Hi wanted to introduce myself to you. 12/2005 I slipped and fell in the shower had a serious fracture 3 plates and 18 screws to put me back together, then about 5 days later I was walking with the therapist and I slipped and fell and refractured the whole leg. 12/31/05 I had another surgery to remove hardware and replace with some different plates. A few days later I developed the MRSA virus so the doc went back in took out the hardware and put in antibiotic beads and an external fixatur. About a week later I was recouping in a nursing home and I turned to the left and it seems the torque was just right to snap my femur. Well back to surgery and I had a titanium rod placed from my hip down through the ankle,knee fused and rebuilt. 

So technically I have a leg I can walk short distance with a walker, I can walk even shorter distances with a cane...but I'm killer with the W/C! My leg is much like a "kickstand", however the leg is also 2" shorter than the other so I have terrible back pain which also inhibits the time I can stand. The only plus is that I have had my car modified with a left foot accelerator,however my right leg lays on the seat and the circulation is cut off.But I don't fit in a lot of seats with my leg sticking out straight, including passenger seats,the tram at the wild animal park, or a bus unless I sit on the side seat but with my leg sticking out I am very vulnerable and that is scarry.

My interest was piqued when I saw you Josh on CNN, I had done some research and wasn't finding anything like this site out there. And I was quite jealous seeing how active you are, I can't jump rope, or do leg lifts.If you or any of you could have your limb back with major restrictions of use would you really want it back. I am at a crossroad and I am having ahard time I need some more advice especially from someone that can relate to the situation. My family and friends think I should keep the leg at all costs...but they don't have to live with it either.

I would be grateful for any and all opinionsor even if someone has or has had a similar situation. Thank you in advance for your comments.

Terri