Hello!
There is no real way to know how you’re feeling, but if you’re anything like I was you are probably not very happy right now. You’re probably still trying to figure out and wrap your head around the whole, having a limb removed thing. Perhaps you knew that it was to come before it happened, maybe it was sudden and you didn’t have a choice in the matter, like me.
You might be feeling frustrated, frightened, or unprepared. The important thing to know is that it’s okay to feel this way. This new life that was given to you, will get hard sometimes. Some people may come along and act like your amputation is the end of the world and maybe you’ll feel that way too. Maybe you feel like the future you had planned for yourself is now out of reach, but it’s not. It’s not the end of the world and your future is still right there, ready for you to live it. Like most hard times and traumatic events, you have to make your situation what it is. Find joy in the little things and move forward.
Pretending like everything is okay, is not a very good idea. I practiced this in the beginning and I probably could have won an Oscar with my acting skills. When all the visitors had left, when I was alone again, everything came crashing down and there was no one there to really be there for me because I wouldn’t let them. So, make sure that you let people love you, that you let people be there for you. Even though they can never truly understand what you’re going through, everything feels a lot better when you’re simply hugged by your loved ones.
You don’t have to be ashamed of your scars. You don’t have to be ashamed because you’re “different.” Not everyone goes through amputation and you going through this is an act of true strength, even on those bad days. Strength is not always a smiling face, strength is not always keeping silent about how you feel. I was at my very weakest when I presented myself at my strongest. You are strong, you are brave – just like I was even on the days I could barely function and had my lowest of lows. Having lows gives you the opportunity to rise up and the realization that you can overcome, that you will overcome.
So, this is to you, my friend, welcome to a community that is filled with love, positivity, compassion, strength, determination, support, and so much more. You will never be alone unless you choose to be. You have people who care and support you, even those you don’t know. You are always more than welcome to reach out to me if you need to talk or have any questions and I will be there. There are so many amputee support groups out there that will wrap you up in their virtual love and support that you can feel as if it was right there in person with you.
Sending you all of my love and good vibes, you’ll get through this and I will be here, with you, every step or roll of the way.
Love,
Myah