10 Things I WISH I Knew BEFORE Losing My Leg

i am literally lying in a hospital bed preparing for a below knee amputation due to a similar injury and your video popped up completely out of no where and it’s really made me feel ready for what is happening to me in just under an hour thank you so much for helping me

"Comparison is a thief of joy." Something I needed to hear.

My daughter had a below the knee amputation in Oct 2020. Your page has helped us a lot. Thank you

I had a car wreck 10 months ago and have been battling setbacks with a non union fracture. Infections, failed hardware, etc. 4 days ago, my doctor said it is finally time to look at amputation. I am trying to digest this new reality. It is so great to see your video. Thank you and I will be checking out more of your videos.

Thank you. I have had an above knee amputation for 57 years—since I was 11. You verbalized a lot of what I have experienced and that validation is quite comforting. I would have liked to have been told that I still would have had the sensation that I had my leg after I woke up. And about bad electrical-like shocks in my stump. Gabipentin helps a lot for those. Thanks again. Keep up your spirit.

4:20 "Comparison is the thief of joy" That needs to be printed on stickers, t-shirts, everything!

“Comparison is the thief of all joy” My mother used to say that to me when I was small, so this touched me.

I’m not an amputee at all, but I love all of your videos and watching your journey. The highs and the lows. You are one of the few YouTubers who shows it all and are vulnerable online and that’s just such an authentic thing and I absolutely love it.

"Learn how to fall" I can't tell you how many times this one skill has saved my bacon. I trained as a paratrooper, and we spent two solid weeks learning how to fall - to the point it all became a reflex. I've fallen off of planes, trains, and even the top of armored personnel carrier with nary a broken bone. So yes, practice, practice, practice!

When I need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, I just crawl.

These points are 100% spot on! I'm not an amputee but a two-time cancer survivor. I believe anyone who is about to undergo a life-changing event needs to hear and understand these points. Indeed, the medical staff does not distribute a brochure detailing how your life will change after whatever event occurs.

I wanted to thank you for your video. I am not an amputee but became disabled 14 years ago. Watching you being as positive as you are really helped me today. It's easy to be upset with Doctors that don't listen and to realize things could have been different. It is what it is and you drove that point home to me. Thank you.

Very helpful information...I'm a nurse and this is stuff it would be great to be able to pass on to patients. Also, could you maybe do a FAQ aimed at the elementary school crowd...might be able to cut down on some of the random stares🙂

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Say that again! I randomly clicked on this video and that really resonated. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I really enjoy spending moments with you every now and then. And whether you’re an amputee or not a lot of what you just said can be very helpful. And put towards any sort of healing you were going through. No matter what the situation don’t base your healing on other people.

What you said about not being able to blend into a crowd and feeling unsafe because of that really resonated with me. I started using a wheelchair a little over a year ago to help with my chronic illness and fatigue, and maybe I was a bit naive but I didn't expect to be closely observed by literally everyone I met. I totally understand it but it's such a huge energy drain for me, so it's still very energy demanding to be out and about. Because of this I try to walk my dog early in the mornings and late at night, when there are the least amount of people outside.

Why arent you running a marathin yet? Well, i couldnt run when i had 2 legs, so pretty sure im not gonna bother when ive only got 1, would be my answer! 🤣

It is my dream to become a prosthetist. I am likely to become an amputee myself and I have always been interested in the medical part behind it. Your videos really help me! ❤️🙋🏼‍♀️

Awesome, she has explained things that have happened to me, after my surgery the docs just kept pushing me to get up and walk and live life, doesnt go like that, thank you for telling us how it is Jo.

Thank you Jo, my husband is scheduled for surgery for below the knee amputation Wednesday. You have given us food for thought and good advice.