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Name: |
Larry D |
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My Story: |
Started
life with congenital heart disease two Holes and a Bad Valve. In the early
1960’s a pioneer Cardiologist was able to repair the holes. However he
needed to remove the pulmonary valve in order to keep me alive. When he
did this during the surgery the aortic valve became damaged. In the mid
1970’s is when he went in a replaced the aortic valve with a prosthetic
valve. After several years of heart ships and good times I found my self
running out of steam. During the years surrounding the turn of the century
I was setting myself up for a fourth heart surgery. I went with some of
the best Cardiologist’s northern Colorado had. Taking his advice I set my
surgery up at was sure to be one of the best hospitals and surgeons Denver
had. The plan was to install a new pulmonary valve and possible close a
hole that was discovered. Two weeks before the surgery I had what looked
like a heart attack. My Cardiologist Checked my heart out and found no
evidence of a heart attack. Come late July I went in for my surgery. As
soon as the surgeon started to open my chest, the surgery went bad. Having
to do a lot of reconstruction the surgeon was only able to install the
pulmonary valve. Two days after the surgery I developed compartment
syndrome in my lower left leg. After a month of treatments on that leg,
they found it was unsaveable. After the first amputation, problems
developed in the limb where they needed a second amputation. Then they
needed to do another surgery on it again! I was let out in mid September
finding my self in worse shape then when I went in. January is when I
received my prosthetic leg. I was having a tough time with it. Come
February I went in to have the hole in my heart repaired. It was done as
an out patient with out opening my chest. I felt better right off. I was
able to drive myself to work and back. My self confidence was being
restored I thought I was over the hill. Staff infection set in on the end
of the stub. Now I am trying to recover from that. More later. |
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Occupation: |
Communications operator |
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Hobbies & Interests: |
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Age at amputation: |
44 |
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Brand of Prosthesis: |
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What I most want new
amputees & their families to know: |
Loosing a limb is not the end of the
world! It's only a different path one has been put on. It's hard but
amazing what you will find. |
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What I most want
others to know: |
NEVER GIVE UP!!! NEVER. |
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My personal tip for
new Amputees: |
It's a new world to explore with new
challenges to face. Think of it as a way to keep life Intrusting. |
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Major accomplishments
since limb loss: |
Still To soon |
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Contact me: |
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Amputee
Support &
