Life is a Roller-Coaster
I would firstly like to apologise for not posting a more recent update but I’ve been just been trying to chase some positive news to give out. Having said that, I think it’s about time that I update you with what has been happening. I think it’s very important that, as I share my journey towards the Paralympics, I keep you informed with just how amazing but also difficult things can be sometimes.
Yet to be officially launched, I have recently become an ambassador for The Knights Foundation Charity, who work extremely hard to help support families and carers of those with disabilities.
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Happy New Year - A 2016 Review and News for 2017
2016 has truly ben a fantastic year from both a personal and athlete standpoint.
On a personal level, I finished my degree and graduated with a very high mark. I moved into my own flat and adopted another furry family member – my new cat Rio. Earlier this year, my surgeon agreed to amputate my foot and despite multiple challenges and disappointments, it finally happened in September.
As I go into the New Year, I am gaining confidence on my new prosthetic leg and looking forward to the start of the athletics season in April. I am now waiting for my stump to be surgically fixed, which will hopefully be in a few months. The surgeons have decided that they would like more healing time before changing my stump again. This surgery will simply re-attach the muscle back onto the bone and allow more protection for the currently exposed bone, which is very uncomfortable at the moment. The initial amputation so far as severely increased my quality of life and has really made my year.
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Stumpdate
Now 10 weeks post-op, I would have liked to be recovered by now and be on the track with my new prosthetic - unfortunately, that isn't the case.
In week 8 of amputee rehabilitation, I was discharged with a view to continue attending the clinic as an outpatient for wound-checks. Unfortunately after only a week, I wasn't able to use my prosthetic as my pain levels increased and a large bruise appeared on the bottom of my stump. I was strongly advised to go to A&E as I may have osteomyelitis (a bone infection). The A&E department were fantastic and I was visited by an orthopaedic surgeon who informed me that I needed more scans investigations. After an x-ray, something was picked up on the bone but they couldn't tell exactly what so I have been booked in for an MRI, which will be happening tomorrow.
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Seven Weeks Post-Amputation
The time has flown by! It’s strange to think that only 7 weeks ago, I was in agonising pain but looking forward to a new start with a new prosthetic leg. As I start my 6th week of physical rehabilitation, I can’t help but reflect on the previous weeks and share my excitement for the months and years to come.
The first few days after my amputation were pure bliss! As I still had lots of anaesthetic in my system, my pain levels had gone from 10/10 to 0. Even from day 1, I knew I had made the right decision. On day 2, I started to get up and start the physio exercises and learning how to walk on crutches, given my balance difference. On day 3, I was discharged from the hospital and went home to continue my rehabilitation before going to an amputation-specific inpatient facility. I had agreed with the rehab team that I would be an inpatient to ensure that I recovered and was up on a prosthetic as quick as possible.
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