My Friend Had His Left Foot Amputated

[Iron Woode]

warning: semi-graphic description in post

Apparently, just over a week ago my friend had his left foot amputated.

I didn't learn about it until today when he dropped by my work to say hi. I have to admit the sight of it made me feel queasy. Still, I am glad he is doing better and it will be about 2 months for him to get his custom prostheses.

Background

He is in his late 50's and is ex-Canadian Special Forces. His left foot had been seriously injured and never healed properly. After he retired from service (in the early 90's) his foot was prone to repeated injury and things were getting worse for the last 3 years. He lost most of the sensation in his foot. His doctor decided last year to amputate the foot. This was scheduled for September of this year.

The problem started just over a week ago. He told me he goes for regular check-ups for his foot. He said that when the bandage was removed from his foot, a piece of the forward portion of his heel "fell" off. He said the smell was terrible. There was a hole where most of his foot should be. The bones were disintegrating and the flesh dying. He was in surgery within hours.

He is taking everything quite well as is looking forward to his new foot.

 

[datalink7]

While I would never say an amputation is no big deal, the advances that have been made with regards to prosthesis should set him up pretty well.

 

[Iron Woode]

While I would never say an amputation is no big deal, the advances that have been made with regards to prosthesis should set him up pretty well.

He's looking forward to it.

His pension covers everything for him.

 

[Kadarin]

It sounds here like a prosthetic foot would be a significant upgrade for him.

 

[Schmide]

This Halloween.

Best Pirate costume prize for sure.

 

[Broheim]

it sucks of course, but it sounds like his foot was a bitch to live with and since only the foot is being removed it's not that THAT big of a deal, plus he had plenty of time to prepare mentally (being ex-special forces he is already in the top percentile of mentally fit people).

I'm not surprised he's looking forward to it.

 

[IAteYourMother]

pics?

 

[Geosurface]

His pension covers everything for him.

I'm glad they're going to foot the bill.

 

[Terabyte]

I'm glad they're going to foot the bill.

I see what you did there.

Need before and after pics!

 

[Fritzo]

You should make his new nickname Peg.

 

[Pia]

(being ex-special forces he is already in the top percentile of mentally fit people).

Bad logic. He might be in great mental shape, but he might also be a PTSD-ridden wreck. Being accepted in implies a certain amount of mental stability, but not future mental health. The service itself can mess you up.

 

[gorcorps]

The heel of his foot just FELL OFF?

Oh right, Canadian health care... you get what you pay for

 

[BUTCH1]

You should make his new nickname Peg.

No, he's not a classless asshole like you..

 

[dud]

If his foot was in that bad of condition I'm surprised he didn't die of blood poisoning. Sounds like a significant lack of circulation to the foot.

Hope he (psychologically) handles it well.

 

[Iron Woode]

The heel of his foot just FELL OFF?

Oh right, Canadian health care... you get what you pay for

that's what he told me.

He has a Military pension that covers a great many things.

 

[Rakehellion]

Q: What happened to the man when they cut off his entire left half?
A: He was alright!

 

[Broheim]

Bad logic. He might be in great mental shape, but he might also be a PTSD-ridden wreck. Being accepted in implies a certain amount of mental stability, but not future mental health. The service itself can mess you up.

canadian special forces, retired early 90's. His combat experience is going to be relatively limited, plus SOFs are statistically less likely to develop PTSD (has to do with Neuropeptide Y).

SOFs don't just have a certain amount of mental stability, they're the stablest badasses around. The amount of mental fortitude it takes to complete the training is mindboggling.

I did part of the introductory course for the danish huntsmen corps (mostly for fun) and would physically be able to do it judging by my experiences there and the feedback from the instructors, but I have serious doubts whether I could mentally do even the patrol course, and I consider myself extremely stable mentally.

 

[mmntech]

He'll definitely be better off with the prosthetic if it was bothering him that much. They've made massive improvements over the years. We're not that far off from Star Wars in that respect. Ex-military might even be entitled to some prototype gear.

Also since reading this thread I've had "My Left Foot" stuck in my head.

 

[Legios]

Just make him aware that he shouldnt lop the other one off to become the next Blade Runner.

 

[ViviTheMage]

just his foot? I bet he'll be a pretty badass old man.

 

[Iron Woode]

he's also having his gall bladder removed. So he will be laid up again.

not sure when I will see again.

 

[SlitheryDee]

At that point I'm sure he was glad to be finally rid of the thing. From the sound of things it's not like he should have been able to walk on it anyway. He'll be much better off now I'd wager.

 

[Fritzo]

No, he's not a classless asshole like you..

Oh, I like to joke around with my friends to make them feel more accepted. Sorry you're so uptight.

 

[Imp]

Sucks... but as long as he didn't get some massive infection that spread, he should be feeling lucky.

 

[blankslate]

Could have been worse... they could have removed the wrong foot.