Below the knee amputation

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DrewChan

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My dad is going in for an amputation tomorrow, he has asked me to keep it from the rest of the family (recently separated from my mother).

I'm the only person really talking to him. Feeling bleak, he's in his 60s and its a hectic operation, he's in a different province, I offered to come down but he declined.
 
DrewChan said:
My dad is going in for an amputation tomorrow, he has asked me to keep it from the rest of the family (recently separated from my mother).

I'm the only person really talking to him. Feeling bleak, he's in his 60s and its a hectic operation, he's in a different province, I offered to come down but he declined.
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go down anyway
it's going to be a pretty traumatic event for him when he comes out of anaethesia
 
Eish - sorry to hear that.

>>I offered to come down but he declined.

If you have the financial ability I'd suggest going anyway. Parents tend to tell their kids "everything is fine" regardless of reality.

That being said - its an operation on a leg. Hectic yes, but take comfort from that fact that its not a heart/brain/vital organ surgery.
 
I lost my dad when I was 19. Have always regretted I didn't get to know him on a "adult" level as I was jolling too much.
No matter whom it is they will need support for such a traumatic operation.
Go down and spend time with him.
 
HavocXphere said:
Eish - sorry to hear that.

>>I offered to come down but he declined.

If you have the financial ability I'd suggest going anyway. Parents tend to tell their kids "everything is fine" regardless of reality.

That being said - its an operation on a leg. Hectic yes, but take comfort from that fact that its not a heart/brain/vital organ surgery.
Click to expand...

Yeah my father has had a LOT of operations, unfortunately his request of being anonymous makes me unable to head down. Tiny town - my mother will see my and want to know what I am doing.

I'll speak to him tomorrow when he wakes up and assess his mental state, if anything seems off I'll head down immediately.

He had an ankle fusion which failed and now the foot is deformed and the one leg is shorter than the other, curving the spine.

Theoretically a prosthesis should fix everything (I hope)
 
Sorry to hear Drew. Your dad is lucky he has you to confide in.

It must be difficult for you having to stay strong in these circumstances.
 
maumau said:
Sorry to hear Drew. Your dad is lucky he has you to confide in.

It must be difficult for you having to stay strong in these circumstances.
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Thanks Maumau (and everyone)

Yeah I stay in touch and visit him which makes me somewhat less popular with the remainder of the family, but he's a good man. He has faults, but so does everyone.

Definitely no more reading online, re:amputations, makes me paranoid.
 
For a while after my dad's amputation he felt like he still had his leg. It took sometime getting used to the idea that it was not there any longer. Many times he would complain that it is itching or his foot hurt although the leg was amputated. He is going to need someone to take care of him for awhile when he is back home.
 
He has a partner, so he won't be completely alone. Yeah I've heard of phantom pain,

Gave him a call now wishing him luck and checking if he's ok and asking him to call me when he feels up to it.
Hope the hospital will manage the pain well.

Bleh old age sucks

Hes actually excited about the op as I think, his foot as it is now is extremely painful (bone has become porous after ankle fusion and he basically walks on the top of his foot)
 
Sorry to hear Drew. Since you're not going down, send him a gift basket. After the op he might feel a bit down , a gift basket with his favourite goodies will cheer him up a little.
 
DrewChan said:
Yeah my father has had a LOT of operations, unfortunately his request of being anonymous makes me unable to head down. Tiny town - my mother will see my and want to know what I am doing.

I'll speak to him tomorrow when he wakes up and assess his mental state, if anything seems off I'll head down immediately.

He had an ankle fusion which failed and now the foot is deformed and the one leg is shorter than the other, curving the spine.

Theoretically a prosthesis should fix everything (I hope)
Click to expand...

Is amputation the only option. I know of someone with one leg shorter than the other, but uses a special platform shoe on the shorter leg to help with walking.
 
On the upside. He will still be very mobile with an amputation below the knee. Those prosthetics are awesome, above the knee, not so much.

That being said, it's a very traumatic thing to go through and I would advise you to be there when he wakes up. Surprize him if need be. He would need the support from family and friends even if it's just for the weekend.

Good lucky to both of you :)
 
DrewChan said:
My dad is going in for an amputation tomorrow, he has asked me to keep it from the rest of the family (recently separated from my mother).

I'm the only person really talking to him. Feeling bleak, he's in his 60s and its a hectic operation, he's in a different province, I offered to come down but he declined.
Click to expand...

I an not a doctor, but did you get a second and 3rd opinion? Amputation impacts your life and mobility drastically! not even mentioning the ills of a prosthetic leg as it is expensive and many other complications accompany it. If it is just the length difference why did he not get a shoe with thicker soul as in some other medical situations? like I said. I am not a medical practitioner and do not have insight into his case. But there must be some other treatment.
 
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