New Life & New Look....                   

 

I regained consciousness about 3-4 days after the accident.  I did not know that my leg was gone.  My body still feels like the leg is there.  My arms were all in casts and supports so a nurse was the one that kindly told me my leg had been amputated at the scene of the accident and that more surgery was done while I was unconscious.  I was so surprised to be alive that the impact of what was said to me really did not register.  I spent 1 week in the hospital after coming out of Intensive Care and was sent home to heal.

Being that my upper body was all battered and broken, I was only able to get around in a wheelchair.  I had to have help with everything.  My daughter came home from college to help and stay with me for 5 months.  We then worked on walking with a walker and getting fitted with a prosthesis.  When you are an amputee, everyone assumes that you have a prosthesis or are in the process of getting one made.  This was all new to me. All of the medical personnel tell you that it will work and you will be OK.  I was certainly willing to try. 

We researched and found a certified prosthetist in Washington state.  The fitting procedure started with measurements, plaster forming and weekly visits.  I was then told that my stump had changed so dramatically and not in the correct way.  I would have to have a revision surgery if I was even going to have a 50-50 chance of getting a prosthesis to fit and work.  I was told from the beginning that I would probably never be able to walk without the aid of a cane even with my prosthesis.

I went into the hospital for a revision surgery on my stump.  I think this was more upsetting than the original amputation because I was healed and ready to go forward.  This was so depressing as it was taking me backwards.  Everything was put on hold again for about 2-1/2 months while I recovered.

We just really couldn't get a good fit and make a prosthesis work.  There aren't any refunds on prosthetics, so I use my leg as a very expensive planter sitting in the corner of the living room.  It does have a nice fern growing out of it, however.

During all of this time,  my wonderful friends visited me, took me places, and kept me in good spirits.  One of the things about motorcycle friends, is that everybody has a nickname.  They tried "Peg", "Stumpy", and some others.  The one that just made me laugh and has stuck with me is "I Lean Right".  An amputation is a serious thing, but part of healing and going on with life is having a great sense of humor and laugh at bad things that happen to ourselves.  I am so happy to be alive and I truly enjoy everyday. I hope that you will laugh with me as we get to know each other.

In the late Fall of 1999, I decided that I could no longer live in the mountains of North Idaho. It is difficult to deal with the amount of snow and ice as a two legged person, let alone try to live independently as a one legged person. I have always been intrigued by the Southwestern part of the United States. I moved to the Phoenix area of Arizona. Motorcycle riding season is now year-round. I have a lot of good friends in this area, as well as Southern California, New Mexico, Idaho and on the East Coast in New York. I ride as a passenger whenever I am offered the opportunity. Motorcycles and the people that ride them have been, and are still my love and passion. I may have wrecked and lost my leg, but I do not think I will ever loose my love of hearing a Harley-Davidson motorcycle or being on one with my face in the Wind..........