Amputation & Beyond!

The last week has been rather eventful, keeping me from posting or reaching out into the forums. My grandmother passed the day we dropped off Mia for surgery, then we had meetings for my oldest to start school (yay homeschool!), & Mia’s care has been top priority since.

April 23rd was amputation day. She went in early that morning, surgery went about as well as it could have. Zero complications. It was a two night stay, then she was cleared to come home, given antibiotics & tramadol for pain. It was a rocky first night. At first we were concerned her pressure bandage (due to come off the 27th) was coming off, after a quick call I was told it was normal to have some slippage. By 10pm that evening it was down around her tail & by 2am it was all the way off. Luckily, we had the forethought to buy a cone that afternoon “just in case.” I called the next day to make sure it was okay & was reassured that as long as there was no excessive bleeding or swelling she’d be fine. That 24 hours was worse than bringing a newborn baby home! I was so scared, but remained strong for her.  We went for the doctor to look at how the healing was coming along two days later & he said it was healing perfectly. Those words put us all at ease.

I think out of everyone in my home, my mother who was staying with us to help, was the most anxious. The first few days Mia’s sutures were weeping a lot, the cone she was wearing irritated it as she tried (& failed) to reach & clean it up on her own. Today, one week post-amp, has been the best day for her. The weeping has been absolutely minimal–if any at all, she has been finally able to sleep for longer stretches & actually relax. Tomorrow I will be washing her blankets & we will start some free time around the house. Because of the weeping & our children being a bit rambunctious for her right now, we’ve had her in the kitchen with access outside to our large yard.

She’s my hero. Walking was a bit of an issue at first with a few slips, but she’s a pro now. I couldn’t be prouder to see her happily hop around in the yard. I knew from seeing other blogs, videos, & pictures that it wouldn’t be an issue, but to see her fully adjusted only a week later is incredible. The learning curve was so slight. Viewing the strength in her in person is far different than seeing it online.

I think the only issue we’re really needing to help her with is some nerve sensitivity around where the leg was. She has a few bad moments where it will twitch wildly & the only help has been a light blanket draped over her. I think I can sew a light weight jersey knit cover for her, but will be looking through the forums the next week to see about finding either a way to make one or another solution. I know many have put t-shirts for front amps, but hers being a hind leg has me guessing. I’m a seamstress, so I’m sure I can come up with something, but it’s a challenge for sure.