I lost my left leg from a motorcycle on 11-25-2023.
I was behind a car when she put on her brakes, and I had to make a decision to either go to left of her, which I couldn’t since there was oncoming car. I got hit from behind, but I decided to go around her on the right side which I didn’t make it and hit the curb and flew into bushes. I woke up stuck in the bush and remember hearing Firemen using chainsaw to cut the bush to get me out.
I didn’t wake up until the next day. I still thought I had my left leg. The doctor came in the room asking my family to step outside the room so he could talk with them. While that was happening, my nurse was taking out the tube in my throat. once she did, I asked her if I lost my leg. She hesitated but said yes. Then my nurse told me that she has been a nurse for a few years and patient like that have come in and had no one. I have so many family and friends here, use that as motivation. I have used that saying ever since.
My recovery was very hard, the pain I had was very strong. I had another surgery four days later to fix my leg so I’m able to wear a prosthetic leg. The pain after that was very hard. I was pushed to do PT and O,T which was very helpful to get where I am today.
I wish knew at the start that it will take time and that you have to push yourself more. you can’t wait for answers. Go find the answer and use the resources you have. Phantom pain is so crazy.
I have to love myself again. I had to work on my mental thinking. If I didn’t do that then I wouldn’t be good for anyone. Opening up was the best thing I ever did with my therapist because you have to accept your new life.
A turning point in my recovery was realizing that I wasn’t alone, I truly have a great support team around me.
I want to help others that don’t have anyone. I want them to know they aren’t alone. I’m blessed to have such a great support team around me. That is why I joined the Trauma Survivors Network. I’m not alone. There are people out there who are there to help us. We have to keep going and learn something new each day. You can’t stop growing.
My message to other survivors: I know how you feel, I lived it and still working hard on my journey. I’m here to help you anyway I can. I will tell you my story and you can learn from it so that your journey can be successful
It took time, being honest with yourself and accepting that my life has changed, but the injury doesn’t defined me.
I didn’t let this trauma defined me. I wish everyone knew how hard it is and that you need to keep growing. I pray and write in my journal. When I’m having a bad day, I look back where I was and where I am now and use that to make sure I take one step forward each day.
Here is my quote, and I have it on my left forearm: