they had left a bone spur in my ankle the size of a finger so that was removed. My surgery failed 2 yrs later at work it all came about then they did a ankle fusion surgery. I broke it 3 more times after that. Then i went into truck driving and had a fall could not put weight on it for 13 yrs was walking with a crutch and brace on painkillers . It was then i went to new VA in tuscon where a doctor told me that fusion was worn out and had broken healed wrong. They did a ankle replacement surgery but it failed after 1 yr so i asked to have my leg cut off so i could just get back to moving and walking. Took them a 1 month of my phone calls to agree and now 1yr later i am back to walking and doing stuff i once loved again.
You rock sweet girl! You are truly a WARRIOR and an OVERCOMER! 🏆 Your ability to share your story with others is now an amazing testimony! You will help countless souls facing their own battles! I know you've touched me TODAY... you've helped me get geared up, both mentally and emotionally for an upcoming & much-dreaded spinal surgery (4/5/23). If you can go though what you've been through... and come out the other side, with a smile on your face, I should be able to keep my chin up and put on my "big girl panties!" KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON! ✨️ I feel as if stumbling upon your page this morning was meant to be... I'll continue to follow your page. ❤️ And thank you for sharing!
Footless jo led me to your channel, I have now subbed.
Sounds very much like malpractice or med misadventure. So grateful you keot advicating for yourself, including rducating medical professionals on your condition and the options available. Incredible courage and resilience to get through it all, build such an active, meaningful life, while inspiring and teaching us all so much. Your energy, mindset, openness, hinesty, and sense of fun is such a ray of light.
Wow. Thanks for sharing. I can only imagine how hard the ride has it been but I admire you for your strength and courage. I really do. Thanks for being a big example to all of us.
You are an absolute badass. Thank you so very much for your service for our country and all you do here. You are a magnificent inspiration to all amputees ( Me- Above Knee).
I am so proud of the battles you have won! My son was in the Air Force for 8 years and was honorably discharged because he developed compartment syndrome in his shins from all the running. He was so ashamed of himself but I know he shouldn’t be! He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, came home with PTSD and lots of other issues. My heart is so proud of what he has done and the wonderful father he is today! I look forward to following your journey!
Hi Annika. I had to write because I've never heard of anyone that almost has my exact story. I too had foot pain and didn't go to the doc for 6 mos. When I did, I was told it was a stress fracture and put me in a boot for 6 weeks. I went back and said that it didn't feel any different and was still painful. I was then given a shot(which hurt like hell) but after a few days, I had no pain. The pain came back after 3 mos and rexrayed it to find out it was a bone tumor. The tumor was cut out but bones never reconnected so had to have external fixations. Several ER visits because my foot just didn't look right, but with no fever or elevated white count, I was pretty much dismissed. I ended up with a Picc line and many ER visits for IV antibiotic therapy. Finally my foot and ankle collapsed from cellulitis and osteomyelitis. I had 3 day notice before they amputated. Our stories are so similar. Thank you for sharing yours
Wow! Our stories are kinda similar. I’ve been recovering for 2 yrs. Mine is a bunch of broken bones that won’t heal. I’ve had osteomyelitis (MRSA and ECC) and my bone was dying because a civilian dr that the military sent me to put the internal hardware over an artery so I had to have 4 inches of my tib fib cut out and my 4th ex fix put on. Now I have a rod but I’m still having complications so on Monday I’m gonna be talking to a new dr about amputation (my ortho dr is deployed)...it so good to hear that you’re doing so well!😃😃 good luck at the Paralympics!!
That part about you dealing with suicidal thoughts hit me hard, but I’m glad it did cause it inspires me so much. My suicidal thoughts have been at a peak as of recent, thank you for reminding me of more reasons to live
Hey new sub here!!!! I’m so glad you did the collab with footless Jo! You two were awesome. I was so curious about your story when I saw you on her videos. I’m so excited you have a channel. You definitely have so much fun and awesomeness coming up that I’m looking forward to being a supporter/sub of your journey. Much love!!!
Love your story, and it’s awful that the doctors put you through such hell. Glad to meet you - and your amputee buddy Jo! You gals are so much fun! I have limb differential (1.5” on the left) and shoe shopping is the bane of my life, because my feet are also extra narrow, too (AA width). But that’s nothing compared to what you and Jo went through. Love to you both, keep on keeping on!
Thank you Annika. Thank you for giving me hope that I should still be here despite the sucky things happening to my body.
You are strong and what I love is you have every reason to be a victim and yet you chose to be an overcomer. You are inspiring! Also, thanks for your service!!
I’m sure this has been hard but your gratitude and willingness to learn and grow is amazing
I’m going through something similar now and I know what you mean with the mental fatigue of dealing with drs and the annoyance when you were right but they have a leg and you don’t 🙄
Glad you’re kicking ass despite the noodles messing shit up for you x
Thank you for sharing. Your attitude is amazing
I said over in Facebook under Footless Jo's page that I would subscribe, and here I am.....Semper Fi!
Yes! I completely agree with you! I used so have severe depression back in 2020 and was constantly planning suicide but my mom helped me get through it and now I’ve used my story to prevent others from committing suicide. And yeah i still have my lows sometimes but a lot of the time I’m really happy! And remember, life is like a puzzle, like all puzzles whatever you are going through can be solved. You just have to find all the right pieces and put it together!
OMG that's a crazy, amazing freaking story! I'm LBKA and surprised myself at how strong I can be also. Not as active as you though LOL you're Rockstar!
Hey.... I just went through this with my right foot. I will finish my 8 week picc line antibiotics. Hope to get my prosthetic foot next month.
Thank for sharing😊
I guess you can't get me angrier health professionals treating people by spreadsheets as if they were doing car maintenance.
Anyway... Thank you for sharing your story and keep on shining
You are a delightful person glad you kept going and have a positive outlook on life I'm sure you'll be an inspiration to others good luck in everything you do you are beautiful inside and out which makes you especially awsome
Hi Devil Dog! Sorry to hear about the doctor situation. I know you went through a lot of problems with the doctors. Especially in the ER. Military doctors only learn off treating patients. And ER doctors rotate. So when my Army instructor broke my wrist I went to the ER and they told me I sprained it. Come back tomorrow and see the hand specialist. When I seen hand specialist doctor he told me I broke it and who told me that crap. I gave the guy’s name and he yelled he’s a back doctor. So I had to get titanium screw to fix my wrist. Also when I got blown up in Iraq in 2006 me bleeding out of my left ear and ringing. They cleaned me up and said I was fine. I kept going back since I was losing my balance and problems remembering. They had a congressional hearing on my medical condition. The doctor who is my friend said there is nothing wrong with me and I had a fear of going out on patrols. So I got pissed and got cleared and finished my tour and came home near thanksgiving of 2006. In 2007 the navy doctors discovered I had a TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY and had blood on my brain. They said good thing it clotted since blood is toxic to the brain and I could have died. Now I have a computer/battery in my chest and probes in my head to control my fight or flight. I am happy you are doing great things.
I am so happy you are now doing so good 😊💕
I am so sorry that this happened to you. Especially the doctors not taking you seriously and only making the issue worse. I think it's so cool of you that you were able to convince your doctor's and that you are now living a better life.
Semper Fi Marine outstanding I’m a right BK Army Ranger keep your head up you rock
Sorry if you've answered these before on other vids or in comments. Could they have saved your foot if they had kept you in earlier and got onto of the infections sooner or diagnosed your tumor earlier? Sending love from the UK x
My surgeon who did my amputation said if the first doctor hadnt done what she did, he couldve saved my foot. In all reality, he doesn't know that for sure, but it was disheartening to hear.
Im okay now, but I dont like wondering "what if..." because it will drive me crazy
@@AnnikatheAmputee thank you for replying and that's shocking that a mistake cost you so dearly. You are right not to dwell on the "what ifs". What happened happened and you can't change that but you can change your future which you have and I greatly admire you for it.
so encouraging thanks
Hey Annika, we met at the warrior games in Tampa. I was on team canada, we had a picture together, you had an American flag sleve on your leg and I had a Canadian one. Great to ee you are doing well
From all the stories I’ve heard and my moms own personal experience the military hospital system sucks. Americas health system sucks just as much.
Amazing!
Omg! You were in boot camp may of 2017!?! I was too, we’re you in papa company? I was in Plt 4028
Thanks for sharing your story
Hello I'm new here I loved your channel congratulation
I'm sorry for my english I from Brazil so I can understand it's amazing good night nice to meet you I'm looks others videos bye bye
❤️
Hey, just saw you on the Jumbotron! You are awesome! Get some Marine!
I have heard very little about the army Doctors they do not do much to help you. They just give you more pain killers. That is all I herd from people that where in the army.
Semper Fi, sister.
All that defence budget and yet no healthcare even for the serving members
When I had a picc line in a Jr Dr gave me a heart attack. 😱
Yep let me guess since you were military you were dealing with the VA and not private insurance
Took 10 years before the military gave me an MRI for my back
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
Ugh, why can't doctors do their due diligence and actually look into problems thoroughly. my dad's doctor did this to him when he was complaining about back in stomach pain and told him it was just allergies. instead it was a tumor the size of a football and his abdomen choking off his kidney.
That is crazy! Its hard though because some people do come in complaining like theyre dying and it is just gas. So doctors assume everyone overexaggerates unfortunately.
I hope your dad is doing okay!
@@AnnikatheAmputee fortunately they got it just in time and after 6 terrible chemo sessions of a chemo they don't even use anymore it's gone but the same doctor did the exact same thing to another patient who already had a history of cancer and that guy had seven sessions of chemo and did not survive the seventh. this doctor had two patients within about the same time frame complaining about pain both with either an already existing cancer history or a family cancer history.
he has since had other cancers because cancer is just a thing with our family apparently and the tough old bastards still going. the thing is when he was going in to see the doctor he was going for his allergies and then was talking about back and stomach pains and he's a tough bastard that ignores everything so if he's complaining about back and stomach pains he legitimately has stomach pains. And I know people go in for just minor things my husband has health anxiety really bad which we finally got taken care of but the doctor should be able to recognize a person having health anxiety and a person legitimately having a concern. I see that as another failing on the doctor because they should be able to recognize the difference between health anxiety and legitimate problems. if I can see the difference between the two I expect the doctor to be able to more so than I. I mean if your foot is a red balloon that's kind of an indication that there's something wrong.
one funny thing though my dad did finally go to the hospital because he was "dying" from gas. He was getting gas pressure building up and that gas pressure would be pushing against the tumor and since there's a football in the way there's nowhere else for the stomach to expand and so he did actually go to the hospital because of "gas pressure". 😆 We can laugh now because he's fine. That was in 2001 and he had thyroid cancer 2 years ago and was radioactive for a couple of days and then he's had some skin cancer on his face twice. He also had a heart attack and like 2005? 2004? which was more than likely a result of a blood clot from a major sinus surgery although the doctors denied it was a blood clot. He's had a lot of stuff go down.
You are Wonderful
Bottom line, you rock!
Hey, a persevering woman who loved your bravery / I want to know you so that I can help you in life
Habe dein Kanal chanal gefunden über das Video von deiner Freundin ich find euch spitze wenn du Fragen hast deine Freundin weiß alles muss mit mein Wohnung umbauen weil ab Montag bin ich als Feuerwehr mann wieder aber ich erzähle dir meine Geschichte noch OK ich sehe du warst in .... Ja wo ich auch war rette selten bin danach zur Feuerwehr vor wahr ich Fallschirm Jäger mit M23G Ausbildung du müsstest uns Waffen Standert M2 mein Zusatz ist nur das ich ein Ziehl Fernrohr mit Laser Einheit Versenden Durfte bei uns ist für jeden zusat Tehorie Praktisch Prüfung und dann darf Mann seine Waffe verändern Ach so ich komme aus Germany, Sachsen, Leipzig. Wir schreiben noch Mal ich schauen mir deine Videos mit deiner Freundin möchte ich ihn Montag auch bleiben ihr beide seit ein wichtiges Rat in unsere Gesellschaft ihr dort auf RUclips ich auf Arbeit damals bei der Bundeswehr. Also alles gute ich schreibe du bist spitze wie deine Freundin das Leben Pur ich Musste auch Oxycodon 40 MG so heißt es hier nehmen nach ein selbst Mord Anschlag zum Glück müsste ich es nur 1 Woche nehmen es ist ja nicht ohne 😉. Du weißt was ich mein aber die Druckwelle hatte mich komplett erwischt zwar so weit weg das alles gut ging außer Mal Tinnitus durch Knall aber jeder Knochen fast und Muskel daht weh oh ja aber du hast mehr durch und bist super alles gute aus Germany bis bald so schnell wie möglich. Alles Liebe sagt man zu jemanden denn mann very ..... Day das in der mit weiß ich jetzt auf Anhieb nicht wie geschrieben wird aber ich denk du , sie weißt was ich mein. 👍😉☀️👈
How Old Are You Now
#footdocdana have you ever reacted to this foot story ?
Wow ur a badass
How old are you
That's horrible! I hope you sued the Marine Corp Dr's. I know the tumor isn't their fault, but the medical treatment you received was sub standard at best.
It sounds like your doctors were trying to get you hooked on opioids