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Why amputate?
There are two scenarios leading up to amputation.
a)
Chronic Illness
b)
Accident
For me chronic illness had robbed me of my life.
- Each
day I was taking 120mg of Morphine to combat the pain.
- My
leg leaked blood plasma continually, so the dressings had to be changed
every day and they would be soaked again within an hour. This meant that
during the week I had to wait in until a district nurse came, which could be
anything up to 4 pm, and at weekends my husband would dress the wound so
that we could go out if we wanted too.
- Bed
sheets had to be changed and washed daily as they were soaked in blood
plasma.
- I
could not have a shower, have a bath or go for a swim.
- Walking became so painful that I resorted to a wheelchair.
- I
was constantly afraid when people or animals were around me as even a dogs
wagging tail hitting it would induce tremendous pain.
- I
was continually put onto antibiotics to combat infection in the leg, usually
two weeks out of three.
- I
could not go on holidays outside of Europe as I could not get medical cover.
- I
lived with the continuous odour from the dead flesh and blood soaked
bandages.
- In
the winter I could not get a shoe over the bandages and in the summer it was
unbearable with the heat, so I tended to become a recluse.
I wanted my life back and Amputation offered me a final
resolution to all of these problems.
The alternative was unbearable to think of.
·
If the infection that could turn to septicaemia resulting in
damage to vital organs like the kidneys could ultimately result in death.
·
Growing older the circulation would deteriorate.
·
Morphine dependency was a real risk.
·
Resistance to antibiotics was a threat.
·
My body was gradually being weakened by the continual pain, loss
of blood and infections.
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