Update On Phil
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
March 2, 2013 11:21am CST
Some of you will know that Mum's neighbour, Phil, unfortunately, had to have his leg amputated a few weeks ago due to long-running health problems, primarily with his heart.
Since the operation he's been provided with a wheelchair and crutches. However, he was adamant that he wanted a new prosthetic leg to get around on as he's got brilliant upper body strength due to his work history as a builder.
Anyway, he received his prosthetic leg about a month ago but, during the last week, both my Mum and Dad have seen him on separate occasions without his new leg.
My Dad asked him why he's not been wearing his leg and said, 'Is it hurting you?' and Phil replied, 'Not 'arf.'
Oh, dear.
My Grandad used to wear the old-fashioned prosthetic leg and Mum knows that his stump would (not surprisingly) irritate him, especially if the weather was hot. The weather hasn't been hot but it has been sunny and Phil does like to go out in the garden and such-like whenever he can, as he loves the great outdoors.
Hopefully, the problems he is having with the prosthetic leg will be temporary. He's not had the thing very long so I guess he needs more time to adjust. I should imagine he will probably be supplied with a different one if this one turns out to be unsuitable.
One thing he does want to do is go on a 'plane abroad as he loves his holidays with his wife, Miriam. Also, his best friend has been brilliant, giving him lifts to the hospital, etc, when needed and he even lets him come on building sites with him so he doesn't feel isolated.
It must be great to have a friend like that who remains by your side when times get tough.
My Grandad used to wear the old-fashioned prosthetic leg and Mum knows that his stump would (not surprisingly) irritate him, especially if the weather was hot. The weather hasn't been hot but it has been sunny and Phil does like to go out in the garden and such-like whenever he can, as he loves the great outdoors.
Hopefully, the problems he is having with the prosthetic leg will be temporary. He's not had the thing very long so I guess he needs more time to adjust. I should imagine he will probably be supplied with a different one if this one turns out to be unsuitable.
One thing he does want to do is go on a 'plane abroad as he loves his holidays with his wife, Miriam. Also, his best friend has been brilliant, giving him lifts to the hospital, etc, when needed and he even lets him come on building sites with him so he doesn't feel isolated.
It must be great to have a friend like that who remains by your side when times get tough.2 people like this
8 responses
@BarBaraPrz (45475)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Mar 13
As you said, it's probably just a case of getting used to it. Maybe change the "sock" he wears on the stump before putting on the leg.
I once saw a one-legged guy using a chain saw to cut down a tree, and of course, wondered if that's how he lost his leg...
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 Mar 13
Mmmm...good point. I prefer Phil as an action man though to my Dad, who's - basically - waiting to die, he's so inactive.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
3 Mar 13
hi Janey my roomie who has alzhemier stay in bed alld ay plus sl eeping all night.It is really like she's just waiting to die. Now she used to go down and play bingo and have a lovely time and now she does just lie there all dau . I want to shake her to get her to get up and just do anything. walk around the building or go watch televsion or something. I cannot convince her my computer and monitor are not connected with the room but are mine,yet when I offered to show her a few things, she refuses to tryh to learn at all. I do think she is just waiting to die.this depresses me a bit but I keep busy on my compu
ter.
ter.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
3 Mar 13
I have known stories that people who have had leg amputation would pass the stage of depression due to their unwillingness to accept the truth about their condition. But with such loving family and very supportive friends, this could really be avoided. And Phil is just so lucky to have them.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
3 Mar 13
Yes, Phil's wife is a very strong lady as she goes round to see her blind relatives, shopping for them, etc. Her own mother was blind too (unfortunately, no longer with us) so she's had her own coping strategies over the year. She also works in the catering side of the local Hospices so you get the idea what she's like. She's been married to Phil for a long time so she knows him better than anybody.
I hope they manage to get away on a holiday abroad as that's Phil's ultimate goal as he loves being in the sun.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
2 Mar 13
As you said it's like anything new, there will always be teething problems, temporary problems whilst he gets used to it, it will seem very strange at first, but with commitment, patience and perseverence I am sure that he will adjust. I always say you always know your true friends when you are in need, or have reached rock bottom, they are there for you, the others, you don't see for dust!
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
3 Mar 13
His friend even comes round to see him when his Mrs is at work so he's not on his own. Phil likes company and will chat until the cats come home lol. This will help him as there's nothing worse than being on your own for long periods of the day with no-one to talk too. He has 3 sons as well so each of them will pop in on occasion.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 Mar 13
That's the thing..Phil has been looking forward to receiving and using his prosthetic leg as he didn't like being in a wheelchair. He's extremely independent, you see and a prosthetic leg would allow him to be moreso.
I guess he's a bit disappointed that the leg hasn't changed his life in the manner he'd hoped..but it's still early days like you have pointed out.
1 person likes this
@redredrose (1105)
• United States
2 Mar 13
It is so wonderful he has such a great support system. It is great to have friends like that when u r in need . It shows who tour true friends really are. Maybe he just doesn't like the leg or maybe hes not used to it yet or it is just uncomfortable. Just be glad hes doing well. Thanks for the update and i'm glad hes better and doing well.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 Mar 13
You're welcome.
I guess Phil cannot expect everything to work out straight away. He has to be patient I suppose.
One thing's for sure though..he won't give up!
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16531)
• China
3 Mar 13
He is a person as tough as nails.Maybe it will be quite some time before he gets used to his prosthetic leg.It was kind of Phil's friends to offer to help.A friend in need is a friend indeed.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
3 Mar 13
Phil is one of those guys that tends to attract positive people like himself so I have no doubt he will (either) persevere with his present leg or insist on having another one. I should imagine there is a timescale with it - probably 3-6 months so he will probably have to go back and see what his options are.
He won't give up though, I know that much about him.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16531)
• China
4 Mar 13
I don't doubt that he will make it.I admire some people for their courage and willpower.You certainly have heard of Oscar.Pistorius http://first-thoughts.org/on/Oscar+Pistorius/Olympic+Stadium/
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
3 Mar 13
hi Janey Iam so fortunate that my best friend Nelda is like that.We have been friends for years and our sons were friends first so we meet through our sons. When I had to come to this tiresome retirement center she would email me and still does email me each weekday and still does from work. She also takes me to the bank and to rite aide whenever I need to go shopping..
I imagine that getting used to a new prosthesis takes some time and he will soon get used to it and not feel maybe scared. He
sounds like a lovely person,I hope he will soon get out in his garden with his prothesis and enjoy being out there too.And maybe they can soon get in a plane an take that vacation they have been dreaming of.
of.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
3 Mar 13
Yes, he doesn't want much does he? Enjoying the garden and going on holiday. He and his Mrs deserve that much at least.
It's great you have a best friend, Nelda. Lovely name too.
The problem with me is I'm not very good at KEEPING my friends as I tend to fall out with over something silly, never to talk to them again.
One in particular is probably married now but I've no idea what Alan's surname is or - indeed - when or where he and Caroline got married. Her son was born in 1989, around the same time my own nephew was born and his name is Michael, but, apart from that..I've no idea where she is or what she's up to. Ironically, I found a an ex-friend I DON'T want anything to do with on 'FriendsRe-United.'
Isn't that always the case?
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
4 Mar 13
And they make it look so easy on TV. I'd imagine there's a long adjustment period. There's the pain, and phantom limb syndrome, and haveing to learng to balance all over again, etc.
