impatient

[Kevin & Rhonda Wixom]

Jim,

Nah, don't be patient.  I wasn't and it was a good thing.  Having goals that seem to high isn't a bad thing.  But, you DO have to realize some things - like healing - just takes time.  You can strengthen muscles, you can learn how it works, you can do lots of things to move quickly, but the healing process moves along at it's own pace.   You can also make sure to talk to your CP as much as possible to get answers, more information and to have him/her make adjustments your leg.  There was lots of adjusting of my first socket and you don't want to short circuit that if all those changes are going to be integrated into your definitive socket.  But....  I wouldn't be too patient.   Push the limits and the lines.. that's the only way to get ahead of the game.  

Quick story...  I'd had my first leg for 2 weeks and it was pistoning and wouldn't fit right and I was trying to walk to the car with my family using a cane.  I hadn't gotten 20 feet when it moved and hurt as I took a step.  I turned around, went back into the house and threw it on the floor it total disgust and anger.  Then, I thought, "..now what?  Are you going to learn to walk or not...".   I put it back on, went to the car and while I've been frustrated and angry at times, I've always used it to push ahead.  It could be really, really easy to give up and not push past those bad moments, and let them stop your progress.   They are the feedback that teaches you how to use the tool.  

Good luck, keep pushing...  

Kevin

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: James Street 
  To: Amputee Information Network 
  Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 9:22 PM
  Subject: Re: impatient


  Thanks to everyone for the encouragement.  I "know" I should be patient but then I'm not.  Thanks for reminding me.

  Jim
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Wendi 
    To: Amputee Information Network 
    Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 12:51 PM
    Subject: impatient


    James,
    I too was very impatient.  I had a wedding to walk for and I WAS GONNA WALK DOWN THE ISLE.  I got a prosthesis a week before my wedding and that was after having trouble healing from the boat accident.  I did walk and then I went through PT  for 6 weeks.  walking most of this time with a cane .  I wheeled around at work in a wheelchair forever.  I too HATE the wheelchair and I HATE crutches.  neither one more or less than the other.  I KNOW I am very fortunate to be able to get around now with just my prosthesis and I absolutely despised anyone who told me "give it time"  but that is all you need to do.  Be VERY proud of yourself that you have done so much.  BUT it is like growing up all over again.  We just want to be an adult to act like a kid again.  Take it as easy as you can    and push when you just have to.  You will look back on a lot of this and it will just be a blur of the past.
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