I was 25 years old when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes; He didn’t even have a family history. I was insulin dependent for over 20 years, until I was 49. Kidney failure appeared at 45, as a result of poorly controlled diabetes. In addition to restricting fluids – at the end of the day, I could only drink half a liter of all drinks – and losing my urinary function, I started dialysis, every other day, a real prison. My whole life was based on dialysis schedules.
One day, I was at the beach and I saw the black right toe, I got scared. Conclusion: amputation of the toe, which, in fact, is almost half a foot. Doctors tried every solution, from medication to treatments in the hyperbaric chamber, to avoid a generalized infection. At that time, in 2011, I was wearing crutches, but the wound never closed and the solution was amputation of the leg, below the knee.
The same thing would happen to my left foot and, when I lost the desire to eat, I came to the conclusion that everything was being affected. I was registered at two hospitals to undergo a kidney-pancreatic transplant, it was my biggest goal. Was it worth fighting for? The doctor didn’t guarantee anything… so I asked him to cut the left leg, where he cut the other. When an obstacle appears, I don’t think about the problem, I think about the solution.
Amputation had to happen. I informed myself, researched the internet and saw that there were other people who moved on with their lives. At the hospital, they provided psychological support, but I never needed it. I always accepted the situation well. The big problem for people, when they are amputated, is thinking about what they are going to stop doing, that the life they had before is over and that they are going to end up in a wheelchair. I wore crutches for a few months and was supported by my father until I received the prosthetics, the most suitable model for me, through Social Security.
I didn’t think: “If I already had the prosthetics…” But, rather: “I want the prosthetics to try to walk.” We don’t know what our ability to adapt is. Fortunately, I adapted very well, better than with a walker that the physiotherapist gave me.
At first, I adjusted my car to have the accelerator, brake, clutch and gear controls on the steering wheel, but I couldn’t… I still used my feet. However, I bought a car and the only difference is that it is automatic.
Sometimes I felt phantom pain, it felt like my toe was itching or my foot hurt. I knew it was all related to the stump’s nervous system; Then, I would press a little and it would pass. It’s a strange feeling to have itching in a part of your body that you no longer have. Today, when I touch the end of the stump, it’s the same sensation as before, of touching my leg, my knee.
“I walk a lot”
I have a second pair of prosthetics, made of a lighter and more resistant synthetic fiber, but they have a problem with the fit and, once adjusted, they cannot undergo major changes. The prosthetic foot and ankle have a lateral movement; I can bend over and I have flexibility, this helps me balance. I adapted these to go to the beach, to be able to go to the sea. The neoprene foot is missing a lining for walking into the water. But, as I was transplanted, I must avoid sun exposure. That’s why I haven’t been to the beach in a few years.
I don’t spend the day thinking that I don’t have my legs. I remember when, for example, I go down some stairs, because I need to go sideways and hold on to the handrail.
At night, I undress and sit in the wheelchair; I go to the bedroom, move from the chair to the bed and sleep. When I wake up, I go back to the chair and go, still without prosthetics, to the bathroom. I clean myself, take a shower on my knees in the bathtub and get dressed. Afterwards, putting on the prostheses is like putting on shoes. In fact, I only use the wheelchair in the morning.
I owned a pastry shop for many years, where I spent many hours on my feet, but I stopped working. I have a lot of free time and I walk a lot. Here, in Setúbal, I take good walks along Avenida Luísa Todi, back and forth, twice. The climbs and descents are more difficult, but it depends on the slope, it’s a question of balance. I cross my leg and everything, but I shouldn’t; It’s not good for the stump because it twists.
Running is possible, but you must have an adapted prosthesis. If I want to start running, I’ll run; then I can’t stop suddenly. In distress, I run for sure!
Before the two amputations, I had never played sport; Then I played handball in a sports wheelchair for five years. I played in the national championship without prosthetics and won cups and medals. I also tried table tennis.
Sometimes I felt phantom pain, it felt like my toe was itching or my foot hurt. I knew it was all related to the stump’s nervous system; Then, I would press a little and it would pass. It’s a strange feeling to have itching in a part of your body that you no longer have.
My doctor says I’m getting better. Since 2013, when I received a kidney and a pancreas, it is unquestionable that I have gained quality of life. Diabetes was essentially about controlling my diet, but I started thinking about restrictions, because I gain weight. When diabetes was added to dialysis, it was confusing, as certain foods that he could eat, as a diabetic, were not recommended due to kidney failure. I couldn’t eat tomatoes, lots of vegetables and fruit because of the fructose; It was necessary to pay attention to iron, potassium and calcium.
With the double transplant, I completely no longer had to worry about food. I can now eat a cupcake without worrying. I can eat like anyone else, I shouldn’t overindulge, like anyone else. The fluid restriction was terrible, and if diabetes makes you thirsty… It was a battle. Now, I can drink whatever I want and I should, because of my kidneys, but I even forget to drink water.
I also felt free. Dialysis, day in and day out, was a prison. I couldn’t be away from home for many days, and going on vacation was difficult. At the end of 2021, I bought a trip and went to Brazil for a month. Meanwhile, I’ve already been to Dublin, in Ireland, to São Miguel, in the Azores, to Funchal, in Madeira, and took a few walks around Portugal. Before, this was impossible. [email protected]
Statement collected by Sónia Calheiros
