Thank you Roberta

[Mike Lynn]

All the information you shared about your journey is inspiring. You have had
strength to stay up and happy.  Yes I have been fitted with my first
prosthesis on my bk side.  It works well, though because of the condition of
the left foot my progress has been limited.  I have loads of confidence in
my prosthetic company and just need to find a surgeon that I am confident
in.  Thank you again and best of luck to you.  Mike








> -----Original Message-----
> From: AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu
> [mailto:AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Roberta Wynn
> Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 9:32 AM
> To: Amputee Information Network
> Subject: Re: New member
>
>
> the questions are not inappropriate at all.  that's why they have
> lists like
> this.  I think it's pretty normal to be frustrated and depressed at this
> point.  you are only three months out, and that's not very long.  I would
> get a second opinion.  Maybe that's the protocol for frostbite,
> but I would
> do a little research first.  I had a midtarsal (sp?) before I had
> the symes
> and the bone was left exposed.  I had a podiatrist do that one, but then I
> fell down the stairs and broke some bones in the stump and had to
> go to the
> emergency room.  that's where I met the orthopedic surgeon.  he
> told me that
> anytime a bone is exposed to air, it's compromised and will never
> heal.  he
> had worked with a lot of vets and some of them refused to have an amp and
> never could walk.  I had already waited three months for it to
> heal and was
> like you.  I just wanted to move on and have a life again.
>
> I can't remember exactly how long it was before I got fitted for my first
> proth but they try to get you into something as soon as possible.  I was
> happy with the symes up until about a year ago.  I am 5'0 tall
> and weigh 95
> lbs, and the leg has atrophied to the point that all the bones are pretty
> prominent so I'm hard to fit.  the fibula is very sensitive and I can't
> stand any pressure on that so I can't wear a liner or bladder.  I think a
> lot of people are happy with the symes.  as far as putting weight on the
> stump, I walked around on it quite a bit, and it's held up very
> well.  it'll
> probably take you six to eight weeks, maybe longer to be able to
> put weight
> on it.  do you have a prothetis now?  have you been fitted on the
> bk yet?  I
> am going to a specialist in July to talk about a revision to a
> bk.  I've had
> two surgeries for neuromas and am working on my third.  you can
> have those,
> but a lot of people never even have one.  I didn't think the recovery was
> that painful as long as you follow instructions.  I'm not into pain pills
> because they don't help me and I was afraid of getting addicted.  It
> probably will seem like a long time but you'll get through it.  it sounds
> like you've been through a lot already, so you're probably very strong
> willed.  I'd make absolutely sure you have a good surgeon and
> that you trust
> him totally.
>
> good luck!!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Lynn" <mikelynn at firstbridge.net>
> To: "Amputee Information Network" <amp-l at u.washington.edu>
> Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 4:40 AM
> Subject: RE: New member
>
>
> >
> > Dear Roberta,
> >
> > Thank you for your response about the Symes amputation.  The surgeons
> > explanation for a two stage operation is that he will monitor
> the onset of
> > infection prior to closure.  My foot was severely frozen back
> in February
> > and as in most cases of frostbite, waiting for healing is typical. His
> > concern is that there may be residual infection that he won't
> eliminate at
> > the time of surgery and by waiting he can monitor the spread of
> infection
> > and then finish the surgery once he is confident there is no infection.
> >
> > I am not in favor of this plan and I am seeking a second opinion.  I am
> less
> > resilient dealing with the losses of my feet than I was a month
> or so ago.
> > I just want to get on with a successful Symes and begin to walk again.
> >
> > Have you been pleased with your success with the Symes you had?  Has the
> > prosthesis worked well?  Are you able to weight your stump without the
> > prosthesis?  Was the surgery recover very painful, and how long
> out was it
> > before your were fitted with your first prosthesis.  I know
> these are all
> > personal questions, excuse me if they are inappropriate.
> >
> > Thank you again for responding.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu
> > > [mailto:AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Roberta Wynn
> > > Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2003 11:59 PM
> > > To: Amputee Information Network
> > > Subject: Re: New member
> > >
> > >
> > > I've been a symes for about five years.  I had my procedure done
> > > all in one
> > > operation.  I'm not sure why your doctor wants to do it in two
> > > stages.  that
> > > would mean you'd have to be put under twice.  did he explain why?
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Mike Lynn" <mikelynn at firstbridge.net>
> > > To: "Amputee Information Network" <amp-l at u.washington.edu>
> > > Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2003 8:20 AM
> > > Subject: New member
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I am a new member and hope I am doing this properly.  I am 55 years
> old
> > > and
> > > > have recently (March 7th) had a right BK amputation and
> will soon have
> a
> > > > Symes amputation of the left foot.  These are the result of severe
> > > frostbite
> > > > trauma.
> > > >
> > > > I am questioning the proceedure my surgen wants to follow; he
> > > wants to do
> > > > this as a two stage operation with a 2 week delay in final
> > > closure of the
> > > > wound and securing of the heal pad.  I was wondering if anyone
> > > is familiar
> > > > with Symes as does this seem like a typical scenario.
> > > >
> > > > I would really appreciate hearing from others.
> > > >
> > > > Mike Lynn
> > > > Glen, New Hampshire
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>