If your doing something you love, I think that works better than any pain med. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good morning to you. First of all, I am sorry to hear about your situation. I am glad to see many people from the site assist with many thoughts of wisdom for you. And for that, I truly hope you can come to the place of decision where you are needing to be. I understand what you mean regarding pain. My husband Bob has had three major back injuries in his life. He has been prescribed pain meds for years and he gets tired of them. Recently, his Doctor switched him over to the Fentanyl Patch which has helped greatly with paid reduction and consistent relief. The option for him is surgery to fuse, repair, replace disc, etc. The negative side would be paralyzation from anywhere from the neck through the full spine. With this being said, he chooses not to have the surgery for the potential outcome. In your situation, in my opinion, it seems to me that it would be the best for you. You don't want it to go any further where you are left with no decision to make and it is made for you. Again, just my opinion from what I have read. As many have suggested, there is quite the cost associated with your journey. And clearly in my opinion the Government does not do enough for the Soldiers who serve our country. :angrymad: I actually did some research that might be helpful to you. Here is the link for Financial Assistance for Prosthetic Services, Durable Medical Equipment, and Other Assistive Devices. It has a lot of wonderful information including step by step process to aid should you wish to go this route. Plus, it has links for non profit organizations that are able to assist. Fact Sheet: Financial Assistance for Prosthetic Services, Durable Medical Equipment, and Other Assistive Devices One thing is for sure. My husband & I would gladly enjoy anytime with you and be proud. Thank you for all that you have done. Best of luck to you Ang
Thank you both very much, and thank you for the link! I hope your husband feels better, tell him I'll be praying for him. AJ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My Mom is having a hard time with my decision , but she don't understand how the pain and pain pills make me feel. My Father just said to be sure this is what I want, and I told him I was.. It's scary, but fun knowing I won't have to take opiate pain pills anymore. I'll be able to run again, do PT, and get my swagger back lol.. I do thank all of you for your support! Now, I just have to get in touch with the VA and tell my Dr. It's a hurry up and wait situation with the Army.. Hopefully I'll have it done by my Halloween trip! I'm not missing that trip! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've been thinking about this and thought I would mention something that really helped me. When I was faced with decisions about mastectomy and different types of reconstruction, my doctors were able to connect me to other patients who had already gone through the process. There are sooo many questions floating around in your mind; it’s really helpful to have people to talk to who have already been through it. I wanted to look and feel as close to “normal” as possible and talking to these women and seeing what they looked like after they were all healed up was more helpful than anything anyone’s words. Again, it was a military facility, so maybe they could do the same for you? Just a thought. --Ginger
AJ, I'm sure you have exhausted all your options, but I work in healthcare and always encourage people to get second and third opinions. If you do opt for the amputation, you will be just fine. Attitude is everything post-op and with rehab services, and you have one of the BEST attitudes EVER. Will say a prayer for you...my fellow GOV survivor! XOXO
Thank you, I am actually crying now because my mind seems so mixed up! I just want to be normal!! and even though I will have a fake leg, it will feel more normal than eating pain pills, and drinking myself to sleep at night. I showed you the pic of my son Carmine, and he is starting football now, im one of the coaches. I wanna be standing proud when he catches that pass (he is a wide receiver ) he even said that if it makes me not have to take pills , then do it! That's a true son to a father!! Yes, we did survive that GOV trip together, I was actually looking at your pic yesterday in my album. I'll never go there again, but I will always remember the time that I got to spend with you guys there. It's a shame that things with other people we were hanging with, turned out to be how they did... I do thank you for praying for me, and I do thank God that I met you and your husband. I will be down in Carolina beach at one point this summer, maybe we can all go for dinner, or just hang out. I will be by myself as usual LOL.. But I know if we meet up and hang out I will be with good people thank you! Your friend forever " or at least as long as you want me AJ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you Ginger, I will definitely be talking to others that have had the same kind of amputation that I am facing When you talked to the other girls about how it feels ,what did they say? I'm not trying to be nosy, just trying to get a perspective from everyone. Thank you once again. Your friend. AJ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
