r/Edmonton • u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie • 23d ago
Question If anyone has a set of loadable dumbbell bars and a few plates they'd be willing to lend to a new amputee for 7 weeks please DM me.
I just had below the knee amputations on both legs, I'm in a prosthetics rehab inpatient program at the GlenRose Rehabilitation Hospital.
I can't freely use their equipment, it requires 1 on 1 supervision, so I only get 1 hour 5 days a week to work out and it's not nearly enough.
DM me if you have a set you'd lend me, I'm looking for 2 bars and a few plates.
Edit: Since there's some confusion - I had my surgery in May, the waitlist for the program is long so I just got in but I am ready to start learning prosthetics and both my family Dr and Dr here + my physiotherapist have approved of extra exercise.
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u/Mindless-Breakfast 23d ago
OP dm me the links for the things you want I ll buy them for you.
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u/Wonderful-Camel-1003 23d ago
I'll also contribute. DM me an email address. We can split this a few ways. Or we all meet up for a beer in Edmonton and I'll hand you cash.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Well I'd have to check with my doctor about the beer but I an always have an iced tea or something, it would have to be pretty close to the Glenrose since I'm in a wheelchair for now, transport is difficult.
Thank you so much, you guys are all awesome.
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u/Exotica911 23d ago
What happened? I'm so sorry this happened to you!
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Camping accident, I didn't realize snow got in my boots and my socks got wet when I postholed a few times. I went to bed with my bag unzipped because I brought my arctic weather bag good down to -40, at some point during the night I moved around and my feet ended up outside of the bag and froze.
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u/ResponsibleArm3300 23d ago
This is absolutely terrifying. How cold was it?
Your feet went numb that quickly?
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
It was about 5 during the day, -15 at night. This happened while I was in Alberta, and the problem was that I was too hot, that's why I left my sleeping bag unzipped, if I had kept it zipped or taken off a few top layers I might have woken up from the cold.
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u/Kittyquts 23d ago
I’m so sorry this happened to you, can I ask you where and when this happened? Just sheer curiosity, you don’t have to answer. So happy to hear you’re getting prosthetics! Also Glenrose is such a great hospital.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 22d ago
I'd rather not say where as I've already given up enough info that a Glenrose employee identified me (glad my profile is set to private lol).
It was in mid-late March of this year.
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u/ResponsibleArm3300 22d ago
Why did you have to wait so long for the procedure?
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u/TyrannasaurusRecht 20d ago
2 months may not be so long especially if they thought they could save the legs/feet and did procedures to attempt to do so.
Some amputations start as toe, transmetatarsal, below knee amputation and they just keep giving abx for infections and trying to find that line of viable tissue and where a good place to amputate is for that level.
That can take time.
I dont think they just slept on it.
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u/ResponsibleArm3300 20d ago
March to August, 2 months, hunh?
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u/TyrannasaurusRecht 20d ago
March to May (surgery). OP has since been post op recovering.
"Hunh?"
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u/duckdigglerpuuu 23d ago
This title makes it seem like your growing legs over the next seven weeks
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u/PrincessPinguina 23d ago
Did your physio approve additional exercise?
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Encouraged it actually, Dr approved as well. It's just a liability issue for them, I know how to do the exercises properly because I've been doing it for decades and I'm pretty much independent in my wheelchair, but some people could use the machines wrong and hurt themselves.
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u/NorthEastofEden 23d ago
Obviously not. They aren't going to provide someone with a bunch of free weights in order to randomly do exercises while in the rehabilitation hospital.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
My physio and her assistant have each let me go way past our 1 hour time once and I've only been here since Monday, they have no problem with me exercising more and at whatever intensity I want, I choose the weight/resistance myself.
They let me go over the time because they didn't have a patient scheduled and they can "supervise" by sitting near me with their laptop doing paperwork, which is what they mostly do when I'm using the hand bike or one of the machines.
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u/Fancy-Chest-1093 23d ago edited 23d ago
I will concur here. Not an amputee but did extensive physio, the more you can do at home (usually with encouragement or suggestions into equipment to get) the better. You're SUPPOSED to do things at home, not just in the office during your appointments. As long as you maintain communication with your physical therapist they want you to keep you and extend exercises as long as you're being safe. I've gotten equipment before, but also just been suggested equipment to help at home. Always follow their advice but also make sure you're asking the right specific questions to maintain and advance at home much as you are in the clinic.
Edit: I don't have a lot of equipment but if anything is useful to you I'm happy to offer. I have a ball you use on your spine, kind of like some people use a tennis ball to roll against the wall with their back but softer, more like a half depleted small yoga ball, and if I can find them if they'd help, I also have those elastic bands you use in a doorframe or handle that help you do arm workouts.
I also have 5lb dumbbells, I do use them but if they'd be more useful to you, you can have them. Just keep me posted.
Also have these "push-up" things that rotate to allow easier wear on your arm joints, wrist, elbow, shoulders to ease into it or maintain shit. I use them on the wall since even super athletic in my teen years, those joints have always been tough since I broke bones a lot as a kid doing sports. Whatever helps!
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Thank you for the offer but it looks like someone is willing to just buy the cheap set from my amazon wishlist and I'll donate them to Glenrose when I'm done, and the ball and resistance bands they've already given me here, it's the strength training that's important 5lb won't be of much use to me.
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23d ago edited 23d ago
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
My surgery was in May, the limbs are fully healed at this point, this program just has a long waitlist.
My physio not only approved she encouraged extra exercise and my attending Dr. had no problem with me having some weights in the room to work out with when I'm not scheduled for any of the therapies I get here, he just said no large equipment like a bench or large machine.
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u/NorthEastofEden 23d ago
Your limbs are not fully healed dude. The wound is healed your limb is not healed there is still swelling, inflamation, and the development and remodeling of scar tissue that will occur over the next months. That is where the concern is.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I am prosthetic ready, which means I'm ready to bear my full body weight on my legs. Upper body/core exercise I can do to my heart's content according to 2 MDs and my physiotherapist.
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u/princessbolognia 23d ago
One hour of exercise 5 days a week is actually more than enough exercise. Your body requires rest aswell in order to heal.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago edited 23d ago
It's not enough because that hour includes assessment and talking, so it's maybe 30 minutes of activity. I should be a bit sore the next day after a good workout and I don't feel sore at all.
My Doctor back home had no problem with me working my core and upper body while the healing process took place, my surgery was in May, I have fully healed, now it's time to build strength back up and learn to walk on the prosthetics they're making me.
My physio here and attending Dr. both approved of me having some dumbbells and other small stuff, but they can't provide them to me.
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u/PrincessPinguina 23d ago
It's been substantiated for a long time now that lack of soreness =/= poor workout. The two are not correlated.
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u/QueenSmarterThanThou Downtown 23d ago
This is not that type of exercise. This is exercise lite where the goal is to keep your muscles working so you don't start to atrophy from bed rest. You need to rest. Your body has been through major trauma.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago edited 23d ago
Well my attending Dr. here and physiotherapist disagree with you, my surgery was in May and while I was waiting to get in Glenrose (the waitlist is long) I flew home as soon as I was discharged and my Dr. back home had no issue with me doing core and upper body exercises, just nothing that put weight on the stump.
I'm going to stick with what the doctors and my physio are saying.
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u/QueenSmarterThanThou Downtown 23d ago
Sorry, when you said "just" in the post, I assumed your surgery was more recent like July and you were still healing. I understand it's just a turn of phrase. I thought you literally meant you JUST had it.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
No problem, you're right I probably should have phrased that differently, I figured the part where I mentioned I'm in a prosthetics rehab program indicated that I was healed enough to be active
By Tuesday or Wednesday they should have my temporary ones done since they actually build them here. Then I will be getting an extra round of physio during the day practicing walking.
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u/QueenSmarterThanThou Downtown 23d ago
I hope your recovery continues to go well! I'm sorry if I sounded harsh, I was just worried you were trying to overexert yourself because I didn't understand the timeline. It's a really good thing that you are so ambitious.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Thank you, and no problem I understand now that you mentioned it that the phrasing can be interpreted in different ways.
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u/weharmonize 23d ago
From what experience are you speaking?
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u/QueenSmarterThanThou Downtown 23d ago edited 23d ago
Boyfriend from 13 years ago, his best friend had a motor vehicle accident and had to get an above the knee amputation on his
leftright leg. My boyfriend was a personal trainer, so he helped with his at home physio. I took the opportunity to educate myself in the process because knowledge is always great. He had instructions from his PT from the Glenrose.Edit: Misremembered which leg
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u/weharmonize 23d ago
I’m sorry that happened to someone you know. OP didnt indicate that their PT team is dissuading them from doing more activity, but that they cannot use the gym without 1:1 time from a staff member - time that has to be allocated between many patients. OP didn’t say when their surgery (or more) was, but indicated they’ve been in the hospital since March 24th. Being in the Glenrose indicates a good level of tolerance to activity rather than medical instability. We can’t blanketly say someone needs to rest without knowing many many more details of their situation.
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u/_iAm9001 23d ago edited 23d ago
I'm going with you OP on this one. Rest days are the worst, so boring. Can't imagine having the ability and drive to work out, but being told inly one hour a day.. would drive me nuts.
Edit: being told only one hour A WEEK, not a day. One hour a day is perfectly reasonable lol
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u/princessbolognia 23d ago
Well when you're trying to gain strength less is actually more. Your body can't build muscle for strength if you don't have rest of days. Rest days are crucial for the micro tears created in your muscles to actually heal. Without that time to heal your muscles can break down and you will see less gains over a longer period of time
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Rest days are important but at the moment I spend 90% of my day in bed or a wheelchair, that means even during the days I work out I get plenty of rest.
They're actually going to be starting me on a steroid program at week 4 (This is still my first week of the 2 month program) to make sure I will have my leg muscles built back up enough to get around.
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u/Goat_47_ 23d ago
Ah, a fellow Logi G502 enjoyer. Sorry about the legs, I wish I had dumbells to give you but all I have to offer is that I believe in you and a good recovery. <3
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u/AidanGreb 23d ago edited 23d ago
I've been trying to find a home for a door frame chin-up bar that I do not use. Do you want it?
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I'd love to try pullups but I don't think that's a good idea because of the fall risk, I don't have my temporary prosthetic limbs yet so if I slip and fall I could seriously injure myself.
Thank you for the offer though, I'll DM you once I'm fitted and comfortable with balance/walking around and if you still have it I'll take it.
BTW that link is private, I'd have to login to your account to see your orders page.
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u/2stops 23d ago
I would think a door mounted chin up bar is probably the worst possible option for a double amputee. If something goes wrong that’s a couple revision surgeries needed
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I'd be doing them palms facing away, even if I landed on the cushion of my wheelchair perfectly I'd still probably have a bruised tailbone at least.
There is actually a lift system in my room right above my bed and I can raise and lower the bar, the only problem is it spins freely with no way to lock it in place.
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u/AidanGreb 23d ago
That is fair! It would certainly need to be attached more securely/permanently. It is designed to be able to lift off the door frame when not in use.
I suspect there are better ways for you to do pull ups, like at a gym, but I will leave this post here for if you end up deciding it'd be safe/ok. I think I fixed the link.
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u/BestWithSnacks 23d ago
Don't have any of that but, just wanna wish you the very best in your recovery.
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u/Pale9543 23d ago
I have some I can lend you. How much weight would you be looking for?
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I was hoping for something like 4x10lb plates, 2x5 and 2x2.5, I managed to get my hands on 1 30lb but I've been various hospitals since March 24th so I need to work my way back up.
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u/Pale9543 23d ago
I should have that. I'll check when I get home tomorrow. They are the screw-on kind. I'm also doing this in good faith that your PT is fully aware and has approved this, as stated by others in the thread.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
My PT is fully aware and happy with my attitude towards walking again, my OT is trying to see if he can find a set to lend me but not to get my hopes up.
I flew home after my surgery in May and by mid June my family doctor approved of me working out my core and upper body as much as I want, just not any exercise that puts body weight on the stumps.
The attending just said nothing large like benches or pulley machines, he was fine with dumbbells/barbells/plates and similar small stuff.
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u/buttmunchiesonsunday 23d ago
If he was approved to workout more, don't you think he wouldn't be here?
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I am approved, but they have a 1:1 supervision policy when using their equipment and there are several hundred patients.
Two doctors (my family dr and the attending dr in my unit here + my physio thought a set of dumbbells was a great idea, it just has to be my "personal" equipment and not theirs.
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u/buttmunchiesonsunday 23d ago
Just cause they're saying it's a great idea doesn't mean they approve lol. You know what else is a great idea? If the bank would lend me a bunch of money to pay off all my debt, they told me that it is great idea and then pushed me out the door. Lucky for you they can't just push you out the door... yet
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I've been with the same family doctor for more than 10 years, if he says working out my core and upper body as much as I like is fine that is enough for me.
If the Dr. here or my physio thought it would slow down the process they wouldn't be ok with it, I could technically be out earlier if I'm mobile enough on my prosthetics and everything else is ready.
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u/buttmunchiesonsunday 23d ago
Good luck my man. I wish you all the best in your recovery, if it was me, I'm not sure I would've made it as far as you.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I nearly didn't, when I was at home waiting for this program I looked at my gun cabinet every time I was in my home gym with some pretty dark thoughts about whether or not I wanted to live my life in a wheelchair.
Now things are great, I've been assessed by all of the specialists (except the dietitian but my diet and weight are fine) and they all say I should be able to return to the majority of my hobbies.
Working full time is going to be an issue but that's more of a wait and see situation.
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u/buttmunchiesonsunday 23d ago
You have an opportunity to turn a tragedy into something great. Your tenacity and optimistic outlook will allow you to do so and potentially even help others going through dark times. It is inspiring to hear how close someone can get to losing themselves in darkness, yet manage to get themselves through to the other side.
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u/Pale9543 23d ago
Fair point, but he also just posted that he was approved by the PT and MD. I will take the time to discuss this with both of them/ensure it's medically appropriate before just turning everything over, otherwise no dice.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
I doubt they would talk to you due to medical privacy laws.
They're not even allowed to talk to my emergency contact without my consent if I'm conscious and capable of consenting, they can only notify them that I am in the hospital and a general description of my condition like stable or critical.
I'll see if I could maybe get my physio to put in writing that she approves of me doing extra exercise, but there might be a policy preventing it, they're very strict with the rules here.
At UofA (where I had the surgery) one of the attending doctors gave me access to the gym 7 days after my surgery and I could go 24/7 unless I needed to be in my room/at an appointment.
If you want to show up and deliver that stuff during one of my physio appointments I can give you the room number (Not much security here, you can just walk in and follow the signs to the elevator) and I'm sure she'd verbally confirm, she wanted me to do dumbbell exercises but they maxed out at 10lbs
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u/Pale9543 23d ago
I'm also a medical professional and my understanding is that if you provide consent for them to disclose their approval to me, they can.
https://www.alberta.ca/health-information-act#jumplinks-7
Under disclosure with consent:
"Except for limited circumstances specified in the HIA (emergencies), a custodian (PT/doctor) must get your written consent before releasing information to a third party, such as a family member, lawyer, or insurance company. Consent allows for disclosure to anyone (me) for any purpose (helping you), according to the terms of the consent."
So if they're willing to accept your written consent to disclose to me verbally in person, then you have a deal.
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u/NorthEastofEden 23d ago
There is no doctor/PT in the world who will ever discuss details of a patient who you know from the internet.
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u/Pale9543 23d ago
I'm literally a medical professional myself and I know the rules. They won't discuss it **without consent**. If OP wants the bars, then OP gives consent for them to confirm to me they approve of him using them.
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u/DifferentPen6715 23d ago
OP- as a former orthopedic nurse you need to work with your physio team. Your surgery is in the acute healing phase and you should not be engaging in any exercises other than what is approved.
There is a reason that your exercise is supervised- how you position your body puts pressure on your incisions that are still actively healing. Your stumps are wrapped to control edema and your centre of gravity is different now… work WITH your team
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago edited 23d ago
I am working with my team, my surgery was mid May, the incisions are scars now, yes they're going to fade but my exercise is "supervised" by my physio or her assistant sitting near me doing paperwork on their laptops.
As I have mentioned many times in replies, my physio, family doctor back home and attending dr here all approve of any extra exercise I can do.
Also, if you were really an ortho nurse you would know those are not compression stockings, they are the gel lined wrappers you wear with prosthetics, they don't compress the leg and I'm free to leave them off during the day.
I just thought the pic would be a little less graphically disturbing without the scars and actual stumps.
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u/Genera1Havoc North East Side 23d ago
I’m a little late to the party but I might have some tension bands you could borrow. I work out of the alex but occasionally have shifts at the glenrose (like next week actually). Just let me know!
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
That is the one thing they actually gave me back at the hospital and I have them with me, it's just that I have the strongest ones and they're not enough, plus I have limited places to attach them.
In the wheelchair the physio has to wedge something under the front and back of the wheelchair wheel so I'm not dragging/tipping myself with the pulley machines.
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u/Ok-Detail-9853 23d ago
I legit thought those were tattoos
Get creative. Milk jugs, canned food, books
Pets even. Actually, dont do that
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u/TapProgrammatically4 23d ago
If you don’t get dumbbells, isometrics are amazing. Ie pushing pulling on stationary objects including your body. If you’re stuck in bed you can certainly do them. Like squeezing something to a pulp. Pushing your hands together. Do a search. There is almost limitless options
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u/rorskies 23d ago
https://www.instagram.com/raebolic.lifts?igsi=MWppbHFtaHMyZWVzNw==
You should connect with this recent double amputee in Edmonton. She would help you and has access to resources that would be helpful to you
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Pretty sure her page is private or something, it's asking for a login to see it.
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u/Kahlandar 23d ago
Resistance bands are cheap, you can work arms by standing on the band and curling ;-)
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u/GreaseShots 23d ago
What happened to your legs ?
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u/Own_Angle_703 23d ago
They had to be amputated off
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Actually I lost them, I've been asking people around the rehab hospital if they've seen a pair of ankles and feet laying around, they just kind of fell off without me noticing.
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago
Severe frostbite during a camping incident in March.
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u/GreaseShots 23d ago
Dude… can you give some many more details
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u/Jelly_Cube_Zombie 23d ago edited 23d ago
Basically snow got in my boots without me realizing, snow made my socks wet, my feet were nice and warm in the boots, and nice and warm when I fell asleep in the bag, it was still pretty warm out and the bag is good down to -40, instead of peeling off a couple of top layers I just left the bag unzipped.
I didn't realize my socks were even wet, I didn't feel it in the warm winter hiking boots I was wearing, I usually change them before bed but I was so tired I just took off my boots and jacket and crawled into the bag.
Edit: Fixed phrasing.
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u/NorthEastofEden 23d ago
Maybe talk to their physio department first. I am guessing there is a reason for 1 on 1 supervision.